No matter how you want to dip your toes in, this roundup of Salem-area spots will help you cool down — and then fuel up.

The founder of Oregon Kayak Tours, Shannon Valdez, grew up paddling on the Willamette River and today, she offers a lineup of guided kayak trips around Salem for first-timers and seasoned kayakers alike. Try to spot eagles and herons while paddling around Minto-Brown Island Park on the two-hour scenic downtown Salem tour. Or book the popular Salem sunset tour and take in views of the city from a kayak tricked out with lights. If you prefer to paddle solo, put in your kayak or SUP at Salem’s Wallace Marine Park. Just remember to pack a hat, sunscreen, water and your phone to post pics.

After your paddle, unwind at downtown Salem’s Venti’sCafé. The craft brews, flavorful bowls, and eclectic menu hit the spot; don’t miss the crispy sweet potato fries with house-made sauce. The newly-opened Easy Otter also has outdoor seating and is a go-to for tantalizing southern fare such as housemade chicken and waffles; gobble a few New Orleans’ style beignets for dessert. If everyone in your crew is craving something different, stop by the low-key Fork Forty Food Hall for a selection of pizza, burgers, Asian-fusion and from-scratch ice cream.

About 12 miles west of Salem, the small town of Independence is located on the Willamette River and is a playground for kayakers, SUPs — and foodies and beer-lovers. McKenzie at Independence Kayak Rentals will set you up with quality kayaks, safety tips and full-on gear, seven days a week. Take a casual paddle around the Independence area or, if you want a bigger adventure, McKenzie will drop off the kayaks to you in Independence and pick you up at Mark Lloyd Park (a 4-mile paddle) or Salem’s Wallace Marine Park (a 12-mile paddle). Or bring your own kayak and drop in at the Independence boat ramp, which has a handy life-jacket loan station.

Feeling peckish? Grab an outdoor seat at The Inferno and enjoy a handmade cocktail prepared with spirits from Divine Distillers and mouthwatering meats cooked over a live fire. Suds-lovers will want to hit up the spacious Parallel 45 in Independence for a post-paddle pint crafted on the premises and bites from the rotating food trucks, or take your crew to Monmouth’s Yeasty Beasty for a Buffalo Chicken Beasty pizza — the dough is made from yeast they cultivate onsite and the beer taps are regional.

Just south of Salem, Turner Lake Park offers a sandy beach, picnic tables and ramp access to a lake that’s perfect for swimmers, kiddos with wing floaties and beginner paddlers. Gear up at nearby Turn-n Paddle, which rents kayaks and SUPs seven days a week through September. After a day of fun in the sun, chill out with a frosty locally crafted beer or cider at Angel’s Share Barrel House in downtown Turner. The barrel house is located in a beautifully renovated church and the Revival Burger is heavenly. Turner Pizza and Taphouse also has an old-timey vibe and the 14-inch Hot Rod pepperoni pizza will feed an entire family.

If you’re craving thrills, book a whitewater rafting adventure on the North Santiam River with eNRG Kayaking. Founded by Olympic kayaker Sam Drevo and located about 30 miles east of Salem in Mill City, opt for the scenic half-day rafting trip and spot eagles as you casually float with the kids down the river, or sign up for the half-day whitewater trip and tackle class III rapids. Each trip includes a knowledgeable guide, safety instruction, a raft or inflatable kayak, lifejacket and helmet.

Looking for a family-friendly swimming hole? Take the trail at nearby Bear Creek Park down to the Santiam riverbank and jump in the clear, deep pool. When hunger strikes, family-owned Giovanni’s Mountain Pizza makes their dough fresh every day; meat-eaters must try the Sasquatch pizza. If you’re eager to get back to Salem, make a pit stop at Mill City Grill for a quick burger or pop into the cottage-like Rosie’s Mountain Coffee on Hwy 22 for locally-roasted espresso and thick sandwiches.

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Come to Salem for the Englewood Forest Festival, a magical summer day of art, music, dance, and hands-on nature activities in a beautiful park with towering Oregon white oak and Douglas fir trees. The festival unfolds 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10 in Englewood Park, 1260 19th St. NE. The park, a key feature of the event, is a 7-acre native remnant forest with a large native pollinator garden, many birds and other wildlife. More than 50 diverse artists and authors will show their paintings, sculpture, prints, photography, jewelry, fiber art, poetry books and more. An array of musical and dance performances will unfold all day on two stages. Well-known performers include Ty Curtis, Paradise of Samoa, Gail Gage Jazz, the Aztec Dancers, Salem Aerial Dancer Co., Ballet Folklorico Guelaguetza, Phoenix, and more. Music includes blues, jazz, classical, folk, pop, and Latin.

Designed by the renowned landscape team of Lord & Schryver, Englewood Park is a historic gem in Salem and a perfect place to enjoy art, connect and learn more about the natural world we live in. The free, family-friendly festival features an array of offerings for everyone. Hands-on activities center on inspiring future scientists and on what people can do in their own yards to protect and support trees, birds, bees, flowers and streams. Under a canopy of trees, children and adults can learn about the Willamette Valley habitat, view pollinators under a microscope, and learn about owls, invertebrates, beavers, trees, and native plants. They can play an instrument, make a bird feeder, take home local wildflower seeds, and learn how to help injured wildlife. Special workshops include painting a Mexican Alebrije animal sculpture, making a terrarium to take home, and writing poetry about nature with a poet and ecologist. Nonprofit vendors on hand will include Chintimini Wildlife Center, Oregon Dept. of Forestry, Salem Environmental Education, US Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, ENLACE Cross-Cultural Development, Institute for Applied Ecology, Marion County Master Gardeners, Mid-Valley Poetry Society, and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, among others. The park has a splash pad, two playgrounds, and one of the best urban wildflower gardens in the Mid-Willamette Valley.

The Englewood Forest Festival is sponsored in part by grants from the City of Salem Transient Occupancy Tax, the Marion Cultural Corp., N2 Community Partnership Team, Fischer Hayes Joye & Allen, Northeast Neighbors, and Storyteller for Good. There is free street parking.

For more details, a schedule of performances and workshops, go to www.englewoodforestfestival.org, find Englewood Forest Festival on Facebook, or call 503-877-4731.