Less than half an hour from Salem are some great small towns in Polk County: Independence, Dallas, and Monmouth. Any of these towns is an excellent choice for a quick day trip or even a weekend away. All three towns have cute historic downtowns that are just right for an afternoon stroll. It’s an excellent region for wineries and vineyards as well, with many situated within Polk County. Biking through the county is also popular, with many well-established trails.
Independence, Monmouth, and Dallas are all accessible from Salem by following Hwy 22 out of town to Dallas and then following Hwy 99 South for Independence and Monmouth.
Independence
Located along the Willamette River, with outstanding river views, Independence is a charming small town. It was founded by pioneers in 1845 as the official end of the Oregon Trail and named for the town designated as the beginning of the historic trail—Independence, Missouri. Still a small town with around 10,000 inhabitants, Independence is a great choice for a day’s visit from Salem.
For those interested in learning more about the history of the town and area, the Independence Heritage Museum is the place to start. The museum features traveling and standing exhibits that appeal to a wide variety of ages. One traveling exhibit, called “What Does the Fox Say?” explores the origin of onomatopoeias from around the world and is suitable for all ages.
For those interested in the historical architecture of the town, there’s a great Historical Walking Tour of some of the most notable homes and businesses. Independence Park, located along the Willamette, hosts events throughout the summer months, including a big Fourth of July celebration.
Looking for a place to eat or drink? Independence’s tourism office has a great list of where to eat and drink in town. There are options from Thai and Chinese to pizza and burgers. Looking for a quick treat? Independence has bakeries and ice cream shops to appeal to almost anyone. If you’re more interested in getting outdoors, there are bike routes around Independence for bikers at any level.
Monmouth
Just west of Independence is Monmouth, another town named for a midwestern town by pioneers – this one, Monmouth, Illinois. Home to Western Oregon University, Monmouth has a small college-town feel. The university is small, with around 3,000 students, and is a Hispanic-Serving Institution, with more than 50% of students being the first in their family to attend college. The university, established in 1856, has a beautiful, small campus that is definitely worth a stroll. Like a lot of college towns, there are some great cheap restaurants and a lot of welcoming places to hang out. Those wanting to eat or find some good coffee can check out the listings of restaurants.
The Monmouth Historic Walking Tour is a great place to get to know the town and its layout and significant buildings. If you’re more interested in something strenuous, there are many outdoor activities in Monmouth or close by, from disc golfing and hiking trails to bikes through the nearby countryside.
Dallas
West of Monmouth is Dallas, the largest of the three towns and the county seat of Polk County. The downtown area, surrounding the historic Polk County courthouse, has a mix of antique stores, local restaurants, coffee shops, and even a gym, movie theater, and the local library.
The Dallas City Park is a highlight, with 35 acres of land including playgrounds, a creek with a swimming hole, a full 18-hole disc golf course, five basketball courts, and multiple picnic areas. What really sets it apart, however, is the Japanese garden and the Delbert Hunter Arboretum within the park. Dallas is also home to the Dallas Aquatic Center, one of the few public pools in the Mid-Willamette Valley. It includes a lazy river area and an amazing slide, which makes it extremely popular with families.
Polk County is a primarily rural county, but Independence, Monmouth, and Dallas are all worth a stop. Whether you’re coming through for wine tasting, on your way to Lincoln City or Newport on the Oregon Coast, or looking for winding roads to bike, Polk County is a great choice. It’s within minutes of Salem, and just over an hour from Portland.
