Salem and Keizer have a lot of attractions that are worth exploring, many of which are within walking distance of Willamette's Salem campus. These are just a few of the local locations you can explore!
Salem-Keizer Volcano's Baseball is just off of I-5 in north Keizer. They chartered a new league called the Mavericks as of January 2021.
Bush's Pasture Park is a 90 acre park with open meadows and wooded areas in downtown Salem, next to Willamette University's McCulloch Stadium. In the spring, camas lilies bloom under the oak trees on the east side of the park. The autumn foliage of plants and trees throughout the park are amazing. The park features baseball fields, tennis courts, horseshoes, jogging and biking paths, stages, and picnic tables.
Mission Mill Museum & Willamette Heritage Center is across 12th Street from Willamette University. They offer tours and periodically demonstrate how the mill operated by water power, and provide historic accounts about the 14 historic structures. Each winter they string out lights in an impressive light display.
Hallie Ford Museum has rotating exhibits from artists all around the northwest. With one of the most significant collections of Northwest art, it is a leader in the research on the art of the Northwest, in addition to diverse collections of Ancient, European, American, and Asian works.
Minto-Brown Park is larger than Central Park in New York City. Explore 1,200 acres of open and wooded areas on foot or with a bike. Observe osprey, blue herons, rabbits, bald eagles, and red-tailed hawks. It is connected to downtown Salem by the Peter Courtney Minto-Brown Island bicycle and pedestrian bridge which also connects to the pedestrian that stretches into West Salem and the Wallace Marine Park.
The Oregon Gardens are located in nearby Silverton and showcase a stunning 80-acre collection of over 20 specialty gardens, including a "Hobbit House." They also provide an interactive light display during the winter.
Salem Pioneer Cemetery a scenic and peaceful cemetery that have some of Oregon's oldest gravestones from the original pioneers.
Riverfront Park is the premier park in downtown Salem that links Minto Brown park with the Wallace Marine park. It is the home to many of Salem's annual events, including the World Beat Festival, 4th of July Celebration, Summer Movies in the Park, and Holiday Tree Lighting, as well as the Riverfront Carousel, A.C. Gilbert Discovery Village, the Willamette Queen sternwheeler, outdoor amphitheater, splash pad, and even a temporary ice skating rink.
Martha Springer Botanical G
arden is located on Willamette's campus along the Mill Stream (north and east sides of the Sparks gym). There are 12 smaller gardens, including a butterfly garden, herb garden, alpine rock garden, theme borders, and ethnobotany gardens.
Oregon State Capitol Building is across State Street. View the statues of important leaders of Oregon's past, columns from the previous capitol buildings, the Governor's ceremonial office, the Walk of Flags of each state and the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon, the Golden Pioneer on the Capitol's rotunda, the Grand Entrance and legislative wings, and the famous cherry tree blossoms each spring.
The Saturday Market is a few blocks away from campus. It features local produce, flowers, meat/dairy, nursery products, plus countless arts and& crafts, and handmade/handcrafted products.