Morningside - Salem, OR Area Guide

The name Morningside comes from the Morningside Addition, a subdivision filed by the Salem Motor Railway Corporation in 1893. Electric trolleys connected the neighborhood with downtown Salem and other areas in 1894. During this time, much of the Morningside area was comprised of large fruit orchards which would be subdivided into smaller five- an 10-acre plots by the early 20th century. Morningside was not officially annexed by the city until the 1950s when the northernmost portion was integrated into Salem proper. Outlying regions of the area were incorporated as recently as 1990.

Today, Morning side hosts approximately 1,051 structures which were built 50 years ago or more. Two of these structures are landmarks: the Leslie Methodist Parsonage and the Dr. Carlton Smith House. Besides these structures, there exist no museums in the neighborhood. Art enthusiasts can check out the Salem Arts Festival in downtown Salem.

Morningside provides access to over a dozen eateries along Commercial Street SE, ranging from Japanese, Mexican and Thai food. American favorites, such as the Original Pancake House and Shari's, remain on hand as well for doses of nostalgia.

Housed in a small unassuming space, Ramen Ichiban serves up authentic Japanese noodle dishes, appetizers and more. While the decor may leave something to be desired, the tasty food more than makes up for the Styrofoam plates. Try the house special, chicken katsudon, hand-breaded and cooked to a light and flaky perfection and served with rice or yakisoba noodles. Ramen Ichiban also offers bento boxes to go, perfect for travel and outings.

Beer and burger fans should head over to Mcmenamins Thompson Brewery & Public House, located in a charming old house complete with a tree-filled back patio. Food options run the gamut from burgers to salads and sandwiches, and several beers from the Thompson Brewery are on hand. Beer can also be purchased to take home by the mason jar, growler or keg. Those with a big appetite should dig into Newton's third law, a sandwich containing pulled pork, Hammerhead BBQ sauce, jalapeños, smoked mozzarella and frizzled onions.

Night time options exist fairly abundant, with live music, trivia nights and more at the Irish themed Half Penny Bar & Grill. For slightly more racy fun, head over to the Southside Speakeasy, a very "out" bar featuring dance nights and drag events.

Commuting remains easy in Morningside with quick access to Commercial Street and Pringle Road, both of which take drivers directly to downtown. Public parking proves available and free, and expressways run nearby. Amenities tend to be spread out, making the neighborhood less than ideal for walking. Great bike lanes, however, make the area suitable for bike commutes. Hailing a cab remains difficult on the street, but several local companies remain available by telephone. Uber offers ride-share service throughout the Salem area.

Parks in Morningside tend to be smaller neighborhood parks as opposed to large natural areas. Lots of bike trails and running routes exist here due to the more rural nature of some parts of the neighborhood. Gilmore Field City Park contains two baseball diamonds and green space. South Village City Park contains a sizable play structure, swings and an open field. Morningside Central park hosts a lovely tree-filled area alongside basketball courts and a play structure. Woodmansee City Park is the largest in the Morningside area and features a disc golf course, tennis and basketball courts, and tons of green space for frisbee or dogs. Kids love South Village and Morningside Central parks especially. Dogs are allowed in the parks but must remain on a leash.

Cost of living remains somewhat lower here compared with both the city and national averages. Public transit one way to the city center costs $1.50 or $3.25 for a day pass. The median rent for a one-bedroom residence stands at $480 per month. The typical price of a beer at a local pub costs between $3 and $5 dollars, less for options like PBR. Gas prices stand at about 8 percent higher than the national average but 3 percent lower than the Oregon average.

Morningside's shopping areas can be found along the stretches of Commercial Street and Liberty Road S. Retail options range from picture framing to pharmacies, sporting goods and more, with little to offer in terms of high-end goods.

Local favorite consignment store Funky Munky stocks hip used fashions at reasonable prices while providing consignors with some extra spending money. This store specializes in unique and fashion-forward pieces, vintage goods and respected modern brands. Stop into Funky Munky for great accessories, including shoes, hats, jewelry, belts, purses and more. Support local artists and artisans by buying locally made jewelry.

Bicylists should head over to South Salem Cycleworks, specializing in Italian custom-made road, mountain and hybrid bikes. SSC also features commuting and travel-specific bikes for either in-town rides or touring. SSC is also a certified Campagnolo Pro Shop, offering reliable repairs and reasonable rates. Those on a budget can check out the refurbished bikes or the bike rental service.

Morningside has an abundance of grocery options in the area, with choices ranging from Fred Meyer, Trader Joe's and WinCo to Natural Grocers, showcasing organic and local products. Farmers markets can be found nearby in downtown Salem.