Things to do in Salem

Q: What are the top things to do in Salem?

The top things to do in Salem are: Salem Witch Trials Memorial Salem Witch Museum Bewitched Statue Old Burying Point (Charter Street Cemetery) House of the Seven Gables

Q: What are the top activities in Salem?

Top activities in Salem include: History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour Salem Ghosts: Witches, Warlocks, & Hauntings Salem Witch Trials Historical Walking Tour Bewitched Walking Tour of Salem Salem Voodoo, Vampires, and Ghosts Guided Walking Tour

Q: What are the top things to do near Salem?

Check out things to do near Salem: Massachusetts Boston Long Island Brooklyn New York City

Q: What do I need to know before visiting Salem?

Check out these top Salem travel ideas: 13 Witchy Haunts Around the World Haunted Salem: A Spooky City Guide to Salem 1 Day in Salem fro First Timers How to Spend 2 Days in Salem

Welcome to Salem

Once a bustling seaport, today Salem is best known as the site of the harrowing witch trials that rocked Colonial America in 1692. Visitors flock to this sleepy coastal town outside of Boston for a glimpse into its shadowy past, from haunted history and ghost tours to spooky sites such as the Witch Dungeon Museum and the House of the Seven Gables. But go beyond witches. Other popular things to do in Salem include browsing artifacts at the Peabody Essex Museum or connecting with the city’s seafaring past at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

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Top 11 attractions in Salem

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Salem Witch Trials Memorial

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The Salem Witch Trials Memorial preserves a moment in history, when 17th-century residents of colonial Massachusetts tried and executed women and men accused of witchcraft. The site, a small grassy area surrounded by stone walls and locust trees, is just one of the many witchcraft hysteria attractions in the historical town of Salem.More

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Salem Witch Museum

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At the Salem Witch Museum, relive the tragic Salem witch trials of 1692 through a series of life-size stage sets. See and hear how neighbors turned against neighbors, and learn more about everyone involved. You’ll also get an overview of the evolving perception of witches throughout history.More

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Bewitched Statue

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Located in Lappin Park in Salem, the Bewitched Statue is a tribute to actress Elizabeth Montgomery, the star of the popular 1960s show, Bewitched. Unveiled in 2005, the 9-foot (2.7-meter tall bronze statue features Montgomery’s character, the fictional witch Samantha Stephens, sitting on a broomstick in front of a crescent moon.More

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Old Burying Point (Charter Street Cemetery)

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Also known as the Charter Street Cemetery, the Old Burying Point of Salem is the second oldest burying ground in the United States. It is estimated to date back to 1637. Victims of the infamous Salem With Trials were convicted nearby to the site. Jonathan Corwin and Jonathan Hawthorne, who were both Salem witch trial judges, are also buried here.As Salem was once a major shipping port for “the New World,” this cemetery is particularly historic. A Mayflower pilgrim, one of the first to enter the United States, was claimed to be put to rest here. The grave of former governor Samuel Bradstreet can also be found. The old tombstones remain intact and uniquely carved from the 1600s, presenting a bit of history that has been preserved since that time. A visit is an opportunity to learn about colonial-era history, including burial practices and the lives of some of the important figures laid to rest here.More

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House of the Seven Gables

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See the house that inspired the novel House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Dating back to 1668, it’s one of the oldest surviving wooden mansions in New England. Overlooking Salem Harbor, the site comprises several historic buildings, gardens, a sea wall, and a large collection of artifacts, photos, and rare books.More

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Peabody Essex Museum (PEM)

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Opened in 1799—and then called the East India Marine Society—Salem's Peabody Essex Museum (PEM is one of the oldest continuously-operating museums in the US. The museum's sizable collection makes it one of the region's largest art institutions. Holdings include curios from mariners traveling the globe, plus historic homes and gardens.More

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Salem Ferry

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Travel between Boston and Salem in style on the Salem Ferry. The high-speed catamaran cruises at up to 33 knots, and can complete the journey in less than an hour. With two decks, indoor and outdoor seating, a galley, and restrooms, the Salem Ferry offers a comfortable and quick way to travel between the two historic cities.More

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Salem Witch Village

Separate the myths from the facts while learning all about the history of witchcraft through the ages, with a visit to the Salem Witch Village. Tours are led by practicing witches. The village also features an indoor maze and eclectic gift shop.More

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Custom House

One of thirteen custom homes built in Salem in early America, the Custom House is known for its appearance in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1850 novelThe Scarlett Letter. As Salem was an important seaport for the United States at this time, custom houses were built to collect taxes on incoming cargo. At first collected for the British Government during the colonial era, the American Government began collecting the funds in 1789. The importance of the structure to the federal government is evident in its elegant design and impressive attention to detail, with its wide staircase, high ceilings, and exquisite wood carvings.This was the last Custom House built to hold these offices. Author Nathaniel Hawthorne did in fact work in the house as a surveyor, and his time there inspired his masterpiece novel. Today visitors can have a look at his former office, as well as learn about the history of the customs process through various exhibits.More

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Salem Wax Museum

As a city perhaps best known for its 1692 witch trials, Salem has a dark history that dates back centuries. Visitors can unpack stories of this colonial era at the Salem Wax Museum. Encounter wax figures from Salem's past in this quaint museum, and check out a small exhibit on the history of Salem, its witch hunt, and maritime industry.More

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Pickering Wharf

A quaint waterfront area of Salem, Pickering Wharf is home to a variety of small shops, restaurants, and boutiques lining the harbor. Salem was one of America’s primary seaports, and the marina full of docked boats continues the tradition. Well-marked signs share some of the neighborhood’s history, while the shops feature unique arts and crafts, botanicals, antiques, and souvenirs — many with a boutique feel. Area restaurants feature fresh seafood from the local waters, some with views of the sea from their dining tables.You can take a relaxing seaside stroll down to the local lighthouse, or see some of the historic ships docked in Salem Bay. The historic schooner ‘Friendship of Salem’ is often open for exploration. Or, as the locals do and pick up a fishing pole and perhaps catch your own dinner! Seasonal special events as well as a First Friday shopping night occur frequently.More

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