You can make your visit to the Corvallis area more interesting when you don’t stay at the typical hotel. There are a wide range of adventurous choices for you to consider – from treehouses, farms, wineries, cottages, historic spots, creative studios, places with fantastic views, and even a place that offers cat cuddles.
Check out a few of them here.
Outdoor Fun
While a bit rustic for some, the Treehouse Retreat in Philomath is a great example of Benton County camping. A great way to let go of the adult digital world, reconnect with nature and your inner child as it is camping in a treehouse! With trees branching out from elevated walkways and outdoor shower facilities, this AirBnB offering is a truly Oregon experience.
Closer to the Oregon State campus, you can test out tiny house living in Keene’s 180 square foot cozy and peaceful little home on wheels located on six acres of peaceful forest. While the house may be fun-sized, the comforts are big. Enjoy sitting outside and watching the local deer walk by or fall asleep to owls hooting.
The rustic decor of Sarah’s guest house is another way to feel cozy and warm near nature. Climbing up into the loft you have views of nearby McDonald and Dunn research forests. Coffee on the porch or yoga on the deck deliver that outdoorsy feel while only being 15 minutes from downtown.
The Farm Life
If you’ve ever driven on Hwy 34 heading towards the coast, you’ll have driven by Leaping Lamb Farm Stay. And maybe you wished you could live in that unique and historic farmhouse or adjacent cottage. Well, you can thanks to Farm Stay USA. This is truly a win-win situation – you experience farm life as well as support small, local businesses.
Blakesley Creek Farm in Philomath offers you a chance to stay on a working farm with sheep, alpacas, rabbits, and other non-fiber producing animals. Choose from one of the three Sheepherder wagons, or stay in the studio above the barn. Each of the wagons have their own histories, and keep you warm even on the coldest days. Lois Olund offers fiber lessons, with equipment available and materials to purchase.
Although this next Tiny House on a Farm in Corvallis has herds of sheep, the emphasis is on the quiet, peaceful surroundings. The tiny house features two lofts, a skylight, views of the Cascade Mountains, and being a short distance to Mary’s River and OSU.
Sheep not your thing? How about goat yoga? Just 17 miles south of the OSU campus in Monroe is the headquarters for the Original Goat Yoga, Goat Happy Hours, and the new Goatel. Check out the Goatel Day Stay at The No Regret Farm & Sanctuary and Namaste your way to a great time.
On a smaller scale, check out the Fusion Farmhouse Guest Suite – where they have one acre being transformed into a permaculture food forest where you can enjoy the homesteading pleasures of goats, chickens, ducks, and dogs. In the summer, you can go next door to Anderson’s Blueberry Farm for another Corvallis treat.
Love horses? Why not stay with champion Quarter Horses? Airlie Farm B&B is located on 226 acres between Corvallis and Monmouth in an updated 1910 farmhouse. A special perk are the riding lessons and miles of bicycle fun on countless country roads.
Oregon is known for being one of the biggest producers of Christmas trees, and Corvallis offers a Christmas tree farm where you can stay the night! Donovan’s Place offers either an 1880s farmhouse or a modern flat on its 13 acres not far from the Benton County Fairgrounds.
For the Winery Lover
There are 23 wineries in the Corvallis area, but would you like to stay there? A growing trend for RVers is reflected in the booking site HarvestHosts which, for a membership fee, offers access to 30 wineries and six breweries/distilleries across Oregon. Most wineries are only open during spring through fall, so if you want to use these spots as a starting point, be sure to check tasting times.
Lumos, a generations-old, award-winning winery, features a 1930’s vineyard cabin on the edge of 15 acres of vines. With astounding views of Marys Peak and Marys River, you can see why people settled in the Willamette Valley..
Bluebird Hill Cellars in nearby Monroe offers two rooms with views, one of the mountains and one of the valley, each decorated in a pinot noir color palette. The Bluebird B&B can also be found on HarvestHost if you prefer RV or travel trailer camping.
A Unique Stay
Studio Hygge – pronounced “hoo-guh” – is a tiny house that makes the most of the word it’s named after. Hygge is Danish for fun, and this little palace is all about fun and celebrating coziness. This light-filled Albany space invites you to explore how Scandinavians stay so cheerful.
The Atrium House is a unique home which opens its doors one room at a time. With a gorgeous backyard in a neighborhood not far from campus or shops, the studio has large windows for lots of natural light and pretty red oak floors. What makes this AirBnB different? A portion of the fee is donated to the local houseless community.
Another great place to stay when visiting Corvallis is Brooklane Cottage. This cozy home has been the canvas for art you can live with – from the checkerboard bathroom to the snuggly window seat, this cottage feels like home. Plus, it’s only a mile from OSU and a mere 10 minutes from downtown Corvallis. And to inspire your inner artist, it comes with a corner easel to create your own design.
Looking For History
With 1940s touches abounding, “The Coolidge Bungalow” has an old Hollywood vibe with a banana tree and palm tree out front. The set up makes it a perfect writers’ retreat while walking distance to coffee shops, the First Alternative Co-Op, and OSU campus.
Love the homestyle, made-from-scratch meals at the Philomath eatery, The Dizzy Hen? Then you’ll love staying at The Roost, a rustic-yet-urban apartment located in an historic 1898 building. The apartment, above the restaurant and walking distance to the Benton County Historical Society Museum, has been renovated with natural touches and modern amenities.
Once a mainstay for wives visiting their GI husbands at Camp Adair, 206 ½ Historic Hotel is an unusual property in Albany. This boutique hotel offers seven rooms, as well as packages for photographers looking for unusual backdrops.
The Alsea Guard Station has the distinction of being the only Depression-era guard station remaining in the Siuslaw District. This former ranger’s residence has been updated with modern amenities and can sleep up to seven people. While it’s about 24 miles from the OSU campus, the cabin rental – a partnership between Benton County and the Siuslaw National Forest – makes for a great weekend getaway or a fine spot to stay while visiting your OSU student.
Cozy Comfort
Sometimes in life you need some kitty love. Cozy Cat Condo in South Corvallis offers cat cuddles at no extra charge. The outdoor cats, Apple and Hankie, love to snuggle, discuss the most pressing global issues with you, or be there cozily watching while you create art or meals. Do note that this condo is Apple and Hankie’s home, so if you don’t like cats this is not for you.
Corbin B&B has six private rooms in a beautiful house on six acres surrounded by wildlife to redefine cozy for the entire family. A cooked breakfast is available. With all its amenities and proximity to OSU and town, guests often become repeat customers. Another great place to meet up where your kid is attending university.
Enjoy sunrises overlooking the rolling hills when you stay at Red Bud Cottage. Built by a designer and carpenter, guests comment on the light, airy, and efficient layout as well as the beautiful woodwork. A short commute from OSU, this cozy spot also offers easy access to Bald Hill trails.
By Stacey Newman Weldon
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