Overview
Corvallis is a city of 61,000 people (2022) and serves as the Benton County seat in the state of Oregon and the home of Oregon State University, the state's oldest public higher education institution (founded in 1868 as Corvallis College).
4 sights · 8 things to do · 16 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Corvallis
Oregon State University
Oregon State has a beautiful picturesque campus with many historic buildings, some of which are more than a century old. Make sure to check out the Memorial Union building and Dixon rec center located in the middle of ca…
Benton County Courthouse
Hopefully you can visit this courthouse for pleasure and not because you have to. This courthouse, in downtown Corvallis, was built in 1888 and is the oldest active courthouse in the state of Oregon.
Fort Hoskins Historical Park
The historic fort operated from 1856-1865 to monitor the Coast Indian Reservation. Today, the park has trails, interpretive panels, restrooms, and a group picnic shelter.
DaVinci Days
Summer festival that has been growing by leaps and bounds every year. A festival focused on science. Includes a kinetic sculpture race through mud, water, and dry land. Also an independent film festival.
Whiteside Theatre
Avery Park and Natural Area
One of Corvallis' most popular parks, there are several playground structures and picnic shelters throughout the 75 acre grounds as well as a historic locomotive, an art sculpture that resembles dinosaur bones and the Ro…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 36°F. Wettest: Dec and Nov. (climate data from nearby Portland)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SLE Salem-Willamette Valley Airport/McNary Field, Salem — 27 mi away. Directions
- EUG Eugene Airport, Eugene — 31 mi away. Directions
- PDX Portland International Airport, Portland — 78 mi away (major hub). Directions
The nearest airports for commercial passenger flights are available from/to:
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Oregon State University, Avery Park and Natural Area, Whiteside Theatre
- Lunch Castor
- Afternoon Benton County Courthouse, Fall Festival
- Dinner Block 15 Brewing Co.
- Evening Clodfelters
Day 2
- Morning DaVinci Days, Saturday Market
- Lunch Bomb's Away Cafe - A Rockin' Taqueria
- Afternoon Biking and hiking
- Dinner The Beaver Hut Dam Growlers
- Evening Downward Dog
Day 3
- Morning Fort Hoskins Historical Park, Darkside Theater
- Lunch Interzone
- Afternoon OSU Sporting Events
- Dinner Thai Chili
- Evening Crowbar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Nearly any fast food restaurant you are looking for can be found on 9th St. Corvallis also has many pizza delivery services and restaurants. Some notable local venues are: Cirrelos Pizza, Woodstocks Pizza, Endzone Pizza Bar, American Dream Pizza, Pizza Pipeline, and The Pizza Pedler.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The town was first known as Marysville, but was later changed to Corvallis in 1857, which meant "heart of the valley" in Latin. Nestled at the foothills of the Coastal Mountain Range, Corvallis residents enjoy a multitude of mountain biking trails in their own backyard.
People from around the world are drawn to Corvallis to attend Oregon State University. Corvallis has a history of excellence in regard to education; the Corvallis School District continually has some of the highest Scholastic Aptitude Test(SAT) scores in the nation. Corvallis has the highest education level and the second highest income level in the state. Corvallis is the birthplace of Hewlett-Packard's computer inkjet printing process and was home to Nobel Prize-winner Linus Pauling. The computer mouse was invented by a graduate of Oregon State University. Corvallis also spawned Randy Couture, who is a member of the UFC Hall of Fame.
Tourist information
- Visit Corvallis website
Get in
By plane
The nearest airports for commercial passenger flights are available from/to:
- Portland International Airport (PDX) is located 96.4 mi (1¾-2 hours) north via I-5 and I-205. Groome Transportation runs approx. every 90 minutes with a scheduled travel time of 2½ hours to Portland for those traveling without a private car.
- Eugene Airport (EUG) is 34.6 mi (45 minutes) south of Corvallis on OR-99W/OR-99 with fewer commercial flights than to Portland. Options for getting from Eugene Airport to Corvallis are limited and expensive for those traveling without a car.
By car
By car, Corvallis is about 1½ hours (83.6 mi) south of Portland, almost an hour (42.4 mi) north of Eugene, and 45 minutes (34.8 mi) south of Salem, the state capital.
- Philomath Blvd/Corvallis–Newport Highway connects Corvallis to Newport 49 mi west. It follows Pacific Hwy (OR-99W) through town and then onto 2nd St from NW Harrison Blvd, alongside the Willamette River, towards Albany, 11 mi northeast. It is another 125 mi (2.5 - 3 hrs) east on US Hwy 20 from Albany to Bend. For going towards Bend it is more a straight shot to go 19 mi east on OR-34 (see below) to Lebanon and get on US Hwy 20 from Lebanon towards Bend.
- OR-34/OR-210/Corvallis–Lebanon Highway From Interstate 5, Corvallis is located 10 mi west of Exit 228 "Lebanon/Corvallis"along OR-34/OR-210. As you approach from the east you will cross a bridge which leads you into downtown Corvallis on NW Harrison Blvd. If you're leaving town, follow NW Van Buren Ave eastbound to get onto OR-34/OR-210. You can also turn left at the last light before the bridge, indicated by a sign saying "Oregon Coast/Reser Stadium," then take the exit that says Eugene/Junction City and that will take you into Philomath Blvd (US-20) at the southern edge of Corvallis to avoid the narrow one way streets in town.
- OR-99W goes through town as Pacific Highway W, serving as the main north-south thoroughfare through town between Eugene and Portland. OR-99 splits into OR-99E and OR-99W at Junction City, 15 mi north of Eugene. In town, Pacific Hwy W splits into adjacent one-way streets for each direction but with the same name.
By train
The closest Amtrak station is Albany, some 15 minutes north by car. Some shuttle bus services are available. You can use Linn-Benton loop bus from downtown Corvallis to go to Albany. This service is not provided after 7 on weekdays and on Sunday.
By bus
Go Greyhound Lines & Flixbus
Travels primarily on Interstate 5 between Portland and Sacramento via Salem, Corvallis, Eugene, Boseburg, Grants Pass, Medford, Weed, Redding, Red Bluff, Chico and/or Oroville. They no longer operate a bus station so only curbside stops are available. Tickets must be pre-purchased & printed online or loaded in their mobile app. Click here for Flixbus route & bus stop locations
Get around
- Corvallis Transit System (CTS) runs all over Corvallis and is free, allowing for quick, fareless, and efficient transportation to anywhere in town. Buses are available on weekdays and Saturdays but on Sundays no public transport is available.
Car rental is available from:
Go Hertz Car Rental
A "Neighborhood" location not attached to a travel hub or dealership, thus having a limited fleet; make reservations no less than a week in advance for any vehicles outside of the norms. Non-discounted prices range from $60/day for compact (e.g. Ford Focus) to $160/day for medium SUV (e.g. Nissan Pathfinder), with the most common model a Mazda 3-Series sedan for
Go Enterprise Rent-A-Car
A small, standalone office not affiliated with a hub or dealership, with a comparably small fleet size to Hertz, albeit with more diversity. Non-discounted prices range from $60/day for mid-size sedan (e.g. Toyota Corolla) to $150/day for the premium SUV (e.g. Audi Q5); usually at least one 8-passenger SUV available for $250–$300/day (e.g. Ford Expedition Max). Typical rental is a full-size sedan for
See
See Oregon State University (between 14th and 30th and South of Monroe St.)
Oregon State has a beautiful picturesque campus with many historic buildings, some of which are more than a century old. Make sure to check out the Memorial Union building and Dixon rec center located in the middle of campus just off of 25th and Campus Way. The sports programs are also a great attraction and a good way to spend a day.
See Avery Park and Natural Area
One of Corvallis' most popular parks, there are several playground structures and picnic shelters throughout the 75 acre grounds as well as a historic locomotive, an art sculpture that resembles dinosaur bones and the Rose Garden with over 250 varieties of roses (full bloom in mid-June).
Do
Do Saturday Market
Head downtown to the waterfront on Saturdays for a local Farmer's Market that includes many organic options. Berries in Oregon are a can't miss treat.
- Movie theaters The best places to go for blockbusters are the Carmike Cinemas or the Regal Cinemas on 9th street. If you bring your student ID you can get in to either location for $6. There is also the Dark Side Cinema downtown, which offers more challenging fare in a small theater setting.
Buy
Groceries
- 1007 SE 3rd
- 29th & Grant
Shop Safeway
Eat
Budget
Nearly any fast food restaurant you are looking for can be found on 9th St. Corvallis also has many pizza delivery services and restaurants. Some notable local venues are: Cirrelos Pizza, Woodstocks Pizza, Endzone Pizza Bar, American Dream Pizza, Pizza Pipeline, and The Pizza Pedler.
Eat La Rockita
Burritos, fast, good.
Eat Local Boyz Hawaiian Cafe
Excellent Hawaiian food. Across the street from OSU Campus on Monroe street.
Eat Thai Chili
Excellent Thai Restaurant. Right across the street from Campus on Monroe street.
Eat Yogurt Extreme
A fun frozen yogurt shop next to Market of Choice and across from OSU.
Eat The Beaver Hut Dam Growlers
Little place which serves usual type food like hamburgers, hot dogs, and more. Serves alcohol, a lot of IPAs if you're into that. Try the chicken gizzards!
Mid-range
Eat Alpine Sourdough Bakery
Established 1985.
Eat American Dream Pizza
The most popular pizza establishment in town, this restaurant has two locations (locations below). In the evenings be prepared for long lines downtown. Order pizza by the slice or for the family. The best chocolate chip cookies for only $.75, or 3 for $2.
- 214 SW 2nd St, +1 541 753-7373. Outside rooftop seating with full service after 4:30PM, in the summer, weather permitting.
- 2525 NW Monroe Ave, +1 541 757-1713
Eat Aomatsu Sushi & Grill
Sushi and Korean BBQ. Good happy-hour specials after 8:30PM.
Eat Block 15 Brewing Co.
Brew pub with high-quality bar food at 300 SW Jefferson (3rd & Jefferson).
Eat Bomb's Away Cafe - A Rockin' Taqueria
A unique blend of Mexican and Cajun, this hip restaurant is a favorite among the locals. Go to the BACRoom for a 4-table bar and privacy.
Eat The Brass Monkey
Gastropub specializing in cocktails and bar food.
Eat El Sol de Mexico
The best Mexican food in Corvallis. On Garfield and 9th Street just north of Grant. There's also a happy hour!
Eat Evergreen Indian Restaurant
A quaint Indian restaurant serving buffet in the afternoon for only $5.95 (load up!). The operating hours are complicated please check online for more info.
Eat Interzone
Small family-owned organic coffee shop that serves organic vegetarian and vegan food. Breakfast till 2PM with a larger menu on Sa Su. Great for people watching too.
Eat Squirrel's Tavern
Awesome burgers, including a great vegetarian option, the Sun Burger. Great fries, as well. Low-key, slightly "divey" atmosphere. One of Corvallis' better pubs, with outdoor seating. Sunday brunch. 5% discount when paying with cash.
Splurge
Eat Castor
Southern style restaurant with a wide variety of dishes. Operating hours vary by day. Please see online for more information.
Drink
Sports bars
Drink Clodfelters
Good sports bar feel. Huge crowds after different college sporting events. Its big night is Wednesdays, which is "Pint Night". During this night, a different beer is featured (such as Fat Tire, or Heff), free pint glasses. Starts at 7PM and 9PM.
Drink The Upper Deck Pub (Corvallis Sports Park)
Sports bar with seats looking over an indoor soccer field. Local gathering place for Portland Timbers supporters.
Alternative & dives
Drink Crowbar
As part of American Dream Pizza. Enter through the pizza parlor, or from the alley. Nice, small bar with happy hour after 11PM. Very chill, having somewhat of a romantic feel.
Drink Downward Dog
College bar across the street from the OSU campus. Lots of outdoor seating with a cozy interior. Inside of a historic building. Serves bar foods.
Sleep
- Camping is available in nearby Albany
Go next
- Marys Peak, the highest peak in Oregon's Coast range, is about 15 miles west of town and has good hiking and biking.
- McDonald Forest is a research forest operated by OSU. Peavy Arboretum, off HWY 99, is a popular hiking spot.
- Chip Ross, a hilly open-space, good for hiking. North of town, adjacent to McDonald Forest.
- Bald Hill has popular walking paths and trails with great vistas. Adjacent to the fairgrounds, west of town.
- Avery Park, a large city park with picnic areas, ball fields, a rose garden, and play structures. Kids like the 'dinosaur bones' and historic train.
- Willamette Park is a city park just south of town, along the Willamette river. Includes soccer fields, boat landings, primitive campgrounds, and a disc golf course.
- Trysting Tree Golf Course is a public course operated by OSU.
Nearby
Albany
City / town · 41 listings · 10 mi away
Monmouth
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Salem
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Sweet Home
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Toledo
City / town · 4 listings · 33 mi away
Veneta
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Eugene
City / town · 128 listings · 37 mi away
Grand Ronde
City / town · 5 listings · 38 mi away
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