Salem, OR

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 featuring 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
Creepy, "Silent Hill" type factory town in center Oregon. Or maybe I just play too many video games.

Southeast Salem

4/5(157 area reviews)

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

Southeast Salem
Great place to get your pork belly and truffle shoestring fries with blue cheese fix!

#foodie

West Salem

4.5/5(28 area reviews)

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
Salem Fairgrounds on a non-fair day

Northgate

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

Northgate
Default Image

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
Random old house that looked like it had history and was very classic

Northeast Neighbors

4/5(9 area reviews)

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
$134 nightly
The price is $151 total per night from Aug 4 to Aug 5
$151 total
Aug 4 - Aug 5
Total includes taxes and 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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,026 reviews)
Great breakfast
"Check in went smoothly, and the staff were friendly and helpful. Our room is wonderful. We have lots of room, it appears clean, it's quiet, and I feel safe. The shower was strong and wonderful. Breakfast was complete and delicious. And real plates and silverware (yay!). The lady who set up breakfast ..."

Reviewed on Jul 28, 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$89 nightly
The price is $100 total per night from Jul 30 to Jul 31
$100 total
Jul 30 - Jul 31
Total includes taxes and 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 (1,015 reviews)
"The staff was great"

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Days Inn by Wyndham Black Bear
Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn

Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn

2.5 out of 5
3125 Ryan Drive SE, Salem, OR
$176 nightly
The price is $198 total per night from Aug 5 to Aug 6
$198 total
Aug 5 - Aug 6
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Salem. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,009 reviews)
"Good location"

Reviewed on Jul 25, 2025

Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn
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 ...
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 Jul 2, 2025

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

Stylish Salem Speakeasy Downtown

Salem
Stay at this vacation home in Salem. Enjoy laundry facilities. Popular attractions Willamette Heritage Center and Saturday Market are located nearby.
8.6/10 Excellent! (3 reviews)
Excellent place to stay.
"Took a coastal road trip with my sister. We hit all the good hikes! Booked this place as a central place to stay and loved it! We needed to come in a day early and she was very quick to respond to our request and accommodate. The only thing that threw off the trip was the road construction in front ..."

Reviewed on Jul 3, 2025

Stylish Salem Speakeasy Downtown
Spacious basement apt. Off-street parking, washer & dryer, kitchenette, sleeps 4

Spacious basement apt. Off-street parking, washer & dryer, kitchenette, sleeps 4

Salem
Stay at this apartment in Salem. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Salem Armory Auditorium and Oregon State Fairgrounds ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
Salem stay
"Great location. Was able to walk to downtown. Easy access property. Property came with all the home amenities needed."

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

Spacious basement apt. Off-street parking, washer & dryer, kitchenette, sleeps 4
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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