- Salem Riverfront Carousel
To bring your family to a fun, classic activity, check out the Salem Riverfront Carousel, located in Historic Downtown Salem. A beautifully designed and handcrafted structure, the carousel can also host birthday parties, field trips, and events for little ones. You can ride for only $1.50 or purchase tickets in bulk to receive discounts on your rides. For the most adventurous kiddos, you can even get an unlimited all-day wristband for only $10 or an annual pass for just $175.
- E.Z. Orchards Farm & Market
If you’re visiting Salem in the autumn, the E.Z. Orchards Farm & Market is a must-visit attraction. The HarvestFest at E.Z. Orchards lasts from late September through October and features fun, family-friendly activities like pumpkin picking, a corn maze, hayrides, farm animals, and various games and activities. While there, you can check out the market to look through their farm-fresh produce. If you happen to be visiting in the spring instead, you can stop by the Shortcake Stand to receive freshly made shortcakes with farm-fresh strawberries and cream on top. A delicious way to cool off in the springtime heat!
- Gilbert House Children’s Museum
The Gilbert House Children’s Museum, once known as the A.C. Gilbert Discovery Village, is where children can learn through hands-on, creative play, and exciting activities. There’s always something fun to do at the Children’s Museum, with special events like scavenger hunts and themed learning days. For children in grades 1-4, the Gilbert House Children’s Museum also offers summer camps so kids can go and play all day! Entry tickets are only $10 for a reserved two-hour slot, with discounts available for seniors, military, and specific organizational affiliations.
- Enchanted Forest
For a storybook adventure, check out the Enchanted Forest seven miles south of Salem. Full of fun rides and attractions, you can spend all day exploring this little wonderland in the woods. Featuring a Storybook Lane full of favorite nursery rhyme characters, an old Western town full of treasure and activities, an Old European Village featuring Pinocchio’s Playhouse, a comedy theater, and live musical entertainment, there’s plenty to do and see in the Enchanted Forest. Admission to the Enchanted Forest is just $15.25 for those 13 years and older and only $13.75 for children 12 and under, with additional costs for ride tickets to certain major attractions.
- Riverfront Park
If you’re looking for somewhere outdoors to relax with your family, the Riverfront Park in Salem is a fantastic place to relax and play. Located as the name suggests, along the river, Riverfront Park is full of beautiful natural scenery and nature trails to explore with little ones. With plenty of play areas and picnic grounds on-site, it’s a great place to simply relax with your little ones or go exploring the park’s natural features. Conveniently, Riverfront Park is also home to two other attractions on this list, both the Riverfront Carousel and the Gilbert House Children’s Museum, so that you can fit a lot of fun activities with your family into one simple geographic location.
