Backyard Tourist: Exploring Albany, Wilsonville and Camas

Spring is here! For some folks it’s time for spring break, and for others its simply time to bust out of hibernation mode. If you’re like me, you might be envying others who have plane tickets to Disneyland or Mexico, knowing you’ll be spending the break at home. It’s around this time every year I start to get the travel itch, but don’t always have the budget to fund the vacations of my dreams. This year, in lieu of a pricey distant vacation, I’m attempting to be a more intentional local explorer, and for good reason.

This past September, our family opened our home to Nerea, a 17-year-old exchange student from Spain, which has been an adventure, a learning curve and a huge shift in perspective. We’ve been eager to introduce her to as much of the area as possible, which made me realize—we don’t get out as much as we should. It’s entirely too easy to become creatures of habit and take for granted what we have not only in our own hometown, but in our not-so-distant backyards. Since Nerea’s arrival, we’ve introduced her to some of the staples of the area. She’s been to Powell’s, explored Vancouver’s gorgeous waterfront, and tried her first peanut butter and jelly sandwich. We started worrying there wasn’t enough to show her, until we shifted our thinking.

Spring break, weekend trips or vacations don’t have to be international or grandiose to be meaningful. A quick day trip can break us out of a rut, and thanks to Nerea, we’ve been capitalizing on a whole lot of places, new and old, that this area has to offer. So, if you’re wanting some inspiration to become a backyard tourist, here are three of our new favorites.

Albany, Oregon

Right off the 1-5 corridor, not much further than Enchanted Forest, is the charming town of Albany, Oregon. If you are intrigued by history or want to indulge in a little family fun, this town is worth the trek. The downtown district is full of charm and eclectic shops, historical sites and self-guided walking tours. The day my family spent exploring Albany was a hit for both the history lover (me) and my youngest adventure seeker.

We’ve been wanting to introduce Nerea to some Pacific Northwest history, so we started our day at Monteith House, the oldest and most accurately restored pioneer-era home in Oregon. Tours are available, and you can walk through and check out an old storefront, the rooms where political progress and history were made, as well as gross your children out by teaching them about chamber pots. I know not everyone asked for a butter churn for their 9th birthday while they were studying pioneers in school like me, but even my most reluctant child found this interesting.

The historic district is full of unique historical and architectural novelties. The Discover Albany app teaches visitors about the town’s story, including the contributions of women. Thoughtfully curated and easy to use, simply scan a code to see the impact women have made throughout the town.

I’m a lover of museums, but often worry that my kids will be bored, and I won’t be able to fully enjoy them. This was not the case when we visited Albany Regional Museum. With recent grant funds, the museum’s remodel makes it an interactive haven, complete with a kids’ area and a real-life buggy. It’s amazing how much history can come to life in a small space. The perfect blend of education and entertainment, all three of my kids, aged 7-17, were engaged and not ready to leave when the time came.

If you’re looking to have some family bonding experiences that tend to be on the more unique side, you have to start with the carousel. Joy Johnson, marketing coordinator for Albany’s Historic Carousel and Museum exclaims that she adores working at the carousel because “no one is ever sad here!” She adds, “The carousel is a testament to what average people can do when they work together.” The carousel itself is a historic landmark filled with intricately carved animals ranging from dragons to Chinook salmon. Nerea was skeptical at first, but ended up riding three times once she discovered the game of trying to catch rings as you ride by. There are also tours where you can observe the carving room and see just how much love and labor goes into creating these intricate creatures.

A few doors down from the Carousel is Enigma, the first escape room I’ve ever participated in that caters to kids as well as adults. Owners Mary and Brendan Pendley combined their skills of writing and building to create fun for everyone, and I do mean everyone. We tried out a kid-friendly murder mystery-themed room, but they’ve also built rooms geared specifically for kids ages 8-12, which has my daughter lobbying to come back.

Pix movie theatre is a great stop if you want to see a movie, or just play board games and grab a snack in the lobby. If you’re up for a bit of messy fun, you’ve got to experience Splatter Box. Come armed with shoes you don’t care about and optional poncho while you let loose with neon paints under blacklights with some great tunes to get you amped up. Splatter the walls, a canvas, some drums or each other and you will have a blast! Just consider purchasing some protective plastic covering for the car ride home.

When it’s time to eat, I recommend you check out Brick and Mortar for brunch. There will be a line for good reason. It’s affordable and delicious. (My kids will tell you to grab the Mickey Mouse Pancakes.) For another casual dining option, Loafer Station were kind enough to let us eat with paint-stained hair after a round at Splatter Box, but if you’re without kids and want to try something a little swankier, hit up Vault 244 American bistro.   

Wilsonville, Oregon

Just past Southwest Portland, Wilsonville is a favorite for a fun family day, or a recharging day alone. No matter the age, Bullwinkle’s Family Fun Center will be the ultimate draw. Bowling, laser tag, bumper boats, go-karts, mini golf, ropes courses, arcade games—you can make an entire afternoon of it.

For some quieter fun, whether with kids or without, Wilsonville is home to lots of farms, some of which offer tours. We were lucky enough to get a tour at Tollen Farm, full of rescue horses and miniature donkeys. The owner, Tonie Tollen, has been operating the farm for 45 years since Wilsonville was just “one stoplight and 1,700 people.” She introduced us to all the animals and her cute vintage farm shop. We spent time picking out our favorite donkeys. My favorite was Chocolate Cupcake, but watch out for your shoelaces (donkeys apparently love shoelaces). The farm hosts an annual Donkey Birthday Party the third Saturday of May from 1-4 pm, and all are invited! A visit with the mini donkeys is sure to put a smile on your face as you will walk away with newfound energy and an appreciation for these lovable animals.

For some unstructured time outdoors, memorial Park is large, beautiful and has a little of everything, including walking trails. We also took a stroll through Graham Oaks Nature Park, which was great for all ages, but also works well for a peaceful solo outing. We followed this up with a visit to one of my all-time favorite bakeries, Lux Sucre. I don’t use the title favorite lightly, as this is a beautiful space with good food and even better desserts. It’s an absolute “don’t miss” in my book! For good restaurants, consider the McMenamins Old Church and Pub, Dar Essalam for good Moroccan food, or Butteville General Store, reportedly the oldest continually running establishment in Oregon!

If you’re looking for a solo adventure, don’t miss wellness spa Soak Box, home to saltwater float rooms, infrared saunas and cold-water plunges. With friendly staff who walked me through the entire experience, I gave the float a try, hoping to soak up some of the many health benefits such as deep relaxation, improved circulation and a release of tension. I spent an hour floating in warm salt water in a dark, quiet tank, which went by surprisingly fast. I emerged, showered, drank tea and walked out feeling the most “unclenched” I’ve felt in ages. If you’re looking to treat yourself and truly unwind, do yourself a favor and make this stop.

One of my final and favorite stops just outside of Wilsonville can be added on to a solo day or a family-friendly outing. Lady Hill Winery, just up the road from Champoeg State Park, will leave you feeling embraced by family. I had the privilege of chatting with owner Elaine Owen, who filled me in on the winery that’s been her family for five generations. The winery and tasting room is steeped in history and serves as an homage to the owners’ eight daughters and generations of powerful women, including an assistant attorney general and career army nurse with a bronze star.

I sampled some delicious wines and took a tour while Owen explained how the winery, which was originally just a farm, came to be. “I always say that my husband’s middle name is ‘I Have an Idea’ . . . We come from a large family and love sitting around the table, being loud and enjoying what’s in our glass.” She adds, “The winery feels like an extension of our own table.” Please, please, don’t miss this beautiful spot whether on your own solo adventure or a day with young ones. There are animals to see, a family friendly atmosphere, live music, tasty snacks and of course, fantastic wine. You also could not meet a nicer family running the place. Wilsonville really is a choose-your-own adventure, perfect for families or for the ultimate solo recharge.

Camas

Finally, if you’re looking to mix up your weekend or date night routine but don’t want to cross the bridge, just head east! Downtown Camas alone is a lovely place to just wander down the tree-lined streets to find delicious treats and fun local shops. A few of my personal favorites are Truly Scrumptious, a tiny candy shop that feels like it could be operated by Willy Wonka himself, followed closely by an eclectic gift shop, Poppy & Hawk. I adore the coffee shop filled with local art, Café Piccolo, and I can’t leave Camas without a stop at Bookish, a bookstore geared towards children and young adults.

Once you’ve finished strolling downtown, get some fresh air and head to Fallen Leaf Lake Park or take a family-friendly hike around Round Lake. It’s a pretty walk with just enough incline to get great views of the lake but without too much complaining from younger ones.

There are so many good restaurant options in Camas, including Salud, (home of the murder mystery dinner series and great cocktails), Tommy O’s, Nuestra Mez and Natalia’s Café. One of my all-time favorite restaurants, the place that keeps me coming back over and over is Acorn and the Oak, perfectly situated across the street once you’ve finished the loop around Round Lake. It combines a midwestern supper club and a flower shop; the vibe is funky and the food is fantastic! This eclectic former ski chalet is a date night staple or a great stop for lunch with the kids after a hike.

And while we’ve done our very best to introduce Nerea to all the dining the Pacific Northwest has to offer, Camas is near and dear to her as this is where she tried her very first Dairy Queen blizzard and has declared it the greatest American culinary delicacy of them all.

So, whether you want to drive twenty minutes or an hour, now is the time to venture out of the Couve and become a backyard tourist. No need to go far; we’ve got plenty to offer right here!

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