Salem, Massachusetts is hands down one of my favorite cities in the United States. Ever since I moved to Boston a couple of years ago, I’ve tried to make it out to Salem as much as I can. There is just so much to see and do in this quaint city that I discover something new on every visit. If you only have one day don’t worry, a day trip to Salem, MA is the perfect way to get a taste of what this city has to offer. Trust me, you’ll be planning a return visit before you even leave!
Why visit Salem
There is so much more to Salem than you might think. Growing up, I associated Salem with witches and Halloween (I was obsessed with Hocus Pocus. While the Salem witch trials are a very real and very tragic part of Salem’s history, there is also rich maritime history as well and many historic sites to visit. But that’s not all. In addition to the history, there are tons of great restaurants, beautiful shops, and an eclectic vibe that really makes this city stand out from so many of the other cities in New England.
When to visit Salem
The best time to visit Salem is anytime other than October. No seriously, Salem is a beautiful destination at any time of year. Of course, summer time is exceptionally beautiful and you can also take advantage of getting out on the water but I’ve been in every season of the year and have always enjoyed my trip. If you’re okay bundling up a bit, visit during the winter and enjoy having the city all to yourself.
So why not visit in October? Given its reputation and its infamous history surrounding the Salem witch trials, it is naturally a popular destination in October. I went last October just to see what it was like and I strongly do not recommend it. The city was teeming with people and the focus was obviously around the witch theme which of course makes sense for Halloween. I do feel like during Halloween the only focus is on the commercialization of witches versus how Salem normally is.
If you’re anything like me, you also hate crowds and anything that feels a little too touristy and that’s exactly what happens to Salem in October. If you’re looking to experience all that Salem has to offer (and it really has SO much), please visit outside of October. If you want to get your fill of witches, learn about the history, and tour the various museums dedicated to this topic, you can still do so any time of the year. Plus, it’s a good sustainable tourism practice to visit outside of the busy season for any destination.
How to get to Salem from Boston
While you can drive to Salem from Boston, the best option is to utilize public transportation. It’s quick, easy, and affordable. In this itinerary, you’ll use both the commuter rail and the Salem ferry so let’s dive into both options.
Commuter Rail
You’ll take the Newburyport/Rockport line from Boston’s North Station. The trip is only about 30 minutes and it’s a really pleasant ride. The easiest way to purchase tickets is to download the mTicket app and you can buy a ticket from North Station to Salem for $2.40 one way. Just be sure you activate your ticket before boarding.
The T station in Salem is within walking distance to downtown Salem. Just follow everyone else getting off the train.
If you do happen to drive in, the T station has a bunch of parking. The one time I drove in was during the winter and I had zero issues finding parking. I would imagine it gets quite full during the busy season.
Salem Ferry
I took the Salem ferry for the first time a couple of weeks ago and loved it. It’s a great way to get back to Boston and the pro tip is to take it around sunset so you can enjoy the sunset over the water. They also have a bar on board so you can grab a drink. I love being out on the water and this was the perfect end to a perfect day trip to Salem. The ride is around 50 minutes to Long Wharf in Boston.
I believe you can buy your ticket online but you can also buy your tickets at the ticket office right at the dock (that’s what I did). The address for the dock is 10 Blaney Street Salem, MA. Tickets are around ~$20ish.
Just note that the Salem Ferry is seasonal and operates from May – October. Outside of those months, you’ll need to stick to the commuter rail.
How to have the best day trip to Salem, MA
Take the train from North Station in Boston to Salem
Your Salem day trip starts with the 30 minute ride from North Station to Salem. I recommend getting into Salem sometime around mid morning. No need to get there super early (unless you really want to that is).
Grab a pastry and a coffee at A&J King Artisan Bakers
I love a good bakery and A&J is easily one of the best I’ve ever been to. Once you get off the train you’re going to head straight to this bakery because who doesn’t want to start their morning off with a flaky croissant and a latte? Monsters, that’s who.
You’re going to go to their Central St location and thoroughly enjoy your first stop of the morning. I’m warning you now that you’re going to be overwhelmed with the amount of delectable pastry options. My vote? Get as many as you want because you’re on vacation and you deserve it.
Walk around the downtown area
After you’ve eaten to your heart’s content, it’s time to walk around and see all the historic buildings in downtown Salem. A lot of the buildings have a plaque that gives some historical context including the date of the building. Be sure you also walk by the Old Town Hall.
Right behind the Old Town Hall you’ll find Artists’ Row. This fun street has different artists stalls you can peruse. It was originally built as a public marketplace and is a great pedestrian street to walk down.
There are also plenty of cute boutique shops that are worth stopping into near Artists’ Row and in the downtown area in general. I highly recommend meandering around and popping into whichever shops tickle your fancy. You can easily spend a lot of time just going through the various shops. If you’re looking to buy someone a present, the shops in Salem are a great place to do so. I personally always buy a candle when I’m in Salem.
If you head down Essex Street, you’ll find the McIntire Historic District and Chestnut street which has various period houses to check out. You can read more about the historic houses here.
Check out the Peabody Essex Museum
Depending on how early you made it to Salem, spend a few hours at the Peabody Essex Museum. I’m not a huge museum person and this is hands down my favorite museum I’ve ever been to. When I went last time, I was very impressed with the diversity of artists featured and the quality of the exhibits. I’d highly recommend spending at least 2 hours here. It’s quite massive and there’s so much to see!
If you didn’t make it to Salem early enough / you just don’t have time for the museum on this day trip, be sure to add it to your list for your return visit. Trust me, it’s worth it!
Grab lunch at Gula Gula
This quaint little spot is perfect for lunch. They have delicious sandwiches, beer, and cocktails. We ordered their mac and cheese and tofu-riffic sandwich (a vegetarian take on a reuben) and I highly recommend both! They have both indoor and outdoor seating so if it’s a nice day, try and snag one of their patio seats.
Be sure to also check their website for their events. Most of them are in the evening but occasionally you’ll find a few in the late afternoon. They have events like open mic night, live music, drag brunch, and so much more so keep that in mind and check out one of them during your return trip to Salem if you aren’t able to fit it into this day trip.
Walk along Derby St
Now that you’re full of delicious food (and maybe a beer or two), time to take a stroll down Derby St. On your way you’ll see the Salem Maritime National Historic Site which consists of a replica tall-ship that you can go inside. As you continue along Derby St, you’ll find that it becomes a bit quieter and less tourists venture this way.
Derby Street has a lot of history with buildings that date back to the pre-1800 period. I highly recommend walking around and looking at the old houses on both Derby Street and the nearby streets.
Chocolate at Ye Olde Pepper Companie
Next up is a stop for some chocolate because why not? This little store is tiny but has so many options for chocolate. I believe they had candy as well but I’ll be honest, I only had eyes for the chocolate. There’s nowhere to sit in here so grab a piece and eat it as you walk back towards downtown Salem.
More chocolate at Kakawa
Do you need two chocolate stops during your day trip to Salem? Why yes, yes you do. Kakawa is a wonderful little chocolate shop that not only has a variety of truffles and other chocolates but also their drinking chocolate which you can get in several flavors to enjoy right there or buy the mix to take home with you. I really love this spot and last time I was in Salem, I got a bunch of treats to take back with me.
They also have a few tables inside so why not sit and enjoy your chocolate for a bit. By now you’ve also probably walked a bunch.
Grab a bottle of wine at Salem Wine Imports
I can’t write an itinerary without a wine stop. That would just be sad. One of my favorite spots in Salem is the Salem Wine Imports. The owners are always happy to help you select a bottle of wine and the prices are extremely reasonable. You’ll find a lot of different unique styles of wine in this little store so don’t be afraid to try something new. Grab a bottle (or 2 or 3, I’m not judging you) and enjoy it when you get back to Boston.
They also have wine tastings here. I’d call ahead of time and see if they’re doing one on the day you visit or check out their website.
Ferry back to Boston
Get ready to head back to Boston but don’t worry the fun isn’t over yet. You are going to enjoy the sunset over the water from the Salem ferry. The bar will open up as soon as the ferry starts moving (yes, I did try to purchase a drink from the bar the moment I boarded but it wasn’t open).
Once you grab your drink, head upstairs to wander around and find the best view. You’ll not only enjoy the sunset but also beautiful views of Boston as you pull into Long Wharf.
Looking to learn more about Salem’s history?
As you may have noticed, this Salem day trip itinerary doesn’t cover much of the historical sites because there is just so much to see and do in Salem that it’s hard to fit it all in one day.
Should you wish to add more of Salem’s rich history into your itinerary, here are some recommendations for you.
House of Seven Gables
Best known as the setting of American author Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel. It’s also one of the most beloved historic homes in Salem.
Old Burying Point Cemetery
This cemetery is definitely worth walking through. It’s the oldest maintained cemetery in Salem, making it one of the oldest in the United States. It was opened in 1637 and many Salem notables were buried there.
Salem Witch Trials Memorial
This memorial is dedicated to the 20 innocent people murdered during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. You’ll find granite benches representing each victim with their name, means of execution, and execution date.
Have more time in Salem?
Of course, there is so much more to see and do in Salem than you can cover in just a day trip. I highly encourage you to spend at least a long weekend in this historic town. If you happen to have more than a day, here is a list of the best things to do in Salem.
Bottom Line
I hope this itinerary for a day trip to Salem was helpful! There is so much to see and do in this beautiful city that you could easily spend much more time here but a day trip will help you get a great taste.
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