Oregon State Capitol
A 1938 building crowned by the Gold Man.
Salem
Oregon's capital in the Willamette Valley wine country, with a golden pioneer atop its Art Deco capitol.
It has lovely spring tulips and irises nearby, and it's where One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was filmed.
- Best Time
- Spring and fall
- Time Needed
- Half a day
- Cost Level
- $$$$
- Open
- Year-round
- Getting There
- About 1 hour south of Portland, on Amtrak.
What to See
1 of 3 are freeRiverfront Carousel
A local favorite, hand-carved.
Willamette Valley wineries
Great Pinot Noir nearby.
Know Before You Go
- Check opening hours before you go, especially on weekends and at state buildings.
Where to Stay
Stay downtown.
Where to Eat
Our picks are on the way.
Editor's picks. Nobody paid to be on this list.
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Traveler Reviews
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Go Next
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Must-SeeCrater Lake National Park
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America's deepest lake, startlingly blue, in the caldera of a volcano that erupted 7,700 years ago.
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Last checked 2026-11-01. Part of the Pacific Northwest list.