Wondering what to do as a family on a rainy Oregon day in the Salem region? Our list of seven best indoor things to do with kids in Salem Oregon goes beyond the usual options of arcade games, movie theaters and indoor play areas. Your family will be fascinated by an Erector set playground, a famous movie filming location, comic-book art, and more!
Table of Contents
This post was sponsored by Travel Salem. All opinions are our own.
Museum of Mental Health at the Oregon State Hospital
Have you ever heard of a museum that focuses on mental health? We hadn’t, and we’ve been curious about this museum since we first learned about it. The Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health offers a unique and thought-provoking experience that’s also family-friendly.
When we pulled up to the Oregon State Hospital grounds, we were immediately drawn to the imposing facade of the Museum building. It definitely gives the vibe of a place that historically was used to treat patients suffering from mental illness (although the bright paint keeps it from looking dark and creepy).
A haunting Memorial
We decided to start outside at the Memorial building. This memorial was created to honor the lives of over 3500 former patients whose cremains were unexpectedly recovered on the grounds of the Oregon State Hospital. These were patients from various institutions who went unclaimed by family, and so were cremated.
The memorial is beautiful yet haunting. The copper canisters that originally held the cremains are on display in a temperature-controlled environment behind glass, along with a flag honoring those who served their country.
Outside the building, there is a walled patio area with the names of each patient on the wall and beautiful wire sculptures on top of the walls. As we viewed the Memorial, our curiosity grew about what it all meant. The answers are found inside the museum.
Museum highlights
As we entered the Museum, we saw a placard marking this site as part of the Oregon Film Trail (more on that later). Inside, we were greeted by a wealth of exhibits that guide visitors through the various eras of mental health care.
@dinkumtribe Our family had some reservations about visiting this museum with our teens and young children. Mental illness can be a scary topic, and since many of our family members have long struggled with mental health, we weren’t sure if it would be too triggering to visit. Thankfully, the information is presented compassionately and carefully, giving a balanced perspective on the positive and negative aspects of mental health treatment. Visiting the Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health provides an excellent opportunity to foster empathy toward mental health challenges. #oregontravelguide #oregontravelblogger #oregonkids #salemoregon #thingstodowithkids #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #mentalillness @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel ♬ snowfall – Øneheart & reidenshi
This museum provides an intriguing look into the history of mental health treatment. The first room holds a timeline that shows various events at the Hospital in conjunction with major historical events and mental health advancements.
The next few rooms discuss the challenging and controversial methods used to treat mental illness, as well as how mental illness was viewed both by society and by the medical profession. Our children were stunned to learn how straitjackets, handcuffs, and shock therapy devices were used in mental health facilities.
Even more surprising were the reasons people were admitted to the hospital including “excessive reading” and “love affair”. The docents were readily available to help answer our questions and point out successful methods that improve mental health such as cooperative work, outdoor adventures, and art therapy.
A landmark movie
One museum area is dedicated to the movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which was filmed at the Oregon State Hospital in 1975. It was fascinating to see how the hospital patients and workers were included in the filming process.
Movie props are on display, including the television of the imaginary world series scene. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest increased public awareness to the challenges of mental health treatment.
Hands-on learning
The OSH Mental Health Museum includes several areas for hands-on exploration. There are audio stations in some rooms where you can hear stories of actual patients, and one room features drawers that you could pull out to see tools used in treating patients.
Step inside a furnished “patient bedroom” where children can touch and explore freely. Our kids were engaged and interested throughout the museum.
More to see
The Dean Brooks room tells the story of the OSH Memorial we had visited outside. Several short films run on a loop, and a large album shows the beautiful photographs honoring the “Library of Dust,” the name given to the discovered cremains.
We learned about Dorothea Dix, who advocated for patient rights and improved conditions for mental health institutions. Throughout the museum, the exhibits show the advancements in treatment and the important strides taken towards de-stigmatizing mental health.
Note to Parents
Our family had some reservations about visiting this museum with our teens and young children. Mental illness can be a scary topic, and since many of our family members have long struggled with mental health, we weren’t sure if it would be too triggering to visit.
Thankfully, the information is presented compassionately and carefully, giving a balanced perspective on the positive and negative aspects of mental health treatment. Visiting the Oregon State Hospital Museum of Mental Health provides an excellent opportunity to foster empathy toward mental health challenges.
*Thanks to the Museum of Mental Health for providing us with free admission, and thanks to Sophie and Bonnie who showed us the Museum and shared many stories and facts with us!
Hallie Ford Museum of Art
Looking for a bite-sized art experience that’s stimulating but not overwhelming? The Hallie Ford Museum is exactly that! It may look small from the outside, but it impressed us with its diverse collection of historical and contemporary art.
Special Exhibit: Singular Visions
One of the most exciting parts for our children was the current special exhibit, Singular Visions: Self-taught Artists from the Permanent Collection. This exhibit, which runs from January 2 – April 20, 2024, includes several works by neurodivergent artists working with the local Corvallis and Salem art program Living Studios.
We were eager to introduce our children to neurodivergent artists like themselves, and Singular Visions was the perfect way to do that!
Our kids loved the mixed materials used in this paper-mache-type sculpture.
Our youngest son loves creating things from cardboard and any other scrap materials he can lay his hands on, so he was inspired by seeing this kind of piece in a real art museum.
Our older children also studied the Sonic the Hedgehog comics artwork intently. One of our teen daughters loves fan fiction, and one artist’s work encouraged her to continue creating her own fan art.
Kid-friendly features
We were a little concerned that the art museum would be a lot of “Look,- but-don’t-touch” for young children. However, the Hallie Ford Museum has done a great job at protecting the artwork while keeping it as accessible as possible. Several larger, more textured pieces are protected behind glass so that even if a child is tempted to touch them, the artworks remain safe.
One example of this was the way they displayed their ancient Greek and Roman coin collection. The coins are stored in a glass panel with a magnifying glass on either side. This allowed our young kids to see the coins up close without risking damage to the artifacts.
From museum guides to interactive exhibits, the Hallie Ford Museum of Art offers a wealth of information about the artworks on display. There’s even a scavenger hunt to help students discover more about different works and collections. The museum creates a fresh scavenger hunt every year.
Planning your visit to the Hallie Ford Museum
Our kids learned so much from engaging with our tour guide, curator Jonathan Bucci, and he cheerfully answered all questions about the artists, works, and the museum.
We’d recommend planning for about one to two hours to explore the Museum, depending on the ages of your family members. There’s no food on-site, so plan to eat before or after your visit.
With its welcoming atmosphere and unique exhibits, the Hallie Ford Museum of Art is a perfect place to inspire a love for the arts in your entire family. If you’d like to see the Museum but can’t go in person, they offer a virtual tour on their website as well.
The Hallie Ford Museum of Art is situated within the Willamette University campus, just behind the grounds of the Oregon State Capitol. If you’re looking for even more art, then take a short drive over to the Bush Barn Art Center at Bush’s Pasture Park to see their changing art gallery exhibits.
*We’d like to thank the Hallie Ford Museum for giving us free admission. Special thanks to curator Jonathan Bucci for giving us a museum tour and helping our children enjoy and experience the art!
Gilbert House Children’s Museum
Salem boasts Oregon’s top children’s museum. The A. C. Gilbert House Children’s Museum is the best spot for creative rainy-day activities.
@dinkumtribe Salem boasts Oregon’s top children’s museum. The A. C. Gilbert House Children’s Museum is the best spot for creative rainy-day activities. or options We started our exploration at the Outdoor Discovery Area, which is comprised of a variety of play stations, including sand and water play, a mastodon dig site, balancing toys, a wooden fort area, and a huge outdoor play structure. There’s also a covered area for picnicking. After everyone had enough time outside to run off their excess energy, we began exploring the fun activities inside the houses. Each room has a different theme for kids to explore and engage their creative interests. There’s also a small shed that displays achievements and artifacts from A. C. Gilbert’s life. @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel #oregontravelguide #oregontravelblogger #salemoregon #thingstodowithkids #rainydayactivities #childrensmuseum #salemismopo ♬ Good Energy – Jeppe Reil
One of the first things we noticed about Gilbert House is its unique layout. This museum is comprised of three different houses, transformed into exhibits and exploration areas.
The museum also features a large enclosed outdoor play zone. All of these creative spaces make the Gilbert House a fantastic place to visit no matter what the weather is doing.
Outdoor options
We started our exploration at the Outdoor Discovery Area, which is comprised of a variety of play stations, including sand and water play, a mastodon dig site, balancing toys, a wooden fort area, and a huge outdoor play structure. There’s also a covered area for picnicking.
You can’t miss the 3-story play structure designed to look like a giant Erector Set!
A. C. Gilbert invented the original Erector set as well as many other innovative toys, and this playground pays homage to his creativity.
With 20,000 square feet to explore, all of our kids (even Dad) enjoyed playing tag and hide-and-seek.
After everyone had enough time outside to run off their excess energy, we began exploring the fun activities inside the houses. Each room has a different theme for kids to explore and engage their creative interests. There’s also a small shed that displays achievements and artifacts from A. C. Gilbert’s life.
STEAM learning at its best!
Our kids love arts, crafts, and science, so we spent close to an hour building in the “Plan Your Design” room. The kids and teens tested, reworked and retested their designs in the Test Lab.
The lab’s wind tunnel allowed them to see how well their inventions flew. An earthquake simulator challenged them to build long-lasting structures.
The Green Screen Room was another family favorite. The kids could put on performances using green screen technology.
One room is designed to look like a passenger plane interior, while another room welcomes kids to a Salem light rail commuter train.
Thoughtful design
Gilbert House even has a sensory room with dimmed lights, varying textures, and reduced noise for those who find the museum overwhelming. Kids or adults who need to decompress can also take advantage of many bookshelves full of books to browse and seating areas placed in the rooms or hallways.
It’s clear that Gilbert House is designed with younger children in mind (ages 10 and under), but we were surprised by how much there is for older kids and teens to enjoy.
The museum offers birthday parties and facility rentals as well. The Gilbert House Children’s Museum is located next to Riverfront Park in downtown Salem, just steps away from the Willamette River.
*Thank you to the A. C. Gilbert House Children’s Museum for providing our family with free admission.
Willamette Heritage Center
The Willamette Heritage Center (formerly known as the Mission Mill Museum) showcases Salem’s history from the early settlers to the mid-20th century. The WHC complex is home to an impressive collection of beautifully preserved historic buildings, each with its own story to tell.
We started with the introductory video and exhibit in the Warehouse building. The video helped us make sense of the different buildings we would be exploring and connected us with the ongoing story of Salem as Oregon’s capitol city.
Then we went outside to explore the houses, mill buildings, and other structures that once played vital roles in shaping Salem’s community. Each of the buildings is remarkably preserved and furnished with period artifacts to help visitors see what life was like when the building was in regular use.
@dinkumtribe This is an excellent hands-on museum for kids and teens to explore. There are several historic buildings that show the history of early Oregon missionaries and settlers in the area. And then there is the mill structures, such as the machine shop & the picker house, that show you all of the steps involved in the process of creating fabric from wool. not only that, but frequently there are people using looms on the fourth floor of the Mill building, weaving fabric while you watch, who can answer all of your questions. Our children from elementary age up to college students were all fully engaged and loved exploring this place thoroughly. We suggest giving yourself at least two hours to see most of things here. The gift shop is also well worth seeing. @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel #oregontravelguide #oregontravelblogger #oregonkids #oregonhistory #oregonhistorydiscovered #salemoregon #historicmill #woolenthread #woolindustry ♬ Acoustic Warm – JerryJeyy
History comes to life
There’s a lot to see and do here! History buffs will love the informational plaques and extensive history written and illustrated throughout the walls of the buildings, from the time of Native American groups, through the Oregon Trail emigration, on to the pioneers and industrial developments.
The Willamette Heritage Center has placed QR codes strategically throughout the different buildings and exhibits that take you to helpful video content. Our kids and teens loved watching short videos that demonstrated how an organ was played, or how the machine shop worked. In other rooms, you could press a button to hear music or see mill machinery in action.
We found many hands-on exhibits along the self-guided tour, including building blocks, wool-carding brushes, and antique kitchen tools.
The temporary art display “Filaments” included sensory yarn balls that the kids could carry through the exhibit to help them keep their hands off the artwork—that was ingenious!
The wool industry then and now
The Thomas Kay Woolen Mill building was one of our favorite stops. We walked through the giant machine rooms where wool was spun into thread, dyed, and eventually woven into fabric.
It’s impossible to walk through the Mill and not become more appreciative of all that’s involved in creating beautiful wool fabric and garments.
But the best part was going up to the fourth-floor weaving room, where volunteers are working on hand-weaving looms to create items for sale later in the year.
Our kids could see kitchen towels coming together right in front of them and asked the volunteers all their questions about the process.
Before we left the Willamette Heritage Center, we took some time browsing the different gift shops in the Warehouse. The yarn shop caught our oldest daughter’s eye, and she came home with several new, beautiful skeins of yarn. The Pendleton gift shop was full of beautifully crafted wool items, and there’s also a fun millinery shop with hats of every style.
Extend the learning experience
Beyond the exhibits, the Willamette Heritage Center also offers a range of engaging hands-on activities and events. You can attend a workshop or demonstration to learn traditional crafts or skills. From blacksmithing to weaving, these special events provide a different experience for families looking for a unique rainy-day activity.
Magic at the Mill is an annual holiday celebration that includes Christmas light displays, traditional carolers and more. Check the website for signups and dates.
If you’d like to go into even more local history, the Historic Deepwood Estate is just a short walk away. The gardens and museum home tour will round out your Salem history experience nicely.
*We’d like to thank the Willamette Heritage Center for providing us with free admission.
Salem Riverfront Carousel
The Salem Riverfront Carousel is a great indoor activity for the whole family. We’ve visited it twice with all of our kids, and each time it brings guaranteed smiles and happy memories.
The Salem Riverfront Carousel is more than just a ride—it’s a true work of art.
Crafted by skilled local artisans, each intricately carved animal on the carousel tells a unique story.
From majestic horses, to imaginative creatures like rabbits and dragons, to a University of Oregon Duck, this carousel delights all around.
Our kids love choosing a favorite animal to ride and listening to the beautiful pipe organ music.
Teens and adults can reach out to grab a ring from the salmon’s mouth as they complete each turn, hoping to get the special brass ring.
We always buy some cotton candy and then spend a few minutes checking out the enticing gift shop.
We also enjoy the displays that talk about the history of the Carousel.
Carousel studio and volunteering
The Salem Riverfront Carousel goes beyond just providing a fun ride. It also offers visitors the opportunity to be a part of the carousel’s creation. Inside the carousel building, there is a carving studio where you can watch talented artisans bring new carousel animals to life.
If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of a work in progress and witness the skill and dedication that goes into each piece.
On our recent visit, the workshop was open and our kids were fascinated to watch the carving and painting process up close. The volunteers were happy to answer questions, and one of our girls even applied to be a volunteer.
Special events and more
The Salem Riverfront Carousel offers special events year-round, including princess teas, Halloween specials, and Breakfast with Santa. For guests with sensory challenges, there is a monthly sensory-friendly hour when the lights are dimmed and the music is off so that everyone can enjoy the Carousel.
Two More Indoor Places to Visit Near Salem
Polk County Museum
Stepping into the Polk County Museum feels like stepping back in time! From authentic pioneer artifacts to interactive exhibits, there’s something to captivate learners of all ages.
We arrived at the Polk County Fairgrounds and took a few minutes to check out the large antique equipment outside the museum. Our boys were fascinated with the steam donkey and cultivator.
@dinkumtribe Stepping into the Polk County Museum feels like stepping back in time! From authentic pioneer artifacts to interactive exhibits, there's something to captivate learners of all ages. There’s a dedicated kids area supplied with traditional toys and games from the mid-1800s onward. Our kids had fun typing sentences on typewriters, playing with a Jacob’s Ladder, and working on a 1960s wooden puzzle. They were intrigued to see that some of the toys and table games are still being played even today. @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel #oregontravelguide #oregontravelblogger #oregonkids #salemoregon #thingstodowithkids #oregonhistory #oregonhistorydiscovered #rainydayactivities ♬ Homestead – John Smith
The Polk County Museum is a great trail stop along the Applegate Trail, a branch of the California National Historic Trail. A beautiful mural depicting covered wagons decorates the outside of the museum.
A docent showed us a map of the Polk County area and gave us some highlights about the museum’s exhibits. Then we allowed the kids to explore freely as their interests led.
Glimpses of Oregon life
It’s hard to think of any aspect of Oregon history or heritage that is missing from this museum. We examined preserved local flora and fauna including a mounted cougar and case of butterflies. Another section contains indigenous artifacts including baskets, arrowheads, and more.
QR codes throughout the museum link to YouTube shorts that show how different artifacts were used. We watched a penny farthing bicycle race while standing next to an actual penny farthing bicycle.
We laughed so much seeing how “permanents” were given in hair salons – it’s like something out of an alien movie! We listened to a beautiful harpsichord melody, and in another exhibit, we heard a sample of the world-famous Johnnie Ray singing a popular song from the 1940s.
Interactive and interesting for kids
Our youngest children found lots to see and interact with. Whether lighting up a model pioneer farmhouse, or watching a model train run around through the exhibits, or scribbling on a real slate board, we found this to be an excellent hands-on experience.
There’s a dedicated kids area supplied with traditional toys and games from the mid-1800s onward. Our kids had fun typing sentences on typewriters, playing with a Jacob’s Ladder, and working on a 1960s wooden puzzle. They were intrigued to see that some of the toys and table games are still being played even today.
Even more to learn and see!
We were surprised to learn that even with the extensive exhibits currently on display, this museum still has thousands of additional artifacts that are in storage. The Polk County Historical Society is one of the best local resources for in-depth research and information on Oregon’s history.
The Polk County Museum is about 15 minutes’ drive from the Salem city center. Cross the Willamette and head west to Rickreall to explore the home of the Polk County Historical Society and learn more about Oregon’s heritage.
We’d recommend about 1-2 hours to visit this Museum with kids or teens.
*We’d like to thank the Polk County Museum for giving us discounted admission.
Champoeg State Park Visitor Center
Champoeg (pronounced “sham-POO-eee”) is popular with many Oregonians because of its excellent camping facilities, biking paths and disc golf course. However the park visitor center is top-notch, and most of the exhibits are entirely indoors.
@dinkumtribe One of the best family friendly visitor centers we’ve seen. The staff are enthusiastic and helpful, and our kids aged kindergarten to high school all found the museum fascinating. The intro video is a great starting point for the state park, and there are tons of hands-on learning activities like trying on pioneer clothing, feeling animal pelts, listening to recordings of Native American language and more. Once you’ve explored inside, walk around the outdoor areas and explore the garden and barn. #oregontravelguide #havingfunoverchristmasbreak #oregontravelblogger #oregonkids #oregonhistory #oregonhistorydiscovered #thingstodowithkids #winterbreakideas #salemoregon @Travel Salem ♬ Learn – Vin Music
The Champoeg Visitor Center commands a beautiful view of the Willamette River’s lower floodplain and park grounds. The location is the perfect setting to start learning about the beginning of Oregon’s statehood.
Video and displays
We started by watching the introductory video, which tells the story of why Champoeg is such an important location.
Then we moved into the displays about life in the 1850s. The kids each grabbed a scavenger hunt at the front desk to fill out as we explored.
Almost every exhibit is interactive and touch-friendly, which made the whole experience even more educational and immersive.
Our youngest son loved touching each of the animal pelts and guessing which animal it was, while the older boys enjoyed using a grindstone and bowl just like the indigenous tribes used. In another area, we listened to a recording of the Grand Ronde indigenous children learning to speak their native language.
A variety of learning options
The visitor center does a fantastic job at bringing to life the various aspects of life at Champoeg. You can view and touch farm implements, beaver traps, and even try on traditional pioneer clothing. You can also flip through historic documents and news articles detailing various local events that impacted development.
Champoeg was a bustling town in the 1850s, and was where the vote to seek statehood for Oregon was held. On a previous visit we had walked over to the monument commemorating the historic vote, but in the visitor center you can see cutouts of various leading men and what they had to say about the process.
What happened to Champoeg?
Champoeg’s history was drastically changed when a massive flood washed away the entire townsite overnight in 1861. In the middle of the visitor center building you can see measurements of how high the water came during that flood— it’s awe-inspiring!
When you’re done exploring the visitor center, you can explore the kitchen garden and orchard, or walk over to the barn and smithy. Special events are held here including blacksmith demonstrations and other living history activities.
Even if it’s raining, you can take the drive down the hill into Champoeg State Park to see the markers from the old townsite. It really brings it all into perspective to see the street corner markers and the size of the town before the river washed it all away.
Butteville Landing and Store
If you’re interested in seeing even more of the local history, then drive a few miles over to the historic Butteville Landing and Store.
The Butteville Store is the oldest continuously operating store in Oregon. This shop is rumored to be the best place for local homemade ice cream.
@dinkumtribe The store is located just steps from the Willamette river and offers incredible homemade ice cream, as well as a full lunch menu. It’s definitely worth the stop! @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel @DinkumTribe ADHD family travel #oregontravelideas #traveloregon #oregonhistory #oregonhiddengems ♬ I Love You – D' RORI
Butteville Landing was once a major steamship hub for the area. An enormous ship’s wheel and historic photos bear witness to the sternwheelers that once frequented towns along the Willamette River.
There’s not much left of the landing except concrete steps and informational signs, but it’s worth a short detour.
Champoeg State Park Visitor Center is about half an hour’s drive from the Oregon State Capitol. The scenic drive to Champoeg is nearly as rewarding as the park itself.
What will you visit first?
So that’s our list of seven unique indoor things to do with kids in Salem! We’re sure that you and your family will enjoy any one of these great locations, and we hope we’ve given you some new ideas for your next rainy-day adventure.
©️ Copyright Jenn and Brian Warren 2024.
