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Road TripsAbout SalemSalem is the capital of Oregon and the state's third-largest city. The city was founded in 1841 by Methodist missionary Jason Lee, whose goal was to gather Native Americans together and “teach them to cultivate the ground and live more comfortably than they could by hunting, and as they do this, teach them religion.”
After limited success, Lee became discouraged. He decided to lay out a town and sell lots to finance the Oregon Institute, which developed into the present-day Willamette University, the oldest institution of higher learning west of Missouri.
Salem had only one house when it was plotted, and the Kalapuya Indian name Chemeketa, or “place of rest,” was proposed for the town's name. Missionaries, however, preferred the Biblical word salem, which means “peace.”
Two residential districts flank the downtown area. The Gaiety Hill/Bush's Pasture Park district extends south from Pringle Creek along High and Liberty streets to the blocks around the park and contains more than 100 historic homes. Extending along its namesake streets from 13th Avenue N.E. east to Mill Creek, the Court-Chemeketa District contains some 100 historic residences designed in Carpenter Gothic, Craftsman, Italianate and Queen Anne styles.
The landscaped grounds of the Civic Center on Liberty Street contain foot and bike trails, fountains, Austrian black swans and sculptures. Schreiner's Iris Gardens on Quinaby Road N.E. offers a spectacle of blooming irises in the spring.
Spanning the Willamette River, the Union Street Railroad Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge, which was built in 1913 and last regularly used by trains some 30 years later, now accommodates pedestrian traffic. The bridge's eastern bookend is at Riverfront Park; its western terminus is at 114-acre Wallace Marine Park.
Other facets of the city include historic homes, a missionary settlement and Corban University.
Visitor Centers Travel Salem 181 High St. N.E. Salem, OR 97301. Phone:(503)581-4325 or (800)874-7012
ShoppingWillamette Town Center, off I-5 at Market Street and Lancaster Drive, offers the department store Burlington. Downtown, the Salem Center Mall, connected with sky bridges to Kohl’s and Macy's, has specialty shops and restaurants.
Things to Do Bush's Pasture Park
Bush Barn Art Center (home of the Salem Art Association)
Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health
Prewitt-Allen Archaeological Museum
Gilbert House Children's Museum
Jason Lee House, the Parsonage, John D. Boon House and Pleasant Grove Church
WINERIES Bethel Heights Vineyard
Salem, OR
Top AAA Diamond Hotels
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Best Western Plus Mill Creek Inn3125 Ryan Dr SE. Salem, OR 97301
Book NowMembers save up to 10% and earn Honors points when booking AAA/CAA rates!
DoubleTree by Hilton Salem-Oregon1590 Weston Ct NE. Salem, OR 97301
Book NowMembers save 5% or more and earn Marriott Bonvoy™ points when booking AAA/CAA rates!
Residence Inn by Marriott640 Hawthorne Ave SE. Salem, OR 97301
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Members save up to 10% and earn Honors points when booking AAA/CAA rates!
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Salem510 Hawthorne Ave SE. Salem, OR 97301
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