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Visit Corvallis | 11/20/2024 | Arts and Culture, Breweries, Wineries & Distilleries, Holidays, Outdoor Recreation, Shop & Pamper

Corvallis Experiences: The Perfect Holiday Gifts for Every Taste

Feel the thrill of gifting experiences in Corvallis this season, creating deeper connections with your family, friends, colleagues, or customers. Whether you- or they- are fans of drama, play, wine, adventure, or "treat yourself" time, our delightfully different Oregon city has you covered! Here is a collection of ideas paired with gifts to showcase your present of a Corvallis experience.

Explore wine all year! The Heart of the Willamette Wine Passport showcases local wineries (and more) offering special passport perks. Add to the experiences with personalized guided tours with Best Oregon Tours, For The Love of Scenic Wine Tours, or Wine’n with Murray. Head over to Corazón for wine and tapas. While there, select a bottle of wine to wrap up. Pair the wine with specially selected chocolates from Burst Chocolate to create an ultra-gourmet present.

(Photo: Corazón Corvallis, by Honeysuckle Photography.)

There are so many wonderful adventures to try Corvallis -which ones to choose becomes the big question. We checked in with locals so you could select some authentic outdoor experiences and items to give as gifts that enhance your present.

For your avian-lover, add a twist to birding with a "Birds & Brews" or "See a Flight, Have a Flight" tour. Fishing with a personal guide is a year-round way to gift “a good day” with experts who know all the hidden spots and techniques. Attach the gift certificates to colorful life vests, and if they like to take their pup, Animal Crackers suggests you include a float coat for the 4-legged one!

For the hikers and bikers on your list, gift the experience of one of Oregon’s Signature Trails, the Corvallis-to-the-Sea (C2C) Trail, which links Willamette Valley to the Pacific Ocean. Create a package with a C2C map, pre-paid permits, along with dehydrated meals, on-the-go snacks, and instant coffee. Level up with backpacking items! The experts at Peak Sports suggest a water filtration system and a fast and light portable stove - great for making meals or coffee while camping!

(Photo: Biking the C2C Trail, by Peak Sports Corvallis.)

Outdoor-related holiday fun is always memory-making. Make Christmas crafts with goats watching at Original Goat Yoga or using greenery at Garland Nursery or Shonnard's Nursery. Breathe in Christmas smells while wandering Christmas Tree farms to find your holiday tree.

No matter how you define “play,” Corvallis has the perfect experience for you and your inner child’s favorite pal. Whether it’s dress-up, games, mysteries, or ways to move wiggly bodies, you have a plethora of choices to gift!

Inner Artist

Engage the inner artist with creative time at the Arts Center or Maxtivity. Make a point of being in town on a third Thursday to explore local art galleries along the Corvallis Art Walk. Make looking at art a scavenger hunt with our Mural Map tour! Add merriment to the present with finger paints or a bucket of colored pencils. With a plethora of performances, art exhibits, and public art, OSU's Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx) offers a variety of artistic experiences now available with a gift certificate.  Insider tip -for the moms & dads who want to have a date night, some of the performances include childcare called PRAxKIDS. 

Inner Dramatist

Get out the popcorn and your dress-up box, and inspire theatrics with one (or more!) of these drama-inspired experiences. Historic Whiteside Theatre showcases offbeat movies and musical performances. The Majestic Theater offers a variety of community-based plays, while the locally-owned movie house, Darkside Cinema, plays first-run, indie, international, and documentary films. Pair tickets with a book from Grass Roots Books & Music or Book Bin (and bonus - both places offer books written by locals!). For the costume-lover in your life, check out the Corvallis drag scene or have your group dress up for a custom murder mystery created or curated by Conundrum House.

(Photo: The Conundrum House, by Stacey Newman Weldon.)

Inner Sports Player

Did you know Corvallis has disc golf courses that spawned international and world champions? Gift the joy of playing rounds together with discs (available at Guardian Games, First Alternative Co-op, or Play It Again Sports). Get out of the rain and climb the walls at Valley Rock Gym. Grab some player gear and gift tickets to watch the Corvallis Knights play their way to another baseball championship! Do you love solving puzzles as a competitive sport? Escape Corvallis has multiple rooms, even one for the littles.

Embrace the spirit of self-care and the joy of giving by indulging in the art of "treat yourself" gifts - thoughtful gestures that celebrate both personal well-being and the happiness of our loved ones. Whether it's a blissful escape through spa treatments, meditation found through movement, or the satisfaction of supporting local artisans while satisfying your shopping cravings, these gifts go beyond the ordinary.

Radiance & Relaxation

Luxuriating in goodness at Epic Day Spa is a rejuvenating journey for the senses and a wonderful gift to treat yourself and others. Their new “Sanctuary” option is fabulous for relaxing with close friends and family. The Bistro has a view of downtown's historic Second Street and the iconic "Greetings From Corvallis" mural (part of the fun Mural Tour!)

Whether you are coming from out of town or want to create a special staycation, the nearby Courtyard by Marriott Corvallis is an ideal extension - especially with their new spa-cation package deal with Epic Day Spa.

(Photo: Epic Day Spa, by Stacey Newman Weldon.)

Another indulgent experience to gift is a spa or beauty treatment from The Hive by Honeycomb. Share the joys found through freeform movement with Ecstatic Dance events held at the Corvallis Oddfellows Hall. 

Experience the local art scene while indulging in your joy of holiday shopping. Corvallis has so many winter celebrations and events to choose from you are likely to find blissful options. Tops on the list for the uniqueness and delightfully different Corvallis experience are a selection of holiday markets.

  • Corvallis-OSU Holiday Concert (12/6, 7:30 p.m.) - This festive evening will include Vivaldi's Magnificat in G Minor, Runestad's Into the Light, an instrumental TBD, and seasonal favorites.
  • Winter’s Eve Corvallis (12/6, 5 p.m.) - Enter the large heated tent, explore the samples of food and beverages, take advantage of local store discounts, and bid in the silent auction.
  • Bustlin' Annie Co.’s Holiday Market (12/7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & 12/8, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.) - Shop over 30 local vendors in the Benton County Historical Museum!

(Photo: Bustlin' Annie Co.’s Holiday Market, by Ann Schneider.)

Want to treat yourself to holiday shopping any time of the year? Take a quick trip south of town to Monroe to visit the Christmas Junction, where you experience Christmas magic for the holiday season and beyond!

Embark on an enchanting journey of gifting experiences in Corvallis this holiday season, weaving threads of connection and creating lasting memories. Share your joy on social media with #VisitCorvallis, and let the magic of Corvallis enhance your holiday season!

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113 SW 3rd Street, Alley Suite 101
Corvallis, OR 97333
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