I recently spent a morning in Amity, Oregon, and it surprised me in the best way. Oregon has lots of cute small towns, especially around Yamhill County and the Willamette Valley. But Amity felt just right for a slow morning wander.
Most visitors hear about Amity as a destination for wine tasting, and that makes sense, given that there are several wineries and tasting rooms in town. However, Amity has more to offer than great wines. There are plenty of things to do in Amity, Oregon to make it well worth a day trip.
Amity is quiet without feeling empty – a sleepy hometown feel. There’s lot of delicious and fun things for families, couples, or solo travelers to discover along the way.
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Breakfast at The Common Cup
I started my morning at The Common Cup, which has excellent Google ratings. It does coffee, breakfast, custom sandwiches, and also includes a small marketplace. They were closing early for the day, and I arrived less than an hour before closing, so I was not sure what to expect.
Turns out that the local high school was holding graduation that day. Basically, everyone in town was going or getting ready! Even so, the staff welcomed me warmly and happily took my order.
I ordered a Belgian waffle with strawberries, Nutella, and a huge dollop of whipped cream. Honestly, it may have been the best Belgian waffle I have ever eaten. It was crisp on the outside, sweet, messy, and delicious.
Enjoy the quiet back patio
The best part, though, was the quiet patio behind the shop. Green things were growing everywhere. A wind chime moved softly nearby. The entire space felt peaceful without trying too hard.
I had the whole patio to myself because everyone was preparing for graduation. Apparently, I had timed my visit perfectly. So I sat there with my waffle, latte, and absolutely nowhere else to be – that’s my idea of a perfect morning!
There was no loud music or crowded dining room, just a fire pit, blankets and a cool summer breeze. For those with sensory issues who become overwhelmed by noisy restaurants, this patio could be a great option. Plan your visit during a quieter time.
Check out The Common Cup Marketplace
After breakfast, I spent a few minutes browsing The Common Cup Marketplace. They had plenty of picnic-friendly foods, like deli meats, cheeses, and crackers for a charcuterie lunch.
That makes sense around Amity, since the town sits within the Eola-Amity Hills wine region. Most visitors pass through while exploring nearby wineries. A packed sandwich would be perfect for a vineyard picnic or scenic drive.
You could grab breakfast and lunch together here, or from Tacos Burros, a Mexican restaurant in the same building. My server said it’s just as popular and tasty as The Common Cup.
Downtown Amity shops and eateries
After breakfast, I wandered around downtown for a while. There are not endless blocks of shops, just a few local establishments interspersed with tasting rooms.
That’s part of what I found charming about Amity. You can walk around without needing a complicated itinerary, with no pressure to see everything quickly.
Across the street from The Common Cup is El Toro Loco, another option for great Mexican food. Amity may be small, but you will not go hungry.
Retro Pizza Company looked like a fun stop for families with kids and teens. They serve pizza, burgers, wings, and other casual food. They also have arcade games and pinball machines.
There are several tasting rooms around town, including Coelho Winery. I didn’t stop for wine during this visit, but I’m looking forward to a return visit with a designated driver!
Amity City Park
I decided to spend some time at Amity City Park. The park has a playground, basketball court, and a small skate area. Families could easily spend an hour there between food stops, and it’s small enough so that you don’t worry about losing sight of the little ones.
Even without my kids, the park was worth visiting. It gave me another quiet place to slow down, and the interpretive sign helped me to understand Amity’s heritage and history.
Explore Amity Pioneer Cemetery
The Amity Pioneer Cemetery sits right across from the park. A sign on the gate indicated that the cemetery dates back to the 1850s.
As I started reading the headstones, I became immersed in the details. Some graves belonged to people connected with nineteenth-century wars, while others belonged to families still living nearby. I saw very old graves beside much newer ones.
The Amity Pioneer cemetery feels like a continuing community story. Unlike some old cemeteries, it doesn’t feel forgotten or abandoned; rather, it’s connected to the town around it.
I noticed graves connected to the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War. There were Spanish-American War veterans too. Many family names appeared repeatedly throughout the cemetery, and some of those families are still connected to the area.
Historic cemeteries are not everyone’s favorite travel stop, but I find them fascinating. They show who lived somewhere before the shops, tasting rooms, and highways arrived. They make history feel personal.
That was especially noticeable in Amity. Generations of local stories were gathered in one peaceful resting place.
Pick up something delicious at Blue Raeven Farmstand
After the cemetery, I drove to Blue Raeven Farmstand on the edge of town. This was another stop I was excited to explore, having seen their pies in our local Roth’s grocery store.
Oregon knows how to grow berries, and also knows how to turn them into delectable pies. Willamette Valley Pie Company is our Silverton favorite, so I was eager to compare them with Blue Raeven’s version.
Blue Raeven sells much more than pies. I could have filled my entire car with the teas, jams, sauces, honey, brittle, and other local treats. Everything is homemade and easy to gift.
The pastries were enormous! The scones and cinnamon rolls were nearly as big as my hand, and choosing only a few things required some serious self-control.
I picked up a half-flat of fresh Sweet Sunrise strawberries during my visit (a variety I had never tried before). I also brought home a chicken pot pie for my family that made an easy dinner later. My family had no difficulty demolishing both the strawberries and the chicken pot pie when I returned home.😆
Blue Raeven is part of the Great Oaks Food Trail, and it fits perfectly into a food-focused Willamette Valley drive. If you’re planning a stop, I highly recommend bringing a cooler.
Visit the Brigittine Monastery Chocolate Shop
While shopping at Blue Raeven, I noticed handmade chocolates from the nearby Brigittine Monastery. I had no idea the Monastery existed, and of course I needed to investigate. Unexpected chocolate shops should always be investigated!
The drive there was peaceful, about 15 minutes outside Amity. The monastery grounds are surrounded by farmland, and as I pulled in, I kept thinking, “You could drive past this for years and never know it was here!”
A short path through the monastery garden led past the chapel to the small chocolate shop.
This was not a tiny shelf with only three chocolate choices! It had way more flavors than I expected – lemon, lavender, hazelnut, orange blossom and more. There were truffles, fudge, and several unusual combinations, plus some fun chocolate merch and Catholic iconography.
After much deliberation, I picked out some lavender mini-truffles and a box of four hazelnut truffles. I left while already making plans for a return visit with Brian – date night, yay! It was my favorite surprise of the day.
Take a side trip to Erratic Rock
Erratic Rock State Natural Site is another nearby stop worth considering. It’s about twenty to thirty minutes away, and the site is small, but the geological story is fascinating.
Erratic Rock is good for some more outdoor walking time, especially after waffles, pie, and chocolate! Kids will enjoy climbing the rock, and adults will appreciate the scenic views of local vineyards.
Is Amity, Oregon worth visiting?
Yes, especially when you enjoy small towns, local food, and a slower travel pace. Amity feels peaceful and welcoming. It works well as a morning stop or relaxed day trip. You can also combine it with nearby wineries.
Amity isn’t packed with major tourist attractions, and that’s one of the best things about it. You can enjoy the town without feeling rushed or needing a complicated schedule.
My day in Amity included a waffle, quiet patio, pioneer cemetery, berries, pie, and monastery chocolate. That’s a quintessential roundup of Oregon experiences: simple, delicious, and memorable. I found something interesting around nearly every corner.
If you’re looking for more to do in the Amity region, check out our list of McMinnville-Carlton breweries or our article with things to do in McMinnville.
Frequently Asked Questions about visiting Amity, Oregon
What is Amity, Oregon, known for?
Amity is best known for its location in Oregon wine country, particularly near the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. The area is surrounded by vineyards and wineries, while the town itself offers local restaurants, a coffee and waffle bar, a city park, historic sites, and specialty food stops.
Is Amity, Oregon, family-friendly?
Amity can be a fun family day trip. Amity City Park has a playground, skate park, basketball court, walking path, and picnic areas. Retro Pizza Co. also offers arcade and pinball games alongside its family-friendly menu.
How much time do you need in Amity?
Plan for at least half a day if you want breakfast, a walk through town, and one or two additional stops. A full day gives you time to add the park, cemetery, Blue Raeven Farmstand, Brigittine Monastery, or a nearby winery without rushing.
When is the best time to visit Amity?
Amity can be visited year-round, but late spring through early fall is particularly appealing for patios, fresh berries, food-trail stops, and vineyard scenery. Berry availability varies by season, and individual businesses may change their operating hours, so check directly before your trip.
©️ Copyright Jennifer D. Warren 2026.
