Spread the love!

Lebanon, Oregon: Where Fun and Adventure Collide – The Best Places to Visit and Things to Do

Lebanon is a Willamette Valley town of just over 16,000, and it compares honestly with its neighbors. Albany has the size and the freeway running through it. Corvallis up the road has the university and the prices that follow one. Lebanon has a strawberry festival that has run since 1909, a waterfall park and a downtown you can walk end to end without hurrying. Come for the town rather than the attractions.

Planning a trip to Lebanon, Oregon and wondering what to put in the itinerary? You are in the right place. Outdoor adventures, family-friendly fun, or a walk through the historic downtown area, Lebanon has a version of each.

Lebanon, Oregon: A Brief History. Located in the heart of the Willamette Valley, Lebanon has a long history running back to the mid-1800s. Pioneers settled here for the fertile land and the abundant natural resources, and the town has grown to a population of over 16,000. Lebanon is known now for its small-town charm, its scenery and the outdoor recreation around it.

Outdoor Adventures Await. If you like being outside, Lebanon has enough. Hiking and fishing through to skiing and rafting, the range is wider than the size of the town suggests. Do not miss McDowell Creek Falls, the waterfall hike that locals and visitors both make. And for something more challenging, Santiam Pass has the skiing and snowboarding, though it is a drive east rather than a local trip.

Key Takeaways

• Lebanon, Oregon is a charming town with a rich history and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy.
• Families will love the town’s many parks, museums, and family-friendly attractions.
• Whether you’re interested in hiking, skiing, shopping, or dining, Lebanon has something for everyone.

Lebanon, Oregon: A Brief History

You might think Lebanon, Oregon took its name from the country in the Middle East. Local lore says otherwise. The city was named after a stand of juniper trees that reminded the early settlers of the cedars of Lebanon.

The first settlers arrived in the area in the 1840s, and it was the 1870s before Lebanon grew into a town. The arrival of the railroad in the 1880s pushed the development along. By the turn of the century Lebanon was a busy place.

Lebanon has run on timber, agriculture and manufacturing over the years. The city is best known for its annual Strawberry Festival, held every June since 1909. There is a parade, a carnival, and strawberry in every form the town can manage.

Despite its small size, Lebanon has played a role in some significant moments in American history. In 1942, during World War II, the city was the site of a Japanese American internment camp. Today, the city is home to a museum that tells the story of the camp and the people who were held there.

Lebanon is not the biggest or the best-known city in Oregon, and it has the history and the character regardless. Exploring the city’s past or simply after a weekend away, Lebanon earns the visit.

Outdoor Adventures Await

Lebanon, Oregon suits people who want to be outside. Parks, trails and outdoor recreation, and the list does not run out on you. Here are the best outdoor adventures in Lebanon.

Hiking Trails and Waterfalls

Hikers do well in Lebanon, and the waterfalls are the reason. McDowell Creek Falls is the one to make, with the waterfalls and good trail running through it. The park holds four waterfalls, each one different, and the trails are well-maintained and easy going.

Fishing and Rafting on the Santiam River

The Santiam River is where the fishing and the rafting happen, and for good reason. The river holds salmon and steelhead, and the rapids give rafters something to work with. For something slower, rent a kayak or a canoe and take the river at your own pace.

Golfing at Mallard Creek

Golfers should make Mallard Creek, one of the better courses in Oregon. The layout is challenging without being punishing, and the surrounding countryside does the rest. Seasoned player or beginner, a round at Mallard Creek is worth the time.

Skiing and Winter Sports

Lebanon works for winter sports too. Hoodoo Ski Area is a drive east, offering skiing, snowboarding and tubing. There are snowshoe trails and cross-country skiing options for a slower pace.

Camping and Covered Bridges

For camping, Lebanon has plenty of options. Cheadle Lake Park is the favorite among campers, with the lake and well-maintained campsites. And for something different, the covered bridges in the area are worth the drive. They stand as a piece of Lebanon’s history and photograph well.

So Lebanon, Oregon works for outdoor enthusiasts. Parks, trails and recreation, and enough of each to fill the time properly. So pack the bags, grab the gear and go.

Fun for the Whole Family

Lebanon, Oregon works with the family. Here are the activities everyone can get something out of:

Lebanon Strawberry Festival

Who does not love strawberries. The Lebanon Strawberry Festival is how the town marks them. There is live music, food vendors and strawberries in quantity. And there are carnival rides and games for the kids. Bring an appetite and your dancing shoes.

Wooden Train and Christmas Light Display

If you are in Lebanon over the winter season, do not miss the Wooden Train and Christmas Light Display. It works for kids of all ages. The wooden train runs through a winter wonderland of lights and decorations. It is the kind of thing children remember afterwards.

Indoor Activities and Games

If the weather turns, Lebanon has indoor activities and games. There is an indoor range for target practice and an arcade for the competitive. And there are board games and puzzles to fall back on.

Lebanon, Oregon has a version of most things. Strawberries, trains or indoor games, the family gets a day out of it. So pack the bags, grab the kids and head to Lebanon.

Exploring Downtown Lebanon

Welcome to the heart of Lebanon, Oregon. Downtown is where you spend a day walking, shopping and meeting the local community. Here are the best things to do in downtown Lebanon:

Art and Jewelry Shopping

Looking for art or jewelry to take home? Downtown Lebanon has it. Local shops like Art & Soul carry handmade pottery, paintings and jewelry. And Silver Creek Fine Art Gallery holds metal sculptures and intricate glasswork. Something one-of-a-kind will turn up.

Savoring Local Sandwiches

Feeling hungry? Downtown Lebanon does sandwiches well. Take a classic turkey and avocado at The Sandwich Factory, or build your own at The Bread Board from fresh ingredients. And the Lebanon Bologna sandwich at The Bologna Factory is the one people name.

Community Events and Gatherings

Downtown Lebanon runs on community. Across the year there is the Strawberry Festival, the Christmas Parade and the Farmers Market on Main Street. These are where you meet the neighbors and see the town as it actually is. And the Lebanon Community Center rents out space if you want to run your own event.

So what are you waiting for. Take the friends to downtown Lebanon for a day of shopping, eating and company. With a population of just over 16,000, Lebanon is small enough to walk and big enough to hold you.

Start downtown, because everything else here is a drive from it. McDowell Creek Falls sits east of town and it is the thing most people actually come for. The Santiam River runs north of that, and it is where the fishing and the paddling happen. Hoodoo and Santiam Pass are further east again, well over an hour in winter conditions. And the Strawberry Festival takes the town over in June, so book ahead or avoid it deliberately.

Health and Education in Lebanon

Medical School and Regional Health Care Facilities

You may not expect it, and Lebanon, Oregon has a serious medical community behind it. The Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital is full-service, with modern equipment and highly trained staff. The services run to emergency care, surgery, cancer care and women’s health services.

If medicine is the career, Lebanon has its own medical school. The College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest, or COMP-Northwest, is a branch campus of Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California. It runs a four-year Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program, the DO, which takes a whole-person approach to care.

Beyond the hospital and the medical school, Lebanon holds several regional health care facilities. These include:

• Samaritan Health Services: A non-profit network of hospitals, clinics, and health services that serves communities throughout Oregon.
• Valley Family Health Care: A community health center that provides primary care services to patients of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay.
• Lebanon Community Health Center: A clinic that offers medical, dental, and behavioral health services to patients of all ages.

So Lebanon, Oregon carries the health care options for residents and visitors alike. Medical care, a career in medicine, or simply staying well, you find it in Lebanon.

Planning Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Lebanon, Oregon works across the year, and some months work better than others. For the weather, come between May and September, when the skies are clear and the temperatures hold. That is also the busy season, so expect company and higher prices with it.

To avoid the crowds and spend less, come between November and April. The weather is cooler, and you get the space to yourself and Lebanon’s attractions without waiting in line for them.

Getting There: Portland to Lebanon

Flying in from out of state, you will most likely land in Portland. From there you have a few options for reaching Lebanon. Rent a car and drive it, which is the way to see the Oregon countryside. Pack some snacks and something worth listening to.

If you would rather not drive, take a bus or a train to Albany, which is a short drive from Lebanon. From there a rental car or a taxi finishes the trip.

However you get there, Lebanon holds up. So pack the bags, grab the camera and go.

Visitor’s Reviews and Ratings

So you are planning a trip to Lebanon, Oregon and wondering what to do. Do not simply take our word for it. Here is what other visitors say about Lebanon.

Start with TripAdvisor. With over a hundred reviews at the time of writing, the Santiam Wine Co. is the stop for wine lovers. Reviewers name the views, the wine and the staff. One wrote that they could not wait to come back and bring friends.

For something more adventurous, head to the Boulder Falls Trail. With a 4.5-star rating and over 200 reviews at the time of writing, it is a favorite among hikers. Reviewers reach for the big adjectives when they describe it. Wear comfortable shoes and take plenty of water.

For a different experience, check out the Rusty Truck Brewing Company. With a 4.5-star rating and over 50 reviews, it lands well with beer enthusiasts. Reviewers name the laid-back atmosphere and the brews. One wrote that they could spend all day there.

For a family-friendly option, the Lebanon Strawberry Festival is the one. With a 4-star rating and over 20 reviews, it works for locals and visitors alike. Reviewers name the food, the activities and the live music. One called it the high point of their summer.

So what are you waiting for. Get out and see what Lebanon, Oregon holds. And leave your own review to help the next person plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some hidden gems to explore in Lebanon, Oregon?

You are in luck, because Lebanon, Oregon holds quieter places worth finding. Cheadle Lake Park is one of our favorites, good for a picnic, some fishing or a slow walk around the lake. The other is Marks Ridge Winery, which pours some of the better wine in the area from a cozy tasting room.

Can you recommend any fun outdoor activities near Lebanon, Oregon?

There is plenty of outdoor time in Lebanon, Oregon. For something adventurous, kayak or canoe on the Santiam River. To keep your feet on solid ground, hike in the Cascade Mountains. And for something low-key, pack a picnic and use one of the many parks.

Where can I find the best local cuisine in Lebanon, Oregon?

Food is the other reason to stop. For local cooking, Cascade BBQ does brisket and pulled pork as well as anywhere near here. For something smarter, the Santiam Wine & Bistro runs a menu on locally-sourced ingredients with the wine to match.

What are some must-see sights and attractions in the area?

Lebanon, Oregon has sights worth the drive. The historic Weddle Covered Bridge is the popular one, and it photographs well. McDowell Creek Falls is the other, a run of waterfalls that does the work on its own. And history readers should walk the Lebanon Pioneer Cemetery.

Is it true that Lebanon, Oregon is the strawberry capital of the world?

We hate to spoil it, and that is not entirely true. Lebanon, Oregon grows a great many strawberries without being the strawberry capital of the world. We will not hold the belief against you.

Frequently asked questions about Lebanon, Oregon

Is there an entry fee at McDowell Creek Falls park?

No, there is not. It is a county park rather than a state or federal one, so there is no entry fee and no day-use pass to buy at the gate. The parking areas are small, which is the real constraint on a summer weekend. Go early, or go on a weekday. The four falls are all reachable on maintained trail, so you need boots rather than any real equipment.

Is the Lebanon Strawberry Festival worth planning a trip around?

If you like a town in a good mood, yes. It has run every June since 1909, which means the town knows exactly how to put it on and the whole place turns out for it. Beds get scarce and prices rise for that weekend. Book early, or stay over at Albany and drive in for the day. Parking downtown is the other thing to sort out before you arrive.

Which Lebanon park costs nothing to use?

Cheadle Lake Park, and it is the best value in town. There is a lake for fishing, a loop for walking and enough grass to lose an afternoon on without spending a penny. Bring your own food along, because there is nothing at all to buy on site. It is the honest alternative to a paid attraction on a day when the weather cooperates.

Spread the love!