Guidebook for Independence
Food Scene
Great craft pizza, friendly atmosphere and very good rotating selection of craft beers...with a variety of Oregon, Washington and California breweries represented.
9 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Yeasty Beasty
167 Main St WGreat craft pizza, friendly atmosphere and very good rotating selection of craft beers...with a variety of Oregon, Washington and California breweries represented.
Pink House Cafe
242 D StYum, delicious and so cute.
One of our favorite Mexican restaurants! Great atmosphere - casual and friendly!
9 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Ixtapa | Mexican Restaurant
1320 SW Fairview AveOne of our favorite Mexican restaurants! Great atmosphere - casual and friendly!
An Independence classic! Best pastries, cakes, cookies, breads and quiche in the area! Great bread = great sandwiches too!!
11 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Ovenbird Bakery
215 S Main StAn Independence classic! Best pastries, cakes, cookies, breads and quiche in the area! Great bread = great sandwiches too!!
One of our new favorites in downtown Salem. Inventive menu, great beer/wine list, a little bit hipster (but not too much) and good value.
10 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
table FIVE 08
508 State StOne of our new favorites in downtown Salem. Inventive menu, great beer/wine list, a little bit hipster (but not too much) and good value.
This place is a GEM! Chef Cody Utzman was a winner of Chopped on the Food Network in 2007 and worked at various NYC restaurants before coming home to Albany, OR. Everything is so yummy!
18 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Frankie's
641 NW Hickory StThis place is a GEM! Chef Cody Utzman was a winner of Chopped on the Food Network in 2007 and worked at various NYC restaurants before coming home to Albany, OR. Everything is so yummy!
The Independence Grill is a favorite of locals and is known for their breakfasts and great hamburgers.
Independence Farmers Market
186 Independence HwyThe Independence Grill is a favorite of locals and is known for their breakfasts and great hamburgers.
This is a quirky little (actually TINY) place with all fresh pasta dishes. The owner will probably be the one taking your order. Very quiet!
The Naughty Noodle
227 S Main StThis is a quirky little (actually TINY) place with all fresh pasta dishes. The owner will probably be the one taking your order. Very quiet!
This is another go-to Mexican restaurant in town. They have fantastic (and MASSIVE) margaritas! Very friendly service and complimentary dessert.
San Antonio
1311 Monmouth StThis is another go-to Mexican restaurant in town. They have fantastic (and MASSIVE) margaritas! Very friendly service and complimentary dessert.
Beehive Station (or, simply the "Beehive") is a food truck paradise located in nearby South Salem. It’s a great place to come as you are for lunch or dinner, chill out and visit with friends or meet new ones!
7 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Beehive Station
1510 Fabry Rd SEBeehive Station (or, simply the "Beehive") is a food truck paradise located in nearby South Salem. It’s a great place to come as you are for lunch or dinner, chill out and visit with friends or meet new ones!
This is a gem of a spot! Great indoor and outdoor dining spaces and a small stage for music! The brewery is one of Salem's best that expanded into Independence in 2020. Their pizza and burgers are excellent and they offer a great local wine list and mixed drinks from their full bar.
6 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Gilgamesh Brewing: The River
370 South Main StreetThis is a gem of a spot! Great indoor and outdoor dining spaces and a small stage for music! The brewery is one of Salem's best that expanded into Independence in 2020. Their pizza and burgers are excellent and they offer a great local wine list and mixed drinks from their full bar.
The Yard is hands-down the best food cart pod we've ever experienced. They have a full service bar and coffee spot inside the large covered area in the middle of the food trucks. They host music and comedy shows on their stage off and on throughout the year. Check out their website and facebook page for the current selection of food carts, but some of our long time favorites are the dumplings, Indian, Mexican (with pozole) and soul food carts.
16 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
The Yard Food Park
4106 State StThe Yard is hands-down the best food cart pod we've ever experienced. They have a full service bar and coffee spot inside the large covered area in the middle of the food trucks. They host music and comedy shows on their stage off and on throughout the year. Check out their website and facebook page for the current selection of food carts, but some of our long time favorites are the dumplings, Indian, Mexican (with pozole) and soul food carts.
This place is an absolute favorite! They have an amazing, well-curated tap and bottle list, with many Belgian beers. They serve incredibly tasty Belgian pub fare. Don't. Forget. To. Get. The. Fries!!!!! Great views of the riverfront walking trail and colorful Corvallis are right outside the front door. This is only about 30 minutes south of the Retreat, an extremely pleasant drive during Spring-Fall!
The Biere Library
151 Northwest Monroe AvenueThis place is an absolute favorite! They have an amazing, well-curated tap and bottle list, with many Belgian beers. They serve incredibly tasty Belgian pub fare. Don't. Forget. To. Get. The. Fries!!!!! Great views of the riverfront walking trail and colorful Corvallis are right outside the front door. This is only about 30 minutes south of the Retreat, an extremely pleasant drive during Spring-Fall!
Parks & Nature
Great for hiking, biking and birdwatching! A short drive on River Road from the Guest House...
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Minto-Brown Island Park
2200 Minto Island Rd SWGreat for hiking, biking and birdwatching! A short drive on River Road from the Guest House...
A great place for birdwatching!
17 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge
Coville RoadA great place for birdwatching!
A huge variety of birds may be seen here -- including bald eagles!
10 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge
A huge variety of birds may be seen here -- including bald eagles!
Silver Falls is one of Oregon’s most spectacular natural wonders. It should not be missed!
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Silver Falls State Park
20024 Silver Falls Highway SoutheastSilver Falls is one of Oregon’s most spectacular natural wonders. It should not be missed!
The pride of Independence! Festivals, concerts and other events are held here throughout the year. Don't miss the Summer Concert Series and Western Days festival!
Riverview Park
The pride of Independence! Festivals, concerts and other events are held here throughout the year. Don't miss the Summer Concert Series and Western Days festival!
Sightseeing
Come see the lovely lavender fields. - NOTE: this is no longer open to the public, but you can still see the lavender blooming from Rt. 99.
Lavender Lake Farms
3395 S Pacific Hwy WCome see the lovely lavender fields. - NOTE: this is no longer open to the public, but you can still see the lavender blooming from Rt. 99.
Schreiner's Iris Gardens
3625 Quinaby Rd NEDeepwood Museum & Gardens
1116 Mission St SEOregonträdgården
879 W Main StDrinks & Nightlife
Great casual atmosphere for lunch or dinner. Try a sampler of the excellent Gilgamesh beers available.
12 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Gilgamesh Brewing
2065 Madrona Ave SEGreat casual atmosphere for lunch or dinner. Try a sampler of the excellent Gilgamesh beers available.
Santiam Brewing Co.
2544 19th St SEA little food and a lot of great ale.
Salem Ale Works
2315 25th St SETry one of Salem's top taprooms!
Vagabond Brewing
2195 Hyacinth St NEBeer. Love. Adventure. What more can we say?
Crush Wine Bar & Tasting Room
105 Main St EWine AND craft brew!
Great food and beer - do you see a pattern here?
12 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Venti's Cafe + Taphouse
2840 Commercial St SEGreat food and beer - do you see a pattern here?
West Valley Taphouse is our current favorite local hangout to have a beer, or taster tray. In addition to beer, they have a great selection of cider and local wines on tap! On every "Wine Wednesday" from 5pm-8pm you can try any of their 20 wines on tap for free! Every Monday there's "Growler Madness!" with a selection of half-priced growler fills! This is a great, very laid-back place to try some new beers or wines and maybe play some board games while you're at it.
West Valley Taphouse
957 Main StWest Valley Taphouse is our current favorite local hangout to have a beer, or taster tray. In addition to beer, they have a great selection of cider and local wines on tap! On every "Wine Wednesday" from 5pm-8pm you can try any of their 20 wines on tap for free! Every Monday there's "Growler Madness!" with a selection of half-priced growler fills! This is a great, very laid-back place to try some new beers or wines and maybe play some board games while you're at it.
Barrel & Keg has a thoughtful, curated taplist, plus local wine and cider. They have an arrangement with the food truck pod around the corner to deliver inventive food options right to your table.
6 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Barrel & Keg
1190 Broadway St NEBarrel & Keg has a thoughtful, curated taplist, plus local wine and cider. They have an arrangement with the food truck pod around the corner to deliver inventive food options right to your table.
Left Coast Cellars bottles only estate-grown Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Viognier and Syrah. Make a reservation for one of their barrel tastings! They have a small café on-site and do brunch for most holidays.
16 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Left Coast Cellars
4225 N Pacific Hwy WLeft Coast Cellars bottles only estate-grown Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Viognier and Syrah. Make a reservation for one of their barrel tastings! They have a small café on-site and do brunch for most holidays.
Estate grown Willamette Valley wines! They have a tasting room, right here in Independence, on Hwy 99. You can also visit the vineyard tasting room in nearby Dallas at 5600 Van Well Rd.
Namaste Vineyards Hwy 99 Tasting Room
3300 3798 S Pacific Hwy WEstate grown Willamette Valley wines! They have a tasting room, right here in Independence, on Hwy 99. You can also visit the vineyard tasting room in nearby Dallas at 5600 Van Well Rd.
What a lovely place! Fantastic, award-winning pinot noirs and amazing views. Check their website for events. Set-up an appointment in advance if you want to visit their state-of-the-art winery building.
35 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Domaine Serene Winery
6555 NE Hilltop LnWhat a lovely place! Fantastic, award-winning pinot noirs and amazing views. Check their website for events. Set-up an appointment in advance if you want to visit their state-of-the-art winery building.
Their pinot noir is amazing. Sokol Blosser was established in 1971 and lead the way for many others who came later to the Willamette Valley wine business. Tours are offered only on Thur-Sun with advance reservation. Vineyard hikes are offered in the summer. Tasting room open daily from 10am-4pm.
45 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Sokol Blosser Winery
5000 NE Sokol Blosser LnTheir pinot noir is amazing. Sokol Blosser was established in 1971 and lead the way for many others who came later to the Willamette Valley wine business. Tours are offered only on Thur-Sun with advance reservation. Vineyard hikes are offered in the summer. Tasting room open daily from 10am-4pm.
We love Airlie! Mary, the owner, is often there pouring at the tasting room. They are dog friendly! The dry Riesling is a fantastic every day wine -- we often bring home a case. Open 12pm-5pm Thur-Mon from March-November. They are open by appointment from December-February.
11 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Airlie Winery
15305 Dunn Forest RdWe love Airlie! Mary, the owner, is often there pouring at the tasting room. They are dog friendly! The dry Riesling is a fantastic every day wine -- we often bring home a case. Open 12pm-5pm Thur-Mon from March-November. They are open by appointment from December-February.
Johan Vineyards is a great place for wine geeks and wine lovers in general. They produce lovely sparking wine using natural methods. They also produce some unusual whites (I'm looking at you Gruner Veltliner) and delicious pinot noirs. The Johan family is of Norwegian ancestry and they recently produced a white wine aged in concrete barrels (!) which is an old Norwegian method - I loved it. The last time we were there the guy pouring in the tasting room was awesome - definitely fed the wine/beer geek in me.
Johan Vineyards
4285 N Pacific Hwy WJohan Vineyards is a great place for wine geeks and wine lovers in general. They produce lovely sparking wine using natural methods. They also produce some unusual whites (I'm looking at you Gruner Veltliner) and delicious pinot noirs. The Johan family is of Norwegian ancestry and they recently produced a white wine aged in concrete barrels (!) which is an old Norwegian method - I loved it. The last time we were there the guy pouring in the tasting room was awesome - definitely fed the wine/beer geek in me.
Eola Hills is one of the closest vineyards to the Guest house. We enjoy their wine, but we enjoy the sangria they serve at Sunday Brunch (held weekly) even more! Eola Hills also sponsors Bike Oregon Wine Country on Sundays from July 31 - August 28.
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Eola Hills Wine Cellars
501 S Pacific Hwy WEola Hills is one of the closest vineyards to the Guest house. We enjoy their wine, but we enjoy the sangria they serve at Sunday Brunch (held weekly) even more! Eola Hills also sponsors Bike Oregon Wine Country on Sundays from July 31 - August 28.
Amazing panoramic view and delicious wines! Who could ask for anything more?
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Willamette Valley Vineyards
8800 Enchanted Way SEAmazing panoramic view and delicious wines! Who could ask for anything more?
This is one of our favorite local wineries. In nearby Dallas, Van Duzer has great pinot noir and pinot gris (and pinot blanc and reisling and...you get the picture). Van Duzer adopted sustainable farming practices back in 1998 and is a great example of modern, green and sustainable viticulture. The setting is lovely and a great place to while away an hour or two with a bottle of one of their great pinot noirs, or Susan's favorite local rosé.
8 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Van Duzer Vineyards
11975 Smithfield RdThis is one of our favorite local wineries. In nearby Dallas, Van Duzer has great pinot noir and pinot gris (and pinot blanc and reisling and...you get the picture). Van Duzer adopted sustainable farming practices back in 1998 and is a great example of modern, green and sustainable viticulture. The setting is lovely and a great place to while away an hour or two with a bottle of one of their great pinot noirs, or Susan's favorite local rosé.
In nearby West Salem, this is one of our favorite stops for a growler fill or to try out some new craft beer or cider. They have (at last count) 58 taps...check out the current list on their website.
West Side Tap House
1594 Edgewater St NWIn nearby West Salem, this is one of our favorite stops for a growler fill or to try out some new craft beer or cider. They have (at last count) 58 taps...check out the current list on their website.
Block 15 Brewing Co
300 SW Jefferson AveSusan's special favorite in Corvallis.
Brew is located in downtown Independence, on Main Street, across from Riverview Park. They have a small but thoughtful taplist of 10 beers, ales and ciders (you can see what's on tap at their website - brewcoffeeandtaphouse.com). They also serve pizza and other casual food. The atmosphere on the outdoor patio is especially nice on warm summer nights.
Brew Coffee & Tap House - Independence
211 S Main StBrew is located in downtown Independence, on Main Street, across from Riverview Park. They have a small but thoughtful taplist of 10 beers, ales and ciders (you can see what's on tap at their website - brewcoffeeandtaphouse.com). They also serve pizza and other casual food. The atmosphere on the outdoor patio is especially nice on warm summer nights.
St. Innocent is the secret spot for some of the top pinot noirs in the Valley. The last time we were there their well-respected winemaker was sitting at one of the tables with friends! It is a beautiful spot with really knowledgeable people pouring the wines.
8 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
St. Innocent Winery
10052 Enchanted Way SESt. Innocent is the secret spot for some of the top pinot noirs in the Valley. The last time we were there their well-respected winemaker was sitting at one of the tables with friends! It is a beautiful spot with really knowledgeable people pouring the wines.
This is a favorite of ours (we're members of the their mug club!). Fantastic beers and hard seltzers are brewed on-site. They are associated with Cascade Brewing in Portland, so they generally have a selection of Cascade's renowned sour and barrel-aged beers also available in bottles and cans. If you find a beer you love, don't forget to bring home a 16 oz. crowler, canned for you fresh from the tap as you watch. They have two food trucks within walking distance (Mexican and Hawaiian), so you can make an afternoon or a night of it!
Parallel 45 Brewing
240 Monmouth StreetThis is a favorite of ours (we're members of the their mug club!). Fantastic beers and hard seltzers are brewed on-site. They are associated with Cascade Brewing in Portland, so they generally have a selection of Cascade's renowned sour and barrel-aged beers also available in bottles and cans. If you find a beer you love, don't forget to bring home a 16 oz. crowler, canned for you fresh from the tap as you watch. They have two food trucks within walking distance (Mexican and Hawaiian), so you can make an afternoon or a night of it!
Entertainment & Activities
Woodmansee Park
4629 Sunnyside Rd SEDisc Golf course in Salem.
Willamette Mission State Park
Wheatland Disc Golf Course in Gervais.
Shopping
Bikes Plus has mountain bikes and road bikes for rent. They are a great resource for biking, skateboarding, and disc golf.
Veal Bikes Plus
155 Main St WBikes Plus has mountain bikes and road bikes for rent. They are a great resource for biking, skateboarding, and disc golf.
Great deli and bakery. You can also pick up items to grill during the summer - we love grilling their fresh oysters! This is a very upscale market with incredible fresh produce and many specialty items.
6 lokalinvånare rekommenderar
Roth's Fresh Markets
1517 Monmouth Independence HwyGreat deli and bakery. You can also pick up items to grill during the summer - we love grilling their fresh oysters! This is a very upscale market with incredible fresh produce and many specialty items.
Bimart is an Oregon discount shopping chain. It's the closest place to pick-up many of your "forgotten" essentials and fishing permits are available from their sporting goods department!
Bi-Mart
444 Pacific Ave SBimart is an Oregon discount shopping chain. It's the closest place to pick-up many of your "forgotten" essentials and fishing permits are available from their sporting goods department!