Salem: Discover History, Sports and Nature

A historic street grid, a golf course dating back to 1919 and a large sports complex showcase different sides of Salem. Historic districts, trails and events also offer their own reasons to visit.

Historic Districts and Architectural History

The original street grid of Salem lies within the 25-acre Downtown Salem Historic District. James Simpson laid it out along the Great Road in 1802. The district’s buildings date from the early 19th century to the mid-20th century. The North Broad Street Historic District illustrates a different period in the city’s history: it reflects Salem’s economic prosperity from the 1880s to around 1950. Despite the variety of residential architectural styles, the district has a visually cohesive character, thanks in part to consistent building lines and spacious rectangular lots.

Preston Place, built in 1821, is considered the oldest house in Salem. A more recent landmark also reflects a theme of the city: Salem’s LOVE artwork was unveiled at Library Square in 2018 as part of Virginia’s tourism initiative. The fully mobile LOVE sign is seven feet tall and nearly 17 feet long. A historic city tour visits Salem’s historic sites.

Sports Facilities and Golf

The James E. Taliaferro Sports and Entertainment Complex covers 65 acres. It includes the Salem Civic Center, Salem Football Stadium and Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium. The Civic Center is a sports and event venue with 7,000 seats. It has hosted ODAC men’s and women’s basketball championships as well as the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Final Four. The James I. Moyer Sports Complex hosts a variety of sporting events and tournaments.

Another sporting option is the Salem Municipal Golf Course. Established in 1919 on a 46-acre site, it is a par-34, nine-hole course measuring 2,400 yards.

Parks, Greenways and Bike Route

The Salem section of the Roanoke River Greenway is an easy, 4.4-mile route. You can walk, bike or run there, fish, watch birds or walk dogs; the route is also suitable for strollers. The Salem Bike Route has a different focus: this 11.2-mile on-road route passes through the historic downtown, offers views of the Roanoke River and is designed for cyclists of all ages. The two options differ in both length and format: one is a greenway trail, the other an on-road route.

Rotary Park includes a section of the Roanoke River Greenway. Longwood Park is the largest park in Salem and has an amphitheater for evening concerts and movie screenings. Mason Creek Greenway and the Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail are also in Salem.

Events and Local Offerings

The Salem Fair offers eleven days of family entertainment, with agricultural exhibits, arts and crafts, food, games and rides, as well as free daily entertainment. Check the dates before your trip. The Salem Fairgrounds can be reached via Interstate 81 running north to south and U.S. Route 460 running east to west.

In spring 2026, the Ernest “Pig” Robertson Fishing Rodeo was held for the 74th time as a four-day fishing event at Lake Spring Park. Children can catch up to six trout each at the rodeo; all fish caught must be kept. Check the event rules before visiting. Lake Spring Park can also be reserved for weddings, fishing and special events. Check the reservation details before making plans.

Only locally produced goods from within a 100-mile radius of the City of Salem may be sold at the Salem Farmers Market. Greyhound Lines and Trailways / Abbott Bus Lines Inc. are listed as bus service providers for Salem; check the operator details before traveling.

Discover more destinations: Salem, Portsmouth, Dinwiddie County, Louisa County, Giles County, Scott County, Floyd County, Augusta County.

For the main travel overview: Virginia.