Powerland Heritage Park is the place to explore for your next family outing, especially if your kids (or you!) are interested in old trucks, trains, motorcycles, construction equipment, or really anything powered by an engine! The park, formerly known as Antique Powerland, is actually a collection of 14 different museums including the Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society, Antique Caterpillar Machinery Museum, and Willamette Valley Model Railroad & Operating Museum that are all accessible on this sprawling 62-acre property.
There’s almost too much to do and see here in just one visit, and you’ll soon be planning your next visit to take it all in. When you go, you’ll get to see restored machinery and vintage vehicles, take trolley rides or miniature train rides, check out antique farm equipment, farming implements, and logging equipment, watch real-life blacksmithing, learn about large steam engines and steam-operated cranes, and watch the Miller Steam Powered Sawmill in action. This antique sawmill is fully operational and is still used to this day to produce lumber used for building projects at the park.
There’s also the Heritage Farmhouse, a well-preserved 1910 home that lets visitors see what life inside a 100+ year old farmhouse was like, a cute country store to buy souvenirs, a heritage rose garden, and a welcome center that’s the perfect first stop so you can learn about what the park offers and prepare for your visit.
The Powerland Heritage Park is also home of the Great Oregon Steam-Up that happens over two weekends in the summer that will be celebrating its 55th anniversary in 2025. This event is sure to delight the whole family and has been voted the “Best Annual Event” by the Willamette Valley Awards for the last three years in a row!
At the Steam-Up you’ll find food vendors, live music, a swap meet, and tons of historic steam-powered tractors, trains, trolleys, and steam engines that come alive and are on display to marvel at. Kids can win prizes by participating in a passport hunt, and you can see demos of old farming techniques and logging-skills, not to mention watching the Parade of Power or looking at the intricate Lego displays. This is an educational and fun family event that you can even camp out at so you don’t miss any of the fun!
If you missed the Great Oregon Steam-Up, not to worry because there are several other events held throughout the year like the Heritage Auto Show, Oregon Classic Antique Bicycle Swap Meet, Powerland Halloween that features trolley rides with pirates and pumpkin decorating, and the Train and Trolley Fest.
That said, the park is always open Wednesday through Sunday and you don’t have to wait for an event to bring yourself or the kids along for a day exploring the grounds.
Another great thing about the park is that it’s a super-affordable family outing. Admission is only $6 per person and kids 12 and under are free. Do note that special events will have different pricing which can all be found on the park’s website.
Hours: Wednesday - Sunday, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Address: 3995 Brooklake Rd NE, Salem
Phone: (503) 393-2424
