Oregon Romantic Getaways

Oregon scenic drives through the Willamette Valley are the perfect route for continuing or rekindling the sparkle of romance with your loved one.  Following is an itinerary that will allow you to enjoy the diversity of Oregon scenic byways: drink in the natural beauty of silver falls, admire the artistry of man made gardens, delight in the historic charm of the State capitol, decompress in the laid-back atmosphere of Eugene, and let the local wine country intoxicate you all during three short days in the Willamette Valley! 

Driving directions:

• Begin at Silver Falls State Park
• Take OR-214 N to Silverton (17 miles)
• Head southwest on W Main Street, which will become Cascade Hwy NE (13 miles), then N 1^st Avenue (1 mile), then Stayton Scio Road (7 miles)
• Left on N Main Street which will become OR 226-W (almost 10 miles)
• Slight right onto US-20 W to Albany (7 miles); take exit to City Center
• Return to and continue on US-20 E to Sweet Home (28 miles)
• Right onto OR-28 W (19 miles)
• Merge onto I-5 S to Eugene (23 miles)
• Take OR-99N/W 7^th Avenue (13 miles)
• Left at OR-99 W N in Junction City (51 miles)
• Take OR-22 E ramp to Salem (10 miles)
• Take OR-221 N/Wallace Road NW toward Dayton (20 miles)
• Left at Kreder Road (1 mile), right toward and then left onto OR-99W S (4 miles)
• Right at OR-47 N toward Carlton (4 miles)

Begin the trip with a day of nature.  First, admire the cascading waters and towering mountains at Silver Falls State Park.  There are numerous hikes and nature walks, depending on your time allotment and desired intensity, from which to choose for exploration of the park and to catch a closer view of the falls.  Make sure to capture the moment with a few romantic photographs, and then drive to the Oregon Garden in Silverton, which boasts “80 acres of botanical wonders.”  After a stroll through the flowers, enjoy a peaceful soup-n-sandwich lunch in their Open Garden Café. 

Once your stomach is satisfied, hit the road to Albany.  Here, you will want to take the driving tour to view the town’s beautiful historic homes.  If you feel inclined toward an afternoon snack, try a local favorite from Cork’s Old-Fashined Donuts.  After this break in Albany, continue down the road to Eugene. 

Eugene, as both a cultural hub with plenty of activities and also a “chill” hippie town, is one of Oregon’s favorite cities.  Take a self-guided walking tour of downtown to see the highlights and pick a few places you will want to explore further tomorrow, then eat dinner, savor a glass of wine, and relish dessert at Café Zenon.  Crash for the evening at the Campbell House City Inn which offers wine tasting and elegant rooms, or at Apple Inn Bed & Breakfast which provides homemade comforts.

Spend the morning of day two spend in Eugene–it’s a quirky city worth exploring; start by eating breakfast and people watching at one of the numerous coffee shops.  Then seek out farmer’s markets, arts events, interesting shops, and souvenirs!  Have lunch and sip a glass of local beer at the Steelhead Brewery, then continue on to Salem. 

Upon your arrival in the city, take a stroll around the capitol grounds to admire the architecture and gardens.  For a special and memorable dinner later that evening, dine on the Sternwheeler while floating on the Willamette River.  Betty’s Bed and Breakfast, in a lovely restored craftsman home, complete with fresh local breakfast, is the perfect place to end the day. 

Next morning drive through scenic wine country to Carlton, where you can take a unique guided tour of a few wineries on horseback!  Contact Equestrian Wine Tours for more information.  If you wish, they will even pack a picnic lunch for you.  Have a tasting, and pick up a bottle or two of your favorite varietals to bring home.

To explore some diverse Oregon scenic byways and share a perfect romantic weekend with your sweetheart, the Willamette Valley is both ideal and a simple vacation to plan.  Go for it!