Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Slovenia mushroom foraging
Slovenia • 6 days, 5 nights
Forest to Table in Alpine Slovenia
from
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Obelisk of Senusret I.
Obelisk of Senusret I
The front of the museum in present day.
The Railway Museum (Spoorwegmuseum)
Detail of the church’s right aisle
The Mosaic of Andreina
The older engine.
Dalat Railway Station
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è pasta... E pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
Cesare al Pellegrino
Romans insist you should feel the cracked peppercorns and cheese grains on your tongue.
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Tripe is fried to a crisp.
L’Osteria della Trippa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
People paddling in their wooden canoes on one of the lakes near the Allagash Waterway in the north woods in Maine
The Allagash Abductions: This State Park’s Most Famous Visitors ... Are Aliens?
about 4 hours ago
The rocky Revere Beach coast in Revere, Massachusetts, just outside Boston.
Which Places With Bad Raps Are Actually Worth Visiting?
1 day ago
A dugong displays the telltale “smile.”
Saving the Sea Cows of Vanuatu
1 day ago
The first photo of the “woolly devil” made a stir among botanists when Deb Manley uploaded it to iNaturalist in March 2024.
How the Woolly Devil, Member of a New Plant Genus, Was Discovered on a Hike in Big Bend
2 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All the United States Oregon Salem

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Salem

2 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Salem, Oregon

Updated December 30, 2021

Email
Attractions
Map
Leaderboards
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in Salem

The Museum of Mental Health

Salem, Oregon

Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health

An institution that preserves the history of institutionalization.
Docked.  Note the upper cable to which the ferryboat is tethered.

Salem, Oregon

Wheatland Ferry

This incongruous small ferry across the Willamette River north of Salem, Oregon has been operating continuously since the 1850s.
Are we missing something unusual?
Add it!
The Ice Mountain bobsled roller coaster.

Turner, Oregon

Enchanted Forest

This charmingly homemade amusement park has been growing for 40 years.
7 miles from Salem
The Slough in late afternoon.

Dallas, Oregon

Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge

A haven for wildlife amid the farmlands and development of the Willamette River Valley.
10 miles from Salem
The Gordon House by Frank Lloyd Wright

Silverton, Oregon

The Gordon House

The only house in Oregon designed by the famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.
12 miles from Salem
Entrance sign. (Wikimedia Commons)

Mount Angel, Oregon

Mount Angel Abbey Museum

World's largest porcine hairball sits in a collection maintained by Benedictine monks.
15 miles from Salem
Erratic Rock State Natural Site

McMinnville, Oregon

Erratic Rock State Natural Site

A 36-ton remnant of the last Ice Age now resides amid picturesque vineyards.
18 miles from Salem
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Salem, Oregon

Salem Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. slgwv
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Salem.

Places Edited

  1. Rachel
    1
  2. Shannon Ohaire
    1
  3. Martin
    1
  4. eo
    1
  5. ebonywilliams71776
    1
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. dianag
    2
  2. nlynch1010
    2
  3. mammagrande
    2
  4. sarahjo0606
    2
  5. sublimeseattle
    2
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Salem.

Recent Salem Activity

  • snailforpresident

    has been to Wheatland Ferry

    11 days ago
  • della1217

    wants to go to Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health

    9 days ago
  • elliottparkerjay

    wants to go to Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health

    8 days ago
  • pat 07d7290e

    wants to go to Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health

    6 days ago
  • elenicnm

    has been to Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health

    2 days ago

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.