Independence is a city in Polk County, Oregon, United States, on the west bank of the Willamette River along Oregon Route 51, and east of nearby Monmouth. It is part of the Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area. Thirty square blocks of the oldest part of Independence form the National Register of Historic Places-listed Independence Historic District.
Independence is 1 ½ hours from the airport. There is a nearby garden, several breweries, a Riverwalk, and nearby wineries. Silver Falls State Park is about an hour east of Independence. It has a great hiking trail, picnic area, coffee shop and gift shop. There are several falls where you can walk underneath them on the trail.
Stuff to do in Independence:
Monmouth/Independence Free Trolley. Pickups every 20 minutes. Great way to bar crawl without the need for a car. MI Trolley
Inspiration Gardens – Mt. Fir Park & Inspiration Garden – City of Independence
Riverfront walking trail – Home – City of Independence
Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge – great hiking trail but you could also drive around to look at birds – Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov)
Parallel 45 brewery – outdoor seating, food trucks
Gilgamesh Brewing – outdoor seating, pizza and burgers
Brew – Brew Coffee and Taphouse | Coffee & Taphouse in Oregon
Ovenbird – Bakery
Valkyrie – Wine Tasting Bar
Redgate Winery
Eola Hills Winery
Airlie Winery
Silver Falls State park. This is 45 minutes from Independence. There is a picnic area, swimming, waterfall hikes, a coffee shop and gift shop. Silver Falls State Park – Oregon State Parks The town of Silverton is nearby and has shopping and lunch places. Those that might be into architecture, there is a Frank Lloyd Wright house nearby The Gordon House – Oregon’s Only Frank Lloyd Wright Designed Home
Salem – about 20 minutes from Independence – Downtown shopping, capital building and restaurants
Corvallis – about 25 minutes from Independence – home of Oregon State University. Nice downtown area on the river with shopping, pubs, restaurants and book shops.
Portland – I know some may be staying in Portland before or after so here are a few of my favorite things. There are tons of things to do.
International Rose Test Garden – free. Acres of every kind of rose imaginable, Washington Park – International Rose Test Garden | Portland.gov
Japanese Gardens Japanese Garden | Portland.gov
Oregon Zoo – Welcome to the Oregon Zoo
Columbia River Gorge – Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area – Home (usda.gov) You can take a drive along this. It is beautiful but crowded. Multnomah Falls needs a timed permit as well other areas. You can drive by it and see it from the highway.
Voodoo Donuts – if you need a gut bomb there are a couple of locations in Portland. It is always crowded. Best to order online. Voodoo Doughnut – The magic is in the hole! (Never seen a line at the Oak Grove location)
Weather – in Independence the weather can warm up during the day to the low nineties and back into the 60s at night. It is cooler in Newport but be prepared for hot and cold. We could also get rain so make sure you have something to keep you dry. I have a couple of extra rain jackets.
