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If you’re looking for a peaceful yet adventure-filled getaway just under an hour from Portland, Silverton offers small-town charm, stunning gardens, and easy access to some of the state’s best outdoor spots. Situated in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this hidden gem offers a little bit of everything from waterfalls to wildflowers to wineries.
During my stay at the Oregon Garden Resort, I loved waking up to the aroma of pine and wandering through the Oregon Garden’s lush trails and blooming landscapes. Just a short drive away, the famous Silver Falls State Park and the colorful Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival added the perfect mix of nature and photo-worthy beauty. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or adding a stop to your Willamette Valley road trip, Silverton is the perfect base for scenic drives, cozy cafés and some of Oregon’s most memorable sights. Here are 16 of the best things to do in Silverton, Oregon, from gardens to waterfalls to tulips and trails.
Best Things To Do in Silverton, OR
Silverton offers plenty of ways to soak up the Pacific Northwest’s magic. This charming small town is bursting with natural beauty and local flavor. Whether you’re here for a day trip or a weekend escape, you’ll find no shortage of unforgettable Silverton attractions and activities to enjoy.
1) Explore the Oregon Garden
📍879 W. Main St., Silverton, OR
I spent a peaceful morning strolling through the Oregon Gardens. This 80-acre botanical wonderland is home to more than 20 specialty gardens, from placid ponds and rose-lined pathways to forest trails and whimsical sculptures, each beautiful in its own right.
I stayed right on-property at the Oregon Garden Resort, which gave me a complimentary pass and made it easy to explore before day-trippers arrived. I kicked off each morning with a muffin and birdsong on the patio and a quiet stroll through the gardens, watching the fountain’s streaming water fade into the colorful flowers as light shone through the trees.
The Garden is at its absolute best from late spring through early fall, but it is open year-round. May and June bring fresh spring flowers like rhododendrons and azaleas, while July through September showcase lush summer displays like perennials, annuals, and roses, and fall and winter bring fall foliage and winter jasmine . Don’t miss the Sensory Garden, the Conifer Garden and the Wetlands Boardwalk, which are especially beautiful in spring and summer. If you’re visiting in the evening, the Oregon Garden Resort’s Fireside Lounge is the perfect way to wrap up your day, watching the sunset over the hills with a glass of Willamette Valley wine in hand.
2) See the Frank Lloyd Wright House
📍located next to the Oregon Garden on Main St., Silverton, OR
Just steps from the Oregon Garden, you’ll find one of Oregon’s most remarkable treasures, the Gordon House, the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home in the state. Originally built in 1963 and later saved from demolition, this beautifully restored home now sits on the garden grounds, open for tours and architecture lovers alike.
Even if you’re not an architecture buff, the design details are fascinating, where every beam and open space is purposeful, flowing seamlessly into the landscape. Wright’s “Usonian” philosophy of simple, yet functional beauty shines in every corner.
Pro Tip: Tours are available year-round from Wednesdays through Sundays, but you must book in advance.
3) Relax with a Moonstone Spa Treatment
📍895 W Main St, Silverton, OR
Tucked inside the Oregon Garden Resort, Moonstone Spa is the type of place where your shoulders drop the moment you walk in. After a full day of hiking and exploring Silverton, I treated myself to a hot stone massage, and it was exactly what my travel-weary body needed.
The warm stones melted away tension, while the calm, earthy atmosphere made it easy to fully relax. It felt luxurious, but not stuffy and perfectly in tune with the garden setting just outside the doors.
4) Stroll Through Historic Downtown Silverton
📍Main St., Silverton, OR
Downtown Silverton is so quaint and feels as if you’re stepping back in time in the best way. Brick storefronts, flower-filled planters and friendly shopkeepers create that kind of Main Street magic that you don’t find often anymore.
I walked along Water Street and discovered small galleries, vintage shops, and cafés, but ultimately stopped for the best grilled ham-and-cheese sandwich at the Rustic Melt Food Truck and ate it overlooking Silver Creek.
5) Search for Murals Throughout Silverton
📍Silverton, OR
Take a stroll through downtown Silverton and you’ll find the town’s history splashed across its walls. More than 30 colorful murals tell the stories of local legends, farmers, pioneers and even Silverton’s famous astronaut, Donald Pettit. Each piece displays a window into the town’s past. I really enjoyed hunting for all of the murals and I did find a fair amount of them on the side of buildings or down a side alley just wandering around one afternoon and this mural map was so helpful.
6) Chase Waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park
📍20024 Silver Falls Hwy SE, Sublimity, OR
No trip to Silverton is complete without a visit to Silver Falls State Park, one of Oregon’s most breathtaking natural treasures and just a short 20-minute drive from town. Known as the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system, it’s home to the famous Trail of Ten Falls, where you can hike past (and even behind) some of the most stunning waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest.
If you’re visiting for a day, start with the South Falls Loops, an easy, short 1.6 mile hike that gives you that signature “walk behind the waterfall” moment without much effort. For those who want more adventure, the full Trail of Ten Falls covers about 7 miles and winds through lush forest and misty canyon walls.
I recommend a light jacket and good walking shoes as the mist near the falls keeps things cool, even in summer. If you prefer to take it slow, there are picnic spots and viewpoints perfect for enjoying the sound of rushing water.
7) Relax at Silver Creek Reservoir
📍4100 Silver Falls Dr SE, Silverton, OR
If you’re looking for a quiet place to unwind, Silver Creek Reservoir (the locals call it Silverton’s Lake) is just minutes from town. Its calm waters and wooden shoreline make it ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding, or picnicking with a view. Early mornings are especially peaceful, with mist rising from the water and songbirds echoing through the trees.
8) Drive over the Gallon House Covered Bridge
📍Situated near the intersection of Gallon House Rd and Maple Ln, Silverton, OR
For a quick, scenic detour, drive north to the Gallon House Covered Bridge, one of Oregon’s oldest surviving covered bridges. Built in 1916, this red-and-white beauty spans Abiqua Creek and comes with a fun slice of history because during Prohibition, locals would secretly meet here to buy a “gallon” of moonshine.
It was one of my favorite photo stops and a perfectly preserved piece of Oregon’s past. I visited in the summer, when the creek runs clear beneath the wooden beams, but if you visit in autumn, you’ll see a beautiful backdrop of golden foliage.
9) Take a Scenic Drive Through the Willamette Valley
Before heading home, take a slow drive through the beautiful rolling hills of the Willamette Valley. The countryside around Silverton unfolds into vineyards, orchards and quiet farm roads.
From Silverton, take OR-214 South toward Mt. Angel for classic farmland views and a taste of local flavor. Stope by Bauman’s Farm and Garden, a beloved stop for fresh-baked pies, seasonal fruit and jars of local jam. Just down the road, Fordyce Farm and Red Wagon Farm brim with berries in summer and pumpkins come fall.
Then follow OR-213 to Scotts Mills or continue toward Stayton via OR-214 East for more sweeping valley views a few more sweet detours like B &P Hitz Fruit Farm, known for its juicy peaches and old-fashioned charm.
Seasonal Things To Do in Silverton, OR
Whether you’re chasing blooms, foliage, or that perfect small-town holiday magic, you’ll find seasonal activities in Silverton that make every visit feel brand new. In spring, tulip fields burst into bloom, and waterfalls are at their fullest. Summer brings outdoor concerts, farmers’ markets, and sunny strolls through downtown. Fall wraps the town in golden leaves and cozy charm, while winter offers festive lights and quiet trails.
10) Visit the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
📍33814 S. Meridian Rd, Woodburn, OR
If you visit Silverton in the spring, don’t miss the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival in nearby Woodburn. I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw more than 40 acres covered in every color tulip imaginable stretching toward the horizon. Just a 25-minute drive from town, this family-run farm bursts into bloom every March and April.
When I visited, rows of pinks, purples, oranges and yellows swayed in the breeze beneath Mount Hood’s snowcapped peak. The air smelled faintly of earth and rain, that unmistakable Oregon spring scent, and the energy was pure joy.
Also not to missed is Sunflower season at the farm in late summer. Huge sunflowers stand tall in the summer sun and you can walk through the Sunflower path carved out of the flowers.
Pairing a visit to town with a trip to the nearby Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival when the tulips are in bloom is an unforgettable spring combo. I also enjoyed a hot air balloon ride over the flower fields while I was there.
Pro Tip: Be sure to reserve your spot early as they do book up. Also, wear shoes that you don’t mind getting muddy as the ground was still very wet from rain the day before I visited.
11) Visit Swan Island Dahlia Farm
📍995 NW 22nd Ave, Canby, OR
Just a half hour north of Silverton, Swan Island Dahlia Farm is worth mentioning because it’s one of those late-summer places that feels almost unreal, endless rows of vibrant dahlias as far as the eye can see. This is another outstanding family-run farm that opens its fields to visitors during peak bloom season (late August through September), and the best part is that it’s free to visit.
12) There are several other gardens nearby
- Adelman Peony Gardens (~20 minutes away)
- 📍5690 Brooklake Rd NE, Salem, OR
- Every May and June, this family-run farm bursts into bloom with hundreds of peony varieties. Visitors can stroll the fields, snap gorgeous photos and even take a few plants home for their own garden.
- Schreiner’s Iris Gardens (~25 minutes away)
- 📍3625 Quinaby Rd NE, Salem, OR
- A must-see in May! Schreiner’s is home to one of the largest iris displays in the country with rainbow-hued fields that go for miles. The display gardens are open to visitors and make for a perfect morning or afternoon stop.
- Wayward Winds Lavender Farm (~35 minutes away)
- 📍17005 NE Courtney Rd, Newberg, OR
- This peaceful lavender farm is a summer dream, featuring three-acres of fragrant French and English lavender. Visit mid-season (usually July) for the best blooms and a relaxing u-cut experience.
13) Attend the Silverton Christmas Market
📍located at the Oregon Garden Resort- 895 W. Main St., Silverton, OR
If you’re visiting Oregon between the weekend before Thanksgiving and New Year’s, don’t miss the Silverton Christmas Market, one of the most festive holiday experiences in the Willamette Valley. Held at the Oregon Garden Resort, this European-style market glows with more than a million lights.
Wander beneath light tunnels and towering displays, then browse rows of artisan booths selling handcrafted gifts and ornaments from Germany. Warm up with a mug of glühwein (hot spiced wine) or local cider and you can even collect mugs, just like the traditional European markets.
Best Places to Eat in Silverton, OR
Silverton may be small, but it has a big heart when it comes to good food. From cozy cafés to farm-to-table dining, you’ll find plenty of ways to taste the Willamette Valley’s bounty without ever leaving town.
14) Eat Breakfast in Silverton
- Farmer’s Corner Deli & Market has the best breakfast burritos and sandwiches using nitrate-free meats and organic eggs.
- 📍601 N 1st St, Silverton, OR
- Gear Up Coffee has great coffee and donuts
- 📍430 McClaine St, Silverton, OR
15) Eat Lunch in Silverton
- As mentioned before, I loved the ham and grilled cheese sandwich with apples and balsamic at Rustic Melt Food Truck, which I ate outside overlooking Silver Creek.
- The Old Oak Oven serves great wood-fired pizza and is located in the same food truck area known as “The Den”. They also have a covered area in case it is raining.
- 📍311 N Water St., Silverton, OR
- For elevated comfort food, Fin and Fowl Kitchen is always a winner, offering a wide variety of dishes from pulled pork to ramen bowls.
- 📍202 Jersey St., Silverton, OR
- For a sweet treat, I highly recommend the Silverton Bake Shoppe
- 📍311 N Water St., Silverton, OR
16) Eat Dinner in Silverton
- The Noble Fox has elevated pub food. Their burgers are good and they even have a mac and cheese burger.
- 📍101 N. Water St., Silverton, OR
- Oso Spanish and Mediterranean is also good. Their gyros and baklava are excellent.
- 📍200 E. Main St., Silverton, OR
- The Silver Falls Brewery Ale House is another great choice. Their hamburgers and tacos are delicious and they have a good selection of beer.
- 📍207 Jersey St., Silverton, OR
When is the Best Time to Visit Silverton?
I have visited in late spring and late summer when the waterfalls are roaring, wildflowers line the trails and tulip and iris farms are in full bloom. Fall is a close second for me personally because I love crisp mornings and fiery maples, but winter brings its own kind of holiday magic and quietness. Honestly, there’s no bad season here, just different shades of beautiful.
- Spring: Tulips, gardens and waterfalls at their peak
- Summer: Dahlias, sunflowers and outdoor dining
- Fall: Golden leaves
- Winter: Holiday festivities and quieter gardens
The Wrap Up: Why Silverton Deserves A Spot On Your Oregon Itinerary
Silverton may be small, but it’s overflowing with beauty, history and quaintness. Staying at the Oregon Garden Resort, waking to the sound of fountains and birdsongs, and letting my day unfold among waterfalls and flowers was lovely. This Willamette Valley gem invites you to savor Oregon at its most authentic.
