Fuel Up & Explore

Your Perfect Pre-Race Saturday in Salem

Race weekend is about more than the starting line—it’s also an opportunity to experience the character of the city hosting you. Salem combines scenic surroundings with a lively urban core that makes it easy to fill your downtime.

Saturday July 18 (Pre-Race Day)

Morning — Late Afternoon

Downtown Salem makes an ideal home base for many of these experiences. If you're staying near Riverfront Park, downtown Salem offers plenty to do within walking distance. Enjoy riverside paths, the pedestrian bridge to Minto-Brown Island Park, eclectic boutiques, cozy cafés, creative breweries, and kid-friendly spaces all within a compact area that’s easy to navigate during race weekend.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Manna Bakery, Sybil’s Omelets Unlimited, or Isaac’s Downtown, then stroll through the lively Salem Saturday Market. Here, you can sample fresh berries, meet artisan cheesemakers, browse handmade goods, and soak in the energy of the mid-Willamette Valley. After the market, enjoy a peaceful walk around Bush’s Pasture Parkbefore touring the Bush House Museum and nearby Deepwood Museum & Gardens, both surrounded by beautifully maintained historic gardens. For an early pre-race dinner, Taproot Lounge & Café and Venti’s Downtown & Beer Vault are excellent downtown options offering nourishing, athlete-friendly menus.

Viajar a Salem

Whether you’re flying in, hopping a train, or cruising down I-5, getting here is easy—and exploring is even easier. Learn More

Questions?

Travel Salem Visitor Center

info@travelsalem.com
503.581.4325