Capitol St Northeast, Central Area (CAN-DO)

My favorite part of Court Street in Salem, Oregon, is the state capitol building and its beautiful grounds. The capitol building itself is beautiful with its white marble outside and ornate insides that feature several large murals and a beautifully decorated dome. The grounds are amazing too and feature a wide variety of trees and other plants. The grounds display a gazebo that hosts a few concerts during warm weather, a parade of flags, and several lovely statues – including one that is created just for children.

Court Street is one of the most diverse streets which make up the core of downtown Salem. Court Street begins across from the Salem river walk which winds its way around the Willamette River. This is a great park for families and singles alike. The paths begin at a carousel with hand carved horses and leads past an amphitheatre, picnic areas and ends at the Avery house which is a majestic hand on Children’s Museum

While walking down Court Street the alleys are not to be missed as they boast surprises which range from old vines of wisteria to giant Grass hoppers on the sides of buildings. Court Street is populated with many historic buildings which are remnants of the theatre district of old.

Heading east one of the most beautiful buildings is the Reed Opera house which now houses ethnic restaurants like La Perla Tapitia on the second floor and Macedonia’s Greek food on the lower landing. There is also a small repertory theatre which puts on big plays and eclectic shops which range from hand made soaps, Amish furniture and a paper shop with also sells beautiful handmade chocolates. The top floor has business offices as well as a multi cultural display which changes through out the year. At the very top is a beautiful ball room used for Weddings as well as community concerts. Across the street from the Reed, comfort food abounds at the Court Street Dairy lunch which is a small dinner as well as newer versions of comfort food like Great Harvest bread.

Walking towards the end of Court Street other beautiful shops are abundant from home accessories to a large new and used book store. Across the alley from the book store, two small shops bookend Casey’s hot dogs, a fifties themed restaurant. On one side is a spiritual exploration shop called Journey’s and on the other side is a small but beautiful Fair Trade shop which sells products from thirty nine developing countries with the mission of eliminating poverty through fair wages and ethical business practices. Again, eclectic but the block has a great feel and everyone knows each other as most of the owners of the shops have been in downtown for some time.

Casey’s hot dog is a fun lunch and for a bit more up market adult entertainment the locals gather at Grand Vines to listen every Friday night to the house jazz band while working through the wine tasting list. Grand Vines is housed in the Grand Theatre which again was part of the historic theatre section of yore. The Grand Theatre has been renovated and hosts socially conscious, thought provoking movies the third Thursday of every month. The restoration is beautiful and a ballroom is also available above the theatre, business offices also grace the second floor of the building. Around the corner and block down on high street is another restored beauty called the Elsinore which hosts national acts.

There are a few fast food places such as Quizno’s across the street on the 400 block of Court for grabbing a sandwich and heading to one of the small parks or fountains surrounding the capitol. During the spring the capitol walk which is only a block a way is not to be missed with the profusion of cherry blossoms

The first Wednesday of each month the shops and restaurants stay open until 8:00 pm with a special theme which includes discounts or prizes and typically musicians of all different genres on the different corners of court and various other streets. The spring and summer is a great time to enjoy the small but friendly streets of downtown Salem with Court Street being one of the most enjoyable.