Local Getaway: Silverton

*Photo courtesy Tiffany Hill (L) and Silver Falls Brewery (R)*

Just about an hour’s drive from Portland, the town of Silverton is just enough of a trip to feel like you’re on a fun family getaway, but not too far that it requires excess planning and endless rounds of “I Spy” en route. And Silverton itself, surrounded by nature — it’s known as Oregon’s Garden City, after all — and immersed in art and small-town charm is the perfect place to squeeze in one more long weekend before school starts.

To make the most out of your Silverton stay, book a room at the Oregon Garden Resort. The 103-room property is perhaps best known for its close proximity to the famed Oregon Garden. But this family- and pet-friendly resort is both roomy and cozy. And since it’s minutes away from the 80-acre Oregon Garden, you can beat the crowds, and the heat the following day. The sprawling grounds feature more than 20 specialty gardens, including the hands-on Children’s Garden. There’s a Hobbit House, a tree house and animal-shaped topiaries. The best part? Garden staff tend the foliage year-round, so any season is a good time to visit.

Take a stroll through downtown Silverton, and you’ll see bright, detailed murals on nearly every block. For a place with a population of a little more than 10,000, Silverton has a surprising number of these large-scale paintings, more than 30 in fact.

When it comes time to eat, head to Silver Falls Brewery for top-notch IPAs and juicy burgers for the adults. The kids’ menu features sandwiches for little hands, including grilled cheese, peanut butter and jelly, turkey or ham, with a choice of fries, carrots or fruit. And for a brewery, they have a pretty decent non-alcoholic drink menu, too, including Crater Lake root beer on draft and house-made berry lemonade. Pro tip: You can’t go to Silverton, without stopping at Silver Falls State Park (even if it’s not technically in Silverton). The gem of the Oregon state park system, the area is home to towering waterfalls and scenic vistas. Take it all in from the notable Trail of Ten Falls.

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Tiffany Hill

Tiffany Hill is our Managing Editor. She is from Honolulu, Hawaii, but loves calling Oregon home. She lives in Northeast Portland with her husband, son and their scrappy, adopted dog. When she’s not on assignment, you can find her playing roller derby or exploring the outdoors with a scenic hike.