Salem Travelers Recommend

The history of Salem is woven into the fabric of the United States, when Massachusetts was still a British colony. Today visitors find a city with history-packed walking tours sharing stories of its Native American roots, colonial past, and infamous Salem Witch Trials. Here’s what you need to know to get the most out of your day in Salem. 

Morning: The History of Salem

The best way to start your day in Salem is to get the lay of the land—and learn about Salem's storied past—with a history tour covering the town's most important sights. Expect to explore the McIntire Historic District and see standouts such as the Old Town Hall, colonial burial ground, and 18th-century Ropes Mansion. Wrap up your morning with to-go coffee and a stroll to Salem Common, the city's 17th-century public green, and Burying Point, Salem's oldest cemetery. For a quirky twist, end your morning with a witch-themed photo shoot, and capture a perfect souvenir. 

Afternoon: Witches and Waterfront Dining

After lunch, enjoy Salem's cultural institutions. Standouts include the Salem Wax Museum and Witch Village. For a great value, look out for 2-for-1 entry deals, which are typically available with advance purchase. After the Witch Village, walk down Wharf Street—enjoy views of the water, and find several restaurants where you can fill up on fresh, local seafood. If you're inspired by the water views, end your afternoon with a sailing adventure on Salem Sound. Private sailboat charters typically have flexible departures, so it's easy to fit a sail into your busy afternoon.

Night: Spooky Walk and Dinner on the Town

Head to Washington Street to find a fantastic dinner at one of Salem's favorite restaurants. After your meal, sip an aperitif at a local pub or brewery, and head out for a spooky night on the town with an evening walking tour. Since most night tours last just a couple of hours, it's the perfect way to end your day in Salem and experience the historic downtown streets under the cover of night. Look out for a lantern-led tour, or a ghost tour, for a truly spooky option. 

With two days in Salem, you can go beyond the conventional history tour and delve deeper into the town’s colonial past. Take the time to see the McIntire Historic District, Old Burying Point Cemetery, and the waterfront, and even book a chartered sail to get out on the open sea. Here’s how to get the most out of your 2-day adventure in Salem.

Day 1: History Tours and Sailing on the Sound

**Morning:**Learn about Salem's past on a half-day history walking tour, and explore the must-see McIntire Historic District. Recharge with a coffee in downtown Salem, then go for a stroll to the Howard Street Cemetery and Salem Common, a 17th-century village green.

**Afternoon:**After lunch, hop aboard a historic vessel at Pickering Wharf for a sailing excursion on Salem Sound. Back on land, stroll Wharf Street to find several seafood eateries, or stop at the House of the Seven Gables, a National Historic Landmark. 

**Night:**For a spooky evening, take a haunted night tour around Salem. Most tours discuss the city's colonial history and witch-trial hysteria. Stroll the cobblestoned streets and marvel at homes on Chestnut Street. History buffs can book a tour combo for top value. 

Day 2: Witchcraft in Salem

**Morning:**Uncover Salem's occult history by starting your day with a witch tour or haunted history tour. Be sure to visit Salem's Old Burying Point Cemetery, where the accused witches from 1692 are buried. Alternatively, opt for a quirky start to the day with an interactive-game adventure.

**Afternoon:**Continue a witch-themed day at Salem's favorite cultural institutions. First, stop by the Salem Wax Museum to see wax reproductions of the town's famous historical figures. Next, visit Witch Village, learn about the history of witchcraft from your guide, and pick up a kitschy souvenir at the gift shop.

**Night:**End your two days in Salem with a scenic evening stroll along the Derby Waterfront District, and find a historic lighthouse at the end of the wharf. This is the perfect place for a photo op and postdinner stroll in the ocean air.

On a 3-day trip to Salem, you can soak up the city's colonial history, explore the waterfront, go for a sail, and visit historic homes in the McIntire Historic District, and you’ll still have time to explore the nearby peninsula and enjoy waterfront hikes or a visit to a historic arcade. Here’s how. 

Day 1: History Tours and Sound Sailing

On your first day in Salem, get your bearings and uncover the history, legends, and historic architecture of this colonial city. Consider booking a haunted-history tour, cemetery tour, or combo tour to get the most out of a morning exploring. After a historic start to the day, recharge with lunch downtown, and enjoy a stroll to Salem Common, the city's historic village green. End your day with a sailing adventure on Salem Sound. Charter a boat, and let your a captain raise the sails and take the tiller so you can sit back and indulge in the incredible ocean views. Back ashore, enjoy a nighttime stroll in the Derby Waterfront District, and stop by the historic light station at the end of the wharf.

Day 2: Hiking and Gaming at the Arcade

On your second day in Salem, get outside the downtown area and enjoy sights along the coast. Start your day by soaking up the ocean air with a hike at the waterfront Winter Island Park, about a 10-minute drive from downtown Salem. Grab lunch and enjoy the perfect family-friendly afternoon just a stone's throw away, in Salem Willows Park, an attraction with two arcades, bumper cars, and fantastic sandwiches. Another option outside the downtown area is Pioneer Village, a living-history museum that showcases the experience of day-to-day colonial life. End your day back in Salem with a stroll along Washington Street to find the perfect place for dinner.

Day 3: Museum Visits and Haunted Streets

After getting the lay of the land, spend your third day enjoying Salem's museums and cultural institutions. Art enthusiasts should spend the morning at the Peabody Essex Museum, and history fans can stop by the Salem Witch Museum. In the afternoon, take an offbeat museum option with stops at the Wax Museum and Witch Village, both of which offer a fun, engaging take on the city's tense history with witches. In the evening, visit the spooky streets of Salem on a haunted-downtown walking tour. Learn about the infamous witch trials, and take advantage of a stop in Old Burying Point—the oldest cemetery in the city, where the accused witches from the 1692 trails are interred.