Visiting Corvallis, OR

I was touring Oregon State University while I was in Corvallis and wanted to get a feel for the town and things to do in the area.

Day 1:

In the morning I went for a tour of Oregon State University and met with an advisor on campus to talk with them about the program I was interested in. It's a really nice campus, lots of trees, sidewalks and generous bike lanes, and it's flat and easy to find your way around. 

In the afternoon, I went on a 3 mile loop up Chip Ross/Lower Dan Trail. This gorgeous hike reaches a hill above Corvallis that offers nice views of the town and valley surrounding. There was a bit of steep uphill but it's not a long ways up. For dinner, we ate at McMenamins on 3rd Street. They offer a wide range of pub/American style food that's very good.

Day 2:

In the morning, I visited Coffee Culture off of Kings Boulevard to get some work done. They have great coffee! Then, I drove up to Marys Peak, which is the highest point in Oregon's coast range. You do have to pay $5 to park your car, but the views are amazing. I did the easy 1.5 loop from the parking lot at the top of the road, however, there is a longer and harder 5-mile loop as well.

In the evening, I visited a bar called Squirrels. They have lots of beer and some cider as well, plus some light bar food. Afterwards, I visited the Peacock Bar and Grill. It's a sports bar that's definitely geared towards college students, it has pool tables and is a fun environment to hang out in. 

Day 3:

First I went to the Corvallis Farmers Market, which is held on Sunday in downtown Corvallis (during winter they change the location to indoors at the fairground). Lots of vendors with amazing food!

Then I met up with a couple friends and went to Escape Corvallis, an awesome escape room. They have a UV light sanitizer they use in the rooms to make sure everything is clean. Definitely a fun experience! 

Afterwards, we went on an easy walk up Bald Hill. It's similar to Chip Ross but less strenuous as it has a paved flat area to walk, as well as a short 1-mile hike up to the top of Bald Hill. To finish the day, we went to 2 Towns Ciderhouse. They weren't doing tastings when I was there due to COVID-19, however, we were able to pick up some delicious ciders to go. For dinner, we ate at Pasta Piatti which was delicious! 

Day 4:

For brunch, I visited WiseCracks Cafe. It's a great little restaurant! I also poked around downtown, going in a few of the little boutique shops. There's a local candy shop that has been around for decades called Burst's Candies. Definitely worth a visit if you want something sweet. I also really enjoyed Many Hands Trading, it's a great place to pick up some fun gifts for people. Restyle Home was another favorite, it's a cute boutique with home goods and decor, a little flower shop, some clothing, etc.