Run Oregon loves running – that’s no surprise. But we also love the Pacific Northwest and all that it has to offer. Running is a part of us, but it does not fully define us. In our new “Make a Day of It” feature, we aim to showcase some great local non-running events and highlight where to run and how to make the most of your experience! We recently checked out 2016 1/2 Historic Hotel, a spot ripe for a for a runcation.
Albany’s only Historic Hotel, located in the heart of the downtown community. Perched atop Margin Coffee, the 7 bedroom boutique boasts an amazing view of 2nd Ave SW and beyond. Once an apartment complex for wives visiting their GI’s stationed at Camp Adair, this space has been called “home” by many over the last 100 years. Families grew and love was shared.
We are all formed by our past. Our beauty comes from life lived; time. Our lives are made richer by those we’ve shared them with. This space is no different. At 206 ½ Historic Hotel, we embrace the journey each and every one of us have been on. We offer a place of rest during the current adventure you’re on. We create reasons to smile and breathe, and be thankful for what’s brought you to this moment.
First the Running:
It’s hard to make plans for races nowadays, but there are a few this year that appear to still be on for the time being:
- iRun For Kids (Usually in March, but tentatively October this year)
- OMRR Gobbler’s Revenge (Thanksgiving Day)
Albany is even close enough to Corvallis (~10 miles) that staying here for one of the races there (like the Corvallis Half Marathon – usually in April but pushed to October this year) would be quick and easy as well.
Dave Clark Path
Honestly, the hotel is in the perfect spot for runsploring. Head just three blocks west and you will hit the starting point of the Dave Clark Trail – a 1.2 mile, one-way paved trail along the river. Go a little further East along some residential streets will eventually connect you with Bowman Park and many more miles of trails in Simpson Park and/or the beautiful Talking Water Gardens. Shoot, you can even connect for EVEN more miles around Waverly Lake. The miles are essentially endless, and all just a short walk from the hotel door. If you are looking for a fun route, check out a Strava loop I did during our stay – which included:
- Linn County Courthouse
- Albany Historic Carousel & Museum
- Dave Clark Path
- Talking Water Gardens
- Waverly Lake
Talking Waters Gardens
There are even more trails to run if you head deeper into Bowman of Simpson Parks (though I’d recommend running with someone or during daytime hours if you do).
Waverly Lake
Albany really is an enjoyable place to run, and a location that isn’t exactly a “hotbed” when it comes to a runcation. But it should be!
Our Room:
First and foremost, rest assured that the hotel is taking COVID-19 seriously. Even though they only have three rooms available for rent, they are currently only renting out a single room at a time to ensure that distance is kept at the appropriate levels.
To enter the building, we entered a digital code to unlock the doors from the alley just behind 2nd street (look for the historical locomotive) before walking up a series of 25 steps to get to the upper floor where we were greeted with notes from explorers of yesteryear who had stayed in the hotel before.
The upper floor is one narrow hallway with rooms on either side. At one of the hallway is a surprisingly well stocked community kitchen with all the amenities you need to enjoy a meal during your stay.
On the other end is a beautiful sitting room with sofas and chairs, as well as a number of great windows that overlook 2nd Street below.
There is one shared bathroom, and as far as “reviewing” bathrooms go – this one was amazing. It was definitely the cleanest and nicest shared lavatory I have ever stayed in.
There are currently three rooms available to rent via AirBnb:
Room 3
Each of the boutique bedrooms have only a single bed, but most feature some coziness and amazing views of 2nd Ave SW and beyond. It may not be the best place for a running weekend with a larger group of friends (when that is appropriate to do), but would make a great single or couples getaway location.
We stayed in room 3, the largest of the rooms. It came with a surprisingly comfortable queen bed, extended sitting area, and small closet. We also really enjoyed the wall decorations – a really nice touch that added to the historic feeling of the location.
Be forewarned, though there is a portable AC unit, it did get a little toasty during our warm summer stay. Room 3 is also the only one without a window, so I can image cracking the window open in the other rooms would have cooled things off a little quicker. That being said, we weren’t uncomfortable – just be aware going in if you select the beautiful room we did.
We recommend reading more about the hotel and rooms via the article on the Albany Regional Museum website. There are some gems like this that reference the owner, Ashley Graybeal, and her work on the hotel:
After Graybeal signed the lease on the property downtown, the owner added a second bathroom to serve the seven small rooms, a public seating area and a full-service kitchen and dining room at either end of a long hallway.
During bathroom construction, workers found a signature on a previously hidden wall written by contractor A.C. Wilson with the date Aug. 10, 1909, and another signature by a Settler.
…Graybeal likes to purchase an item for a room and then work the décor around that. On the wall in one bedroom, flattened and opened paperback books are affixed in rows. Another room’s theme was selected after Graybeal found a piece of artwork.
Refueling:
2016 1/2 Historic Hotel is right in the heart of downtown Albany. There a a variety of cool spots to safely dine-in or take-out food, coffee, and beverages. In fact, it sits right on top of Margin Coffee, a great local spot for your caffeinated needs. They aren’t open on Sundays, so if you are in need of some grub, we highly recommend the Brick and Mortar Cafe just a block away.
The three main breweries near downtown (Deluxe, Calapooia, and 3 Sheets) are all pretty walkable. Downtown restaurants like Vault 244 and Novak’s Hungarian Restaurant are cool spots and offering takeout at the current moment, as well as some sit-down dining options. Grab some baked goods at Natural Sprinkles Co. for some nice sugar-laden refueling to keep that sweet tooth satisfied.
Basically, I am saying that there are plenty of cool spots to enjoy before and after some runs.
Overall:
Even though it was a quick and easy overnight stay, we really enjoyed our time. It was super quiet and offered a bit of historical decor set amidst a 2020 landscape outside. It was a truly impressive property that is an absolute gem in the Mid-Willamette Valley.
Come explore Linn County and use 2016 1/2 Historic Hotel as your safe running basecamp this summer.
206 1/2 Historic Hotel Details:
Address: 206 1/2 2nd Avenue, Albany Oregon 97321
Email: ashlee@206andahalf.com
Cost: ~$75/night via AirBnb
Many thanks to 2016 1/2 Hotel for allowing us to check out their property! Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
