Family Friendly Things to Do in Salem Oregon

Although it is often overlooked in favor of nearby Portland and Eugene, Oregon's land capital of Salem is certainly well worth visiting in its own correct. Besides its hitting State Capitol building, it has a handful of great museums and lots of pretty parks and nearby natural tourist attractions in Salem for you to visit.

Ready alongside the Willamette River, the laidback university town is surrounded by vast swathes of fertile farmland with the whole region being renowned for its wonderful wines. Aside from taking tours around its wineries and vineyards, there are likewise a couple of mannerly towns for you to check out nearby. The spectacular Silver Falls State Park is also one of its main draws.

With endless things to practice in Salem and its surroundings, the state capital certainly makes for a great day trip destination or quiet weekend abroad.

12. Minto-Brown Island Park

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If you're looking to savor some outdoor activities when you're in Salem then head to the popular and picturesque Minto-Dark-brown Isle Park. The largest recreation space in the metropolis, its lush forest and wetlands tin can be found just five minutes drive southwest of the center.

Lying aslope the winding Willamette River, the park has lovely greenish spaces for visitors to explore. Paths meander their way about its flower-filled meadows and forests. Aside from walking, running and cycling, yous can fish forth the river or rent some paddle boats.

In that location are too observation platforms scattered about where you tin spot waterfowl and other birds amidst its unspoiled scenery. With playgrounds and picnic areas also on offering, Minto-Brown Island Park is well worth visiting for its amazing activities and nature.

11. Deepwood Museum

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At present preserved equally part of a museum, celebrated Deepwood Estate showcases extraordinary architecture and lies amidst gorgeous grounds and gardens. Located just five minutes drive south of the heart, the pretty belongings offers the perfect mix of history and nature and also boasts fantastic views over downtown Salem.

Built in 1894, the celebrated firm exhibits exquisite Queen Anne-style architecture with elegant turrets and gables on show aslope stained glass windows and a wraparound porch. On tours of its well-preserved rooms, y'all tin see fabled furnishings, menses pieces and decorative arts from the early twentieth century.

Its expansive grounds are just every bit delightful to explore as nature trails current of air their way here and there with its Victorian-style garden being the undoubted highlight.

10. Mt. Affections

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Just one-half an 60 minutes'due south drive to the northeast of Salem you can find the lovely little town of Mt. Affections nestled away. While it is most known for its fun Oktoberfest celebrations, the moving-picture show-perfect town's German language heritage can be seen in everything from its clock tower and churches to its civilisation and cuisine.

Located in the Cascades Mountain region of the state, Mt. Angel was first settled in 1850 with large numbers of Bavarian immigrants later moving in. As such, the town has a mannerly Old World await and feel with Gothic churches and a Glockenspiel belltower set alongside charming shopfronts and a beautiful Benedictine abbey.

Aside from taking in its appealing aesthetic and ambient, you can also enjoy some succulent High german dishes and beers in its plentiful confined and restaurants. The all-time time of year to visit, however, is during Oktoberfest when lederhosen-clad locals and tourists make merry in its quaint village streets.

9. Schreiner's Iris Gardens

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On the way back into town from Mt. Angel it is well worth stopping off at Schreiner's Iris Gardens which prevarication only fifteen minutes drive n of downtown. Habitation to a staggering array of colorful flowers, information technology's a picturesque place to visit with gorgeous vistas wherever you lot wait.

While the stunning display garden was fully developed in the 1990s, its roots begin nearly seventy years' earlier when avid gardener F.X. Schreiner starting time began collecting and cultivating Iris. Over the years, the award-winning gardens have expanded considerably with generations of the Schreiner family having successfully grown both the flowers and business.

Nowadays, the gardens are pleasant to stroll around with tall, disguised Iris and daylilies lying aslope Japanese, Siberian and Louisiana Iris. In addition to enjoying the thousands of flowers, you lot can besides purchase some to accept home with blossom season taking place in May of each year.

8. Silverton

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Some other town well-nigh Salem that is worth checking out is Silverton, which is situated in a scenic spot amidst the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Delightfully known as 'Oregon's Garden Metropolis', information technology lies just half an hour's drive to the northeast of the center and makes for a great day trip destination or placidity weekend getaway.

Named after the small creek that flows through boondocks, Silverton is most known for its magnificent botanical garden and the many murals scattered about its streets. Aside from taking in all the incredible artworks and flowers, people come for its creekside dining as many restaurants have patios extending out over its waters.

On top of all this, the boondocks acts as a gateway to the amazing scenery and nature of Silver Falls State Park that lies nearby and offers up a wealth of fantabulous outdoor activities.

7. Enchanted Woods

Set up just twenty minutes drive south of Salem y'all can detect the Enchanted Forest – a fun, family-friendly theme park, which has lots of rides and attractions for guests to savor. Located in a lovely spot amongst rolling hills and woodland, it has long been popular with locals and out-of-towners alike.

Since opening in 1971, the amusement park has delighted countless generations with its fun, themed areas, such as Storybook Lane, Western Boondocks and Old European Hamlet. In each function there are fun rides for you to effort out with its Haunted Firm and Big Timber log ride being peculiarly popular.

In addition to all its attractions, the Enchanted Wood has picnic areas and eateries while water lite shows, comedy theater and music performances as well take place in the summer months.

six. Riverfront Park

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Riverfront Park lies correct next to the historic centre aslope the Willamette River. Bated from gorgeous greenish spaces and nature trails, it boasts one of the most beautiful carousels in the state with countless other attractions and civilities as well on offering.

In one case an industrial site, Salem's riverfront was revitalized and re-imagined over the course of several decades with a pretty pavilion, playgrounds and paths popping up side by side to lush lawns and an outdoor amphitheater. In addition, the impressive Eco-World Globe sculpture and outstanding Gilbert Business firm Children'due south Museum can also exist constitute within its scenic confines.

The park'southward standout sight however is undoubtedly its charming carousel, which is intricately carved with scenes that gloat the state and urban center'due south farming heritage.

5. Take a Wine Tour

Equally Salem is prepare in the Willamette Valley – one of the meridian wine producing regions in the world – no trip to town can always be complete without sampling some of its wonderful wines. With over five hundred wineries located in the valley, it is well worth taking some fourth dimension to visit its vineyards or going on an unforgettable tasting tour.

While the region is particularly renowned for its Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, many of its estates likewise produce Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Viognier. Thanks to its fertile vineyards and perfect grape growing climate, the valley is often called 'Oregon Wine Country'.

On tours of its wineries y'all can larn how the wines are produced and sample some in atmospheric tasting rooms before buying a couple of bottles to take dwelling house. With so many delicious wines to try and so much sublime scenery on show wherever yous go, a wine tour really is a must when in Salem.

4. The Oregon Garden

Located simply half an hour'south drive to the northeast of Salem y'all can discover the stupendous scenery and nature of The Oregon Garden. Attack the outskirts of Silverton, the beautiful botanical garden has over twenty scenic sections for you to explore that are domicile to fantastic flowers, plants, and trees.

First conceived of in the forties, the garden opened in 1999 with its attractive exhibits and areas focusing on the flora of the Willamette Valley and Pacific Northwest. Nowadays, it has more twenty specialty gardens for guests to visit with children and pet-friendly ones lying aslope a h2o garden, tropical house, and bee aviary.

Amidst its scenic confines you can also discover a fabulous Frank Lloyd Wright house and a resort hotel with tram tours, talks, and cultural events all regularly taking place.

3. Gilbert House Children's Museum

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Ane of the principal tourist attractions in Salem is the excellent Gilbert House Children's Museum which can exist found within Riverfront Park. Set alongside the Willamette River, its interactive exhibits and hands-on activities offering an interesting await at everything from nature and art to science and engineering.

Established in 1989, the museum is named subsequently the American inventor Alfred Carlton Gilbert with several of his inventions being on evidence. Housed within its fetching Victorian-era buildings are lots of fascinating displays and fun activity areas which encourage children to engage with their learning in a curious and creative mode.

While its amazing outdoor Erector Set up with its swings, bridges and climbing structures is certainly its standout sight, guests volition also find numerous play areas dotted amidst its educational exhibits.

2. Silverish Falls State Park

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Every bit Argent Falls – the 'crown gem' of Oregon'southward land park organization – lies on Salem's doorstep, no trip to town tin be complete without checking out its wonderful waterfalls. Located just half an 60 minutes'due south drive to the east of the center, it also has epic outdoor activities for visitors to relish among its incredible scenery and nature.

The largest and loveliest of Oregon's land parks, Silver Falls was founded in 1933 and now attracts almost a million people a year with its wealth of sparkling falls and nature sights. Forth its scenic Trail of Ten Falls Loop, for instance, visitors tin can see, not only the striking South Falls which towers to 54 meters in height, but others such equally N Falls and Winter Falls, too.

While these fabulous falls are undoubtedly the park'due south main depict, at that place is too some vivid hiking, horseback riding, and camping ground to exist had amidst its countless forests and hills.

1. Oregon State Capitol

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The most important and impressive edifice in the city, the stunning Oregon State Capitol is located just a brusque stroll from the center in Wilson Park. Surrounded by gorgeous grounds and gardens, it exhibits exquisite Art Deco architecture with most of its interior and outside coated in bright white marble.

Remarkably enough, it is the tertiary state capitol to stand in the same spot after two earlier editions burnt down. Erected in 1938, it looks delightfully different from other state capitol buildings thank you to its stripped classical design and distinctive dome topped by the glittering gold Oregon Pioneer sculpture.

Within is just as attracting every bit magnificent murals depicting important moments from Oregon'south history line the interior of its rotunda. Aside from exploring the beautiful edifice and enjoying fine views from atop its roof, y'all can also amble around its lush grounds which are dotted with fountains, artworks, and memorials.

Map of Things to Exercise in Salem

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