ACCESSIBLE AND ADAPTIVE FUN IN THE SALEM AREA
From ADA-accessible playgrounds with stair-free slides and quiet carousel rides to wheelchair-friendly tree climbs and trails that wind through Oregon’s old-growth forest, the Salem area has incredible indoor and outdoor adventures for everyone in your family, including those with mobility issues and sensory sensitivities. Check out this lineup of accessible and adaptive experiences in the Mid-Willamette Valley.
3/17/25
ALL-IN OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
AN AWESOME ADAPTIVE PLAYGROUND IN SALEM
Located near the Salem Health Rehabilitation Center, the Let's All Play Place is loads of fun and includes a stair-free slide that’s accessible to walkers and wheelchairs, safety-first bucket and harness swings, a tactile sensory wall that’s wonderful for kids with low vision, and sound tubes that allow kids to work on auditory processing and noise tolerance.
SILVERTON’S NEW PLAYGROUND WELCOMES ALL KIDDOS
Downtown’s Old Mill Park features an ADA-accessible, rubber-like surface that allows kids in wheelchairs to join in on the classic playground fun. They can roll their chair onto the ground-level merry-go-round, up to the bucket swings, and kids with upper-body strength can push themselves along the slide. Sound tubes, light refractors and drums also stimulate their senses.
DEVICE-ASSISTED OLD-GROWTH TREE CLIMBS
Climbing up a 300-foot Douglas fir in Silver Falls State Park is something more folks can do, thanks to Tree Climbing at Silver Falls. Book an adaptive adventure and the expert guides will safely harness up a wheelchair and its user, or just the user, and they can use a battery-powered ascender device to carry themselves up and down the lines. This is ideal for adventurous seniors, as well.
ADA-ACCESSIBLE HIKING ADVENTURES
Silver Falls State Park’s new North Canyon day-use area includes ADA-accessible restrooms and a trail that’s accessible to people using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. The 6-feet-wide trail is made from packed gravel and winds a half-mile through old growth forest and at a gentle 5% downgrade before reaching the park’s breathtaking North Falls viewpoint.
INDOOR FUN FOR ALL
CAROUSEL RIDES FOR SENSITIVE KIDDOS
If your child loves carousel rides but is sensitive to bright lights or loud music, the Salem Riverfront Carousel offers a special Sensory Hour the first Monday of each month from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The operators turn off the music and also the carousel lights, if requested, to give lil’ riders a calmer experience. People with disabilities are also welcome to ride at no cost, although they need to be able to transition from their mobility aides to the carousel, as the wheelchair ramp is currently unavailable.
SQUISH, SQUEEZE AND SPLASH AT GILBERT HOUSE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
The Gilbert House Children’s Museum is connected to Salem's Riverfront Park and offers imagination-sparking experiences for kids in three unique historical houses. In addition to the first level of each house being wheelchair accessible, the quieter Sensory Portal room lets kids interact with all sorts of colorful sensory-play features, wonderful for neuro-divergent kids.
A CHILL STORYTIME AT THE SALEM LIBRARY
Every first and third Thursday at 4 p.m., the Salem Public Library hosts a free storytime for kids with sensory-processing sensitivities. The adaptive experience emphasizes safe interaction and movement in a calm, intimate environment. Call ahead if you have any specific requests, such as dimming the lights, and pick up your tickets at the library 15 minutes prior.
LOW-KEY FUN AT SALEM’S CHUCK E. CHEESE
If your kiddo with autism or special needs is into arcade games and pizza, call Salem’s Chuck E. Cheese and request a special low-sensory visit for your family known as Sensory Sensitive Sunday. On the first Sunday of every month, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., your family can enjoy pizza and games with dimmed lighting, lower volume levels and less crowds. The trained and caring staff will make sure everyone has a blast.
SENSORY-SENSITIVE HIT FLICKS
Does your kid love to watch movies? Take them to Salem’s Northern Lights Theatre Pub for a sensory-sensitive showing. One Saturday each month, the pub turns the volume down and the lights up, and viewers can get up, walk around, dance and sing. You can also catch captioned screenings one Sunday each month. The hot dogs, pizza and popcorn are a hit.
AN INCLUSIVE POOL PARTY
Bring your swimsuit because the Dallas Aquatic Center, located about 20 minutes west of Salem, opens early every Wednesday for adults and children with disabilities. From 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. you can float with water noodles and play in the lap or leisure pool, minus the crowds. The therapy pool has an automatic wheelchair lift so everyone can take a dip.
Ready to book your stay in the Salem region?
Related Blogs
The Beer Here: Celebrate Oregon Craft Beer Month with These Salem Area Breweries
From veteran breweries to upstart pubs in big cities and small towns alike, there’s never been a better time to be a craft beer fan in Oregon. And given that February is Oregon Craft Beer Month, we wanted to shine a spotlight on some of the breweries that make the Salem area so special. So whether you’re celebrating Oregon Craft Beer Month or are looking for refreshing beers all year long, here’s a look at nine game-changing breweries in Salem and the Mid-Willamette Valley.
Fall In Love With These Salem-Area Sweet Spots
Calling all lovebirds — it’s the month for romance and the Salem region is definitely feeling the mood. Whether you’re looking to treat your sweet to artisan chocolates, passionfruit boba tea, sugar-free cupcakes, or a giant glazed doughnut for two, this roundup of sinfully delicious goodies will make their knees buckle.
Salem After Dark
Explore Salem and the Mid-Willamette Valley’s Nightlife Scene
While you're exploring all the wine, waterfalls, art walks, and historic gems in the Salem region during the day, be sure to save up a little energy to experience its nightlife, too.
Related Content:
116 Marion St. NE
Salem, Oregon 97301
(503) 371-3631
GILBERT HOUSE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM116 Marion St. NE
Salem, Oregon 97301
585 Liberty St. SE
Salem, Oregon 97301
(503) 588-6315
SALEM PUBLIC LIBRARY585 Liberty St. SE
Salem, Oregon 97301
20024, Silver Falls Hwy SE
Sublimity, Oregon 97385
(206) 914-8613
TREE CLIMBING AT SILVER FALLS20024, Silver Falls Hwy SE
Sublimity, Oregon 97385