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Albany Visitors Association
122 Ferry St SW
Albany, OR 97321
PO Box 965
Phone:
541-928-0911
Newsletter
Explore Albany, Discover your story
Albany Outdoor Adventures
Make a plan to get outside, enjoy the sun a little, and get some Vitamin D in and around Albany! Let your inner adventurer free and enjoy some activities that will get your blood pumping.
EXPLORE
For a quick but scenic hike while you’re in town, wander the trails of Albany’s Talking Water Gardens. The manufactured wetland sports 2 miles of paths through a habitat filled with wildlife. On the north side of the river, walk or run the Takena Landing Trail, where you’ll enjoy peaceful views of the Willamette River on this 3.6-mile loop. Its companion, the Dave Clark Trail, follows along the south edge of the river and runs out and back from Monteith Riverpark in a 2.5-mile loop. These are just a few of the walking paths and trails found in Albany.
Pack your binoculars and camera to check out the mid-valley’s diverse wildlife. The Willamette Valley Birding Trail is a wonderful resource for birding in the area. Download the Santiam Loop section for a guide to spotting a streaked horned lark, pacific golden plover, and other species of native birds. Talking Water Garden is a great place for birding, and E.E. Wilson and other wildlife refuges are right outside of town. Visit our Wildlife Viewing page to find more places to view local flora and fauna.
Disc golfers can test their skills with three courses in Albany. Bryant Park and Takena Landing flank both sides of the Willamette River, with Bryant offering 18 baskets near downtown and Takena Landing nine baskets in North Albany. On the east side of town, easily accessible from Interstate 5, Timber-Linn Memorial Park has nine baskets in a flat, grassy setting. The newest course in Albany is Jack’s Track, located in Deerfield Park, with 9 holes.
For information about all of our parks, see Albany Parks & Recreation. Most of our parks have areas available to rent for events, and several of them have covered shelters.
These are just a few of the outdoor activities in Albany and the surrounding area. Check out our Outdoor Recreation page for information about golfing, backpacking, water recreation and much more.
PLAY
Don’t pass up a visit to Iron Water Ranch. This working fiber animal farm includes seasonal family-oriented events like bottle-feeding baby lambs and educational workshops. They host two events in the spring – March MAAAdness and April Floof’s Day. In addition to events, the ranch produces beautifully dyed wool and fiber for craft, such as yarn for knitting and raw fiber for spinning or felting.
The ranch is open daily by appointment at 35179 Riverside Dr. Reach them online or at 541-928-5180.
Midway Farms is a dedicated gluten-free farm. Not only do they offer produce and delicious baked goods, but they also hold some fun events. Attend the May Day Celebration on May 1 and their Annual Open House on June 1-2. Check their website for more days and times for other happenings like Body Positive Belly Dance, Sangria Sundays and Sip and Shimmy. The farm also has a beautiful garden that is available for rent.
EAT
Plan to take your meals with you if you go out and about. Albany has several top-notch eateries that can outfit you with the perfect take-out meal. Stop by Grazing Oregon and pick up a specialty to-go charcuterie like the Snackle, packed up in a tackle box, or a Romantic Picnic. Grab some sandwiches at No Baloney to take along, or dine outside after your adventure at The Barn at Hickory Station, where you can choose from a diverse selection of food carts. For a full list of dining options, go to our Restaurant Page. Many of our eateries feature local and farm-fresh produce, so you can enjoy the season’s best.
You could also plan your very own cuisine exploration. The self-guided Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail spans wineries, craft breweries, farms, ranches, markets, experiences, and more in the heart of the Willamette Valley.
Springtime in Albany is a great time to get outside. See the sights, enjoy the sounds and taste our bounty.
