A Salem local shares his picks for the best day out downtown

As someone who is from Salem, it took me a long time to see the beauty and wonder in what is here. The more I discover, the more desire I have to share my findings with those around me. I feel better about where I am and what I can do knowing what is here, tucked away in elusive locations around Salem.

Out of the locations I found most interesting to a Gen Z demographic, only two of them need to be driven to. Everything else is within an approximately 20-minute walk from campus. 

All photos taken by Mac Childers on Feb. 6, 2026, except for Wild Things Games (Jan. 27, 2026).

Wild Things Games is an integral part of Salem’s tabletop gaming community. Not only do they carry products for Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer 40K, and Pokémon, they also have a wide variety of other board games and card games that customers are invited to check out and play. They have playing spaces and events every day. This is a great way to indulge in your hobbies while also engaging with people who share similar interests.

Location: 241 Commercial St. NE

Estimated walk time: 18 minutes

Gerry Frank’s Konditorei is one of the few bakeries in Salem. They serve food, coffee, brownies, cookies and — most importantly — gourmet cake. They have more than 40 cake, torte and mousse flavors, ensuring that there is something for everyone. They also have vegan and gluten-free options, allowing for an inclusive dessert with friends.

Location: 310 Kearney St. NE

Estimated walk time: 21 minutes

Drum Bug Music: Records + Drums is my latest discovery. I have been searching for a record store that is walkable from campus, and this is the perfect option. The staff are friendly, and the selection is vast, ranging from new and used records to a full grading system for used records. There is space to walk, and the records are easy to sort through. And if you do not find what you are looking for, they can order records for you! The prices are comparable to market standard prices for new records and vary for used records.

Location: 345 High St. SE

Estimated walk time: 12 minutes

The Elsinore Theatre is a center for events I often forget about but not for a lack of interest. I tend to go to Portland for larger concerts and other events, but this historic building routinely has interesting local acts, artists on tour, comedians and its own events independent of touring schedules. There is always something to see for an often affordable price. I highly recommend a visit to one of its offerings, which can be viewed on its website: https://elsinoretheatre.com/.

Location: 170 High St. SE

Estimated walk time: 10 minutes

Prismatic Coffee Company has my favorite mocha in Salem. I will admit, I did not drink coffee until this past summer. Since then, however, I have been on a quest to try as many coffee shops in the area as possible. This is what led me to Prismatic, and it has become a fun place to bring my friends and family. They have a breakfast menu and handcrafted beverages, which are all delicious. And if you want to partake in trivia, they host it every Monday at 6 p.m.

Location: 3996 Cousteau Dr. SE

Estimated drive time: 11 minutes

Beehive Station is one of Salem’s only food cart locations. While I appreciate the offerings from both The Yard and Beehive, this location is closer to campus and therefore the location I chose to cover. They have a variety of food carts with food from many regions across the globe. There is plenty to offer and plenty to enjoy. If you happen to be indecisive or cannot agree with friends on where to eat, this outdoor establishment may be for you. To see their current options, visit their website at https://beehivestationfoodcarts.com/.

Location: 1510 Fabry Rd. SE

Estimated drive time: Eight minutes