The Open Road Travel

When thinking about the best things to do in Salem, most people will assume they all revolve around the same thing. That would be Salem's 1692 witch trials, where several locals were executed for allegedly practicing witchcraft.

Although a dark part of its history, Salem has certainly used this event to its advantage and is now a popular tourist destination, especially for Halloween. However, there is much more to this historic, coastal city than you might think.

With that in mind, join us as we look at the 10 best things to do in Salem. We will cover the very best attractions Salem has to offer and provide options for people of all tastes and interests, to ensure everyone can enjoy their visit to this historic Massachusetts town.

Situated on the north coast of Massachusetts, around 40 minutes north of Boston, Salem is a port city that was founded in 1626, making it one of the oldest settlements in New England.

Before being discovered by English colonists, the settlement was known as Naumkeag. It was then changed to Salem, which is, perhaps ironically, derived from the Hebrew word for peace.

Between 1692 and 1693, over 200 people were accused, and twenty innocent locals executed, for allegedly practicing witchcraft. Today, many of Salem’s top attractions are devoted to all things witchy and around half a million people visit the city in October alone.

With a population of around 45,000, Salem ranks just outside the 30 most populous municipalities in Massachusetts. However, as one of the smallest settlements in the state, it manages to enjoy at an atmosphere far beyond what you might expect.

The city of Salem can make an easy day trip from Boston as it is just 15.3 miles (24.6 km) and a 40 minute drive away.

It goes without saying that the best time to visit Salem is October. This will allow you to see the iconic New England fall season and is especially great if you want to take part in the month-long Halloween celebrations which the city calls ‘Haunted Happenings’.

This time of year can, of course, get very busy due to these festivities. If you want to avoid the crowds but also ensure you don’t miss the spooky events and breath-taking fall foliage, visiting Salem in September, before the hordes of tourists appear, would be your best bet.

The small city of Salem has a lot to offer and is a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly location. From its narrow streets and unique shops to the culture and history that is everywhere you look; Salem is a wonderful destination that you’ll definitely want to experience.

Salem is keen to promote its other attractions but still embraces its witch heritage, and you can’t visit Salem without seeing something witch themed. We are going to include a range of options so, without further delay, let’s get to our list of the 10 best things to do in Salem.

Designated a United States National Historic Landmark District in 2007, The House of the Seven Gables is a 1668 colonial mansion and one of the oldest remaining wooden mansions in New England.

The historic house is best known for being the setting of American author Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel of the same name and is now open to the public as a museum after having undergone some renovations.

The House of the Seven Gables is beautifully preserved and sits among wonderful gardens which guests can explore after taking a guided tour through the building.

A visit to the museum will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time and will give you the opportunity to learn all about the history of the house and the surrounding area.

Suitable for all ages, the House of the Seven Gables is a great spot to visit while in Salem, whether you know much about Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel or not.

115 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970

The Salem Witch Trials Memorial was built to honour those who were accused, tried, and ultimately executed for allegedly practicing witchcraft. The memorial consists of granite benches displaying the names and execution dates of each of the unfortunate victims, and stonework at the entryway is inscribed with their protests and pleas of innocence.

At the centre is a patch of grass and a number of locust trees, which are thought to be the type of tree that may have been used for the hangings. The simple but powerful memorial was built in 1992 for the 300th anniversary of the Salem Witch Trials and is a sombre yet important spot in Salem which definitely deserves a visit.

24 Liberty St, Salem, MA 01970

Also known as “PEM,” the Peabody Essex Museum is the best place to visit in Salem if you're into art. PEM Opened in 1799 and is one of the largest art museums in the country, containing over a million pieces. The museum is home to some extraordinary collections of art from Salem and around the rest of the world, including Native American, Asian, African, and Maritime art. Amazingly, the Peabody Essex Museum even features a collection of historic buildings and gardens, which just goes to show you how large it really is. One of the most fascinating installations at PEM is the Yin Yu Tang house. This 200-year-old Chinese house was built by a merchant in China and brought to America to be carefully reconstructed at the museum. With so much to see, you could spend most of your day at the museum and those of all ages are sure to enjoy a trip there.

161 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970

Situated in Lappin Park on Essex Street, which runs right through the middle of Salem, is the bronze statue of Elizabeth Montgomery. Elizabeth was an American actress who had the leading role as Samantha the witch in the well-known TV sitcom ‘Bewitched’.

The seventh season of the show was filmed in Salem and the statue was unveiled to the public in 2005.

The nine-foot-tall statue depicts the character Samantha sitting on her broomstick in front of a crescent moon and makes a great photo opportunity if you’re nearby. So, if you’re a fan of the show, you’ll definitely want to make a stop here.

Lappin Park, 237 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970

Hop aboard the Salem Trolley and experience the best way to see the city of Salem. The Trolley not only provides riders with a one hour narrated tour, complete with interesting facts and historical information about Salem but it can also be used as a convenient shuttle service with visitors being able to board and depart at any of the 14 stops. The Salem trolley makes an eight-mile trip around the historic city, passing top attractions such as the House of the Seven Gables, the Witch Dungeon Museum, and the waterfront, so it is a handy way to get around to seeing all of the best things to do in Salem.

8 Central Street, Salem, MA 01970

Known as The Witch House, the Jonathan Corwin House was the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, who was best known as one of the judges involved in the most famous Witch Hunt in American History.

The Witch House in Downtown Salem is now a historic house museum and is the only structure remaining in Salem that has any direct connection to the Salem witch trials in 1692.

The home remained in the family for many generations and in the 1940's the was renovated to appear how it looked in the 17th century when Jonathan Corwin lived there. It was then opened to the public.

Despite its name, The Witch House never had any accused 'witches' living in it. The building, with its black exterior, has a striking appearance and really stands out from the rest of the structures nearby.

While captivating from the outside, taking a guided or self-guided tour will allow you to get a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of a person in 17th Century New England.

310 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970

Another one of the many witch-based attractions in Salem is the Witch Dungeon Museum. Here you'll get to witness live re-enactments of the witch trials, based on transcripts from the actual events.

The tour takes you down to replica dungeons in the basement where you'll see mannequins in chains and get an idea of the horrible conditions the accused locals endured.

Suitable for all ages, the experience is more educational than scary, which is great for children or those who scare easily. The museum is open from April to November and live shows take place all day.

16 Lynde Street, Salem, MA 01970

Established on March the 17th, 1938, the Salem Maritime National Historic Site was the first National Historic Site in the United States and preserves one of America’s most influential ports.

The site is made up of a nine-acre park that holds 12 historic structures, one being a replica tall-ship. Situated along the Salem waterfront, it is a great place to walk through and enjoy the views if you feel like you need a break from the witchy themes of the rest of the city.

Visitors will get the opportunity to learn all about the history of Salem’s international trade, New England’s maritime past, and the sailors and merchants involved through the years.

160 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970

This amazing Halloween party first held in 1990 takes place in the historic Hawthorne Hotel in downtown Salem and is guaranteed to sell out every year. If you plan to visit Salem for Halloween it is the place to be, and you certainly won’t want to miss out on this incredible event.

The ball draws upwards of 800 guests and the three floors of the hotel feature DJs playing music across all genres, food, dancing, and plenty of magnificent costumes.

Each year there is a different theme, although you can choose to wear a costume completely unrelated, and there is a costume contest for the best-dressed partygoer.

Just make sure you bear in mind that the party is only for over 21’s, so is not something you may want to do if you are travelling with children.

18 Washington Square West, Salem, MA 01970

You may have noticed while reading this article that a few of the places we've suggested are located on Essex Street, and there’s a good reason why.

Essex Street is the historic cobblestone and brick pedestrian street, which is closed off to vehicle traffic, in the middle of downtown Salem. It boasts unique shops selling all things witchcraft and magic, restaurants, cafes, and plenty more.

Essex Street is worth a stroll down even if you don’t plan to visit any of the museums found on it. Like much of Salem, Essex Street really comes alive in October, with street performers entertaining the crowds, vendors setting up stalls, and festivities taking place daily.

Essex Street &, Central Street, Salem, MA 01970

Situated in a fantastic location, the Hampton Inn Salem is a beautiful hotel within walking distance of some of the city's top attractions. This includes things like the Salem Witch Museum, Peabody Essex Museum, and House Of The Seven Gables.

The casual, 3-star hotel boasts allergy-free rooms with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a microwave, minifridge, and a coffee machine.

The Hampton Inn Salem boasts a heated indoor pool for you to enjoy and a large fitness centre. Also on offer for your convenience is a concierge service, luggage storage space, a 24-hour front desk, and a secure parking garage for those who are travelling with a vehicle.

Food-wise, the hotel offers a free hot breakfast buffet but does not have an on-site restaurant. There are, however, plenty of fantastic restaurants, bars, and cafes nearby.

Salem is a fantastic, must-see destination and while a visit during any time of the year will make a great trip, it is undeniably the perfect destination for an autumn or Halloween vacation.

The city is sure to bewitch you and hopefully, our list of the 10 best things to do in Salem has helped you decide on what you’d like to do and see during your visit there, so you can plan out your dream travel itinerary.

Now it's just down to you to get booking so that you can start looking forward to when you visit Salem and experience the Witch City for yourself.