IheartOregon

Salem has a vibrant downtown that is a pleasure to walk around. The shops are full and several skybridges will keep shoppers out of the winter weather as they go from store to store. The downtown is a short jaunt from the river, where visitors can sightsee. There is a lot of covered parking as well, thanks to several parking garages.

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.

On the Salem Riverfront, you can get a great view of the Willamette River. You can also let the kids play in the spacious playground, run around the wide, open lawn, and take a ride on one of the most beautiful carousels for a small fee. The horses on the carousel are hand carved, and the artists are sometimes in residence so visitors can watch their work. The complete history of the carousel is also explained with lovely signs. Best of all, the carousel is indoors, so it is easy to visit even if the weather is rainy and cold.

If you are interested in the history of Salem, Oregon, a walk around the Pioneer Cemetery at the corner of Commercial and Hoyt is worth a stop. The grounds are kept nicely and many of the headstones mark the important people beneath them who helped build the city. As with most cemeteries, it can be a little creepy for kids.

Bush Pasture Park offers a lot to do. For instance, one can take a picnic to its many picnic sites, or let the kids burn some energy at the nice playground. There are wide, open areas in the park among the oak trees, so tossing a ball around after lunch is great fun. There are wide walking and running paths and the park is also host to a great rose garden. The lovely Victorian-style Bush House is also near the park and is a now a museum, which visitors may tour.