Albany, Oregon

The Albany Carousel and Museum preserves a gorgeous 1909 Dentzel Carousel Corporation ride showcasing more than 50 hand-carved animal horses, ranging from seven-foot-tall giraffes to zebras, unicorns, dragons, bears, and lions. The menagerie-style carousel was donated to the city by Bill Denzel, the great-grandson of the carousel company's founder, and was carefully restored as a labor of love that took more than 15 years to complete with the help of community volunteers. Today, the carousel and its adjacent museum strive to promote the artistry of amusement rides and explore the history of carousel technology through public exhibits and artifact displays. Visitors of all ages can explore the museum for free and ride the carousel for a nominal fee with purchase of carousel tokens.

503 W 1st Ave, Albany, OR 97321, Phone: 541-497-2934

Albany Monteith Historic District is a National Register of Historic Places-listed district that is named in honor of Albany town founders Walter and Thomas Monteith, who arrived in the region from New York in 1847 and completed the town's first frame house two years later. Today, the house is believed to be the most authentically-restored pioneer home in the state. It is surrounded by landmarks such as the Alfred Dawson House, also listed on the NRHP, and the beautiful Whitespires United Presbyterian Church, which is noted for its unique Carpenter Gothic design and stained-glass windows. Gorgeous historic architecture is showcased throughout the district, including Craftsman, Federal, Gothic Revival, Italianate, and Queen Anne-style buildings.

Activities and Attractions for Couples:

Albany Regional Museum was originally constructed in 1887 as the S.E. Young Company, relocated to its current location in the city's Chinatown in 1912. Since 1980, the building has served as a repository for local cultural and civic artifacts, showcasing the rich history of the region's indigenous, pioneer, and modern-day residents. Visitors can learn about the area's role in crafting the world's first nuclear submarine in the museum's Albany's Special Metals exhibit, which details the area's production of zirconium, titanium, and niobium. The Albany Timber Carnival, a major regional 20th-century event held for over 60 years, is examined in exhibits that detail the legacy of the area residents who brought the event together. A replica train station features artifacts preserved from the region's early railroading days, including a replica shoe shine station.

136 SE Lyon St, Albany, OR 97321, Phone: 541-967-7122

Springhill Cellars Winery was originally founded in 1988 by Mike and Karen McLain and Merv Anthony as an estate vineyard operation in partnership with the Eola-Amity Hills AVA's McLain Vineyard. The winery produces up to 1,200 cases of small-batch boutique wines each year, crafted with as little processing as possible to highlight the natural flavors of the region's terroir. Delicious wine varieties like Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris are aged in oak barrels to balance tannins and bring out delicious aromas and flavor notes. Visitors can stop in at the winery's tasting room throughout the year on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons between May and late November or at other times with special appointments. Each year, the winery hosts the annual Federweisser Festival, which pairs German-style harvest fare with Federweisser-style Riesling vintages.

2920 NW Scenic Dr, Albany, OR 97321, Phone: 541-928-1009

Deluxe Brewing Company is the vision of Eric and Jamie Howard, the founders of Albany Steamworks and partner company Sinister Distilling Company. The unique "brewstillery" concept showcases nine beers on tap throughout the year, along with a guest cider and pours of spirits from the company's distillery. Visitors can choose from flagship beer favorites like the company's Wild Beaver Amber Lager, Resurrection Pre-Prohibition Pilsner, or Sintillator Dopplebock, available on tap at all times. Spirits include the company's New Albany Gin, Anchor Rose Barrel-Aged Rum, and Howard Jacon Single-Malt Whiskey. Complimentary pretzels and snacks are served up throughout the week at the brewery's tap room, which showcases shuffleboard tables and party games for visitors to enjoy. On select Fridays, area food trucks are parked onsite, serving up the best of the region's artisanal cuisine.

635 NE Water Ave, Albany, OR 97321, Phone: 541-928-7699

Where to Eat:

Sybaris Bistro is an eclectic Pacific Northwest bistro named in honor of the ancient Italian town of the same name, serving up delicious locally-sourced farm-to-table fare. The restaurant is helmed by executive chef Matt Bennett, taking influences from his French cuisine training and putting new twists on sustainable modern American and European fare. Diners can enjoy excellent main courses throughout the week such as luxury USDA Prime flat-iron steams, gingerbread-crusted lamb rib chops, truffled boneless pork foot, and Feasts of Seven Fishes with squid ink pasta and orange-saffron-fennel sauce. Shareable appetizers take cues from elegant European favorites like foie gras, chicken liver mousse, and Old World-style ham croquettes.

442 W 1st Ave, Albany, OR 97321, Phone: 541-928-8157

Vault 244 Bistro is a family-operated restaurant helmed by Mike, Lane, and Kathy Brown, housed within Albany's 1892 J.W. Cusik and Company Bank building. The lovely building was restored to its historic glory in 2009 and maintains original design elements, including its historic vault doors and 19th-century photography of the bank's operations. Diners can enjoy a plethora of delicious steakhouse fare throughout the week at the restaurant, including options like prime flat-iron, ribeye, and filet mignon steaks with options such as brandy cream sauce and rosemary potato cakes. Delicious Pacific Northwest seafood entrees are also served up, along with an extensive menu of martinis, classic cocktails, and fine top-shelf liquors.

244 SE 1st Ave, Albany, OR 97321, Phone: 541-791-9511

Elmer's Restaurant is a staple on the Albany dining scene, originally opened as a pancake house in Portland in 1960 by Walt and Dorothy Elmer. Today, the restaurant operates over two dozen locations throughout the Oregon and Pacific Northwest region, known for its fine homestyle cooking and charming diner-style setting. Diners can choose from a wide variety of down-home breakfast fare served up throughout the day, including classic thick-cut Belgian waffles, lingonberry crepes, crab and avocado omelettes, and famed cinnamon roll buttermilk pancakes. Lunch and dinner specials are also served up, including all-American favorites like prime rib dip sandwiches, seafood and chips platters, and wild Pacific salmon burgers.

2802 Santiam Hwy SE, Albany, OR 97322, Phone: 541-928-4227