Take a Walk …

…Around Salem Pioneer Cemetery

As one of Oregon’s oldest burial grounds with graves dating to the Oregon Trail era, it’s worth a slow walk—the inscriptions alone are a history lesson, and it’s cool and quiet even in peak summer. Commercial St SE and Hoyt St

…Around Willamette University

The oldest university west of the Mississippi has a campus designed for wandering with its beautifully tree-lined grounds, historic buildings, green spaces, and Mill Stream running through it. Walk from the Hallie Ford Museum through the main quad and out to the Capitol grounds across the street. It’s a half-hour that costs nothing. 900 State St. 

PS: It can also give you time to familiarize yourself with the locations of each building for future events, such as Theatre 33’s summer season at Pelton Playhouse and classical concerts with Willamette Master Chorus at Hudson Hall.

…Around A Green Space Larger than Central Park

At more than 1,200 acres, Minto-Brown Island Park is larger than New York City’s Central Park. Miles of trails winding through wetlands, woodlands, and open fields, create one of Salem’s favorite places to walk, run, bike, bird, and explore. 2200 Minto Island Rd SE (You can also get to the park from Riverfront via the Taco Peter Courtney Minto Island Bridge.)

…Through Salem’s Public Art Collection

The City of Salem maintains a public art collection spread across downtown: sculptures, murals, and installations that many people walk past every day without noticing. Download a map at PressPlaySalem.com and see how many you can spot.

…and while you are downtown, pop in to Stefani Gallery, Salem on the Edge, and Elsinore Framing for more art. Click here to see what’s on exhibit this summer. 

PS: Interested in art? 

Check out the Art Lover’s Tour of the Bush House Museum. Beyond the standard, this special experience focuses on the Bush family art collection. Limited to a small group, it offers a rare chance to dive deeper into the stories behind the works on display. 1:30 p.m. Jul 12. bushhousemuseum.org

Take a seat for Art House Theater Day, a celebration of independent cinema featuring a day of films, movie trivia, and big-screen discoveries. The lineup ranges from cult classics and documentaries to international favorites, giving film lovers plenty of reasons to settle in and stay awhile. July 30 at Salem Cinema. salemcinema.com 

Explore the stories, ideas, and artists behind Handmade Revolution: Craft in the Pacific Northwest during a free gallery talk led by curator Jonathan Bucci. 12:30 p.m. Jul 21 & Aug 18 at Hallie Ford Museum of Art. hfma.willamette.edu

Author: The Instigator