The Red Lion Hotel Salem, conveniently located just off I-5, puts you in the midst of many attractions in and around Oregon's capital city.
Salem
Salem is the capital city of Oregon, and has something for just about everyone. From beautiful vistas and parks, to outstanding performing and visual arts, to quaint shopping and amazing dining experiences, Salem perfectly encapsulates exactly what it means to be an Oregonian.
Red Lion Hotel Salem
Hager Grove Pear Tree (Pyrus communis)
This pear tree is one of the oldest and largest in Oregon. It is the lone survivor of an orchard planted by the Munkre family, later known as Hager's Grove. Benjamin Franklin Munkre brought his family to Oregon from Missouri in the middle 1800's.
The orchard bordered a once popular creekside camping and playground area. It now stands at the crossroads of Interstate 5 and Highway 22 in Salem.
Moon Tree (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
This Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir was raised from a seed carried to the moon by Apollo 14 astronaut Stuart Roosa in 1971. Although Roosa was a native of Oklahoma, he was no stranger to Oregon. While in college, he worked summers here as a smoke jumper and as a surveyor. Roosa trained to be an astronaut in Eastern Oregon and later returned to hunt Elk and Duck. After his historic flight, Roosa expressed his strong ties with Oregon by choosing to have his official homecoming parade in Coos Bay.
Reed Opera House
Located in the center of downtown Salem at Court and Liberty streets, this historic building is a shopping center, a home for several cafes and restaurants and hosts many community gatherings in its conference rooms.
Salem Area's Recreational Secrets
Oregon's capital city, Salem, as well as the surrounding region of Marion and Polk County are extremely diverse. Salem is known for state government, unique historic museums, award-winning wineries and beautiful gardens. However, the region also boasts outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities that are a well kept secret.
Fun on the Water
Star Trees of Willamette University (Sequoiadendron giganteum)
Presented by the class of 1942 to Willamette University on its 100th anniversary, these five giant Sequoias include the tallest of its kind on any college or university campus in the country.
Founded by Jason Lee in 1842, Willamette University is recognized as the oldest university in the west. Since 1997, the campus annually decorates the five trees with Holiday lights from mid-December to January. The tree-lighting ceremony includes music from several Willamette University choirs and music ensembles.
Waldo Park Tree (Sequoiadendron giganteum)
Judge William Waldo, the son of an 1842 pioneer, planted this sequoia in 1872. Waldo made efforts during his lifetime to preserve the tree and over time others have saved it from the encroaching street system. In 1936 the Salem City Council declared the site, a twelve by twenty foot plot of land, a City Park.
It is located at 605 Summer Street NE (at the corner of Summer and Union Streets) in Salem, Oregon.