Things to do in Salem Oregon

Things to do and Attractions in Salem, OR

Salem is a charming and vibrant city located in the beautiful state of Oregon. With endless opportunities for exploration and fun, Salem has something to offer everyone. Whether you are looking for outdoor adventures, cultural attractions, or shopping and dining options, Salem has it all.

Riverfront City Park

Riverfront City Park, formerly an industrial and mill site, is now a magnificent open area with walking paths, playgrounds, boat docks, and a breathtaking view of the Willamette River. The Salem Riverfront Carousel is located in one of the city's most well-liked public areas. The 26-acre park does a good job of bridging the urban environment with the natural surroundings.

Near the attractive pedestrian bridge that spans the lake to link with Minto-Brown Island Park, the Eco-Earth Globe sculpture is another eye-catching feature of this well-liked downtown public space. Come dusk, this part of the park truly glows.

+15035886336

200 Water St NE, Salem, OR 97301

Oregon State Capitol

The Oregon State Capitol is a striking building in Salem made of bright white marble that gleams in the sunlight. The Oregon Pioneer, which is placed atop the main tower and is covered in gold, is what really draws attention to this Modernist Art Deco structure. The well-kept Oregon State Capitol State Park, which has statuary and educational materials, is located around the state's capitol. Additionally, while the capitol's grounds are interesting to visit, the interior of the capitol structure is where you can truly appreciate its grandeur.

Self-guided tours of the capital are available to citizens and interested visitors during regular business hours, and guided tours are offered on weekdays between 10:30 am and 2:30 pm. The Capitol Rotunda, the Senate History Room, and the Governor's Portrait Hallway are three particularly interesting locations.

Information, history, and artifacts housed in the State Capitol, including pieces from the renowned Capitol Art Collection, present a picture of Oregon's illustrious statehood. A second "Tower Tour" that takes people up a steep flight of stairs to visit the Oregon Pioneer and take in the vista is also offered between July and September.

+15039861388

900 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301

Schreiner's Iris Gardens

Schreiner's Iris Gardens, located about seven miles north of the city center, are well known for their spectacular flower displays. This family-run business has grown from the ground up into a well-known seller of live plants and seeds thanks to a multigenerational passion for irises. But in May, during the blooming season, the gardens become one of the primary local attractions.

The public is welcome to visit Schreiner's 10-acre exhibition garden any time during the month of May. The park-like gardens are open all day during their peak bloom for a nominal admission fee. Expect to see photographers and painters capturing the atmosphere throughout this vibrant exhibition. It's also a well-liked place to go for Mother's Day weekend.

Schreiner's maintains a sizable online catalog of seeds, live plants, and gardening equipment outside of the Bloom Season.

+15033933232

3625 Quinaby Rd NE, Salem, OR 97303

Minto-Brown Island Park

On the west side of the city and surrounded by the Willamette River waterway, Minto-Brown Island Park is the most significant recreation space in Salem. It's comprised of a variety of environments, including wetlands, woodlands, and open prairie. Because of these varied landscapes, spotting wildlife at Minto-Brown is a common occurrence.

The best way to experience Minto-Brown is via the nearly 30 miles of trails and bike paths that wind throughout the park. On the northern end of Minto-Brown, a stunning pedestrian bridge connects to Riverfront City Park and the rest of the downtown district. Large picnic pavilions throughout the park are available to rent for large picnic get-togethers.

+15035886336

2200 Minto Island Rd SW SE, Salem, OR 97302

Gilbert House Children's Museum

This children's museum and play area is close to the northern end of Riverfront City Park and offers a complete immersion into the realm of creativity. This acclaimed children's museum offers a wide range of engaging and informative exhibits and playscapes for children ages two to ten. Adult companions frequently enjoy their stay as well because of the atmosphere of fun.

The Children's Museum has a variety of spaces, such as a Discovery Campground, a build-your-own Fortopia, and a grand Outdoor Discovery Area with a huge, climbable Erector Set Tower. Summer Block Parties, Science Night for Adults, and numerous classes and workshops are just a few of the special activities held at the museum.

+15033713631

116 Marion St NE, Salem, OR 97301

Elsinore Theatre

In 1926, The Elsinore Theatre made its debut as a venue for vaudeville performances and silent films. The Elsinore Theatre has come full circle today and is once again showcasing its former splendor following an upgrade in technology and equipment for greater performance opportunities.

The Elsinore witnessed the introduction of talking pictures, plummeting ticket sales during the Great Depression, and almost escaping demolition in the 1980s between its founding and current status as a performance art center. Having been restored to its former splendor, the Elsinore now draws thousands of visitors annually with a year-round schedule of live performances, theatrical shows, and classic movie screenings.

The Elsinore Theatre enhances a downtown experience and is within two blocks of the State Capitol and a short distance from numerous restaurants and cafés. A date at the Elsinore that includes dinner and a show is enjoyable and romantic, and there are many nightlife options in the neighborhood. The downtown area is full of patio-lined sidewalks and local cuisine that suits all taste preferences, whether it be gourmet dining or informal fare.

+15033753574

170 High St SE, Salem, OR 97301

Deepwood Museum and Gardens

For more than 120 years, Salem has benefited from the aesthetic charm of the storied Deepwood Estate and its adjacent gardens. This Queen Anne-style Victorian residence, which has long served a variety of people, is now owned by the city and open to the public for tours and event rentals.

The home museum offers guided tours from Wednesday through Saturday that include thorough explanations of the history and objects found along the route. Five acres of formal gardens surround the estate and offer a very vibrant setting for a stroll. The Deepwood Estate hosts special occasions all year long, such as Easter egg hunts, jazz festivals, and seasonally-themed open houses.

+15033631825

1116 Mission St SE, Salem, OR 97302

Salem's Riverfront Carousel

Everybody who visits Salem's Riverfront Carousel, which is located in the middle of Riverfront City Park and is open every day of the year, is given a little bit of enchantment. Although young families are its main target market, anyone may enjoy the 45 hand-carved seats' exquisite craftsmanship.

At this charitable entertainment, each ride is reasonably priced, and the foundation operating the carousel's primary goal is to strengthen community ties through enjoyment. Large organizations can rent the carousel, and the Salem Riverfront Carousel organization regularly conducts events with adult themes.

+15035400374

101 Front St NE, Salem, OR 97301

Bush's Pasture Park

Nearly 100 acres of woodland land in the center of the city make up Bush's Pasture Park, a well-liked location for both planned sporting events and impromptu afternoons in the outdoors. Four-lit tennis courts and a softball field with rentable bleachers are available for athletics in this urban green space.

In the park, there are several paved and unpaved hiking trails that link to other entertaining spots like the Crooked House Playground and the Rhododendron and Rose Gardens. Within the Bush House Museum

+15035886336

890 Mission St SE, Salem, OR 97302

Cascades Gateway City Park

A nice area to escape the summer heat or take in the seasonal changes is Cascades Gateway, a 100-acre park on the southeast edge of the city. In addition to an 18-hole disc golf course and the welcoming Walter L. Wirth Lake, which is perfect for fishing and other water sports, the park has easily accessible hiking routes.

With so many leisure possibilities, Cascades Gateway's parking lots are rarely vacant. Children love the recently added playground equipment, while canine partners love the off-leash, fenced-in dog area inside the park. At Cascades Gateway Park, there are also rental shelters and picnic pavilions that can hold up to 160 people.

+15035886261

2100 Turner Rd SE, Salem, OR 97302