: Allison Smith

The Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail offers a self-guided journey through a bountiful land of historic farms and trailblazing spirits. These businesses are committed to sustainable practices to last through the next century and beyond. Find your themed route below or download the official brochure.

Also, don’t forget to sign up for your Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail Passport below. The passport works on any mobile device and grants you access to deals and savings at selected sites on the Food Trail. Sign up today to receive your Digital Passport and enjoy discounts, free tastings, and more.

small child bites into red apple while standing on path in apple orchard
(Photo by Allison Smith)

Family Fun For All

Lebanon to Corvallis

Picnics, berries and sweet treats for the whole crew

Start your day with a fresh coffee and a breakfast sandwich to go from Lebanon’s Mugs Coffee House before heading to the Lebanon Downtown Farmers’ Market for fresh pastries and kids’ activities. Or pop into Sunflower Hill Farm to stock up on seasonal produce, honey, jam and handspun items.

For lunch, treat the crew to a round of Strawberry Celebration Ales (or lemonade) and wood-fired pizza at Conversion Brewing before starting your venture to Corvallis.

Pick up picnic supplies at First Alternative Co-op – South Store to enjoy at Tyee Wine Cellars and Buchanan Family Farm where they welcome families for wine tasting in the parlor and hiking trails through the hazelnut orchards, native woodlands and wetlands. Pick northern highbush blueberries at Kiger Island Blues or enjoy apples and sweet cider in the fall.

Then head south to Monroe and visit eco-farm and tiny farm store Lilliputopia. Leave your stress behind by visiting No Regrets Farm and Sanctuary for a happy hour with goats that the kids are sure to love, or head on over to Bluebird Hill Cellars for a glass of award-winning wine.

Before heading back to Corvallis, swing by Hiatt Farm, where you’ll find scratch-baked sweet rolls, buttermilk biscuits and pies, outdoor seating and yard games.

When you’re ready for dinner, grab a tasty meal from one of the food carts at Common Fields in downtown Corvallis, where a craft beverage from the tap room and kid-friendly activities will keep the whole family happy.

Stay the night at Donovan Place, a working Christmas-tree farm with lodging and a local master potter. Take home one of the ceramic treasures to help remember your trip.

For 130 years Tyee Wine Cellars has been family-owned and offering vintage blends.  (Photo by Allison Smith)

A Taster’s Tour

Corvallis to Brownsville

Savor scenic views, farm-to-table food and liquid libations with the locals

Start your day off in downtown Corvallis with brunch at Caves, where your meal is inspired by the culinary landscapes throughout Northwestern Europe and the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced.

Enjoy the offerings of local makers and growers year-round at the Corvallis Farmers’ Market on the downtown riverfront or the Corvallis Indoor Winter Market in the cooler months. While at the market, pick up some fresh-baked bread from the Bodhi Artisan Bakery booth or stop by one of their locations in downtown Corvallis.

Your farm-to-table lunch is served at local favorite Castor in downtown Corvallis, a fine-dining experience featuring elevated Southern comfort food.

Restock on fresh produce, pastries and more from Gathering Together Farm, an organic vegetable farm and favorite among locals and visitors.

Your afternoon adventure takes place in downtown Philomath, where Compton Family Wines produces sustainable fruit-forward, earthy wines using French cooperage. Nearby, a historic covered bridge acts as gatekeeper to Harris Bridge Vineyard and its specialty pinot gris and pinot noir vermouths. Next, head to Lumos Wine Company, where organic wine is poured in a former dude ranch barn.

Sneak in one more wine tasting or grab a bottle to go at Valcan Cellars in downtown Corvallis before heading to dinner in Brownsville at Harpers Wine House to enjoy a wine-centric meal. If you’re visiting on a Thursday, make time to swing by the Brownsville Thursday Market.

Enjoy a pint on the outdoor balcony at multiple breweries along the trail. (Photo by Allison Smith)

Makers and Innovators

Sweet Home to Albany

A farm-fresh feast through craft beverages and history

Start your day with fresh coffee and pastries at the Sweet Home or Albany Farmers’ Markets to peruse the locally made products. Then head south to Thompson’s Mills State Heritage Site for a free guided tour of Oregon’s last water-powered mill, built in the mid-19th century.

Make your way to Corvallis for lunch at 4 Spirits Distillery and learn about the history behind their name while sipping on a cocktail made from one of their award-winning spirits and taking in the views of Marys Peak.

Later, enjoy a craft beverage from local favorites Block 15 Restaurant and Brewery, which offers hop-forward ales and crisp ciders; 2 Towns Ciderhouse, the perfect place for seasonal ciders; and Spiritopia, with their array of innovative spirits to sample.

If your visit coincides with summer, pick blueberries at Blueberry Meadows while enjoying a frozen treat or cold brew. Celiac-safe Midway Farms on the way to Albany is open year-round to browse the farm stand or join a cider-pressing party, wine tasting or twilight yoga.

Amble on over to Springhill Cellars Winery for high-quality wines with scenic views before making your way to downtown Albany, where the petite sweets at Natural Sprinkles and locally roasted brews at Margin Coffee Roasters are sure to perk you up.

Taste the region’s flavors with an elegant dinner at Sybaris Bistro, where a new eclectic menu is adopted every month. If you’d prefer a more hands-on approach, try an evening cooking class or farm-to-table dinner from Honeybrine Catering at the Officer’s Club. Check their Facebook page for upcoming classes and events.

Fresh flowers can be found blooming between April and July along the Mid Willamette region. (Photo by Reed Lane Photography)

Flora and Fauna

Alsea to Albany

Enjoy nature’s wonders in food and the outdoors 

Begin your journey along the Marys Peak to Pacific Scenic Byway, following coastal breezes into the valley. Idyllic mornings at Alsea’s Leaping Lamb Farm and Farm Stay might include feeding lambs before breakfast. Next, visit Alsea Trout Hatchery to see steelhead spawning from November through March, or visit the photo-worthy gardens at The Thyme Garden April through August. Make sure to purchase one of their 10,000 herb starts to bring the garden home with you.

Nourish your spirit with Sunday brunch at Eats & Treats Café in downtown Philomath, where offerings are made from scratch and gluten free. Then stock up on local goods and fresh produce at the Philomath Farmers’ Market or Sunbow Produce, a 50-year-old certified-organic farm.

Enjoy craft beers on the roof of Sky High Brewery in downtown Corvallis while enjoying the views of Marys Peak – the highest point in the Coast Range with wildflowers from spring through summer and stunning panoramic views year-round.

On your way to Albany, Peoria Road Farm Market vendors await in a cheery red barn with some of the highest-quality and best-priced seasonal produce around.

Continue along farmlands to Iron Water Ranch to take a fiber arts class and meet sheep, including newborn lambs each spring. Blueberry lovers can pick 19 different varieties of blueberries at Bryant Family Farm and horticulturists can grab organic supplies and garden-themed gifts at Urban Ag Supply.

End your day with drinks and games at the shared warehouse of Vivacity Fine Spirits and Calapooia Brewing or at Albany’s brew-stillery, Deluxe Brewing and Sinister Distilling.

More tasty stops

There are dozens of stops on the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail, from bakeries to restaurants, farms and growers markets, to wineries and distilleries and indulgent take-home treats. Make your base camp in one of these charming towns and find a delicious farm-to-table meal around the corner. Here are some of the locales to explore.

Albany

Downtown Corvallis to Lebanon

Philomath to West Corvallis

Alsea to Monroe to Sweet Home

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TRAVEL TIPS

This year-round, self-guided Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail is designed to be explored at your own pace – you can start and finish wherever you like. We encourage you to inquire at individual businesses about seasonality and hours of operation before visiting.

High season varies per business but is typically May-Oct. Seasonality of key products is listed below:

  • Blueberries: June-July
  • Strawberries: May-June
  • Flowers: April-July
  • Apples and Cider: September-October
  • Hazelnuts: October-November
  • Wine Harvest: September-October
  • Pumpkins: September-October

The working farms along this trail provide some of the most unique and engaging experiences. We ask that you respect the invitation to enter each property and be cautious around farm animals and equipment. Children must be supervised at all times and you should be prepared to follow all site-specific rules. For your safety and comfort, be prepared with appropriate footwear, sun protection and water.

Interested in a guided farm, foodie and beverage tour? Best Oregon Tours offers tours to select trail stops and can build custom itineraries.

Your experience along the Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail should not end when you leave the area. We encourage you to bring a taste of your journey back home to share with friends and family as a reminder of the bounty available in the Mid-Willamette Valley.

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