Salem Suggestions
Salem Sights
Here are a few places in Salem you may want to visit on your own.
If you have 'extra' time walking around downtown Salem and enjoy public art, the murals in this neighborhood are very well done and just a bit off the beaten path. http://puntourbanartmuseum.org
6 locals recommend
Punto Urban Art Museum
91-1 Peabody StIf you have 'extra' time walking around downtown Salem and enjoy public art, the murals in this neighborhood are very well done and just a bit off the beaten path. http://puntourbanartmuseum.org
Salem Willows Park is just about a mile from downtown Salem. Take a walk, drive or rent a bike to get there. It's an old-fashioned mini boardwalk with old-fashioned arcade games and food stands surrounded by a beautiful oceanside park. It's a good spot for a picnic break, or a late afternoon or post-dinner stop to check out Hobb's Popcorn and ice cream at the end of the boardwalk for its 'world famous' (really!) buttered popcorn. It tastes like magic! You may also want to drive through Winter Island, close by. It is an old fort with ocean views and features a working lighthouse.
10 locals recommend
Salem Willows Park
165 Fort AvenueSalem Willows Park is just about a mile from downtown Salem. Take a walk, drive or rent a bike to get there. It's an old-fashioned mini boardwalk with old-fashioned arcade games and food stands surrounded by a beautiful oceanside park. It's a good spot for a picnic break, or a late afternoon or post-dinner stop to check out Hobb's Popcorn and ice cream at the end of the boardwalk for its 'world famous' (really!) buttered popcorn. It tastes like magic! You may also want to drive through Winter Island, close by. It is an old fort with ocean views and features a working lighthouse.
If you are interested in seeing additional sites related to the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, Danvers MA was Olde Salem Village during that time, and there are many historic sites to view there. It is not conducive to a walking tour, but if you have a car you can drive to some of these spots. I recommend visiting Rev. Paris's Archeological site (Ground Zero!) which is in a residential neighborhood- Rear 67 Centre St. You will almost always be alone, and it's where the hysteria began. You can also check the hours for the Rebecca Nurse Homestead, which has an admission fee. These and other locations to visit in Danver are located in this link:
http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/Danvers.html.
Danvers
If you are interested in seeing additional sites related to the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, Danvers MA was Olde Salem Village during that time, and there are many historic sites to view there. It is not conducive to a walking tour, but if you have a car you can drive to some of these spots. I recommend visiting Rev. Paris's Archeological site (Ground Zero!) which is in a residential neighborhood- Rear 67 Centre St. You will almost always be alone, and it's where the hysteria began. You can also check the hours for the Rebecca Nurse Homestead, which has an admission fee. These and other locations to visit in Danver are located in this link:
http://salem.lib.virginia.edu/Danvers.html.
This location was only recently identified as the likely place where the innocent victims of the Witch Hysteria were hung. It is in a residential neighborhood behind a Walgreen's. If you enjoy walking, it is about a mile from downtown Salem. Walk via Essex Street and Federal Street to pass by many older homes on the way.
Proctor's Ledge
7 Pope StThis location was only recently identified as the likely place where the innocent victims of the Witch Hysteria were hung. It is in a residential neighborhood behind a Walgreen's. If you enjoy walking, it is about a mile from downtown Salem. Walk via Essex Street and Federal Street to pass by many older homes on the way.
This museum is open seasonally. The 1st floor does a reenactment of the trial of Sarah Good, and the basement depicts imprisonment and torture of the innocent victims.
28 locals recommend
Witch Dungeon Museum
16 Lynde StThis museum is open seasonally. The 1st floor does a reenactment of the trial of Sarah Good, and the basement depicts imprisonment and torture of the innocent victims.
If you enjoy horror movies, particularly the classics, the wax figures in this museum are exceptional.
13 locals recommend
Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery
217 Essex StIf you enjoy horror movies, particularly the classics, the wax figures in this museum are exceptional.
This waterfront park was the center of Salem's trade. If you walk to the lighthouse and back, it is about a mile. Visit the Friendship, check out the Derby Mansion and the Custom House across the street, and stop into the Park Ranger center to see if they are offering any tours. If you have a pet, perhaps he/she can become a bark ranger!
31 locals recommend
Salem Maritime National Historic Site
160 Derby StThis waterfront park was the center of Salem's trade. If you walk to the lighthouse and back, it is about a mile. Visit the Friendship, check out the Derby Mansion and the Custom House across the street, and stop into the Park Ranger center to see if they are offering any tours. If you have a pet, perhaps he/she can become a bark ranger!
Don't miss this waterfront home made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne's book by the same name. You can tour several buildings as well as the gardens. Book ahead of time as openings are limited.
93 locals recommend
The House of the Seven Gables
115 Derby StDon't miss this waterfront home made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne's book by the same name. You can tour several buildings as well as the gardens. Book ahead of time as openings are limited.
The Peabody Essex Museum is a world-class museum with rotating exhibits, including some related to Salem and the trials. If you visit, the Yin Yu Tang House is a must to add on through timed admissions included in your ticket price.
207 locals recommend
Peabody Essex Museum
161 Essex StThe Peabody Essex Museum is a world-class museum with rotating exhibits, including some related to Salem and the trials. If you visit, the Yin Yu Tang House is a must to add on through timed admissions included in your ticket price.
The Satanic Temple is a local art museum with rotating, dark exhibits. It is just outside of downtown Salem, about 1/4 mile walk from the Salem Common.
The Satanic Temple
64 Bridge StThe Satanic Temple is a local art museum with rotating, dark exhibits. It is just outside of downtown Salem, about 1/4 mile walk from the Salem Common.
Food scene
My personal choice for a wonderful dining experience, located in an 1800's brick Lyceum building said to be 'haunted'.
68 locals recommend
Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall
43 Church StMy personal choice for a wonderful dining experience, located in an 1800's brick Lyceum building said to be 'haunted'.
If you want a quick breakfast bite, Ziggy's donuts is a hole-in-the-wall family corner spot that has the best and freshest donuts in Salem. Get there early and they may still be hot!
7 locals recommend
Ziggy's & Sons Donuts
2 Essex StIf you want a quick breakfast bite, Ziggy's donuts is a hole-in-the-wall family corner spot that has the best and freshest donuts in Salem. Get there early and they may still be hot!
This is a local favorite for casual dining close to the waterfront. Lobster rolls, flatbread pizza, burgers, and more. Dog friendly outdoors so bring your pup!
17 locals recommend
Longboards Restaurant & Bar
76 Wharf StThis is a local favorite for casual dining close to the waterfront. Lobster rolls, flatbread pizza, burgers, and more. Dog friendly outdoors so bring your pup!
I'm often asked where the best seafood is, and my favorite is in Gloucester, MA at the Causeway Restaurant. It's a no-frills local spot that can get quite busy. I recommend the fish chowder and any of their fried seafood (especially clams). If you have a non-seafood lover in the group they do have other choices, including chicken parm with pasta that is also delicious. Glocester is also a very old fishing community settled in 1623, three years before Salem. You will be close to the famous Gloucester Fisherman statue and wonderful views of the harbor.
https://www.thecausewayrestaurant.com/
41 locals recommend
Causeway Restaurant
78 Essex AveI'm often asked where the best seafood is, and my favorite is in Gloucester, MA at the Causeway Restaurant. It's a no-frills local spot that can get quite busy. I recommend the fish chowder and any of their fried seafood (especially clams). If you have a non-seafood lover in the group they do have other choices, including chicken parm with pasta that is also delicious. Glocester is also a very old fishing community settled in 1623, three years before Salem. You will be close to the famous Gloucester Fisherman statue and wonderful views of the harbor.
https://www.thecausewayrestaurant.com/
Located on Derby Street, this is a charming spot to take a break and enjoy some tea and cookies!
14 locals recommend
Jolie Tea Company
316 Derby StLocated on Derby Street, this is a charming spot to take a break and enjoy some tea and cookies!
Ledger is very high-end, but if you are in for a splurge their food is amazing. Sunday brunch is my favorite! It's located in a beautiful old bank building, and the chef/owner is Michelin ranked. They also offer outdoors seating seasonally.
62 locals recommend
Ledger Restaurant
125 Washington StLedger is very high-end, but if you are in for a splurge their food is amazing. Sunday brunch is my favorite! It's located in a beautiful old bank building, and the chef/owner is Michelin ranked. They also offer outdoors seating seasonally.
My favorite local donut/sweet shop is on Bridge Street, about 1/4 mile from downtown. If you are celebrating a special occasion on your trip and want to buy a cake, this is the place! They also have an assorted of 'real whipped cream' pastries. Sometimes you can score tray pizza just out of the oven for lunch. So good!
15 locals recommend
Coffee Time Bake Shop
96 Bridge StMy favorite local donut/sweet shop is on Bridge Street, about 1/4 mile from downtown. If you are celebrating a special occasion on your trip and want to buy a cake, this is the place! They also have an assorted of 'real whipped cream' pastries. Sometimes you can score tray pizza just out of the oven for lunch. So good!
This local hot spot/cookie joint is located inside an old mansion. They offer a rotating selection of cookies and soft-serve ice cream and offer outside courtyard seating. Located next to the Witch Museum and Salem Common.
27 locals recommend
Goodnight Fatty
1 Washington SquareThis local hot spot/cookie joint is located inside an old mansion. They offer a rotating selection of cookies and soft-serve ice cream and offer outside courtyard seating. Located next to the Witch Museum and Salem Common.
Craving some ice cream? Melt has a rotating selection of scratch-made ice cream. Located downtown Salem.
18 locals recommend
Melt Ice Cream
60 Washington StCraving some ice cream? Melt has a rotating selection of scratch-made ice cream. Located downtown Salem.
Shops and stores
Some guests ask where they can get an authentic psychic or medium reading while in Salem. Pentagram is my favorite, but absolutely book well in advance as they are small and book up fast!
Pentagram
282 Derby StreetSome guests ask where they can get an authentic psychic or medium reading while in Salem. Pentagram is my favorite, but absolutely book well in advance as they are small and book up fast!
The first "witch" shop in Salem, they are a local favorite for spells and potions.
8 locals recommend
Crow Haven Corner
125 Essex StThe first "witch" shop in Salem, they are a local favorite for spells and potions.
America's oldest candy shop is across the street from the House of Seven Gables.
14 locals recommend
Ye Olde Pepper Companie
122 Derby StAmerica's oldest candy shop is across the street from the House of Seven Gables.
City/town information
Marblehead is a neighboring city, well worth a visit. You can stroll back in time through old town, visit Old Burial Hill- the cemetery in scenes from Hocus Pocus, or drive around Marblehead Neck to see modern day oceanfront mansions.
29 locals recommend
Marblehead
Marblehead is a neighboring city, well worth a visit. You can stroll back in time through old town, visit Old Burial Hill- the cemetery in scenes from Hocus Pocus, or drive around Marblehead Neck to see modern day oceanfront mansions.