Salem Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by Travel Salem
Photo provided by Ron Cooper/Travel Salem
Photo provided by Ron Cooper/Travel Salem
Oregon State Capitol which includes street scenes
Photo provided by Ron Cooper/Travel Salem

Visit Oregon’s capital to discover its roots and explore itsparklands. Climb to the top of the State Capitol Building to seethe city from above.

Tucked away within the Willamette Valley, Salem is a nature-lover’s delight. The humble capital of Oregon is a historic city,originally founded as an agricultural community in the first half of the 19th century. It has been the state capital since1859.

See the dozens of significant buildings in the historic downtownprecinct, including the towering State Capitol Building, cappedby a “Gold Man.” Green parks line Salem’s streets and walkingtrails traverse the city.

Check into a downtown hotel to be close to the action or enjoythe serenity provided by the outskirts of town. Explore thehistoric downtown precinct on foot to get to know the localculture.

Climb to the peak of the State Capitol Building on a sunny dayfor sweeping views across the valley. Take a photograph of the giant Oregon Pioneer statue, or the “Gold Man,” that sits at the top, as itglistens in the Oregon sun.

The downtown precinct is a great place to purchase freshproduce from Oregon’s farmers. A number of delis and marketscan be found in the area, alongside restaurants, cafés and bars.Take a picnic to Bush’s Pasture Park, the large urban park thatsprawls southward from State Capitol Plaza. Further afield, findthe walking trails and natural beauty of Willamette MissionState Park.

Venture outside the city limits for more natural beauty. Reach Silver Falls and the Cascade Mountains within an hour by car. Oregon’s picturesque wine country is even closer. Spend a day sampling the state’s renowned pinot noir and pinot gris wines and take a bottle home to have with dinner.

Arrive in the city via Portland, less than an hour to the north, orEugene, just over an hour south. Both are major transportation hubswith international airports and interstate railway stations. Rent acar during your stay in the city so you can delve into the richnatural beauty of Oregon’s heartland, just a short drive away.

Where to stay in Salem

Salem showing a garden

Central Area

If you're spending some time in Central Area, Elsinore Theater and Oregon State Capitol are top sights worth seeing.

Central Area
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Southeast Salem

If you're spending some time in Southeast Salem, Honeywood Winery and Willamette Heritage Center are top sights worth seeing.

Southeast Salem
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Northgate

While visiting Northgate, you might make a stop by sights like Oregon State Fair Skychairs and Salem Armory Auditorium.

Northgate
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West Salem

When in West Salem, you can plan a visit to Salem Riverfront Carousel and Union Street Railroad Bridge, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

West Salem
Bush House Museum showing a garden

South Central

If you're spending some time in South Central, Bush Barn Art Center and Bush House Museum are top sights worth seeing.

South Central
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Northeast Neighbors

If you're spending some time in Northeast Neighbors, Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavilion and Salem Armory Auditorium are top sights worth seeing.

Northeast Neighbors
The Hotel Salem

The Hotel Salem

3 out of 5
4370 Commercial St Se, Salem, OR
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Salem. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,065 reviews)
"Breakfast was great. Not much for gluten-free for me, but my kids loved it."

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2025

The Hotel Salem
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Salem OR

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Salem OR

3 out of 5
890 Hawthorne Avenue SE, Salem, OR
The price is AU$183 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
AU$183
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Salem. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (756 reviews)
"Would have liked to be on a total non smoking floor. You could smell it even being on a non smoking section"

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Salem OR
Comfort Suites Salem

Comfort Suites Salem

2.5 out of 5
630 Hawthorne Ave Se, Salem, OR
The price is AU$184 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
AU$184
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Salem. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,142 reviews)
"Close to freeway but great windows kept the noise outside. Very quiet"

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Comfort Suites Salem
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Spacious Mid Century 5-bedroom house in S Salem with AC, WiFi, Pool, Bar Area

Spacious Mid Century 5-bedroom house in S Salem with AC, WiFi, Pool, Bar Area

Salem
Stay at this vacation home in Salem. Enjoy private pools, laundry facilities, and a pool table. Popular attractions Cottonwood Lakes Golf Course and Minto-Brown ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Team gathering
"This property is awesome and very unique. From the large indoor pool with diving board, to the old time cassette player, to the beautiful views. Our group of 12 people slept very comfortably (almost every bedroom has its own bathroom) and had a lot of fun. Only negative is that the electrical system ..."

Reviewed on 2 July 2025

Spacious Mid Century 5-bedroom house in S Salem with AC, WiFi, Pool, Bar Area
New 2 Bd Luxury Townhouse- King Bed, Downtown, near Hospital, Close to Wineries

New 2 Bd Luxury Townhouse- King Bed, Downtown, near Hospital, Close to Wineries

Salem
Stay at this vacation home in Salem. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Bush Barn Art Center and Bush House Museum are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (13 reviews)
"One of the best VRBO experiences we’ve had…Host Paula was super communicative and responsive to all questions we had, and the house was literally flawless. You know how sometimes, things look “nice” on the surface - but then you notice a few corners that got cut along the way ? There was none of ..."

Reviewed on 17 Sept 2025

New 2 Bd Luxury Townhouse- King Bed, Downtown, near Hospital, Close to Wineries
Enchanting and Fantastical Hobbit Home, *Pet Friendly*, Steps from Creeks, Pond, and Waterfall

Enchanting and Fantastical Hobbit Home, *Pet Friendly*, Steps from Creeks, Pond, and Waterfall

Salem
Stay at this vacation home in Salem. Enjoy free WiFi and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Eagle Crest Reservoir and Willow Lake are located ...
6.6/10 (3 reviews)
"Fun place to stay for sure! It's nice to have a little novelty once in a while for where you rest your head on a trip. Just some things to know though so you are prepared. In the bathroom, the sink is like a tiny airplane sized sink and there is no shower just a bathtub. If you are like close to ..."

Reviewed on 17 Aug 2025

Enchanting and Fantastical Hobbit Home, *Pet Friendly*, Steps from Creeks, Pond, and Waterfall
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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