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 park

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
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North East Salem

When in North East Salem, you can plan a visit to Oregon State Fair Skychairs and Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavilion, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

North East Salem
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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 Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,029 reviews)
"Hotel Salem is very easy to get to from I-5. The property and surrounding area are nice. Many eateries close by as well as stores to get supplies. They are pet friendly and while we had a tiny 11 week old puppy in a crate, the room was very clean and one would not notice it was a pet friendly room. ..."

Reviewed on 20 Aug 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is Rp2.060.849 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
Rp2.060.849
Rp2.318.455 total
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Salem. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (678 reviews)
"Really comfortable beds and excellent 24hr staff. Decent and safe hotel for a great price. A few minutes from anything touristy if your on a vacation but everything else close. Excellent free breakfast in the mornings."

Reviewed on 14 Aug 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 Rp1.728.900 per night from 7 Sept to 8 Sept
Rp1.728.900
Rp1.945.012 total
7 Sept - 8 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Salem. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,094 reviews)
"convenient to freeway, friendly staff"

Reviewed on 18 Aug 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.
3rd Street Flats

3rd Street Flats

3.5 out of 5
219 NE Cowls Street, McMinnville, OR
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in McMinnville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (116 reviews)
Super!
"We were a family of four stopping through to enjoy Oregon wine country. The flats are in a great place to enjoy McMinnville’s historic downtown district and provide short drives to many wineries in the area. The staff is great and can arrange transport for wine visits if needed. The space is great ..."

Reviewed on 16 Aug 2025

3rd Street Flats
Douglas on Third

Douglas on Third

3 out of 5
703 Northeast 3rd Street, McMinnville, OR
Stay at this 3-star apartment in McMinnville. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Gallery Theater and R Stuart & Co. are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (113 reviews)
"Location is great. Quirky but very nice room."

Reviewed on 6 Aug 2025

Douglas on Third
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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