Holman Top Picks for Spring Flings
From historic downtown to award winning wineries, contemporary art to the acclaimed culinary scene, Salem blooms with unique experiences, events and cultural offerings that celebrate the best of the capitol city. Here’s our top picks for things to do, see and experience during a springtime visit to Salem.
Cherry City Spring Flea Market
April 2 – Salem Convention Center
Join us for a local shopping experience with over 60 vendors specializing in vintage clothing, vintage décor, handmade candles, handcrafted jewelry, original artwork and much more. The perfect place to shop for early Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gifts.
June 3 – 4 – Oregon State Fairgrounds
A fun family-oriented event with a pop culture and comic book inspired theme. Enjoy two full days of fun activities including; family art area, hot-wheels racetrack, stage shows, interactive panels, photo opportunities, special guests, theme cars, cosplay contest and more.
June 23-25 – Salem Riverfront Park
This year, the annual World Beat Festival celebrates the Philippines! Join us in Riverfront Park where you can experience the music, dance, food and traditions of over 70 nations and cultures. Teams from the Pacific Northwest gather at Riverfront Park for Dragon Boat racing on the Willamette River.
June 30 – July 4 – St. Paul Rodeo Arena
The St. Paul Rodeo will continue to bring a slice of the old West to the north Willamette Valley each 4th of July and to give those who attend a look at one of the nation’s finest professional rodeos and some of the most exciting and colorful entertainment offered anywhere.
Farmers Markets, wineries, local gardens and parks are spectacular in the springtime. Here’s our top picks for foodies, wine enthusiasts, and nature lovers.
March 4 – October 28
Grown to be one of the largest market operations in the State of Oregon, Salem Community Markets proudly present handmade, handcrafted or homegrown products. Explore fresh local produce, flowers, nursery products, authentic artisan food and artisan crafts.
No journey to Oregon is complete without experiencing the majesty of Oregon Wine Country. As you travel through the Willamette Valley, take time to taste world-renowned Pinot Noir and drink in the magnificent vineyard views. Oregon wineries, often family-owned, focus on small-batch, high-quality production.
Waterfall Trails in the Willamette Valley
Waterfalls are an obvious highlight of our state’s rain-abundant naturescape. And with its sprawling forests and lush waterways, the Willamette Valley is gifted with dozens of trails to tumbling falls. Add a misty hike to your Oregon bucket list!
Hiking in spring and early summer is a treasure hunt of color as wildflowers bloom in the meadows and mountains of Oregon, typically at their peak in May and early June. See plenty of flowers along modest loop trails in the Willamette Valley and be rewarded at the top with panoramic views of the Cascades.
Historic Deepwood Estate’s Lord and Schryver Garden
A Victorian historic house designed in the Queen Anne style situated in a five acre public park with formal gardens, nature trails, greenhouse, and original carriage house. The beloved gardens are maintained by Deepwood’s dedicated volunteers and the Lord and Schryver Conservancy. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Deepwood offers a variety of experiences including events and programs, and is open to the public year round.
This city park is home to an amazing collection of plants and designed landscapes, both historic and contemporary. The 90.5 acre park is blanketed with Oregon White Oak trees, cherry and apple orchards, and a rose garden with over 2,000 roses and open meadows, a greenhouse and stunning gardens with perennial, annual, tulip beds and more.
Salem offers the best of the big city and small town Oregon – where one-of-a-kind experiences allow you to get up close and personal with the crafters and creators, artists and government leaders who call this region home. Here’s our top picks for arts, entertainment, museums and history.
A restored 1926 vaudeville theatre hosting over 140 events a year. From Bach to Rock and Broadway to Ballet…The Elsinore has it all!
Gilbert House Children’s Museum
A private nonprofit children’s museum within Salem’s Riverfront Park. The museum has 16 hands-on S.T.E.A.M. exhibits, a 20,000 square foot Outdoor Discovery Area, field trips, STEM Workshops, and educational programs in sciences, arts, and humanities.
The only liberal arts college art museum in the Northwest. A leader in the research on the art of the Northwest, the museum contains one of the most significant collections of Northwest art and a history of important publications and exhibitions. The museum’s collections reflect the rich Pacific Northwest culture and explore the history of art around the world.
A beautiful handcrafted operational carousel ride in historic downtown Salem at Riverfront Park. Family-friendly affordable fun for all to enjoy. Local volunteers carved more than 40 horses by hand for this indoor carousel, which opened in 2001.
Explore the capitol building and grounds, discover our heritage and learn about how citizens like you helped create some of Oregon’s unique laws. Perched atop the Oregon State Capitol stands the Oregon Pioneer, a symbol of the independent spirit of Oregonians.
The Willamette Heritage Center
Connecting generations by preserving and interpreting Mid-Willamette Valley history, the fourteen historic structures at the Willamette Heritage Center house permanent and changing exhibits, a research library and archive, and a textile learning center. The five-acre campus is also home to retail shops, art galleries, and cooperative artist studios.
Ready to hit the road? In Oregon it’s about the journey as much as the destination. And the destinations are pretty great here. Stop reading about all this incredible bounty, and come see, taste and experience it for yourself. While you’re here, we welcome you at The Holman, where craft, comfort and connection unite.