Accessibility in the Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is a bustling region that brings together outdoor recreation, cultural institutions, a world-class wine scene, and countless culinary delights—all attractions that are accessible to travelers with disabilities.
As part of those efforts, we're proud to partner with Wheel the World to help Oregon achieve the accessibility-minded nonprofit's first-ever statewide "Accessibility Verified" designation. It doesn't just demonstrate our commitment to welcoming visitors from all walks of life; it makes it easier for you to plan a memorable getaway.
Keep reading for more about our work to become an inclusive destination—including accessible outdoor adventures, fun activities throughout our friendly communities, and how the "Accessibility Verified" designation can help you have a memorable trip across the Willamette Valley.
Outdoor Adventure
Head outdoors on wheelchair- and stroller-accessible hiking trails, as well as adaptive mountain biking trails that show off the Willamette Valley's scenic landscapes.
Oregon Wine Country may be famous for its pinot noir, but numerous trails cover the Molalla River, a national wildlife refuge, historic oak groves, and other scenic sites around the region.
Check out our guide to wheelchair- and stroller-friendly trails across the Willamette Valley—where you can visit wildlife refuges, scenic viewpoints, historic parks, and more.
Adaptive mountain biking trails cover two mountain ranges in the Willamette Valley, offering epic rides through old-growth forests, alongside crystal-clear rivers, and across covered bridges.
Accessible Communities
Get inspired for your next trip with these guides to accessible travel throughout the Willamette Valley.
Check out community parks, lavish hotels, and outstanding restaurants—serving everything from gluten-free craft beer to down-home Italian cuisine and old-fashioned ice cream—in the charming community of McMinnville.
For a look at the community's creative spirit, stop by Mac Market—which dishes locally sourced food from a handful of vendors and hosts pop-ups that showcase the work of creators and makers. The spacious market's step-free entrance and obstacle-free interior make it easy for users in wheelchairs and scooters to get around.
After a fun day, kick back at the accessible Atticus Hotel—just around the corner from Serendipity Ice Cream in the heart of downtown.
Have fun in the heart of Oregon Wine Country, where Newberg hosts wheelchair-accessible performing-arts venues, public parks, cozy overnight stays, and—of course—award-winning wineries and tasting rooms.
Sample the local flavors with light bites and a flight of award-winning pours at Stoller Wine Bar in downtown, and follow it up with some time at the Chehalem Cultural Center—which hosts festivals, workshops, classes, and cultural celebrations throughout the year.
When you're ready to call it a day, the opulent Allison Inn & Spa is beloved for luxurious rooms, rejuvenating spa services, and a fine-dining restaurant beloved for using local, seasonal ingredients whenever possible.
The heart of the Willamette Valley comes alive in Salem. Around Oregon's state capital, you'll enjoy an accessible adventure that covers family activities, museums, restaurants, and hotels.
Dive into local history at the wheelchair-accessible Willamette Heritage Center (where 14 buildings host exhibits and artificats that tell stories stretching back thousands of years), nosh on fresh fare at TapRoot Lounge & Cafe (whose vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are plentiful and delicious, and spend a relaxing night at The Grand Hotel in Salem.
Take a trip back in time around the community of Albany, where hundreds of historic buildings cover four nationally registered historic districts—and where you'll enjoy seasonal dishes, family-friendly attractions, and comfortable overnight stays today.
If you're hungry, The Barn at Hickory Station is a family-owned outpost that pairs cuisines from several on-site food carts with more than 40 taps of local beer, wine, and cider. Littles ones, meanwhile, love the Albany Historic Carousel & Museum, which hosts more than 40 animals and fantastic creatures; its accessibility-minded offerings include monthly Sensory Friendly Mornings for riders who have sensory sensitivities, as well as wheelchair-accessible rides.
Excited to visit? Extend your stay with a night or two at one of several wheelchair-accessible hotels in Albany.
The college town of Corvallis welcomes travelers with disabilities at bustling hotels, fascinating museums, expansive parks, locally owned brewpubs, and restaurants that source their ingredients from nearby farms.
Just west of town, Bald Hills Natural Area hosts bucolic trails and prolific bird-watching opportunities. Celebrate your outing over European-influenced fare at Caves in the heart of downtown; its wheelchair-accessible offerings include low tables and a step-free eatery entrance.
At the southern edge of downtown, Courtyard by Marriott Corvallis welcomes wheelchair users with roll-in showers and grab bars, a lift into the indoor pool, and beds with low heights for a comfortable stay.
Head to Eugene, where forests meet river and vineyards at the southern edge of the Willamette Valley, for a variety of well-appointed hotels, family-friendly attractions, outdoor activities, chic wineries, and creative restaurants.
Step back in time at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History, which traces nearly 10,000 years of regional history through artifacts, interpretive panels, fossils, and more. For a fun night out, see what's playing at the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts; the venue hosts accomplished musicians, theatrical productions, vaudeville, and other live performances throughout the year. When you're hungry, Marché delivers a French-inspired bistro menu at the 5th Street Public Market.
Ready to call it a night? The hip, retro-minded Valley River Inn offers outdoor dining, a seasonal pool, and other features geared toward total relaxation. Its amenities include spacious rooms, a lift for the pool, a step-free entry, and more.
What Does It Mean to Be Accessibility Verified?
Oregon recently became the first state to achieve Wheel the World's "Accessibility Verified" designation—and we're proud to contribute to those efforts with accessible hotels, restaurants, outdoor activities, attractions, and more throughout the Willamette Valley.
But what does the designation mean for your next trip?
- Easier planning: It's easier than ever to plan a trip that puts your needs front and center—with listings for dozens of restaurants, attractions, and hotels that break down specific accessibility-minded offerings.
- Specific information: Wheel the World measures and shares the specifics of what you'll encounter at every stop. That includes the width of a hotel's roll-in shower, what kind of turning space you may have in a bathroom, the width and depth of elevators, and whether building entries are step-free.
- Easy-to-find listings: Information about different attractions in the Willamette Valley and their accessibility features can be found below. You can also visit the Travel Oregon or Wheel the World websites for additional listings in other regions.
Wheel the World-Verified Listings and Activities
Learn more about accessible stops in the Willamette Valley—with well-researched listings that provide insight on hotels, attractions, parks, and more—and check back as we continue to support accessible travel throughout the region.
