Cheap Thrills: Fun Budget Activities in North Marion County

Hop onto the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway and experience a wonderful bike ride through hop fields, vineyards and agricultural land. Make your way from the quaint small of St. Paul to the enchanting Champoeg State Heritage Area. This expedition is great for a day trip near Portland or the start of a thrilling bike trip.

Have some fun on a farm and visit French Prairie Gardens. There is fun for everyone at different price points. Enjoy walking through beautiful sunflower fields or have a cold cider on their lawn. Do some window shopping in their garden center and spend some quality family time in the pumpkin patch. Visit this farm between Woodburn and Portland for some fun things to do.

Stop by the Silverton Bakery for a sweet bite to eat. You can grab a coffee and a pastry before starting off your day in Silverton. There is a great space in the back of the bakery to meet with a friend or enjoy watching the river go by. 

Enjoy a local favorite, the newly remodeled Legion Park in Woodburn. This park has a little of everything, from old growth trees and a dinosaur bone play ground to pickleball courts and various interactive features. Come to the park on the third weekend of August to enjoy the cultural celebration Fiesta Mexicana, hosted at the Legion Park grounds.

Savor some freshly made tortillas and carnitas from Woodburn's local tortilla producer, La Morenita. Enjoy the rich flavors and take yourself on a nice picnic to one of the nearby parks in Woodburn. Stop by Legion Park and try to spot the cute bunnies that live in the park.

Aurora is the best town for window shopping. With a huge selection of antique shops you can make a whole day trip digging through antique treasures. Follow the Antiquing in Aurora Itinerary to help guide you through the different stores in town

Stop and smell the flowers at the Oregon Garden. Buy yourself admission and enjoy the beautiful colors of the garden. You can spend most of your day from 10am - 3pm enjoying the wide variety of plants that call the garden home

Enjoy North Marion County's fresh produce by stopping at one of many farm stands. B & P Hitz Produce Stand is a great spot to get a wide variety of goods, including apples, berries, nuts, cherries, and veggies.

Go out for a day in nature near Salem. Take a day trip to the jewel of Oregon's state parks, Silver Falls. You can go on an 8 mile loop and bewilder in the awe of 10 spectacular waterfalls. There are accessible trails available for all visitors, and you can even find camping options if you want to make it a weekend trip.

Needing something fun to do while on your trip to Silverton. Have a relaxing night by enjoying a movie at the Palace Theater. Enjoy the historic building in Silverton's downtown. You even have the opportunity to sit in there nice recliners.

Why did a community of nearly 600 people cross the Oregon Trail to build a Utopian society in the Pacific Northwest? Learn about the Aurora Colonists, their leader, and their vision — and more than a quarter century of success as Oregon’s first communal society. Visit the Old Aurora Colony Museum, at the heart of Oregon’s first National Historic District and antiques capital.

Get ready to shred in North Marion County with some of the best skate parks in the area. Start your session at the Donald Skate Park in Donald, Oregon. This park has a bowl, a wavey half pipe and awesome murals that are worth checking out. Next, cruise over to Woodburn Skate Park and Silverton Skate Park for a full day of skating. Whether you're working on perfecting your ollie or nailing a kickflip, these parks offer the perfect environment for a budget-friendly day of skating.

Discover the rich history and serene beauty of the Mt. Angel Abbey. Nestled in the picturesque town of Mt. Angel, Oregon, this tranquil retreat offers stunning views and an opportunity to immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of the abbey grounds. Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the abbey, where you can visit the historic church, explore the library's vast collection of rare books, and take in the breathtaking views from the hilltop.

Discover the rich history of Oregon at Powerland Heritage Park in Brooks, just a short drive from Woodburn and Silverton. This affordable destination offers a fascinating glimpse into the past with a variety of museums and exhibits that showcase the region's agricultural and industrial heritage.