Salem, the capital of Oregon, is located in the Willamette Valley between Portland and Eugene.
Salem was established in the early 1800's as a farming community. The town grew during the years of the California gold rush. Salem became the capital of Oregon in 1851 after it was moved from Oregon City. The capital was then briefly moved to Corvallis in 1855, but in that same year was permanently moved back to Salem. The first two Oregon State Capitol buildings tragically burned down. The third and current building was completed in 1938, complete with its distinctive gold-plated pioneer statue, the "Gold Man," perched atop.
Get in
By plane
Salem's small airport, McNary Field, is expected to be served twice daily by Delta Connection from Salt Lake City beginning in June 2007. But for practical purposes, virtually all airline service to Salem will continue to come from Portland International Airport, an hour's drive from the north. To get to Salem from Portland Airport, follow I-205 south to its connection to I-5.
By car
Salem is located in the mid-Willamette Valley, about halfway between Portland to the north and Eugene to the south; it's about a one-hour drive from either city on Interstate 5.
Train -- Service from the north and south by Amtrak
Bus -- Greyhound and Amtrak both have frequent buses.
Get around
The Cherriots bus system is city wide taking you from the suburbs to downtown and into Keizer, Oregon.
See
- Capitol Building, Downtown ph: +1 (503) 986 1388. If you are lucky enough to be in Salem on a sunny day you should go to the Capitol building and take the tour to the top of the building to see the Gold Man (The Golden Pioneer). Observation Deck tours are available to the public, on the half hour, Memorial Day through Labor Day. There are parks located all around the Capitol Building, complete with gardens and large fountains. The fountain directly in front of the Capitol Building is a haven for kids to play and cool down in the summer time.
- Mission Mill Museum, Oregon's historic museum located in downtown Salem. The site of the museum features working displays of the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill and several other historic Salem buildings, which have been relocated to the site. There are five buildings total that make up the Mission Mill Museum and all of which date back to the 1800's.
Museums & Historical Attractions
AC Gilbert's Discovery Village - 116 Marion St. NE Salem, OR 97301 Call (503)371-3631 or fax: (503)316-3485 e-mail: info@acgilbert.org.
Bush House - 600 Mission St. SE Salem, OR 97302 Call (503)363-4714 or fax: (503)371-3342
Friends of Historic Deepwood Estate - 1116 Mission St. SE Salem, OR 97302 Call (503)363-1825
Marion County Historical Society Museum - 260 12th St Salem, OR 97301 Call (503)364-2128 or fax: (503)391-5356 or e-mail: mchs@open.org
Mission Mill Museum - 1313 Mill St. SE Salem, OR 97301 Call (503)585-7012 or fax: (503)588-9902
Oregon State Capitol - (Visitor Services) Salem, OR 97310 Call (503)986-1388 or fax: (503)986-1131
Western Antique Powerland - 3995 Brooklake Rd. NE Salem, OR 97303 Call (503)393-2424.
Do
- Eastside Lefty's, State street. On the weekends after 8, offers a musical atmosphere for those over 21. On Sunday's they provide a fun family environment.
- Willamette University's Campus, State Street. See especially during spring. Willamette is the oldest established university on the West coast and was influential at the inception of Oregon Government.
- Oregon State Fair, Late August to Early September each year. It has many rides, animals, and entertainment.
- Salem Skate Park, located in Downtown's Marion Square Park. This skate park has two bowls that is connected by a snake. There is also a secondary skate area, called the "streetscape," which has plenty of grind space and ramps. The skate park is open to skates, skateboards, BMX bikes, and more.
- Bush's Pasture Park, a 90.5 acre urban public park and botanical garden located just south of the downtown area. The park is a historical site and contains many trails, playgrounds, tennis courts, picnic areas, gardens, and orchards. Willamette University has its football, track and field, and baseball stadium located in the park. This park is also home of the Salem Soap Box Derby.
Balloon Flying Service of Oregon, Inc.- 323 Marietta St SE Salem, OR 503-363-9799
Cascade Surge - 161 High St SE #249 Salem, OR 503-362-7308
Cottonwood Lakes Golf Center - 3225 River Rd. S. Salem, OR (503)364-3673
Creekside Golf Club - 6250 Clubhouse Dr. SE Salem, OR (503)363-4653
Festival Chorale Oregon - PO Box 12602 Salem, OR 503-362-0357
Illahe Hills Country Club - 3376 Country Club Dr S Salem, OR 97302 503-364-0117
Buy
Shopping Malls
- Salem Center Mall - Salem Center is one of Salem's largest shopping malls and is located in downtown. The mall consists of two separate two-story buildings connected by sky bridges. Large retailers like Nordstrom, JCPenney and Macy's also make up Salem Center. There are over 80 specialty shops at this location, with popular stores such as American Eagle Outfitters, Bath & Body Works, The Body Shop, Footlocker, Zumie's, Victoria's Secret, Hot Topic, Aeropostale, and GAP. Movieland is also located across the street. Kohl's is expected to open in the fall in the store formerly occupied by Mervyns.
- Lancaster Mall - On one of Salem's main streets, Lancaster Mall is located on Lancaster Drive in Northeast Salem. After its completed transformation in the fall of 2006, the mall now contains over 80 specialty shops and 12 eateries. Large retailers like Macy's, Burlington Coat Factory, Best Buy, Sears, Old Navy, and Linens-n-Things make up the newly redesigned mall. Other popular stores within Lancaster Mall include Victoria's Secret, Fuel, Anchor Blue, Footlocker, Bath & Body Works and The Children's Place. The latest movie theater to open in Salem is Regal Cinemas Lancaster Mall Stadium 11, which opened October 27, 2006. This addition to Lancaster Mall has 11 screens, covers over 53,000 square feet and more than 2,500 seats. At this theater, you can enjoy stadium seating, screen sizes up to 50 feet wide, and soft high-back rocking chairs with armrests that folds to form a single seat for two.
Eat
- Lefty's Pizzeria South on Commercial street or Eastside on State St. Delicious gourmet pizza with a friendly atmosphere.
Adam's Rib Smokehouse Co. - 1210 State St Salem, OR 97301 503-362-2194
Barbecue Pit - 2795 Commercial St SE Salem, OR 97302 503-364-7777
Barbecue Pit - 850 High St NE Salem, OR 97301 503-363-7775
Best Little Roadhouse - 1145 Commercial St SE Salem, OR 97302 503-365-7225
Big Town Hero #13, Sandwiches & Catering - 3405 Commercial St SE Salem, OR 97302 503-391-1812
Boon's Treasury (McMenamins) - 888 Liberty St NE Salem, OR 97301 503-399-9062
Brick Bar & Broiler, Inc. - 105 Liberty St NE Salem, OR 97302 503-375-0959
Broadway Cafe - 2860 Broadway St NE Salem, OR 97303 503-361-7694
Busick Court Restaurant - 250 Court St NE Salem, OR 97301 503-370-8107
Cottage House Restaurant - 574 Cottage St NE Salem, OR 97301 503-399-7075
Court Street Dairy Lunch - 347 Court St NE Salem, OR 97301 503-363-6433
Croissant & Company-Downtown 190 High St SE Salem, OR 97301 503-362-7323
DaVinci Ristorante 180 High St SE Salem, OR 97301 503-399-1413
Eola Inn Riverview Restaurant 4250 Salem Dallas Hwy Salem, OR 97304 503-363-8580
Gaslight Bar & Grill 2865 Liberty St NE Salem, OR 97303 503-399-8282
Gerry Frank's Konditorei 310 Kearney St SE Salem, OR 97308 503-585-7070
Grand China 3330 Commercial St SE Salem, OR 97302 503-371-8855
j. james Restaurant 325 High St SE Salem, OR 97301 503-362-0888 (reservations)
Jackie Winters 900 Court St NE -212 Salem, OR 97301 503-986-1710
Los Baez 2920 Commercial St SE Salem, OR 97302 503-363-3109
Marco Polo Global Restaurant 210 Liberty St SE #150 Salem, OR 97301 503-364-4833
McGrath's Fish House 350 Chemeketa NE Salem, OR 97301 503-362-0736
Mike's Steak & Seafood House 3803 Commercial St SE Salem, OR 97302 503-371-1565
Old Europe Inn 3195 Liberty Rd S Salem, OR 97302 503-588-3639
Ram Restaurant & Big Horn Brewery 515 12th St SE Salem, OR 97301 503-363-1904
Rudy's at Salem Golf Club 2025 Golf Course Rd S Salem, OR 97302 503-399-0449
Sassy Onion Grill 1244 State Street Salem, OR 97301 503-378-9180
Season to Taste Bakery & Deli 1313 Mill St SE #101 Salem, OR 97301 503-585-3600
Sybil's Omelettes Unlimited 2373 State St Salem, OR 97301 503-581-7724 Restaurant
Thompson Brewery & Public House 3575 Liberty Rd S Salem, OR 97302 503-363-7286
Wild Pear Downtown Deli & Catering 372 State St NE Salem, OR 97301 503-378-7515
Drink
Sleep
Bed & Breakfast
A Creekside Inn - The Marquee House -333 Wyatt Court NE Salem, OR 97301 503-391-0837 OR 800-949-0837
Alden House Bed and Breakfast - 760 Church St. NE Salem, OR 97301 (503)363-9574.
Bethel Heights Farm B&B - 6055 Bethel Heights Rd. NW Salem, OR 97304 (503)364-7688
Bookmark Bed and Breakfast - 975 D Street NE Salem, OR 97301 (503)399-2013
Cottonwood Cottage B&B - 960 E St. NE Salem, OR 97301-1225 (503)362-3979 OR 1-800-349-3979
Eagle Crest B&B - 4401 Eagle Crest NW Salem, OR 97304 (503)364-3960
Fruitland Creek Bed and Breakfast - 5881 Fruitland Rd. Salem, OR 97301 503-585-9613
Marquee House B&B - 333 Wyatt Ct. NE Salem, OR 97301 (503)391-0837 OR 1-800-949-0837
Rozelli's B&B - 1311 Edgewater NW Salem, OR 97304 (503)391-1010
State House B&B - 2146 State St. Salem, OR 97301 (503)588-1340; 1-800-800-6712
Stone Lion Inn B&B - 4692 Lancaster Dr. NE Salem, OR 97305 (503)463-6374
Hotels & Motels
Best Western Black Bear Inn - 1600 Motor Ct NE Salem, OR 97301 503-581-1559
Best Western Mill Creek Inn - 3125 Ryan Dr. SE Salem, OR 97305 (503)585-3332 OR 1-800-346-9659
Best Western Pacific Hwy Inn - 4646 Portland Rd. NE Salem, OR 97305 (503)390-3200
City Center Motel - 510 Liberty St SE Salem, OR 97301 503-364-0121
Comfort Inn and Suites - 1775 Freeway Ct. NE Salem, OR 97301 (503)588-0515 OR 1-888-305-0515
Comfort Suites of Salem - 630 Hawthorne SE Salem, Oregon 97301 503-585-9705
Crossland - 3535 Fisher Road N.E. Salem, Oregon 97305-1419 Tel: 503-363-7557
Days Inn - 3340 Astoria Way NE Salem, Oregon 97303 Tel: 503-393-6000
Econo Lodge Salem - 3195 Portland Rd. N.E. Salem, Oregon 97303 Tel: 503-585-2900
Economy Inn - 2250 Mission St SE Salem, OR 97302 (503)589-8010
Marriott Residence Inn - 640 Hawthorne Ave SE Salem, OR 97301 503-585-6500
Motel 6 Salem - 1401 Hawthorne Ave NE I-5 at Exit 256 Salem, Oregon 97301 Tel: 503-371-8024
Oregon Capital Inn - 745 Commercial Street South-East Salem, Oregon 97301 Tel: 503-363-2451
Phoenix Grand Hotel - 201 Liberty St SE Salem, OR 97301 503-540-7800 OR 1-877-540-7800
- Phoenix Inn Suites - Salem (North) 1590 Weston Ct NE, +1 503 581-7004. -- All suite hotel accommodations with complimentary breakfast buffet, high speed internet access, and 24 hr business center
- Phoenix Inn Suites - Salem (South) 4370 Commercial St SE, +1 503 588-9220. -- All suite hotel accommodations with fitness center, complimentary breakfast buffet, and high speed internet
Quality Inn Hotel & Convention Center - 3301 Market St. NE Salem, OR 97301 (503)370-7888 OR 1-800-248-6273
Ramada Inn - 200 Commercial St SE Salem, OR 97301 (503)363-4123 OR 1-800-2-RAMADA
Red Lion Hotel - 3301 Market Street North-East Salem, Oregon 97303 503-370-7888
Rodeway Inn - 3195 Portland Rd. NE Salem, OR 97303 (503)585-2900
Residence Inn - 640 Hawthorne Avenue Salem, Oregon 97301 503-585-6500
Shilo Inn Salem Suites - 3304 Market St. NE Salem, OR 97301 (503)581-4001 or 1-800-222-2244
Sleep Inn - PO Box 18177 3340 Astoria Way NE Salem, OR 97305 (503)393-6000
Super 8 Motel - 1288 Hawthorne Ave. NE Salem, OR 97301 (503)370-8888
Tiki Lodge - 3705 Market St. NE Salem, OR 97301 (503)581-4441 OR 1-800-438-8458
Traveler's Inn Motel - 3230 Portland Rd. NE Salem, Oregon 97303 503-581-2444
Travelodge - 1875 Fisher Rd. NE Salem, OR Call (503)588-5423
Travelodge & Suites - 1555 State St. Salem, OR Call (503)581-2466