Things to do in Salem, Massachusetts
- Salem was one of the most important seaports in the early United States, serving as a primary hub for trade with China and the East Indies in the late 18th century.
- The city is home to the oldest continuously operating museum in the United States, which grew out of a society formed by local sea captains in 1799.
- During the American Revolutionary War, Salem became a center for privateering, with local vessels capturing over 400 British ships.
- Salem's municipal seal features a motto in Latin that translates to 'To the farthest ships of the Atlantic,' reflecting its historic seafaring dominance.
- The city does not have a professional police department for its historic district; it is instead monitored by a specialized city department that manages the heavy seasonal tourism traffic.
About Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts, is globally recognized for its 1692 witch trials, a legacy deeply embedded in its historic architecture and museums like The Witch House at Salem. Beyond its dark history, the city serves as a significant maritime center, preserved today through the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. Visitors often explore the Peabody Essex Museum to view extensive collections of art and culture, or walk through the colonial era at The House of the Seven Gables. The city successfully balances its somber history with lush outdoor spaces like Salem Common, serving as both a site for historical reflection and modern coastal tourism.
Highlights of Salem, Massachusetts
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Museums
This structure remains the only house with direct ties to the 1692 Witch Trials still standing today.
Historical places
Explore the historic wharves and the Customs House that define the city's influential maritime past.
Museums
This institution houses a vast collection of global art, including original architectural structures brought from overseas.
Historical places
Tour the 17th-century mansion famously immortalized by Nathaniel Hawthorne's literature.
Historical places
Visit the site featuring stone benches inscribed with the names and execution dates of the 1692 trial victims.
Parks
This historic central park has served as the city's primary public gathering space since the mid-1600s.
Parks
Enjoy seasonal seaside recreation at this historic park located on the edge of the Salem Harbor.
Museums
Walk through this living history museum to experience reconstructed architecture from the early colonial period.
Top things to do in Salem, Massachusetts
The 59 highest-rated places in Salem, Massachusetts, ranked by travellers.
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Historical places
The House of the Seven Gables, built in 1668 by John Turner, is a National Historic Landmark located on the Salem waterf...
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Museums
The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) is one of the oldest continuously operating museums in the United States, tracing its ori...
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Parks
Salem Willows Park is a waterfront public park located on a peninsula extending into Salem Harbor. The site is named for...
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Museums
The Witch House, also known as the Jonathan Corwin House, is the only structure still standing in Salem with direct ties...
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Historical places
The Salem Witch Trials Memorial is a contemplative site dedicated to the 20 innocent people executed during the 1692 wit...
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Parks
Salem Common is an eight-acre public park serving as the historic village green of Salem, Massachusetts. Established in...
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Historical places
Salem Maritime National Historic Site preserves a nine-acre waterfront district chronicling New England’s maritime trade...
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Museums
The Witch Dungeon Museum provides a historical re-enactment of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, focusing on the judicial pro...
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Parks
Mass Audubon's Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary spans nearly 2,000 acres in Topsfield, Massachusetts, making it the larg...
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Venues
The Cabot is a historic non-profit performing arts center located in a 1920 theater in Beverly, Massachusetts. Originall...
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Parks
Water Park of New England is an indoor aquatic facility located within the Ferncroft resort property in Danvers, Massach...
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Parks
Forest River Park is a 30-acre municipal park located on the shores of Salem Harbor in Massachusetts. The grounds featur...
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Parks
Castle Rock Park is a coastal geological formation in Marblehead, Massachusetts, characterized by its jagged porphyritic...
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Museums
Salem Pioneer Village is a living history museum depicting life in a Massachusetts Bay Colony settlement as it existed i...
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Beaches and ponds
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Salem, Massachusetts on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Salem, Massachusetts
October is the peak season due to the 'Haunted Happenings' festival, but September or May offer the most comfortable walking weather with smaller crowds.
2-3 days to explore both the historic downtown core and the surrounding maritime districts.
The city is highly walkable, and visitors frequently use the MBTA Commuter Rail or the Salem Ferry to connect directly to Boston.
Stay in the Downtown or McIntire Historic District to be within walking distance of the primary museums and historical sites.
Mid-range; accommodation costs spike significantly during October, while dining options remain varied year-round.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 59 curated attractions in and around Salem, Massachusetts, ranked by traveller ratings.
The House of the Seven Gables is the highest-rated place to visit in Salem, Massachusetts right now.
The largest category is museums, with 17 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Bayonne, New Jersey, Downtown Los Angeles, Washington, D.C..
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