Traveling to Salem for a Campus Visit

Parking on campus

• Parking permits are required for all Willamette University parking lots.
• Metered and unmetered city parking is available nearby on Winter, State and Cottage streets.
• Additional information is available on the Campus Safety site.

Transportation to campus

• Portland International Airport: 60 miles north of Salem
• Groome Shuttle: Shuttle between Portland airport and Salem
• Amtrak: Daily train service to Salem. The station is across the street from campus
• Greyhound: Full bus service to Salem. Depot is located at the Amtrak station.
• Cherriots: City bus service
• Bicycle map of Salem

• Travel Salem
• Salem Entertainment
• Travel Oregon
• Oregon Wine Explorer

These are just a few of our favorite places to eat in Salem.

• 503 Sushi - 10 minute walk - $ - Sushi
• ACME Cafe - 8 minute drive - $$ - American
• Adam's Rib Smoke House - 4 minute walk - $$ - BBQ
• Amadeus - 9 minute walk - $$ - American
• Archive Coffee & Bar- 8 minute walk - $$ - Café
• Azul's Taco - 13 minute walk - $$ - Tacos
• Bentley's Grill - 12 minute walk - $$ - American
• Best Little Road House - 6 minute drive - $$ - American
• Bo & Vine - 10 minute drive - $$ - American
• Boon's Treasury (McMenamins) - 7 minute drive - $$ - American
• Cascadia Pizza - 16 minute walk - $$ - American
• Christo's Pizzeria & Lounge - 7 minute drive - $$ - Pizza
• DaVinci Ristorante - 7 minute walk - $$$ - American
• Fork Forty Food Hall - 8 minute walk - $$-$$$ - Food Hall
• Fuji RiceTime - 7 minute walk - $$ - Japanese
• Gamberetti's - 12 minute walk - $$ - Italian
• Gepetto's Italian Restaurant - 9 minute drive - $$ - Italian
• Gerry Frank's Konditorei - 6 minute drive - $$ Desserts
• Happy Bibimbap House- 7 minute walk - $$ - Korean
• IKE Box Café - 7 minute walk - $ - Café
• India Palace - 11 minute walk - $$ - Indian
• La Margarita- 6 minute walk - $$ - Mexican
• Masonry Grill- 10 minute walk - $$ - American
• Momiji - 6 minute drive - $$ - Sushi
• Noble Wave- 9 minute walk - $$ - American
• Ritter's Housemade Foods - 8 minute walk - $$ - American
• Rudy's Steakhouse - 13 minute walk - $$$ - Steakhouse
• Sassy Onion- 4 minute walk - $$ - Sassy Onion
• Straight from New York Pizza 11 minute walk - $ - Pizza
• Sybil’s Omelettes - 4 minute drive - $$ - American
• Taproot - 9 minute walk - $$ - American
• Thai Orchid - 11 minute walk - $$ - Thai
• The Coin Jam - 10 minute walk - $$ - Barcade
• The Cozy Taberna- 12 minute walk -  $$ - Spain
• The Gov Cup - 7 minute walk - $ - Café
• Venti's Cafe - 11 minute walk - $$ - American
• Wild Pear Restaurant & Catering- 8 minute walk - $$ - Vietnamese/American
• Word of Mouth Bistro - 12 minute walk - $$ - American

For a complete list of Salem eateries, visit the Travel Salem website.

There are more than 1,900 hotel rooms within Salem, and numerous national chains have hotels in the city. Several of these facilities offer special Willamette rates; be sure to call and ask prior to making reservations. Rates do not include city or state taxes. Here are just a few places that we recommend.

The Grand Hotel Salem
Address: 201 Liberty St. SE, Salem, OR 97301
Reservations: 503-540-7800 or 1-877-540-7800

From the hotel: The Grand Hotel in Salem is a proud partner with Willamette University. We welcome families of all current and prospective students. Please ask for the Willamette University Rate when making your reservations. We look forward to hosting you on your visit to Salem!

• Located in downtown Salem, less than 1/2 mile from campus and within walking distance.
• Bentley's Grill (restaurant and lounge) adjoins the hotel, featuring Northwest cuisine and offering more than 200 Pacific Northwest wines.
• Complimentary hot breakfast buffet, covered parking, high-speed internet, room service, indoor pool, spa and fitness center are available to all guests.

Hampton Inn and Suites Salem
Address: 510 Hawthorne Ave. SE, Salem, OR 97301
Reservations: 503-362-1300 or 1-866-460-7456

From the hotel: The Hampton Inn and Suites in Salem is proud to partner with Willamette University to host prospective student families as well as families of current students. Visitors should request the Willamette University Rate when making their accommodation arrangements.

• A quick 2-mile drive to campus
• Fitness facility, indoor pool and spa tub, complimentary wireless Internet access, free hot daily breakfast and on-the-run breakfast bags, convenience store, free self-parking, complimentary reception Tuesday through Thursday evenings.

Shilo Inn
Address: 3304 Market St NE, Salem, OR 97301
Reservations: 503-581-4001

From the hotel: Request the Willamette University Rate when making accommodation arrangements. 

• 2.5 miles from campus
• Complimentary hot breakfast, microwaves and mini-fridges in all rooms, meeting room, free WiFi and parking, indoor pool and hot tub, fitness center, business center, guest laundry

Holman Riverfront Park Hotel-Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Address: 195 Commercial Street SE, Salem OR 97301
Reservations: 971-900-5560

From the hotel: To friends of Willamette University, students and alum, please refer to Willamette University when reserving your next stay with us.

• Within walking distance to campus, less than ½ mile away.
• Contemporary in design and personality, The Holman Riverfront Park Hotel Salem, Tapestry Collection by Hilton unites Craft, Comfort and Connection in the heart of downtown Salem.
• Join us at Cora Coffee where you'll find locally sourced coffee roasters and fast casual breakfast options daily.
• Extending from the hotel lobby with open arms, Pacific Standard, a modern West Coast drinking and dining hall, welcomes visitors home after a busy day, setting the stage for great gatherings and connection. Open daily for lunch, happy hour and dinner.
• Amenities: Valet Parking, Pet Friendly, Room Service, Fitness Center

Other Lodging

For other lodging options in the Salem area, including hotels, bed and breakfasts, and RV parks, visit Travel Salem.

Here is a brief list of activity recommendations from Willamette University students and staff.

Campus Events

• Campus Event Calendar

The Arts

• Hallie Ford Museum Of Art
• Elsinore Theatre

Attractions

• Deepwood Museum & Gardens
• Enchanted Forest Theme Park
• Gilbert House Children's Museum
• Oregon State Capitol
• Salem’s Riverfront Carousel
• Willamette Heritage Center

Outdoors

• Croisan Creek & Skyline Trail
• Detroit Lake State Recreation Area
• Silver Falls State Park
• The Oregon Garden

Parks

• Bush’s Pasture Park
• Minto-Brown Island Park
• Riverfront Park

Wineries and Vineyards

• Bethel Heights Vineyard
• Honeywood Winery
• Willamette Valley Vineyards

Portland International Airport is Oregon‘s largest airport. Willamette University is a 1 hour 5 minute drive south on Interstate 205 and then on Interstate 5. Follow the directions to campus from Interstate 5 North.

1. Take the Highway 22 exit (number 253).
2. At the first light, head west (a left turn for those coming from the south, a right when coming from the north).
3. Stay on Highway 22 for about 2 miles.
4. As you pass 17th street you'll start up an overpass.
5. At the top of this overpass there is an exit to the right.
6. Take this exit (Willamette University is indicated on the sign).
7. Keep left as the exit divides.
8. After passing through the stoplight, you will see a Willamette University sign and entrance to the right (this is the southeast corner of campus). Pass by, and continue to the next stoplight, at Winter Street.
9. Turn right on Winter Street, then pull into the Guest Parking lot immediately on the right.

1. Take Highway 18 from Lincoln City (off Highway 101) east.
2. Stay on Highway 18 for about 27 miles.
3. Take the Salem exit (Highway 22).
4. Stay on Highway 22 for about 25 miles.
5. Highway 22 will take you into downtown Salem, crossing a bridge over the Willamette River, onto Center Street.
6. 3 blocks down, turn right on High Street.
7. 3 blocks down, turn left on State Street.
8. 3 blocks down, turn right on Winter Street (this is the northwest corner of campus).
9. Just before the stoplight (Bellevue Street), turn left into the Guest Parking lot.

1. Take Highway 22 west.
2. After your pass over I-5, stay on Highway 22 for about 2 miles.
3. As you pass 17th street you'll start up an overpass.
4. At the top of this overpass there is an exit to the right.
5. Take this exit (Willamette University is indicated on the sign).
6. Keep left as the exit divides.
7. After passing through the stoplight, you will see a Willamette University sign and entrance to the right (this is the southeast corner of campus). Pass by, and continue to the next stoplight, at Winter Street.
8. Turn right on Winter Street, then pull into the Guest Parking lot immediately on the right.