Embark on a journey through Southern Oregon and the Willamette Valley that embraces families of all ages and interests!
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Loading LoadingDay 1: Get Outdoors in Southern Oregon (Pacific Coast to Grants Pass)
Arrive in Oregon via U.S Highway 199, the Redwood Highway that connects the Pacific Ocean and ancient redwood forests in California to the beautiful Rogue River Valley in Grants Pass, Oregon. Soon after crossing into Oregon, take an underground tour between spring and early fall at the Oregon Caves National Monument. Depending on the season, tickets are sold at different locations in the area; see the monument’s official website for more details ( https://www.nps.gov/orca/index.htm). After your tour, grab lunch in nearby Cave Junction.
Continue north to the city of Grants Pass for an overnight stay at Weasku Inn or The Riverside Inn, both perched on the banks of the Rogue River and perfect for traveling families. Just a short drive from either lodging is Wild River Brewing and Pizza Co., which has been crafting hearty pies since 1975! Elsewhere in Grants Pass, Weekend Beer Company brings together house-made beers and on-site food trucks for a flavorful Pacific Northwest experience.
Day 2: Savor Local Fare and Marvel at Our Covered Bridges (Grants Pass to Eugene)
The next morning, pay a visit to the Rogue Creamery’s Farm Stand and meet the cows that produce world-famous, award-winning blue cheeses. Afterward, stop in at the nearby Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center—open all year long with an interactive education program.
Continue your road trip north on Interstate 5 to Sutherlin for a tasty lunch or early afternoon snack. Wailani Shave Ice & Island Grindz and Nellie’s Deli proudly serve meals with locally sourced ingredients.
Once you arrive in the Eugene area via I-5, grab your bikes! The Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway is the most family-friendly of Oregon’s 17 officially designated Scenic Bikeways. Ride some (or all) of the mostly flat, 36-mile mile route to see up to six historic covered bridges near Cottage Grove. After the ride, jump back on I-5 heading north. For a late snack, grab giant cinnamon rolls, artisan breads, and decadent pastries at Creswell Bakery.
Entering Eugene, let Mother Nature decide your next move: When the sun’s out, the Cascades Raptor Center offers a shady experience to view nearly 40 birds of prey up close. Need to stretch your legs and run around? At Riverplay Discovery Village Playground, children can scale a replica of Skinner Butte, uncover fossils at an ancient history sand dig, and cool off under a towering water feature. On a rainy day, check out the Eugene Science Center, where you can explore, create, tinker, touch, and discover! Or learn about how the first people of the Willamette Valley lived at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History—where the world’s oldest pair of shoes are on display! Pair your visit with a trip across the street to Hayward Hall at the state-of-the-art track-and-field facility, Hayward Field—which shows how the first Nike shoe was invented and why Eugene is called TrackTown USA!
Eugene’s love affair with track can be found all over the city. Downtown’s Graduate Eugene hotel features a timeline of Nike shoes at the check-in desk, while the La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Eugene connects to bike paths, running trails, and picnic areas in nearby Alton Baker Park. Unwind with a little tax-free shopping surrounding the Hyatt Place in Oakway Center.
Optional side trip: Take a trip to Florence Oregon—a coastal playground with fun you won’t find anywhere else!
Optionally, take a quick detour from your Willamette Valley adventures and drive from downtown Eugene to the Oregon Coast via Highway 126. Looking for adventure? Take an off-road outing on the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area with Sand Dunes Frontier, try sand boarding at Sand Master Park, or take a horseback ride up and over the dunes with C&M Stables.
Fill up with a classic lunch at Mo’s Seafood and Chowder in Old Town Florence (and maybe an ice cream cone at BJ’s Ice Cream Parlor). Afterward, enjoy a short, easy stroll on the raised boardwalk in nearby Darlingtonia State Natural Site to see a grove of rare carnivorous plants.
Once you check in to Driftwood Shores Resort, enjoy easy access to the beach, rooms with kitchenettes or full kitchens, an on-site market and deli, and a swimming area that includes an indoor pool, splash pads, and a hot tub. Nearby attractions include the Sea Lion Caves, the largest sea cave in North America; Heceta Head Lighthouse; and the overlook at Cape Perpetua Scenic Area—the highest point you can drive to on the Oregon Coast.
Join back on the itinerary by driving from Florence to Corvallis!
Day 3: See Life on the Farm and Enjoy Fresh Fare (Eugene/Florence to Corvallis)
If you’re coming from Eugene via I-5, grab lunch at Bodhi Artisan Kitchen and Bakery in Albany; follow your meal with a stroll through the city’s historic downtown core; and bring your sense of wonder to the Albany Historic Carousel & Museum, where a unique collection of hand-carved and -painted animals awaits. Take a break from I-5, and enjoy a quick trip on the quiet Highway 20 en route to Corvallis; if your schedule permits, see if any sporting events are happening at Oregon State University—Go Beavers!
If you’re returning from our suggested side trip to the Oregon Coast, jump back into this itinerary by heading to Corvallis and stopping by Albany on your way north. Along the drive, and within the rolling hills surrounding Corvallis, get close to a flock of adorable sheep (and check out fiber art demonstrations) at Iron Water Ranch. For more inspiration on where to stop along your road trip, see what’s new, fresh, and in-season on the self-guided Mid-Willamette Valley Food Trail.
Make your way to Corvallis for dinner and rest. Sample a variety of Southern-inspired dishes crafted with seasonal ingredients at Castor, or enjoy a more laid-back experience while feasting on locally sourced pub fare—and washing it all down with award-winning craft beers—at Block 15 Brewing, boasting three locations around Corvallis. Continue your exploration of the region’s craft beverages at 2 Towns Ciderhouse and Sky High Brewing.
Always wanted to work on a farm? Get an introduction with an overnight stay at Leaping Lamb Farm—where you'll help by collecting eggs, feeding lambs, and assisting with other farm chores. For larger groups, check into Hotel Corvallis in the heart of downtown.
Day 4: Learn About Local History at Fun, Engaging Museums (Corvallis to Mount Hood)
Grab breakfast in Corvallis at WiseCracks Cafe, a fun diner with exceptional breakfasts, and head north via 99W to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville. The museum is most famous for housing Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose, but even that behemoth can’t overshadow the broad collection of planes and space equipment. Next door is the Wings and Waves Waterpark—an indoor, all-season water park where kids can slide out of a real Boeing 747 plane perched atop the roof.
After drying off, start your drive east toward the Cascade Range foothills for the last leg of your trip; on the way, stop for lunch at Wayward Sandwiches in downtown Canby—which serves locally sourced food and a notably diverse wine selection. From Canby, drive 30 minutes south to the Molalla River Recreation Area—where you can hike, bike, picnic, or just dip your toes in the lucid green waters of the federally designated Wild and Scenic Molalla River.
After spending some time outdoors, make your way up to Mt. Hood—but be sure to visit the North American Bigfoot Center on the way. Owned and operated by Cliff Barackman, star of Animal Planet’s “Finding Bigfoot” television series, the museum and gift shop caters to both true believers and visitors looking for a fun, educational experience around this elusive creature.
Need a break with the kids? Wippersnappers Kids Play Place in Sandy offers an indoor play area where little ones can run free and snack on house-made pizza—and where parents can sip cold beverages while watching the day’s game on in-house televisions. Spend the night at the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort in Mt. Hood National Forest. The long-running resort offers 27 holes of championship golf, mini golf for the kids, two restaurants, and a spa; keep an eye out for deer and other wildlife meandering through the property. Dinner options around the resort include Skyway Bar and Grill (dishing barbecue on one of the region’s largest, most fun patios), Koya Kitchen (serving Japanese dishes, Indian cuisine, and several fusion offerings), Chicali Cantina (preparing hearty Mexican fare), and Al Forno Ferruzza (noted for thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas).
Day 5: Adventure on Oregon’s Tallest Peak (Mount Hood)
For breakfast the next morning, visit Coffee Brewsters in the Hoodland Shopping Center. Don’t let that “mini-mall” vibe fool you: Coffee Brewsters serves strong coffee for the adults and homemade breakfast sandwiches for the kids.
Before beginning your drive out, be sure to explore some of the over 1,000 miles of hiking and biking trails on the forested slopes of Mount Hood—many of which (like the bucolic Old Salmon River Trail—just five minutes from Mt. Hood Oregon Resort) are geared towards family outings. Nearby, the Wildwood Recreation Site hosts short (paved) walking paths with educational displays and a viewing window that affords an underwater peek at the Salmon River.
