Salem – Things to do with your Team
Besides being the capital of Oregon, Salem is referred to as “The Cherry City.” Going back quite a few decades, Salem was famous for its cherry-growing industry and used to have cherry festivals each year in the early 1900s.
The festivals stopped sometime after World War I and were later revitalized in the 1940s for a few years, but in present day these festivals are sadly no longer held. While in Salem, your team may not be able to participate in a cherry festival, but you will still have a “sweet” time visiting.
Salem’s Riverfront Carousel
Stop at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel, one of Salem’s famous landmarks, and take a ride on this marvelously handcrafted carousel. The horses in the carousel are created with attention to detail like you’ve never seen before. Some have squirrels or other little animals hanging onto them, and the different poses and facial expressions make every horse unique.
Go beyond riding the carousel and see where the horses are crafted! The shop that designs and creates these horses is right in Riverfront Park and allows visitors to walk through the workshops and watch the designers in action.
Other attractions are available to your team while in Riverfront Park, such as walkways, a small spray ground water park, snow cones, and popcorn. This little piece of Americana is a must-see while in Salem. 101 Front St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Gilbert House Children’s Museum
Everyone knows that museums that allow you to touch and play with the exhibits are the best ones. Learn while having fun at Gilbert House Children’s Museum.
With interactive displays for all ages, at Gilbert House you can let out your inner scientist and experiment as you wish. Become an architect and design your own fort to live in, get a bird’s eye view in their tree house, build pipe tracks on the wall and test them out by rolling a ball through your course, or explore the origin of dinosaur fossils.
These are only some examples of what to expect at Gilbert House. You may not be able to get to everything since there’s so much to do, but if you devout some time, you can experience a lot. 116 Marion St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Minto-Brown Island Park
Traveling and playing tournaments can get exhausting. Always being on the move and going from place to place starts to wear on you after a while. Sometimes a nice relaxing walk in the park is just what the doctor ordered.
During your time in Salem, Minto-Brown Island Park is the perfect spot to catch your breath. The largest park in Salem, even bigger than Central Park in New York, Minto-Brown functions as a park and wildlife sanctuary. Blue herons, osprey, and other woodland critters call this park home; keep your eyes peeled for them!
The Willamette River runs throughout the park, along with creeks and ponds scattered on the grounds. Picnic areas and observation decks are also accessible so you can enjoy a meal or get a better view of your surroundings. 2200 Minto Island Rd SW, Salem, OR 97302
B-17 Alliance Museum & Restoration Hangar
They don’t make planes like they used to anymore. Today’s aircraft may be more technologically advanced, but the sight of a World War II plane brings about feelings of pure curiosity and excitement.
Take the team to Salem’s B-17 Alliance Museum & Restoration Hangar and watch them get swept away by the sheer awesomeness of the “Lacey Lady,” a B-17G Flying Fortress under full restoration in the hangar. Workers are in the process of restoring this phenomenal aircraft back to its former glory in the hopes to one day get it up in the skies again.
It’ll be hard to pull the team away from the hangar, but do remember to check out the museum’s collection of World War II artifacts as well for a more thorough encounter.
Group tours are offered, but the museum advises you call ahead to schedule them. 3278 25th St SE, Salem, OR 97302
AMF Firebird Lanes
Bowling is one of those activities that never gets old and for good reason. From young kids to adults, bowling provides guaranteed enjoyment for all.
Whether it’s rainy outside or you’re just looking for something fun to do for an hour or two, AMF Firebird Lanes is a viable option. This 32-lane bowling alley employs the friendliest, most helpful staff around. They’ll get you situated and aid you in all of your bowling needs. Take a few lanes, and find out who the best bowler on the team is.
If you start to feel a little bowled out, check out AMF’s arcade. The team has the option to order food while there as well. 4303 Center St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Volcanoes Stadium
Take a trip to Volcanoes Stadium for some explosive minor league baseball. Home of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes, this single-A team actually plays in Keizer, Oregon. Fret not because it’s only a short drive from Salem. This intimate stadium provides an ideal baseball atmosphere that your team will love.
The Volcanoes play the majority of their games during the evening, but do have some scheduled during mid and late afternoon, making it easier to find the time to go. On designated nights the stadium puts on a firework show after the game as well. Concessions are always accessible in case the team gets hungry. 6700 Field Of Dreams Way NE, Keizer, OR 97303
Regal Santiam Stadium 11
Movies make a great end of the day activity when you want to unwind. You and your team will have plenty of movies to choose from when you stop at Regal Santiam Stadium 11. The theater offers 10 or 11 movies on a daily basis with a multitude of show times for each.
This is a flexible activity that you can fit in anywhere in your busy schedule. Grab a popcorn and soda, lounge in the Regal’s comfortable seats, and enjoy the show. 365 Lancaster Dr SE, Salem, OR 97301
Exitus Escape Rooms
Escape rooms all have the same goal; it’s the themes that really set one escape room apart from another. Exitus Escape Rooms has three uniquely themed rooms your team can pick and attempt to escape from. Your options are the Hermit’s Lair, Poe’s Legacy, and Arctic Outbreak.
Each of the rooms will challenge the team with their own set of puzzles to solve. There’s no wrong choice when deciding which one to try. Don’t worry about getting hung up on a clue, because Exitus’ staff is with you every step of the way if you need a little nudge in the right direction. 155 Liberty St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Salem’s beautiful scenic parks will leave you in awe as you traverse through them and relish in the sunshine. The amount of fun you and your team will have in the city is going to be recounted for quite a while after you leave. With so much to do in such a short amount of time, you’ll be wishing you can stay longer.