Explore the Region
Downtown Independence and Riverview Park
The hotel is adjacent to the City of Independence’s Riverview Park with its signature fountain, an amphitheater for community concerts and events, a playground, a kayak put-in, and a riverfront walking trail with great places to sit and watch both people and birds. Downtown Independence has a vibrant and charming main street with River Gallery, Brew and Taphouse, Second Chance Books, and Jubilee Champagne and Dessert Bar. The riverfront trail leads to a busy dog-park, a boat put-in, and a trail with outdoor exercise challenges and soccer fields.
Check out the Independence Downtown Association for the latest news and events.
Great Oaks Food Trail
The Great Oaks Food Trail is a self-guided culinary journey that leads you through the Willamette Valley, reminding you that this fertile land was once a savannah of oak trees. Enjoy the various food tastings and farm stands, culinary experiences, as well as pointers offered by local farmers. Check out the link below to see the brochure with several itineraries, recommendations for guided tours and participating local business, including The Independence Hotel and Territory Restaurant. Indeed, the hotel makes a great jumping off point for a full schedule of delicious exploration!
Farm 2 Fork Tours
Farm 2 Fork Tours are one-of-a-kind! An excellent opportunity to explore the Willamette Valley’s famed agricultural bounty! Learn firsthand from the farmers and fishermen and with the people that grow and craft their food.
Customized tours of the Oregon Coast or Valley showcase the best of the season. Choose your favorite farm 2 fork delights from cheeses, oysters, olive oils, and wines. Even visit a tea farm or hops farm and get a behind the scenes look.
Marys Peak
Marys Peak, at 4,097 feet, is the highest point in Oregon’s Coast Range and the most prominent peak to the west of Corvallis. On a clear day, from Marys Peak Day Use at the top of the peak, you can see both the Pacific Ocean to the west and many of the Cascade peaks to the east across the Willamette Valley.
Located about an hour from the hotel, there are several trail options in the Marys Peak area with snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails available when there is snow. A designated Scenic Botanical Area, the meadows offer a range of wildflowers, rich rolling meadows, rock gardens and a Nobel fir forest. Download a trail guide here
Minto-Brown Island Park
Located on Salem’s waterfront, a short 20 minute drive from the hotel, Minto-Brown Island Park spreads out over 1,200 acres of lush, open, and wooded areas.
Walk, run, or bike any of the 29 miles of trail that make up nine loops. You can also access Riverfront Park via the Peter Courtney Minto Island Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge.
The park is a waterfowl and wildlife sanctuary with blue herons, ospreys, squirrels, and rabbits. Traveling with your pooch? Enjoy a 30-acre, designated off-leash dog area that provides plenty of room for to roam, play, and socialize with other dogs.
Baskett Slough Refuge
Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, just about 10 miles from the hotel, provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife and plants. Populations of several endangered and threatened animal and plant species can be found on the refuge. Opportunities for wildlife observation, photography, hiking, and environmental education abound. Established in 1965, the Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge’s primary management goal is to provide wintering habitat for dusky Canada geese. The refuge also provides sanctuary for migratory and resident wildlife including the endangered butterfly, Fender’s blue and the black-tailed deer. The HWY 22 kiosk and Rich Guadagno Memorial Trail are open year-round, but all other trails are closed from October 1 through March 31 to provide sanctuary for wintering dusky Canada geese and other waterfowl.
Oregon Coast
It’s about hour drive from The Independence Hotel to the scenic Oregon Coast and the popular coastal town of Lincoln City, making a jaunt to the ocean a great day trip from the hotel. Lincoln City offers historic districts, the Lincoln City Glass Center, Chinook Winds Casino Resort and over seven beautiful, walkable miles of beach stretching from Roads End to Siletz Bay. Climb Cascade Head where the view of the Salmon River Estuary may leave you breathless, or you can catch world-class waves in Nelscott. South of Lincoln City 40 minutes, in Newport, visit the acclaimed Oregon Coast Aquarium.
Silver Falls State Park
Often referred to as the crown jewel of Oregon’s park system, this stunning 9,200 acre park features a 10 waterfall hiking loop that includes the dramatic 177 ft South Falls waterfall, and four that you can walk behind and feel the mist. Nestled in the lower elation of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains in a temperate rain forest, in addition to the waterfalls, you will see grand Douglas Fir, Hemlock and Cedar, a forest floor covered in ferns, mosses and wildflowers and enjoy ample opportunity for bird watching and quiet places to sit and listen to the sound of falling water. Located about 45 miles east of The Independence Hotel.
Opal Creek
Located about 75 miles east of the hotel, this is a bit of a drive, but if you are into stunning natural beauty, grand old growth forests, pristine water, 100-foot waterfalls and idyllic swimming holes, it is worth the drive. There is no place in Oregon that quite compares with the Opal Creek area and its miles of hiking trails, a natural smooth rock “waterslide”, and some of the most beautiful swimming spots you’ll ever see. Check the site before heading out as weather conditions and recent wildfires may impact trail access.
Woodburn Premium Outlets
For our guests traveling from outside Oregon, you may be pleased to discover Oregon’s lack of sales of tax. Looking to score some treasures? Woodburn Premium Outlets is the top destination for tax-free outlet shopping. Conveniently located off Interstate 5, about 40 minutes from the hotel, the Woodburn Outlets features 110 stores including Adidas, Coach, Columbia Sportswear, kate spade new york, Michael Kors, Nike, The North Face, Tory Burch and more all at savings up to 65% every day. Designer name brands, skylight-covered walkways, and beautiful Northwest architecture and landscaping make this a unique and fun shopping experience year-round.
Brigittine Monks Monastery – Chocolate Tasting Shop
Founded in 1370 and dedicated to a life of prayer and work, the Brigittine Monks are completely self-supporting. The monastery outside of Amity, Oregon (about 20 minutes from the hotel) has been their home since 1986. The monks have refined their craft of small-batch fudge and artisan truffles that have brought them international attention (including features in the New York Times, CNN, Bon Appetite, People, Town and Country Magazine and more). At their tasting room, you can sample and discover new flavors and pick up single truffles or custom boxes to take home with you or to ship.
Salem Carousel
Located in historic downtown Salem, a beautiful handcrafted operational carousel ride provides fun for the whole family.
Every carousel animal has a whimsical and nostalgic story behind it. Most were sponsored by Salem residents, families or businesses and are symbolic of the values and memories they hold dear. They are christened with special names like Razzle Dazzle, Magic, Sweat Pea and Snickerdoodle. The holidays at the carousel are particularly magical with Santa and other holiday festivities.
Other Local Destinations
Eola Hills Winery
7.5 Miles
Western Oregon University
3 miles
Salem Convention Center
12 miles
Oregon Capitol Building
13 Miles
Oregon State University
23 miles
West Valley Hospital
10 miles
Woodburn Outlet Mall
29 Miles
Spirit Mountain Casino
29 miles
Wallace Marine Park
12 miles
Willamette Valley Vineyards
13 Miles
Oregon Coast
56 miles
Silver Falls State Park
33 miles
Enchanted Forest
13 Miles
