Skip to content
BusinessesGrow
Oregon State Capitol, Salem, OR

Photo: M.O. Stevens, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingHistory BuffFreeRainy-Day Pick

Oregon State Capitol

900 Court St NE · Salem, OR

Why you should go…

Oregon's capitol was dedicated on October 1, 1938, and is one of five Art Deco state capitols in the nation. Its cupola rises 166 feet and carries the gold Oregon Pioneer statue. Inside, rotunda murals by Frank H. Schwarz and Barry Faulkner show scenes such as the Lewis and Clark Expedition and covered wagons. Guided building tours run on weekdays, you can also explore on your own, and a 21-acre state park surrounds the building.

  • #state capitol
  • #art deco architecture
  • #guided tour
  • #murals
  • #government building

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Oregon State Capitol, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Travel Salem Visitor Center

    Free

    Oregon's official welcome center in the state capital, with free travel counseling, maps and statewide visitor guides.

    0.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Southern Oregon Coast

    Free

    Oregon coastal region from Coos Bay to the California border, with state parks and small beach towns.

    0.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor

  • Attractions
    Free

    Englewood Forest Festival

    Free

    Free annual arts, music and nature festival held in a historic native oak and fir forest park in Salem.

    1.1 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sightseeing
    Foodie Favorite

    Willamette Valley

    Free

    Oregon's noted Pinot Noir wine region, mapped and promoted by the Willamette Valley Wineries Association's touring guide.

    2.5 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Enchanted Forest

    $25–$50

    Walk through hand-built fairy tale scenes, a western town and a European village, then ride the log flume.

    7.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Sightseeing
    Free Entry

    Silverton Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

    Free

    Silverton's chamber-run visitor center on South Water Street, with maps and guides to the town's murals, downtown shops, and nearby waterfalls and gardens.

    13 mi awayMore like this