The ultimate Oregon outdoor bucket list
Get outside and soak in the best that the Pacific Northwest has to offer.

Late summer and early fall in the Willamette Valley is breathtaking. The summer heat is subsiding, and multiple days of rain are many weeks away. So, grab your sunglasses, your Pumpkin Spice Latte (from the Riley Center Starbucks) and let’s explore the Pacific Northwest!
ExplORe the outdoors
We are surrounded by natural Oregon beauty. These three wooded spots are less than 90 minutes from McMinnville or Portland.
Miller Woods

Miller Woods Conservation Area is exactly 15 minutes from the McMinnville campus. It was developed as an educational venue, but its trails are open to anyone. You may even run into one of Linfield’s service organizations maintaining its many trails.
Silver Falls

Silver Falls has been called the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system. It’s a healthy drive from both campuses, so bring a lunch and enjoy all of the 35 miles worth of trails that can be used for hiking or mountain biking.
Tree to Tree

Being suspended dozens of feet in the air has never looked so good. Tree to Tree Arial Adventure Park features obstacle courses and zip lines (one is 1,280 feet long!) in the woods of Gaston; which is less than an hour from both campuses.
Get some good food
The not-so-hidden secret of McMinnville is the food, and the star attraction is Third Street. During the eight-block walk from Third & Baker St. to Third & Johnson St., you’ll find Costa Rican food, Spanish tapas, a couple of pizza joints, coffee shops and the best health food bar around. Oh, and it’s less than a mile from campus.
McMenamins Hotel Oregon

If you want to enjoy dinner, drinks or just some tots with a view, then go to McMenamins Hotel Oregon’s Rooftop Bar. This section of the restaurant is five floors above Third Street and features a view of the entire town—and it’s open to people under 21 too!
McMinnville Farmer’s Market

If dining out isn’t within your budget, then dine in after shopping at the McMinnville Farmer’s Market. It’s open every Thursday in downtown McMinnville through October. You can get seasonal produce from the best farms in Oregon.
Root for the home team
Game days in the “Catdome” are special. First, you’re likely going to see a Wildcat victory. Linfield has won all but three regular season games at Maxwell Field in the last ten years. Secondly, the students, alumni and the town show up in droves and produce a game day atmosphere that’s second to none in the Northwest Conference. Get to the game early to enjoy Streak Street, and then soak up some sun in the south endzone student section (a.k.a. the Catzone Crew) and cheer on your Wildcats.




Go to a pumpkin patch
Before it gets too soggy, go and check out a pumpkin patch. If you’re near McMinnville, we suggest Heiser Farms in Dayton. Let out your inner child and go on a ride or pick out a pumpkin at this or any of the spectacular farms in the Willamette Valley.

Study sessions with a view
Linfield’s two campuses are vastly different from each other. McMinnville’s is a park-like setting with trees, massive and lush green lawns and beautifully manicured landscaping. You’ll find benches, tables, chairs and picnic benches strewn across the college’s 190 acres.
Portland’s Northwest 22nd Avenue campus is right in the middle of the city, but its two main buildings (Peterson and Loveridge) are separated by a courtyard with many picnic tables. If on-campus studying isn’t your thing, then head across the street to Starbucks or even Wallace Park, which is an eight-minute walk from the campus.


— Travis McGuire, director of social media
