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Canby, Oregon: Where Fun and Adventure Collide – Discover the Best Things to Do and Places to Visit Now!

Canby is flat farmland and nothing here asks very much of your legs. The dahlia fields run to 40 acres of walking on completely level ground. The state park trails follow the rivers without a climb in any of them. The ferry itself does the only real work on this whole page. Bring an appetite rather than the boots and the day sorts itself out.

Are you planning a trip to Canby, Oregon? You’re in for a treat. This city runs plenty and it rewards the people who slow down for it. Whether you came for the outdoor half, for the history, or simply to eat and drink well, Canby covers it.

The first thing to do in Canby is work through the historical sites. From the Canby Depot Museum to the Baker Cabin Historical Site, the town’s past is in the open here. If you would rather be outdoors, you will not be short either. Canby runs several parks and gardens, the Swan Island Dahlias and Molalla River State Park among them.

If eating well is why you travel, the dining in Canby will hold you. From farm-to-table restaurants to small cafes, the range covers every price. And if you want to carry something home, work through the local shops and boutiques. Whether it is handmade or second-hand, Canby will turn something up.

Key Takeaways

• Canby, Oregon is a charming city with plenty of fun activities and interesting places to visit.
• Whether you’re interested in exploring local history, enjoying the great outdoors, or trying delicious food and wine, Canby has something for everyone.
• Don’t miss the city’s many historical sites, beautiful parks and gardens, and unique local shops and restaurants.

Exploring Canby, Oregon

You’re in Canby, Oregon. Good choice. This is one of the better-looking cities in the state. You may be wondering what to do now you are here. Here are the things worth doing and the places worth seeing in Canby, Oregon.

Visit the Canby Depot Museum

If you read history, take the Canby Depot Museum. It covers the history of the city and the country around it. You get exhibits on transportation, agriculture and the rest of it. Plus it sits in a restored train depot, which photographs as well as it reads.

Take a Stroll in Wait City Park

If you want somewhere to stop, Wait City Park is the one. It runs open grass, walking trails and picnic areas. And through the summer you may well land on live music or a film in the park.

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at Wilco Farm Store

If you have a sweet tooth, do not miss Wilco Farm Store. They run a serious selection of candy and everything alongside it. Plus they carry farm supplies and the rest of what a working town needs.

There it is. Some of the things worth doing and the places worth seeing in Canby, Oregon. Get out and work through this city.

Historical Sites In Canby

If you read history, Canby holds enough sites to fill a day. Here are a few to put on the itinerary:

Oregon’s Mt. Hood Heritage Trail

The Oregon’s Mt. Hood Heritage Trail is a scenic drive running through the historic towns and sites of the Mt. Hood area. Canby is one of the stops along it, and there is plenty here to work through. You get everything from old pioneer homes to historic cemeteries.

Historic Cemeteries

If genealogy is your subject, or you simply walk old cemeteries, Canby runs several worth the time. The Zion Memorial Park Cemetery is the largest in Canby and has been in use since the early 1900s. The Canby Pioneer Cemetery is the other one, running back to the mid-1800s, where many of Canby’s first settlers are buried.

Outdoor Activities

If you want to be outdoors in Canby, you’re in luck. There is plenty here to fill the days. Here are the options worth taking:

Molalla River State Park

Looking for somewhere to hike, fish or simply be outside? Take Molalla River State Park. This park sits where the Willamette, Molalla and Pudding Rivers meet. You get hiking trails with native birds and other wildlife the whole way along. There is also a boat ramp and picnic tables, which makes it the easy call with the family.

Canby Skate Park

If you want something with more adrenaline in it, head to the Canby Skate Park. This park works for skateboarders, BMX riders and inline skaters at any level. With ramps, rails and enough obstacles to keep you honest, you will use the whole session.

Canby Ferry

For something you will not do elsewhere, take a ride on the Canby Ferry. This ferry has been running since 1914 and is the only one left working on the Willamette River. It is how you see the river and the country around it from the water rather than the bank.

So whether you want to hike, skate, cross the river or walk the dog, Canby has the outdoor half covered. Get out and use this city properly.

Gardens and Farms

While you are in Canby, do not skip the gardens and farms, which are among the best in Oregon. Here are the ones to take:

Swan Island Dahlias

Do you follow flowers? Then Swan Island Dahlias is where you go. This farm holds the largest annual dahlia festival in the country, and the reason is obvious once you are standing in it. With over 40 acres of dahlias, the color and the scent come at you from every direction. Walk the fields and take the Instagram photographs. And with luck you will carry some dahlias home.

Secret Garden Growers

Do you collect plants? Then take Secret Garden Growers. This nursery specialises in the rare and the unusual, which means you will find something for your own garden that nobody else has. And if you are not sure what you want, the staff will work it out with you.

Sheep Farm

Looking for a farm that is not like the others? Take Sheep Farm. As the name promises, there is a flock here. There are also goats, chickens and a llama. You can tour the farm, get to know the animals and feed them. And in the right season there are lambs on the ground.

So there it is, the best of the gardens and farms in Canby, Oregon. Whether you follow flowers, pick produce, collect plants or simply want a farm you can walk into, all four are here. So get your hands dirty and use what Canby grows.

Wine Tasting in Canby

If you drink wine, Canby is where you want to be. With several wineries and vineyards around here, something will suit your palate. Here are three places to taste in Canby:

Whiskey Hill Winery

If you want a tasting that is not like the others, head to Whiskey Hill Winery. Their tasting room sits on a fine piece of land on Barlow Road, with the country opening up around it. They pour a serious Pinot Noir, and what actually sets them apart is the whiskey. They distil their own. So if you drink both, Whiskey Hill Winery is where you go.

Postlewait’s Vineyards

Postlewait’s Vineyards is another great place to go wine tasting in Canby. Their tasting room is open on the weekends from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. They offer a variety of wines, including Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. But what really makes Postlewait’s special is their beautiful property. It’s one of the most popular wedding venues in the area, and for good reason. The scenery is absolutely stunning.

Whichever winery you take, the afternoon will land. So get some friends together, head to Canby and drink what this area makes.

Canby trades its scenery for produce and comes out ahead on that deal. The dahlia farm here covers more ground than anything of its kind anywhere. The wineries are small and the prices reflect that rather than the label. The county fair here has been running longer than the town around it. Take Canby if you would rather eat well than photograph a cliff face.

Shopping in Canby

If you are in Canby and want to spend some money, you will not be disappointed. Canby runs a serious selection of shops, from specialty and gift shops to antique dealers and a bookstore. Here are the best places to shop in town.

Speciality & Gift Shops

Canby runs specialty and gift shops built for finding the thing you did not know you wanted. Whether that is an odd gift for a friend or a piece of jewelry nobody else will have, it is here. The specialty and gift shops to take in Canby include:

• Canby Depot Museum Gift Shop: This gift shop is located inside the Canby Depot Museum and offers a wide selection of locally made items, including pottery, jewelry, and artwork.
• Canby Floral & Gifts: This charming flower shop also sells a variety of gifts, including candles, home decor, and seasonal items.
• The Dahlia Barn: If you’re a fan of dahlias, you won’t want to miss this gift shop. They sell everything from dahlia bulbs to dahlia-themed gifts and souvenirs.

Antique Shops

If you buy antiques, Canby will keep you all day. The town runs several antique shops packed with things worth carrying home. Here are the antique shops to take in Canby:

• Canby Antique Mall: This large antique mall has over 50 vendors selling everything from vintage clothing to antique furniture.
• Canby Consignment & Estate Sales: This shop specializes in estate sales and consignment items, so you never know what treasures you’ll find.
• The Vintage Roost: This charming antique shop is housed in a historic building and sells a variety of vintage and antique items, including furniture, clothing, and home decor.

Whether you want a gift, something vintage or a good book, Canby has the shops. So take the wallet and work through them.

Dining in Canby

You may be surprised by how much dining Canby, Oregon runs. From American classics to food from further afield, something here will suit. Here are the places to eat in town:

Thai Corner Cuisine

If you want Asian cooking, Thai Corner Cuisine is where you go. Their Pad Thai is the dish people order twice. The room is comfortable and the staff make the meal better than it needs to be.

Pappy’s Greasy Spoon

Pappy’s Greasy Spoon is a classic diner running breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu is American cooking done the way it was done in the 1950s. The room has a real character and the staff make you want to stay.

Starbucks

Sometimes the day does not start without coffee. Starbucks in Canby covers that quickly. They run coffee and tea along with something to eat alongside it.

Whether you want American classics, Mexican food or Asian cooking, Canby covers it. So go ahead and eat what this town puts out.

Events in Canby

Canby is a town that turns out for itself, and the calendar proves it through the year. Whether flowers, food or a good day out is what you came for, Canby runs it. Here are a couple of events not to miss:

Dahlia Festival

Do you follow flowers? Then take the Dahlia Festival. This runs every year in August, and it is how the end of the summer gets marked here. You get hundreds of different dahlias along with everything else in bloom. There are food vendors, live music and a beer garden. It works as a day with friends or family, and you will pick up something about gardening while you are at it.

Clackamas County Fair

If you want classic summer, the Clackamas County Fair is where it is. This has been running for over 100 years and it has not slowed down. You get the animals, from cows to chickens to pigs. There are carnival rides, food vendors and live music alongside. It is how summer gets marked properly.

So there it is, two events you should not miss in Canby. Whether you follow flowers or you simply want the summer version of a day out, this city runs both. So take some friends and get over to Canby.

Visitor Information

Planning a trip to Canby, Oregon? You’re in for a treat. Here is what to know before you go.

Tripadvisor Reviews

Don’t just take our word for it, check out what other visitors have to say on Tripadvisor. With over 300 reviews, you’ll get an idea of what to expect when you visit Canby. From the stunning Swan Island Dahlias to the charming Canby Ferry, there’s something for everyone.

Experiences

Canby runs a great deal for visitors. Whether you want time outdoors or something with more culture in it, both are here. Take a tour of the Swan Island Dahlias farm and stand among some of the finest flowers grown anywhere. Or take the Canby Depot Museum for the town’s history. Want something more active? Walk in Molalla River State Park or fish the rivers around here.

So what are you waiting for? Book the trip to Canby and take what this town actually runs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of trouble can I get into at Canby River Park?

We are not encouraging trouble, and Canby River Park is where the harmless kind happens. You can swim, fish and rent a paddleboat to work the river. Just follow the park rules and nobody has to have a conversation about it.

Are there any wineries in Canby that offer tastings for dogs?

We love a dog as much as anybody, and we have yet to find a winery in Canby pouring tastings for them. That said, plenty of wineries around here welcome dogs on the outdoor patios, so you can drink properly with your companion at your feet.

Can I ride a unicorn on the Canby Ferry?

As much as we would like to see a unicorn on the Canby Ferry, unicorns do not travel on public transportation. The Canby Ferry is still the way to cross the Willamette River and take the country around it from the water.

What’s the best way to sneak my pet goat into Canby Farmers Market?

We do not condone getting any animal into the Canby Farmers Market unofficially. That said, if the pet goat is coming, we suggest passing it off as a large stuffed animal or a very hairy child. Keep it under control and clean up after it.

Is it true that Canby Theater is haunted by a friendly ghost?

There are stories of a friendly ghost at the Canby Theater, and we can neither confirm nor deny them. What we can tell you is that the theater is a good place to take a film, and you may leave with company.

Can I find a nursery in Canby that specializes in growing giant pumpkins?

Yes, you can. Bauman’s Farm and Garden is where the giant pumpkins and the more unusual plants are. They also run events through the year, so check their website for what is coming.

Frequently asked questions about Canby, Oregon

Is Swan Island Dahlias worth timing the whole trip around?

Yes, in August. It runs over 40 acres of dahlias and holds the largest dahlia festival in the country, so the fields peak in late summer and nothing else in the country compares. You can walk the fields yourself and take some flowers home with you. It costs nothing at all to walk in there and look. Go just outside the peak and you get the fields without any crowd.

Is the Canby Ferry worth the crossing for a visitor?

Yes, for the novelty. It has been running since 1914 and is the only ferry working on the Willamette River, so the crossing itself is the reason rather than the far bank itself. The whole crossing there is over in a matter of minutes flat. It carries cars as well as people crossing over on foot. Check that it is actually running first, because the water levels close it.

Is Molalla River State Park good for a family walk?

Yes, very much. It sits where the Willamette, Molalla and Pudding Rivers meet, and the trails run flat past enough native birds to keep anybody with binoculars fully occupied for hours. There is a boat ramp and there are picnic tables on the site. The fishing out there is the other reason that people come at all. Go in the morning, because the birds stop moving later on in the day.

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