Albany has long been known as the "Hub City" of the Willamette Valley—a designation earned for the main shipping routes and rail lines that passed through town. The city has grown and changed tremendously since its modern-day founding in the 1840s, and Albany pays tribute to that past today in a variety of inventive ways.
It's possible, for instance, to ride a century-old carousel, tour one of the area's oldest homes, and even catch the latest hit movie inside a building that dates back to 1892. You can even drive over historic covered bridges just outside of town. So if you're looking to connect With Albany's rich history, here's a guide to five fun activities that showcase its vibrant past.
The Monteith House Museum resides in one of Albany's oldest buildings.
Albany is known for its rich history—and showcases that past through more than 800 buildings that date back to the 1840s across four historic districts.
One of the best places to start exploring that past comes at the Monteith House Museum. The museum resides in a home that was built in 1849; today, it represents one of Oregon's oldest existing structures and is among the area's most authentically restored house for the time period.
The Monteith House is the only historic home that's open as a museum, but you can learn more about Albany's earliest days via the Albany Visitors Association's Albany Explorer mobile app.
Dine at Sybaris Bistro for a unique eating experience. A Sybarite was a native of Sybaris, an ancient Greek city in southern Italy, who was stereotyped as a seeker of pleasure and good taste.
Chef Matt and his wife Janel have translated this Greek history into their restaurant name, and their philosophy which is: to get the best available ingredients from local growers, cook them to perfection, and serve them without attitude or pretense. That means your experience will include meals created using fresh produce from the Willamette Valley—with a menu that changes regularly to reflect what's new and in-season.
Sybaris Bistro, housed in a historic building in downtown Albany, is beloved for working locally grown ingredients into a wide range of creative dishes.
The historic Pix Theatre resides in a building that dates back to 1892. (Photo by Bill Hunt)
For good old-fashioned entertainment, visit the Pix Theatre. The old-school movie house resides in a building that dates back to the 1890s—and has, at various times, hosted a grocery store, farm supply shop, and even horse stables. Today, the building has been updated into a warm, lively space that features first-run movies and seats up to 200 moviegoers.
Pair your movie with a wide range of great food and refreshments. The theater's selection includes traditional concessions (like popcorn and candy), filling fare (like quesadillas and hummus plates), and even sweet treats (such as seasonal pies and frozen bananas). Coffee, soda, and (in the evening) locally crafted beer and cider is available.
The Historic Carousel & Museum is a beloved family attraction in downtown Albany—and its charms date back more than a century.
The carousel at the heart of the attraction was built in 1909 and later donated to the museum so a new generation could enjoy its charms. Restoration and upgrades took 10 years, and the carousel welcomed its first modern-day rider in 2017. Today, more than 40 hand-carved and hand-painted animals—including zebras, giraffes, and frogs—invite riders of all ages to enjoy the old-school attractions.
An on-site museum shares the carousel's storied history and tells its resurgent story through exhibits and artifacts.
The Historic Carousel & Museum is a popular stop for kids (and kids at heart) in downtown Albany.
The Larwood Covered Bridge crosses Crabtree Creek about 20 minutes east of Albany—and can still be driven today. (Photo by Joey Hamilton)
Oregon's first covered bridges were built in the mid-1800s by the area's first European-American emigrants. Most were built from wood, given the material's abundance, and many were covered—mostly to protect against the region's notoriously rainy winters and springs.
Today, several historic covered bridges still cross waterways across the region, with several just outside Albany. Learn about covered bridges near Albany and in the Cascade Range foothills, with a suggested driving route, insights into regional history, and ideas for other fun stops along the way.
