Some of Our Favorite November Happenings

With fall colors in full swing and a nip in the air, let Albany’s historic charm warm you.

Our area abounds with great holiday shopping and dining, craft fairs and seasonal events. These are some of our favorites to help you start planning your visit today!

Historic Downtown Albany’s charm includes diverse businesses in impressive historic structures on wide, tree-lined streets. Many downtown shops are family-owned businesses offering an array of locally made gifts and clothing in addition to well-known brands. For treasure hunters, a myriad of antiques and collectibles can be found within 20,000 square feet on two floors at the Albany Antique Mall. If handmade gifts and crafts are your passion, The Vintage Roost holiday craft show is tucked into a charming cottage across the bridge from Downtown, and Blackberry Junction fills the spacious Linn County Expo Center.

Take a break from shopping and enjoy one of the many acclaimed restaurants, cafes and coffee shops with a variety of fare and locally sourced ingredients. Margin Coffee serves sustainably sourced coffee, tea, seasonal specials and house-made pastries and sandwiches in a cozy living room-like space, and be sure to leave room for a delectable dessert from Natural Sprinkles, just next door.

For a quintessential Fall event, try the Annual Springhill Cellars’ Federweisser Festival, November 25 to 27, which pairs new, still fermenting Riesling (the Federweisser) with specially made bratwürst and Zwiebelkuchen, a sweet onion tart. Enjoy all of this in a charming barn or around a fire amidst vines overlooking the Coast Range. The house band sets the tone for a lively Barn Dance Friday night.

With so much to see and do, plan on visiting Albany for a day, weekend or longer. You will find a choice of several comfortable HOTELS just off I-5 and minutes from Historic Downtown.  Be sure to stop by the Albany Visitors Association for maps, guides to our historic districts and covered bridges, and suggestions to help you enjoy your stay.

Hope to see you soon!

Photo by Camron Settlemier