Salem
Around Salem
Photo: M.O. Stevens · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Oregon · 443k people
Salem
Locals say Mid-Valley · “Cherry City”
Where the valley blooms and the capitol stands tall
Cherry redValley green
Welcome to the Mid-Valley! Whether you're here for the state fair, the wineries, or just the friendly pace, you'll find plenty to love. Grab a Marionberry pie and enjoy the river views.
Clubs for Salem
No clubs for Salem yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Salem. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Salem. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Oregon State Capitol Marble-domed capitol with a golden pioneer on top.
- Bush's Pasture Park Historic park with rose garden and walking trails.
- Riverfront Park Riverside park with a carousel and playground.
- Oregon State Fairgrounds Hosts the Oregon State Fair and other events.
- The Oregon Garden 80-acre garden in Silverton with themed displays.
- Enchanted Forest Storybook-themed amusement park in Turner.
- Outdoors Hiking at Silver Falls State Park
- Outdoors Biking the Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway
- With kids Oregon State Fair
- With kids Enchanted Forest
- Evenings Live music at the Elsinore Theatre
- Evenings Brewery taprooms downtown
- Locals love Willamette Valley wineries
- Locals love Farmers markets
Through the year
- Oregon State Fair August-September The state's largest fair with concerts, exhibits, and food.
- Salem Art Fair & Festival July Juried art show, live music, and kids' activities in Bush's Pasture Park.
- Keizer Iris Festival June Celebrates the iris bloom with a parade, garden tours, and carnival.
- Salem Saturday Market May-October Weekly farmers market with local produce, crafts, and food carts.
Salem has a mild climate with wet, gray winters and warm, dry summers. Best time to be out is June through September. Best: Summer (June–September) is warm and dry, perfect for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “Mid-Valley”
- Local name for the Salem metropolitan area.
- “The Valley”
- Willamette Valley, the region surrounding Salem.
- “The Fair”
- Oregon State Fair.
- “The Cap”
- Oregon State Capitol building.
Getaways
Local flavour
Teams
- Salem-Keizer Volcanoes Mavericks Independent Baseball League
Also rooting for Portland Trail Blazers (NBA), Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Oregon Ducks (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Marionberry pie Marionberries are a blackberry variety developed in Oregon and are a local specialty.
- Hazelnuts Oregon produces 99% of the US hazelnut crop.
- Willamette Valley Pinot Noir The valley is renowned for its Pinot Noir wines.
Where people go
- Oregon State Capitol The capitol building with its distinctive gold pioneer statue.
- Willamette Valley wineries Hundreds of vineyards and tasting rooms in the surrounding hills.
- Cherry orchards Historic orchards that give the city its nickname.
- Covered bridges Several historic covered bridges in the surrounding countryside.
- Farmers markets The Salem Saturday Market and others feature local produce and crafts.
Heritage and traditions
Salem is proud of its role as Oregon's capital, its deep agricultural roots in the Willamette Valley, and its friendly, community-focused atmosphere.
This time of year in Salem
- Wine harvest Fall Fall is wine harvest season, with grape stomping and harvest festivals at local vineyards.
Say it like a local: “the coast” — The Oregon Coast, a popular day-trip destination.
Festivals
- World Beat Festival June Celebrates global cultures with music, dance, and food from around the world.
- Woodburn Fiesta August A vibrant celebration of Mexican culture with traditional music, food, and dance in Woodburn.
Landmarks with a story
- Deepwood Estate A Queen Anne-style mansion from 1894 with beautiful gardens, now a museum and event venue.
- Salem Pioneer Cemetery One of the oldest cemeteries in the Pacific Northwest, resting place of many early settlers.
- Union Street Railroad Bridge A historic truss bridge over the Willamette River, now a pedestrian and bike crossing.
- Elsinore Theatre A beautifully restored 1926 movie palace that hosts concerts, plays, and films.
Food traditions
- U-pick berry and cherry farms Families head to the fields in summer to pick their own berries and cherries, a beloved Willamette Valley ritual.
Music and arts
- Community theater and classical music The historic Elsinore Theatre anchors a vibrant performing arts scene, hosting local and touring productions.
A little history
- 1851 Salem became the capital of the Oregon Territory
- 1861 The first Oregon State Fair was held
- 1938 The current Oregon State Capitol building was completed, featuring a distinctive gold pioneer statue
- 1840s Oregon Trail settlers arrived in the Willamette Valley, establishing farms and communities
Rivalries
- Oregon Ducks vs Oregon State Beavers College football rivalry that splits the state.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Outdoors Fishing on the Willamette River
- Outdoors Birdwatching at Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge
- With kids Taking a free tour of the Oregon State Capitol
- With kids Playing at the Riverfront Park playground
Oregonians in the Mid-Valley speak with a general American accent, but have a few regional terms like 'the valley' for the Willamette Valley and 'the fair' for the Oregon State Fair.
Only here
- The gold pioneer statue atop the Oregon State Capitol, a unique symbol of the state.
- Oregon's hazelnut industry, centered in the Willamette Valley, produces nearly all of the nation's hazelnuts.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the rain; it's part of life here, and the lush greenery is worth it.
- Learn to say 'the valley' to refer to the Willamette Valley.
- Try a Marionberry pie at a local diner—it's a regional classic.
- Visit the coast on a sunny day; it's only an hour away.
- Get a library card; the Salem Public Library is a community hub.
Make this page better
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Part of Portland area
Nearby
Every areaAlbanyOregonWhere the river bends through the valley.CorvallisOregonWhere the valley meets the forest.PortlandOregonWhere the river meets the mountain, and the coffee never stops.TillamookOregonWhere the forest meets the seaNewportOregonWhere the forest meets the sea, and the catch is always fresh.Eugene–SpringfieldOregonWhere rivers, trails, and a love of sport meet.LongviewWashingtonWhere the river meets the forest.Hood RiverOregonWhere the wind meets the orchard.
Salem, OR. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.