Willamette University

The Willamette Valley & Wine Country

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Just south of the capitol, Willamette University was the first university in the western USA and is well respected for its liberal-arts undergraduate program and law school. The Visitor Information Center has a walking tour leaflet of the university.

The oldest remaining building on the campus is Waller Hall, built between 1864 and 1867. The Hallie Ford Museum of Art houses works from Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, along with a strong collection of influential Pacific Northwest artists.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Silver Falls State Park

    Silver Falls State Park

    18.86 MILES

    Oregon's largest state park, Silver Falls, 26 miles east of Salem on Hwy 214, is an easy day trip from Portland, Salem and Eugene. It offers camping,…

  • Oregon Garden

    Oregon Garden

    12.23 MILES

    Plant-lovers shouldn't miss this garden, located 15 miles east of Salem outside Silverton. Over 20 specialty gardens are showcased on 80 acres, including…

  • Peavy Arboretum

    Peavy Arboretum

    21.74 MILES

    Peavy Arboretum is heaven on a hot day, with several interpretive trails that wind through 40 acres of shady forest. From here, you can continue into…

  • Gordon House

    Gordon House

    12.27 MILES

    Next to the Oregon Garden in Silverton is the Gordon House, the only building in Oregon designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It was built in 1964 and moved to…

  • Hallie Ford Museum of Art

    Hallie Ford Museum of Art

    0.3 MILES

    Willamette University's Hallie Ford Museum of Art boasts the state's best collection of Pacific Northwest art, including an impressive Native American…

  • Oregon State Capitol

    Oregon State Capitol

    0.16 MILES

    The state's first capitol building burned down in 1855, and a domed classic Roman edifice was built to replace it. Unfortunately, that building also…

  • Willamette Heritage Center

    Willamette Heritage Center

    0.22 MILES

    This interesting 5-acre complex houses grassy gardens, two gift shops, a clutch of pioneer buildings and two museums. The Mission Mill Museum, Jason Lee…

  • Champoeg State Heritage Area

    Champoeg State Heritage Area

    22.92 MILES

    A state heritage area and popular family destination, Champoeg is 25 miles southwest of Portland. There are 615 acres of old-growth woodland, grassy…

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Nearby The Willamette Valley & Wine Country attractions

1. Oregon State Capitol

0.16 MILES

The state's first capitol building burned down in 1855, and a domed classic Roman edifice was built to replace it. Unfortunately, that building also…

2. Willamette Heritage Center

0.22 MILES

This interesting 5-acre complex houses grassy gardens, two gift shops, a clutch of pioneer buildings and two museums. The Mission Mill Museum, Jason Lee…

3. Hallie Ford Museum of Art

0.3 MILES

Willamette University's Hallie Ford Museum of Art boasts the state's best collection of Pacific Northwest art, including an impressive Native American…

4. Elsinore Theatre

0.47 MILES

This dazzling Tudor-Gothic landmark, opened in 1926 and once a silent-movie theater, is now primarily a venue for theater and concerts. Classic movies are…

5. Deepwood Museum & Gardens

0.54 MILES

Not far from the Bush House, this 1894 Queen Anne mansion is topped by turrets and bejeweled with decorative moldings and beautiful stained-glass windows…

6. Bush's Pasture Park

0.61 MILES

One of Oregon's leading citizens of the late 19th century was Asahel Bush, a newspaperman and highly successful banker who began building his rambling…

7. Bush House Museum

0.67 MILES

The Bush House Museum is open as a showpiece of Victorian design inside Bush's Pasture Park. Note the marble fireplaces, 10 in all. Most of the wallpaper…

8. Bush Barn Art Center

0.71 MILES

Inside the reconstructed stable at Bush's Pasture Park is the Bush Barn Art Center, which features several galleries and a permanent exhibition. The main…