Salem, United States

Salem Travel Guide

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Facts and practical information

Alternative names: Founded: 1842 (182 years ago)Population: 164.5 thous. (2019)Area: 49.12 mi²Elevation: 157 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 44°56'28"N, 123°2'13"W
Location

OregonUnited States

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Salem Public Transportation
SalemBus stationsSalemRailway stations
Salem Top Attractions

Salem Attractions - What to See and Explore

Salem offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Enchanted Forest, Oregon State Capitol, Oregon State Fair. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

  • hallie ford museum of art salem
    Museum • Art museum

    Hallie Ford Museum of Art

    The Hallie Ford Museum of Art, nestled in the heart of Salem, Oregon, is a cultural haven for those looking to immerse themselves in the world of visual arts. Established in 1998, thanks to a generous gift from Hallie Ford, the museum has become a cornerstone of the...

  • enchanted forest salem
    Theme park • Amusement park

    Enchanted Forest

    Nestled in the verdant landscape of Marion County, Oregon, the Enchanted Forest stands as a whimsical tribute to the imagination and childhood wonder. This charming amusement park, located just outside the city of Salem, offers a magical escape for families...

  • oregon state capitol salem
    Park • Central Area

    Oregon State Capitol

    The Oregon State Capitol is the building housing the state legislature and the offices of the governor, secretary of state, and treasurer of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is located in the state capital, Salem.

  • oregon state fair salem
    Music venue • Lansing

    Oregon State Fair

    The Oregon State Fair is the official state fair of the U.S. state of Oregon. It takes place every August–September at the 185-acre Oregon State Fairgrounds located in north Salem, the state capital, as it has almost every year since 1862.

  • oregon veterans medal of honor memorial salem
    Monuments and statues • Central Area

    Oregon Veterans Medal of Honor Memorial

    The Oregon Veterans Medal of Honor Memorial, or Oregon's Medal of Honor Memorial, is an outdoor memorial commemorating all veterans, and especially Medal of Honor recipients, installed outside the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Oregon, United States.

  • willamette heritage center salem
    Museum • History museum • Specialty museum

    Willamette Heritage Center

    Willamette Heritage Center is a museum in Salem, Oregon, United States. The 5-acre site features several structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places including the Thomas Kay woolen mill, the Jason Lee House, Methodist Parsonage, John D.

  • breyman fountain salem
    Monuments and statues • Central Area

    Breyman Fountain

    Breyman Fountain, also known as the Breyman Brothers Fountain and Breyman Horse Trough, is an outdoor fountain by an unknown sculptor, installed in Willson Park, on the grounds of the Oregon State Capitol, in Salem, Oregon, United States.

  • a c gilberts discovery village salem
    Museum • History museum • Specialty museum

    A. C. Gilbert's Discovery Village

    The Gilbert House Children's Museum is a private nonprofit 501 children's museum within Riverfront Park located in Salem, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1989.

  • bushs pasture park salem
    Museum • Park • Playground

    Bush's Pasture Park

    Bush's Pasture Park is a public park and botanical garden in Salem, Oregon, United States. It is the site of the Asahel Bush House, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, and is now operated as the Bush House Museum.

  • oregon world war ii memorial salem
    Memorial • Central Area

    Oregon World War II Memorial

    The Oregon World War II Memorial is a war memorial on the grounds of the Oregon State Capitol, in the Salem, Oregon, United States. It was dedicated on June 6, 2014.

  • riverfront park salem
    Park • Playground

    Riverfront Park

    Riverfront Park is a 23-acre park located along the Willamette River in Salem, Oregon, in the United States. Features include the Riverfront Carousel, A. C. Gilbert's Discovery Village, an amphitheatre, and Eco-Earth Globe, an outdoor sculpture and community art project completed in 2003.

  • peter courtney minto island bridge salem
    Bridge

    Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge

    The Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge is a bicycle and pedestrian Bridge in Salem, Oregon, United States.

  • union street railroad bridge salem
    Bridge • Central Area

    Union Street Railroad Bridge

    The Union Street Railroad Bridge is a vertical lift, Pratt through truss bridge that spans the Willamette River in Salem, Oregon, United States, built in 1912–13.

  • elsinore theatre salem
    Theater • Concerts and shows • Cinema

    Elsinore Theatre

    The Elsinore Theatre is a 1,290-seat theatre located in Salem, Oregon, United States, that first opened on May 28, 1926.

  • marion street bridge salem
    Bridge • West Salem

    Marion Street Bridge

    The Marion Street Bridge is an automobile bridge located in Salem, Oregon, United States. It spans the Willamette River to connect Salem and West Salem, and acts as a conduit for Oregon Route 22. The bridge carries vehicular traffic one way westbound.

  • city view cemetery salem
    Cemetery • Southwest Salem

    City View Cemetery

    City View Cemetery is a privately owned cemetery in Salem, Oregon, United States that was established in 1893. Its Mount Crest Abbey Mausoleum, opened in 1914, contains the remains of eight governors of Oregon.

  • reed opera house and mccornack block addition salem
    Concerts and shows • Theater • Shopping centre

    Reed Opera House and McCornack Block Addition

    The Reed Opera House and McCornack Block Addition, more commonly known as The Reed Opera House or The Reed, is a historic building in downtown Salem, Oregon, United States. Since its grand opening on September 27, 1870, the Reed Opera House has served as a performing arts center and shopping mall.

  • veterans of foreign wars monument salem
    Monuments and statues • Central Area

    Veterans of Foreign Wars Monument

    The Veterans of Foreign Wars Monument, also known as To All Who Have Served, is a monument installed outside the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs building in Salem, Oregon, United States. The memorial features a soldier atop a globe.

  • salem first united methodist church
    Church • Gothic Revival architecture

    Salem First United Methodist Church

    Salem First United Methodist Church is a Methodist congregation and historic church in Salem, Oregon, United States. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places under its original name, First Methodist Episcopal Church of Salem, in 1983.

Salem plan & book

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Things to See and Do in Salem by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Salem.

Culture

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Day trips

Salem – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Salem, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Portland Art Museum (Portland), Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (Portland), Washington Park (Portland).

  • portland art museum43 milesNE
    Asian, American and Native American art

    Portland Art Museum, Portland

    Nestled in the heart of Portland, Oregon, the Portland Art Museum is a cultural beacon that attracts art enthusiasts from around the world. Established in 1892, it is the oldest art museum in the Pacific Northwest and boasts an impressive collection that spans across...

  • oregon museum of science and industry portland43 milesNE
    Museum, Science museum

    Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Portland

    Nestled in the heart of Portland, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, commonly known as OMSI, stands as a beacon of learning and discovery. This premier science center in the Pacific Northwest offers a rich tapestry of interactive exhibits, hands-on activities...

  • washington park portland43 milesN
    Park

    Washington Park, Portland

    Nestled in the verdant heart of Portland, Oregon, Washington Park stands as a tranquil refuge and a hub of outdoor activity for locals and tourists alike. Encompassing over 410 acres, this urban oasis offers a blend of nature, history, and recreation.

  • oregon historical society portland43 milesNE
    Museum, Art museum, History museum

    Oregon Historical Society, Portland

    Nestled in the heart of Portland, the Oregon Historical Society is a cultural gem that offers visitors a profound journey through the rich tapestry of Oregon's past. This esteemed museum, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the diverse history of the state, stands...

  • evergreen aviation space museum mcminnville19 milesN
    Specialty museum, Science museum, Military museum

    Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, McMinnville

    Nestled in the heart of Oregon's wine country, the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum is a treasure trove for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Located in McMinnville, just an hour's drive from Portland, this world-class museum is home to a vast array of...

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Best Time To Visit Salem

Learn when is the best time to travel to Salem weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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June, July and August are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in May.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in July. Most of it rains in November and December.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Best Ways to Experience the City

cuisine

Food & drink

Cuisine

A guide to some of the best local dishes and drinks that you will meet in the region.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Salem?

The top attractions to visit in Salem are:

What is the best time to visit Salem?

June, July and August are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in May. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January and February.

Where to next? Visit oregon Oregon region page or discover the top tourist attractions in United States.

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