Silverton is the gateway to Silver Falls State Park, the largest state park in Oregon. Located 14 miles southeast of Silverton on Highway 214, the park offers 10 different waterfalls, miles of hiking, biking, and horse trails as well as picnicking and facilities. The Day Use Lodge built in the 1930s is open year round and hosts an old-fashioned Christmas in December, a wildflower exhibit in April or May, and an interpretative tribute to pre-park times at Historic Al Faussett Days in June.

The Silver Falls Tour Route leads visitors from Interstate 5 at Woodburn or Turner, through Silverton and Mt. Angel in a 55-mile loop highlighted by the drive through the park.

The Gallon House Bridge is the last original covered bridge remaining in Marion County. The bridge spans Abiqua Creek about 1 1/2 miles northeast of Silverton. It got its name during Prohibition because it was a drop point for bootleg whiskey between Mount Angel (a "wet" town) on the north, and Silverton (a "dry" town on the south.) Built in 1917, the bridge was completely refurbished in 1991.

The Oregon Garden continues to grow on the Cascade Highway at the south edge of Silverton. It is becoming a 240-acre world-class garden to rival the top gardens in the country. It is now open to the public.

Cooley's Gardens is the largest producer of bearded iris in the world. Located just 2 miles west of Silverton on Highway 213. Cooley's has been growing iris since 1928. Each year, from mid-May through early June, more than 3 million plants blossom in nearby fields. The display gardens showcase growing plants as well as cut flowers. This family-owned business welcomes visitors year-round.

Beautiful murals adorn the sides of buildings throughout Silverton, featuring the brushwork of prominent local artists. Designs depict Homer Davenport, scenes of historic Silverton, the Four Freedoms paintings by Norman Rockwell, a pioneer wagon train, the Silverton Red Sox baseball team and other subjects.

Two city parks, on either side of Silver Creek, invite you to stop, play and picnic. A footbridge connects Coolidge-McClaine Park on the west with Old Mill Park and the city swimming pool on the east bank. Open during the summer months, the pool offers lessons, lap swimming, and recreational swimming. Silverton boasts an active, competitive swimming team.

Also on the east side of the creek is City Hall, the Community Center Building, the Fischer Community Building and the Silver Falls Public Library.

The Silverton County Museum offers memorabilia from days gone by in and around Silverton from its early beginnings in 1854. Staffed by volunteers, the museum is open Thursdays and Sundays from 1 - 4.

A Southern Pacific Depot, built in 1906, stands next to the museum and houses the Silverton Area Chamber of Commerce and additional historic exhibits. Be sure to pick up a copy of the Silverton walking tour brochure to guide through the sites of historic Silverton.

Borland Gallery, home of the Silverton Art Association, is adjacent to Coolidge-McClaine Park. The gallery features monthly exhibits of artists from around the county.

Bowling lanes in the Silver Creek Shopping Center have tournaments throughout the year. The historic Palace movie theater downtown is a popular spot for the young and old on Friday nights and there are special rates on Monday nights.

Silverton Reservoir offers fishing, sailing, and canoeing just 21/2 miles south of downtown.

If your looking for additional things to do while in Silverton or the surrounding area check out our community information page.