The territorial capital first was at Oregon City, a river town near Portland, and shifted to Salem in 1851. The seat of government later moved to Corvallis, but only for a few months before moving permanently back to Salem. A short walk from the Capitol is Mission Mill Museum, where visitors can tour the oldest woolen mill west of the Missouri River. The grounds include homes and church buildings constructed by missionaries, some as early as 1841. On a more contemporary note, tourists with children can enjoy the new A.C. Gilbert's Discovery Village.
Children can act, give a puppet show or be captain of an outdoor paddleboat.
Also for kids, just five miles south of the city along Interstate-5, is the Enchanted Forest, a storybook theme park including a Western mining town and a mountain bobsled ride and a log ride. Next door is the Thrill-Ville USA amusement park with activities including miniature golf and a roller coaster. Outdoor enthusiasts using Salem as base camp easily can choose the mountains, woods or the sea. Just 25 miles to the southeast is Silver Falls State Park, an 8,700-acre park in the state's only rain forest. It features hiking trails around seven major waterfalls, the tallest plunging 178 feet.