The Great Oaks Food Trail invites you on a self-guided culinary journey through a special part of the Willamette Valley.
Out here you’ll find small towns with big hearts, modern makers honoring local history, and family farms that work hard to preserve the land, including restoring the native great white oak savannah. 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.
Fun fact: In the 1930s, following the repeal of prohibition, Polk County was known as the “Hop Center of the World” as the nation’s largest hop-producing county. You can still see hops growing here today.
Rooted in Tradition
Dallas to Monmouth
Explore local landmarks celebrating history, wildlife and wine.
Begin your day in nature at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, where you can wander through the expansive wetlands and oak savanna while observing an array of wildlife all year round. From here, take your best pick of blueberries, cherries, peaches or apples (depending on the season) at Perryhill Farm.
Take a lunch break at Left Coast Estate, known for sustainable winemaking, where you can enjoy a tasting flight paired with charcuterie, panini or wood-fired pizza on weekends. Next head to the Polk County Museum to learn about the early pioneer heritage of the area. Continue your Polk County history lesson as you make your way to one of Oregon’s oldest and largest wineries, Eola Hills Wine Cellars.
Head to the quaint town of Monmouth, where you can choose one of three self-guided walking tours featuring the historic downtown, Western Oregon University Campus and Eastern Main Street Historic Neighborhood.
Once you’ve walked up an appetite, hop on the free trolley to Independence for lunch at Territory Restaurant inside the Independence Hotel, where you can sit at the glass porch or enjoy the rooftop for scenic vistas of the Willamette River.
Meander down Main Street in Independence before riding the trolley back to Monmouth to continue browsing downtown shops including family-owned and -operated Maui Melts, where you can satisfy your sweet tooth with hand-crafted, melt-in-your mouth caramels.
Relax with an overnight stay at the historic Mamere’s Guest House, originally built in 1891. Family owned and operated, the house is warm and welcoming with each room artistically decorated. In the morning, enjoy a delectable breakfast you will not forget.
Scenic Sips & Local Bounty
West Salem to Falls City to Amity
Tour farms and restaurants along a picturesque countryside.
Jumpstart your morning at West Salem Farmers Market, open Thursdays from May to mid-September, where you’ll find fresh produce and handmade products.
Continue to the picturesque Eola-Amity Hills and Bjornson Vineyard, where you can bring your own picnic to enjoy alfresco near the property’s 20-foot waterfall. If you’re in the mood for craft beer, stick to West Salem’s Xicha Brewing to indulge your senses in Latin American flavors and culture.
Make your way to Amity to Blue Raeven Farmstand, a must-stop for handmade seasonal pies and local goods. Next, take a scenic drive out to Brooks Winery to sample award-winning sustainable wines in a rustic tasting room. Round out your afternoon with smiles at Wings & A Prayer Alpacas, where you can meet alpacas or shop for the softest socks and scarves you’ll ever own.
Continue to Dallas for a pick-me-up: a sweet treat of local sheep’s milk ice cream at Dreamies Creamery. Finish out the day in Falls City with a knife-forging demonstration at Vonhelmick Knife Co. and handmade wood-fired pizza at The Bread Board. Return to Amity and rest easy in your top-floor flat for an overnight stay at Amity Flats, a restored historic Masonic Lodge.
Paddle, Parks & Pints
Dallas to Independence
Relish in river views and small towns with big flavors.
Awaken your senses at Karma Coffee Bar & Bakery, located in a cute house in downtown Dallas. From there head to Roger Jordan Community Park, where you can stroll with your coffee around the creekside walking path.
Make your way to Monmouth for fresh pizza and a pint at Yeasty Beasty, boasting 26 rotating taps. Nearby in Independence, enjoy a leisurely afternoon at Riverview Park either birdwatching along the Willamette River Trail or taking a mellow kayak adventure with rentals and shuttle service through Indy Kayak Co.
Treat yourself to something sweet on Main Street. Family-owned and -operated Melting Pot Candy has crafted toffees, truffles and caramels for generations. Independent Ice Cream Shop serves childhood memories in the form of cones, banana splits and homemade ice cream sandwiches.
Unwind and check in at The Independence hotel, where you can relax amongst nature-inspired décor and views of the Willamette River. Grab a small bite or glass of wine at the hotel’s restaurant, Territory, and enjoy happy hour at the hotel’s rooftop bar.
When dinner calls, consider tasty eats paired with craft brews at The River, the nickname for Gilgamesh Brewing’s downtown Independence location. It’s famous for its hand-tossed pizzas, signature views, rustic vibes and covered patio — a great spot to enjoy live music. Save room for dessert and bubbly at Jubilee Champagne and Dessert Bar.
Before you leave town, stop by Ovenbird Bakery for homebrewed coffee and pastries to go.
View this post on Instagram
More tasty stops
There are dozens of stops on The Great Oaks 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.
North Polk County
West Salem to Falls City to Amity
Independence
Monmouth and surrounding area
Travel Tips
This year-round, self-guided food trail is designed to be explored at your own pace – you are welcome to 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 June-September. Seasonality of key products is listed below:
- Cherries: June-August
- Hop harvest: July-October
- Blueberries: June-August
- Apples: August-October
- Cider pressing: September-October
- Wine grape harvest: Fall
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, orchard or beverage tour? The following operators offer tours to select trail stops and can build custom itineraries:
- Crush Wine Tours | crushonmain.com
- Farm 2 Fork Tours | farm2forktours.com
Your experience along the Great Oaks 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 greater Polk County area.
