Favorite Places to Hang Out in Salem, Oregon

Salem Oregon is always adding great places to get together and make memories, whether it’s trendy cafes or beautiful outdoor venues.

Our “Rediscovering Salem” series is my way of looking at my hometown from a tourist’s perspective. My goal is to cover both the classic Salem spots as well as new or up-and-coming places that have brought more character to the area since I moved away.

Updated: June 2020. Originally published: June 2018.

Read more from the Rediscovering Salem series here: 
Fantastic Day Trips from Salem 
Local's Guide to Things to Do in Salem
5 Favorite Places to Run (or Walk) in Salem
Top Places to Enjoy Salem's Summer Harvest
Best Coffee Shops with Wifi for Work or Studying in Salem, Oregon
Top Salem Hotels and Vacation Rentals
Best Hidden Gems in the Mid-Willamette Valley
Our Guide to Salem Breakfast Restaurants
Best Willamette Valley Wineries Near Salem Oregon

* Get access to our Salem map here *

Top Places to Visit in Salem

If you’re looking for a great place to hang out with friends in Salem, Oregon, these are some of our favorite spots for you to check out:

Broadway Coffeehouse

As soon as we landed back in Oregon, I started hearing talk about the Broadway Coffeehouse. Being a digital nomad and someone who loves to work in bright, open spaces, I made a point to check it out right away.

It quickly became a favorite, and we were able to schedule a brief meeting with the former Manager, Matt Swain, to learn more about it.

Although I was originally drawn to the space itself, which I think is absolutely fantastic for work, meetings, or just hanging out, I quickly learned that they serve some of the most exceptional coffee in Salem as well. Their aim is to provide the best possible coffee experience in every cup, which is why they’ve partnered with Stumptown Coffee Roasters.

The lead barista, Jacob Davis, hosts a weekly coffee tasting that’s free to the public. As Jacob explained to us, drinking high quality coffee is a way to appreciate life because coffee is really about relationships.

He reminded us of the multi-level, globe-crossing chain from coffee farmer all the way to customer, a process so involved and almost miraculous that it should give us pause every time we have that cup in our hand.

Coffee is also great for bringing people together, and Broadway Coffeehouse is well set up for that. Apart from the spacious coffeeshop and outdoor seating in the summer, there are also meeting rooms upstairs that are free to reserve online.

Their emphasis on community-building is evident with special touches like a parent room, art and music from local artists, a space to feature community partnerships, and a commitment to giving back to the community.

1300 Broadway St NE
Hours: 6am to 10pm daily
Best for: High quality coffee on the I-5 corridor, work or studying, meeting with friends, meeting with clients.

Ike Box Coffee Shop

Ike Box Coffee Shop is another cool space that came to Salem after I moved away. Like Broadway Coffeehouse, it offers some great work and hang-out spaces with a strong focus on community. 

A couple years ago, we had the opportunity to sit down with Assistant Manager, Krizti, to learn more about the amazing story behind this place. This powerful video tells it well, too:

Although they lost their son, Isaac, in 1998 at just two months old, Mark and Tiffany Bulgin were compelled to use that space Isaac left in their home and their hearts to serve. What started with foster parenting eventually extended to a life-development program and social enterprise.

In the downtown Salem building they call Isaac’s Room, the Ike Box Coffee Shop supports a training and life skills program for teens and young adults on the margins.

Through the generosity of many, Ike Box recently raised funds to buy out their historic building before it was demolished. Their website said: “Over the next couple of years we will be raising support to do much needed work and upgrades to our almost 100 year building as well as pay off the building.”

My first time into the shop, I had no clue about the story behind it. All I saw was a popular coffee shop (with over 500 transactions a day and some distinguished political figures as customers) that had a good selection of food and drinks.

I could tell that the community vibe was strong – they’re known as the “Cheers” of Salem coffee shops. But I had no idea any of the workers were in a training program!

Despite being a non-profit, the folks at IKE Box are keen to provide top notch service and quality.

Other cool aspects of IKE Box include their partnership with Hillcrest Correctional Facility, whose baking team produces the coffeecakes, s’mores bars, and rice crispy treats for the shop. They also bake some of their own items twice a week, which feature vegan and local ingredients. Sisters Coffee provides the brews.

One note for this place is it can be difficult to find free parking and the street parking meters are $.25 per 10 minutes.

299 Cottage St NE
Hours: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Best for: work or studying, parties and events, a cool place to hang out downtown

New From the Ike Box Team: Isaac’s Downtown

Isaac’s Coffee, Wine & Desserts opened in downtown Salem in late 2018.

The spacious cafe is an extension of the non-profit organization mentioned above. They have a tasty menu and bakery case you can order from at the counter. A variety of seating makes this an awesome place to meet with friends or do a little online work.

201 Commercial St NE
Hours: 7am – 5pm
Best for: Work or studying, meeting with friends or clients, brunch

Fork Forty Food Hall

Fork Forty is Salem’s latest, hip new hang out place. Doors to this downtown food hall opened in Spring of 2020. 

Fork Forty, in the historic Gray-Belle building, features the Best Goose Bar in the back. In the front are a series of food vendors, each individually owned, encircling an open dining area.

Vendors change on occasion but have included: King’s Kitchen (creative Southeast Asian food), Slick Licks (soft serve from scratch), Chubby Panda Bao House, The Brick Oven Pizza Co, Smooth (smoothies, acai bowls, avocado toast), and The Portland Press (gluten-free waffle sandwiches). 

We were delighted to pick up a sampling from four of the Fork Forty eateries during their soft opening. The flavor combinations were exciting and unlike typical Salem fare.

We love the decor of the food hall. This places elevates the Salem food scene in a big way, and we’re so happy it’s here!

440 State St, Salem, OR 97301
Hours: 11am – 9pm
Best for: Casual meet ups for a meal or treat with friends

Xicha Brewing

A brand new addition to West Salem has come out with a bang and has not slowed down since. Xicha Brewing is an innovative eatery that pairs Latin American cuisine with house-brewed beers in a family-friendly atmosphere.

In the summer, you can enjoy outdoor seating and even a game of corn hole. Colorful, casual booths, tables for larger parties, and bar seating is also available. Be prepared to wait most evenings as they seem to be busy a lot of the time.

We shared smoked fish taquitos, BBQ chicken sopes, aguacate frito, and fish tacos among four adults. Everything was delicious and colorful but especially the taquitos and fried avocado. A great way to sample their craft beers, brewed in house, is with a flight of 5.

576 Patterson St. NW
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11am-9pm, closed Monday
Best for: Tasty food, quality beer, hanging out

Salem Parks

When I think of great places to hang out in Salem’s outdoor public spaces, three parks come to mind: Bush, Riverfront, and Minto.

Bush Park

Bush Pasture Park is truly a multi-use space. From tennis courts and reservable baseball field, to playgrounds, picnic areas, a soapbox derby track, jogging paths, and an extensive garden, there is something for everyone. That’s not even mentioning the historic Bush House museum and the Bush Barn Art Center & Gallery.

For me, personally, Bush Park has always been home to summer soccer practices and the annual Salem Art Fair in July. It has also been a great place to go running over the years (see: my favorite running/walking routes in Salem).

Hours: 5am to midnight
Best for: Outdoor family play, walking with a friend, pick-up sports games, picnics, a taste of arts and culture

Riverfront Park

You could say that I came of age at the same time as Riverfront Park. When I was in high school, the park (as we now know it) was fairly new, and additions like the carousel and EcoEarth Globe were just being built. By the time I was able to drive myself around, this park had become a go-to hang out place whenever the weather was nice enough.

More recently, a pedestrian bridge was installed to connect Riverfront Park with Minto-Brown Park. So now you can bike, blade, or walk for dozens of miles between South Salem, downtown, and West Salem without crossing traffic!

Riverfront Park also hosts the annual World Beat Festival, 4th of July celebrations, Summer Movies in the Park, Holiday Tree Lighting, and several walk/run events (running routes from the park can be found here).

Hours: 5am to 10pm
Best for: Picnics, events, walking with strollers

Minto-Brown Park

Unlike Bush and Riverfront Parks, Minto-Brown Park is set among farmland, making it one of the best places in town to feel like you’ve escaped to the countryside. It also has less development than the other two parks. Apart from a large gazebo, small playground, and paved pathways, this place is mostly fields and forest.

New way-finding signs have been installed around the park, which makes it easy to navigate around the giant acreage. I’ve been going to Minto for years and there are still some areas of the park I’m not familiar with.

It’s always been one of my favorite places to go jogging (see the routes here) and also to pick blackberries. Keep your eyes open for wildlife- this is the only place I’ve seen a porcupine in person, and there have been a few cougar sightings as well!

Hours: 5am to midnight
Best for: Biking, running, walking, large group potlucks at the gazebo, fishing, and blackberry picking

Honorable Mention: Santiam Brewing

Santiam Brewing and Tasting Room has become a favorite among beer lovers since I’ve been back in the area. We haven’t been yet, but it comes recommended.

Corner of McGilchrist and 19th St
Hours: 12pm – 10pm. Saturday/Sunday opens at 10am.
Best for: Beer tasting, hanging out

Honorable Mention: Minto Island Growers

Although the Farm Stand at Minto Island Growers is seasonal, I still thought it was worth mentioning.

In addition to fresh, organic produce, teas, and plant starts at the Farm Stand, there is also a summer Food Cart with a small selection of salads, sandwiches, wood-fired pizza, and fresh berry milkshakes!

It’s a really beautiful setting to enjoy a snack. And if you want to do something a little more active, they often do U-pick berries or vegetables.

Hours: Thursday – Sunday 9am-5pm in Summer. Call ahead just to be sure (503-931-6840)
Best for: An outdoor snack or lunch in the summer, fresh produce, U-pick with the family

Places to Stay in Salem

Looking for a place to stay in Salem (or nearby) so you can enjoy all the great things the capitol city has to offer?

(Disclosure: some of these are affiliate links, which means we get a small commission if you book, at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the blog by using our links!):

We have a full guides on:

Best places to stay in Salem Oregon
Where to stay in Willamette Valley wine region

The Oregon Garden Resort on the outskirts of Silverton is the nearest resort with its own extensive gardens. We reviewed it a couple years ago.
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