The city of Salem is an independent territory found in the state of Oregon, belonging to the Marion and Polk County. Salem is the 2nd largest city in Oregon and gets a significant number of tourists each year for their heritage landmarks and local celebrations. Because of that, we've brought together a few fun facts about the city of Salem you should know!
Named after Salem, Massachusetts, Salem has a rich origin background from being discovered in 1842 during the tail end of settlement civilizations to its incorporation into the United States in 1857 and its status today as an independent city. From the festivals and events that the city holds on a regular basis, to the sensational local restaurants and bars both the natives and tourists love, Salem is home to a diverse community and intricate culture and history.
With a land area of 48.68 sq mi and a water area of 0.55 sq mi, Salem holds a total populace of 175,535. Ranking 2nd in the state of Oregon, the city of Salem is made of a truly varied mix of people, originating from all walks of life and backgrounds. And with SLE only a ways off from the center of the city, it's not surprising that Salem Municipal Airport gets hundreds and thousands of people coming and going into Salem every day, whether for business or leisure.
Coming from an elaborate history as a city and part of the state of Oregon, Salem hosts a lot of the top restaurants and world-renowned hotels. Check out our Top 5 lists of the city's premier dining experiences and fanciest hotel rooms for when you're in Salem. And while you're here in town, you might as well explore some of Salem's most well-known landmarks to make the most of your trip here, like the Bush's Pasture Park, Deepwood Museum & Gardens, and Gaiety Hollow. Whether you're an art aficionado, want to enjoy a nice day out in the park, or want to take your young ones to see and learn about animals in the zoo, Salem has got the place for you!
After, if you want to unwind and enjoy a chill night in, you can visit some of the city's most reputable bars and joints to get a little bit of downtime and relaxation after a long day. If you time your vacation just right, you might even be able to catch one of our annual festivities and special events. You could even catch a game or two at McCulloch Stadium while you're in town! Whether you come here regularly for work or are visiting on a holiday, we're sure you'll enjoy your stay at Salem.
Click here to know the best places to visit in Salem, Oregon.