Central Area Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Salem showing a garden
Photo provided by Frank Barnett/Travel Salem
Photo provided by Frank Barnett/Travel Salem
Photo provided by Ron Cooper/Travel Salem
Photo provided by Ron Cooper/Travel Salem
Photo provided by Ron Cooper/Travel Salem
Photo provided by Ron Cooper/Travel Salem
Photo provided by Kelly James/Travel Salem
Photo provided by Kelly James/Travel Salem

Popular places to visit

Elsinore Theater

Elsinore Theater

Get tickets for a show at Elsinore Theater, a popular theatre in Salem. While you're here, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Elsinore Theater
Oregon State Capitol showing outdoor art

Oregon State Capitol

Watch legislative sessions, learn about key moments in Oregon’s history and admire the art deco architecture of one of the most recognizable buildings in the state.

Oregon State Capitol
Willamette Valley Vineyards

Willamette Valley Vineyards

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Willamette Valley Vineyards during your travels to Turner. While in this family-friendly area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Willamette Valley Vineyards
Orchard Heights Winery

Orchard Heights Winery

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Orchard Heights Winery during your travels to Salem. While you're here, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Orchard Heights Winery

Salem Riverfront Park

After visiting Salem Riverfront Park, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Salem. While you're here, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Salem Riverfront Park

Willamette University

Explore the campus of Willamette University during your trip to Salem. While you're in the area, wander around picturesque gardens.

Willamette University

Activities

Salem Scavenger Hunt: Oregon's Beautiful Capital

Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Salem Oregon's Beautiful Capital

NZ$21
per adult
Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt: Salem Oregon's Beautiful Capital
Meet the growers of these dynamic vintages

Private Wine Excursion Willamette Valley, Oregon - Wine Tour

NZ$495
per adult
Private Wine Excursion Willamette Valley, Oregon - Wine Tour
get into the photo at our favorite waterfalls!

Silver Falls Waterfall Hiking Tour from Portland

NZ$152
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Silver Falls Waterfall Hiking Tour from Portland
Guided Jetboat Tour for Six -Private

Guided Jetboat Tour for Six -Private

NZ$391
per adult
Guided Jetboat Tour for Six -Private
Sunset Tree Climb at Silver Falls State Park

Sunset Tree Climb at Silver Falls State Park

NZ$384
per adult
Sunset Tree Climb at Silver Falls State Park
A great day on a Willamette Valley Boutique Wine Tour.

Willamette Valley Boutique Winery Tour with Lunch

NZ$427
per adult
Willamette Valley Boutique Winery Tour with Lunch
See all activities in Salem

Our pick of the best Central Area Hotel Deals

The Grand Hotel - Salem

The Grand Hotel - Salem

3.5 out of 5
201 Liberty St Se, Salem, OR
The price is NZ$370 per night from 6 Oct to 7 Oct
NZ$370
6 Oct - 7 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Salem. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (998 reviews)
"Enjoyed our stay"

Reviewed on 20 Sept 2025

The Grand Hotel - Salem
Holman Riverfront Park Hotel Salem, Tapestry by Hilton

Holman Riverfront Park Hotel Salem, Tapestry by Hilton

3.5 out of 5
195 Commercial Street SE, Salem, OR
The price is NZ$287 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
NZ$287
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Salem. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9/10 Wonderful! (352 reviews)
"The restaurant and front desk staff were very professional and friendly. When we arrived and had lunch at the restaurant, the food was excellent but the flies were terrible. We have never experienced that amount of flies anywhere in our world travels. The staff actually acknowledged the problem and ..."

Reviewed on 22 Sept 2025

Holman Riverfront Park Hotel Salem, Tapestry by Hilton
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.
9/10 Wonderful! (6 reviews)
"Gorgeous house in a cute neighborhood! Plus, it's just a short walk to the state capitol and Saturday market. Only a little drive away, the downtown area has some cool stores to check out like vintage thrifts shops. The aesthetic and coziness of the house was practically unbeatable. My friends and ..."

Reviewed on 4 Sept 2025

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Stylish Salem Speakeasy Downtown
Experience the charm of living Downtown! Sterilized Like an Operating Room!

Experience the charm of living Downtown! Sterilized Like an Operating Room!

Salem
Book a stay at this family-friendly apartment in Salem. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Capitol City ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (64 reviews)
"GREAT location in the heart of downtown Salem. The property is basically an older style two-bedroom apartment with great high ceilings and two huge windows in the living room. The bed was comfortable and the bathroom and show was terrific. It's definitely an older unit, but very comfortable and clean. ..."

Reviewed on 27 July 2025

Get rates
Experience the charm of living Downtown! Sterilized Like an Operating Room!
Shilo Inn Suites - Salem

Shilo Inn Suites - Salem

2.5 out of 5
3304 Market St Ne, Salem, OR
Stay at this hotel in Salem. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,025 reviews)
60th South Salem Class Reunion
"The room had the smell of cigarette smoke, but after opening the window it was fine. Bed was comfortable and room clean."

Reviewed on 22 Sept 2025

Get rates
Shilo Inn Suites - Salem
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Salem OR

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Salem OR

3 out of 5
890 Hawthorne Avenue SE, Salem, OR
The price is NZ$218 per night from 5 Oct to 6 Oct
NZ$218
5 Oct - 6 Oct
includes taxes & 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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (737 reviews)
"Breakfast was good and replenished frequently"

Reviewed on 21 Sept 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Salem OR
See all 323 properties in Central Area
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.

Other neighbourhoods around Central Area

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Court-Chemeketa Historic District

While there might not be top attractions in Court-Chemeketa Historic District, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Oregon State Capitol and Willamette Heritage Center.

Court-Chemeketa Historic District
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Grant

Though Grant may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Willamette Heritage Center and Salem Armory Auditorium.

Grant
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Northeast Neighbors

If you're spending some time in Northeast Neighbors, Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavilion and Salem Armory Auditorium are top sights worth seeing.

Northeast Neighbors
Bush House Museum showing a garden

South Central

If you're spending some time in South Central, Bush Barn Art Center and Bush House Museum are top sights worth seeing.

South Central
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Southeast Salem

If you're spending some time in Southeast Salem, Honeywood Winery and Willamette Heritage Center are top sights worth seeing.

Southeast Salem
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Highland

While Highland isn't home to many top sights, Salem Armory Auditorium and L. B. Day Amphitheater are some notable places to visit nearby.

Highland

Central Area Travel Guide

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