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.
Salem can be enjoyed year-round. To enjoy the town at its liveliest—if also its kitschiest—visit in October, before or around Halloween. It’s busy this time of year, but if you can handle the crowds, you’ll be met with fun seasonal events. Late spring and summer are also favorable times to travel, with warm weather making Salem’s coastal parks especially pleasant. While winters are cold and snowy in Salem, there are many indoor attractions to check out between December and February, as well as lower prices and greater accommodation availability.
Located 16 miles north of Boston, Salem can be reached by train via the MBTA Commuter Rail’s Newburyport and Rockport Lines and by the Salem Ferry. Salem isn’t large, so you can easily get around on foot, with the Salem Heritage Trail connecting all the main attractions. Alternatively, hop-on hop-off sightseeing trolleys operate between April and November. Ride-hailing services and bike rentals are also available.
Despite its spooky reputation, Salem is family-friendly, and travelers with young kids don’t need to expose them to frightening attractions or tours if they don’t want to. Within this historic town, you’ll find many 17th-century homes and buildings that offer visitors a non-sensationalized glimpse into colonial-era life and the Witch Trials of the 1690s. Of course, if you want all the witches on broomsticks, dancing skeletons, and creepy ghouls, you’ll also find them around town.
Local Currency US Dollar ($) | Time Zone EDT (UTC -5) | Country Code +1 | Language(s) English | Attractions 11 | Tours 76 | Reviews 23,614 |
Yes, Salem is worth a trip, especially for history and art lovers. Salem’s 17th-century witch trials are memorialized here, and the House of the Seven Gables showcases colonial-era heritage. The Peabody Essex Museum is among the finest art museums in New England, with eclectic collections sourced from around the globe.
...MoreSalem is famous for a series of 17th-century witch trials that led to 19 executions. The Salem Witch Trials Memorial, Salem Witch Museum, and Witch House offer a sobering historical take. However, the city now celebrates its witchy heritage with tours, occult shops, creepy galleries, and over-the-top Halloween events.
...MoreYes, Salem is worth visiting. The city is a 45-minute drive from Boston and has a fascinating history, including 17th-century witch trials and bustling colonial-era maritime trade. Popular sites here include the House of the Seven Gables, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem Witch Trials Memorial, and Witch House.
...MoreTourists come to Salem for its colonial-era history and landmark art museum. Memorials and tours explore the infamous 17th-century witch trials—Salem’s annual Halloween events are a lighter side of that witchy heritage. Another highlight is the art at Peabody Essex Museum, among the oldest museums in the United States.
...MoreHalloween in Salem is a major event, with happenings throughout October. The city goes all out with Halloween decorations, and events include a Haunted Happenings Grand Parade, spooky tours, seances, and pumpkin decorating. Salem’s witch-themed museums turn extra kitschy for Halloween, featuring seasonal decor and costumed staff.
...MoreWith a weekend in Salem, you can explore the city’s top attractions. Plan to visit the House of the Seven Gables, Peabody Essex Museum, the Salem Witch Museum, and Pickering Wharf. For a deeper dive into witch-trial history consider a walking tour of Salem’s major colonial-era landmarks.
...More
