The Salem center is approximately the area of Northwest House of Theological and the area of Hallie Ford Museum of Art.
If you want to experience Salem in all its glory, consider planning your visit for September or April. The spring and fall seasons bring lots of color to the city as well as crisp weather that strikes the perfect Goldilocks balance. In spring, you'll see the flowers bloom and the grass turn a vibrant green after its dormancy throughout winter. Autumn, meanwhile, introduces fall color to the trees and shrubbery, and you'll enjoy the nip in the air that suggests the approach of the holiday season.
If you're hoping to enjoy a warmer vacation, you can plan a visit during the summer. Tourist rates increase between May and August, which means more crowds. You'll also have to pay higher rates for hotel rooms because of the influx of travelers, but you might enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, and other outdoor activities more thoroughly if you can count on sunshine.
Winters in Salem get extremely cold, so only visit between November and March if you're determined to see snow. Hoodoo is the closest ski resort to Salem, and if you enjoy hitting the slopes, consider buying tickets in advance. The holiday season often experiences a spike in tourism and visiting family members, so expect more crowds from late November through the New Year.
If you're hoping to snag a well-equipped hotel room at a discount, see if you qualify for special rates at your chosen hotel. For instance, the Residence Inn Marriott Salem offers reduced rates for AAA members and senior citizens. They'll also drop their nightly charges by up to 10 percent for current and past military service members as well as current government workers.
Similarly, the Comfort Suites Salem offers an attractive lower rate for senior citizens. If you're over the age of 55, simply show your government-issued identification when you check in. Best Western and DoubleTree hotels also offer senior-citizen discounts.
You can also score a great deal on lodging if you look for hotels that offer significant amenities at great rates. You won't have to sacrifice luxury during your vacation or business trip, but you can still keep the budget under control.
Start with the La Quinta Inn & Suites Salem. Rates start at around $92 per night, and you can choose from several guest-room and suite options. The contemporary furniture and unique art will help you settle in, and the flat-panel TVs will allow you to catch up on your favorite shows if you don't feel like hitting the town. Guest laundry facilities make traveling simpler. Other amenities include free breakfast, in-room safes, an outdoor pool, and a large fitness facility.
If you're traveling with the kids, you won't have trouble keeping them entertained in Salem. Drop by A. C. Gilbert's Discovery Village, a unique play area that encompasses three historic houses that contain dozens of games, arcades, and other play things for children.
Kids will also enjoy the Oregon Garden, which features acres of flowers, trees, and shrubs that are native to the state. It's an educational opportunity as well, if you want to teach your children how to name flora. Next, take the little ones fishing at Mill Creek, which provides a picturesque scene for family photos, too. Hike down the creek to get some exercise and perhaps to see some wildlife.
A trip to Salem, Oregon, doesn't have to be expensive. You can find hotels to suit any price range, and many of the inexpensive options offer plenty of amenities to help you get comfortable. Choose one of the hotel recommendations above and start planning your itinerary.
Below are reviews of the city of Salem, OR from an actual visitor's perspective.
It seemed to be a city I might visit in the future, if I'm ever in that part of the state again. It's pretty country around Salem. I can see why the pioneers would chose that part of Oregon to settle in, after traveling across the continent in covered wagons for months on end.
Good place to visit. Good places too eat.
Very nice city rentals located away from crazy Portland area.
Never had a chance to enjoy the area as i was taking in a meeting at the airport but appreciated the lovely stay and weather.
Nice city, many activities close by.
I'm from Bellevue WA. I was surprised Salem has grown to approx. 174,000 from the 50,000 I remember from 60 years ago when I lived in OR. Yet Salem has maintained its quiet elegance.
We love Salem!!! We have lived there several times for work.
Salem is a lovely city with beautiful trees
Salem is beautiful. We will return soon
I like Independence, where we actually stayed.
Things for kids to do.
Seemed to be nice town.
The River Front Park is the crown jewel of the city.
There are some good restaurants in Salem and the river front park is beautiful for all and safe.
I like the restaurants.
Lovely city.
It's a big city with lots of culture.
The city of Salem is lovely! Lots of great local restaurants, it's in close driving distance of lots of natural attractions and great hikes. I especially love the cherry blossoms and all the other flowers in spring.
Love Salem!
Front desk is always willing to help me with anything.
Salem has everything needed, shopping, lodging, meals, great service at fuel stations. Special interests to include history.
Salem has everything needed, shopping, lodging, meals, great service at fuel stations. Special interests to include history.
Shopping!
I go there for training, it has a great place for shopping and a variety of good quality meals and places to eat!
Salem is easy to navigate and there are some great places to dine.
Small town feel. People were friendly.
Nice city
Salem is beautiful
Great restaurants and we heard Tim TeBow speak at the Expo... Wonderful experience...
Salem's Grand Theater which is an Indie performance venue is priceless.
Salem has the sweetest, scenic downtown with eateries, shops, the river, and beautiful Willamette University campus. There are gorgeous hiking areas within easy driving distance.
I grew up here. I love Salem.
Salem is one of the most beautiful small cities that provides so much entertainment and activities. I ran the Willamette Valley Vineyards 5K, which was their inaugural one today and it was phenomenal! I will definitely be coming back next year for that. Hotel Salem is a very convenient and well run hotel.
Nice!
MT. ANGEL
It is a cool city!
The room was clean and comfortable. The city was great beautiful little town friendly people and by the court it's a great walk to see the town and architecture.
Quiet and peaceful.
Very nice town and easy traffic.
Lots of green. Trees, lawns, etc. We live in Arizona so we have lots of rocks.
Many businesses close by.
Our family roots are here. We stay at The Hotel Salem as a very convenient place to enable easy visits with family.
Peaceful and quiet stay.
The availability of restaurant and places to shop if needed. Excellent service, good attention, clean spacious rooms.
The rivers are beautiful, there are lovely parks, the mountain views are amazing! Restaurants seem to be opening up after the Covid years. We enjoyed our visit!
Willamette University
The rivers are beautiful, there are lovely parks, the mountain views are amazing! Restaurants seem to be opening up after The Covid years. We enjoyed our visit!
The Oregon State Fair was great, full of entertainment and rides.
The restaurant 'Word of Mouth' was exceptionally good! It's a breakfast & lunch place within about a 5 minutes drive of Comfort Suites.
Riverfront Park, Minto Brown, La Hacienda Real, Phil's Bar & Grill.
Art impressions sale at Holiday Inn.
I enjoyed the Reawaken America Tour at the Volcanoes Baseball Stadium in Keizer, OR. Excellent speakers for both days.
The food was good , We really did not have much time to spend in the City...
It had a lot of different places to eat, everything was right there.
It's very green and beautiful, love all the choices of restaurants and bars.
The many different places to eat, people were friendly and very helpful.
Hard to believe the state capitol does not have a Post office with a 24 hr lobby where you can mail off a package and buy stamps. Guess I can understand with all the street people, who'd want to leave a unlocked door? Thanks again! Democrat-run city!
The choice of restaurants along the street of the hotel were excellent.
We were in town for a cheer competition. Great location for sporting events.
It is a nice city. Reminds me of Portland. There are lots of parks, markets and museums to explore.
Reminds me of Portland