Salem

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Travel Salem
Photo provided by Ron Cooper/Travel Salem
Photo provided by Ron Cooper/Travel Salem
Oregon State Capitol showing 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. Farther 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 which includes 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

While visiting Southeast Salem, you might make a stop by sights like Honeywood Winery and Willamette Heritage Center.

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 park

South Central

While visiting South Central, you might make a stop by sights like Bush Barn Art Center and Bush House Museum.

South Central
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North East Salem

Though North East Salem might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Oregon State Fair Skychairs and Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavilion.

North East Salem
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! (1,020 reviews)
"Very"

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2025

The Hotel Salem
Days Inn by Wyndham Black Bear

Days Inn by Wyndham Black Bear

2.5 out of 5
1600 Motor Ct Ne, Salem, OR
The price is P4,440 per night from Sep 10 to Sep 11
P4,440
P4,995 total
Sep 10 - Sep 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Salem. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
6.8/10 (1,000 reviews)
Best bed ever if you have lower back pain!
"We just needed a cheap place to stay for a night on a motorcycle trip, and this fit the bill. The hotel is nothing to look at from the outside, and is absolutely no-frills. I wouldn’t normally rate a place like this, except for one thing — the bed. I’ve had lower back pain for ages, and it has been ..."

Reviewed on Aug 11, 2025

Days Inn by Wyndham Black Bear
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 P6,968 per night from Aug 17 to Aug 18
P6,968
P7,839 total
Aug 17 - Aug 18
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! (674 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 Aug 14, 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Salem OR
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.
Historic Home Near Downtown Salem: Walk to Capitol

Historic Home Near Downtown Salem: Walk to Capitol

3 out of 5
Salem
Stay at this 3-star cottage in Salem. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and concierge services. Popular attractions Willamette Heritage Center and The Hallie Ford ...
Historic Home Near Downtown Salem: Walk to Capitol
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 WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (114 reviews)
"Great friendly staff."

Reviewed on Oct 6, 2024

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 WiFi, 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 Aug 6, 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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