What to see in Salem, the charming capital of Oregon

Nestled among rolling hills, renowned vineyards and lush forests, Salem is a hidden gem that surprises with its unique mix of nature, history and culture. It is the capital of the State of Oregon , in the United States, but with the quiet and peaceful soul of a small town. It is no coincidence that the native populations called it Chemeketa , which means a place of meeting and rest.

Salem has a strong artistic vocation , with numerous cultural institutions dedicated to the preservation and promotion of local and international artistic heritage. Starting from visits to the main museum centers, passing through flower parks, markets and hilly areas dedicated to cultivation, you can explore the nearby natural wonders , such as Silver Falls State Park, for a unique trip away from the classic US tourist routes. Here's what to do and see in Salem, the perfect destination for those seeking authenticity, beauty and a touch of adventure.

The quiet, charming city of Salem, whose name derives from the Hebrew shalom (meaning peace), is located in the northwestern part of the state of Oregon, bordered to the north by Washington, to the south by California and Nevada, to the west by the Pacific Ocean, and to the east by Idaho.

More precisely, Salem is the county seat of Marion County and is located in the renowned Willamette Valley , a very green and lush valley immersed in an exceptional naturalistic context, characterized by large flowering fields, pastures, orchards and above all vineyards , which guarantee this area one of the most important and profitable fruit and vegetable productions in the whole of the United States .

Today it is often considered the “ Oregon Wine Country ”, with 7,700 hectares of vineyards and more than 500 wineries, but it is also nicknamed Cherry City , the city of cherries, due to the huge production of these delicious fruits.

Salem has a very fascinating history, which has its roots in the relationship (albeit tragic and conflictual) between European pioneers and native tribes , whose cultural influence is tangible today in the local toponymy and in the fertile and lively presence in the arts, today more than ever enriched by the deep dialogue between present and past. The town offers in fact several art and history museums , which tell its most authentic roots.

But not only that. Here you can also find wonderful parks and public gardens , which give the town a remarkable livability and encourage you to visit it at a slow pace, through long and pleasant walks.

Here's what not to miss on a trip to artistic, verdant Salem.

Let's start with a must during a visit to Salem: the Oregon State Capitol , an Art Deco building built in the 1930s, now the seat of the state government. You can visit the interior, which also houses a museum with a large collection of artifacts from the country. It is called the Capitol of the State of Oregon , and seeing its grandeur it could not be otherwise: in granite, it is the most architecturally suggestive point of the city. During the visit, you can climb the dome to enjoy a memorable panoramic view of Salem.

To learn about the origins of Salem's industrial development, with the history of the pioneers and their way of life, you should go to the Mission Mill Museum (near the Oregon State Capitol), a large museum area where you can admire the tools, furniture and machinery used in 19th century Oregon, as well as the traditional gardens and orchards of that era.

To immerse yourself in 19th-century architecture and stories of the past, don't miss the Willamette Heritage Center , a museum that includes the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill and other historic buildings. Admission to the museum provides access to exhibits housed in nine historic buildings, which explore the experiences of Native Americans in the Willamette Valley and early European settlement in Oregon.

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