Plan Your Visit

Getting to the Polar STEAM Summit

Oct 1- 3, 2026
Patricia Valian Reser Center for the Creative Arts (PRAx), Oregon State University
470 SW 15th St., Corvallis, OR 97331

Travel Information

Airports

• Portland International Airport (PDX) is the nearest international airport located 1.5 hours north of Corvallis
• Shuttle Service: Groome Transportation service is available from the Portland International Airport (PDX) and will take you directly to Corvallis. Reservations are required and can be made online or by phone at (877) 693-3785
  • Groome stop: Hilton Garden Inn
    • Closest stop to campus
    • Best stop for those staying at Hilton Garden Inn
  • Groome stop: Courtyard by Marriott
    • Best stop for those staying at Hotel Corvallis
  • Rental Cars: Rental cars are available at the Portland International Airport.
• Eugene Airport (EUG) is the closest airport to Corvallis. It is located 45 minutes south of Corvallis, with convenient connections to Seattle, San Francisco, and Denver
  • Rental Cars: Rental cars are available at the Eugene Airport
  • There currently is no shuttle option and ride share services can be unreliable and expensive

Getting Around in Corvallis

• Free university and city buses
• Veo bike and scooter share program
• OSU and Corvallis are pedestrian-friendly places with a network of paths for walking

Parking Information

• If you are staying at the Hilton Garden Inn, parking is $5/night in the hotel parking lot
  • 0.5 miles or 11 minute walk from PRAx
  • Bus
    • From hotel to PRAx: bus PC (33 min walk and ride)
    • Catch bus at SW 15th & SW Jefferson Way
    • Get off at SW 26th St. & SW A Ave.
  • From PRAx to hotel: Bus 3, bus 8, or bus PC (5-10 min walk and ride)
    • Catch bus at SW 15th St. & SW Jefferson Way
    • Get off at SW Western Blvd & SW 26th St.
  • If you are staying at Hotel Corvallis, parking is free in the hotel parking lot
    • 0.6 miles or 14 minute walk from PRAx
    • Bus
      • From hotel to PRAx: Bus 6 or Campus Connector (8-10 min walk and ride)
      • From PRAx to hotel: Bus 6 or Campus Connector (9-11 min walk and ride)
  • On campus parking requires a parking permit Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
    • We recommend purchasing a visitor permit online ahead of time. You will need to provide the license plate number and other required vehicle information. A pass for multiple days can be purchased in a single transaction
    • Closest parking lots to PRAx are A lots and cost $7/day
    • Parking permits do not guarantee close parking will be available

Hotel Information

Nearby hotels cater to a range of budgets.

Hilton Garden Inn

• 2500 SW Western Boulevard, Corvallis, OR, 97333, US
• 1-833-311-6079
• Special accommodation rates through room block are available for Summit attendees at the Hilton Garden Inn. More information coming soon.

Hotel Corvallis

• Polar STEAM Fellows will stay at Hotel Corvallis. Polar STEAM will book the accommodations.
• 350 SW Fourth Street, Corvallis, Oregon, 97333, USA
• 1-541-753-4496

Weather

• Weather in Corvallis in October brings mild to cool, mildly wet autumn weather. Daytime temperatures rand in low-to-mid 60s°F, with chilly nights dropping to low 40s°F. Expect a mix of sun and clouds with the possibility of rain.
• Packing Suggestions: bring layers, a warm sweater, a waterproof jacket or umbrella, and comfortable walking shoes.
• Expect some scattering of lovely autumn foliage.

Corvallis Information

Corvallis is nestled in the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, within 90 minutes of the bustling Portland metropolitan area, the rugged beauty of the Cascade Mountains, and the spectacular Oregon Coast. Corvallis has a residential population of 60,408 per 2024 population estimate and is home to Oregon State University.

Learn more about Corvallis before you visit:

• City of Corvallis About Page
• Visit Corvallis website