28 | Willamette Valley Inspiration Guide Sugar J's Ice Cream Workshop Alsea Falls There’s no defining line where nature ends and urban begins in uber-green Corvallis, a progressive college town (home to Oregon State University) whose apt name comes from the conjunction of the Latin words for “heart” and “valley.” Leafy trees shade almost every street in the charming downtown, which hugs the Willamette River. Grab an espresso at Co ee Culture, and browse the independent storefronts, which range from Peak Sports to bookshops like Grass Roots and gaming stores like Gamagora. Dozens of Benton County growers and producers truck their fresh fruits and vegetables, cheeses, honey, and meats to the Corvallis Farmers Market, which takes over First Street twice a week (Wednesday and Saturday, April to November). On sunny days, picnickers spread out blankets in the adjacent Riverfront Commemorative Park and grab ice cream at Sugar J's Ice Cream Workshop. Also in downtown is the Corvallis Museum, where you can browse art and artifacts from the city's history. Recognized by the League of American Bicyclists as one of the most cyclist-friendly cities in the nation, Corvallis has more than 100 miles (161 kilometers) of bike paths. Sometimes known as “carless Corvallis,” the town allows bikes on the city buses, which are free to ride. In this small city, hikers can hit the trails within a matter of minutes from downtown. Many interconnected trails and natural areas begin within city limits. The most iconic mountain to trek up is Marys Peak, the tallest in the Coast Range at 4,097 feet (1,249 meters). You’ll catch views Corvallis Area Marys Peak
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