This blog post is a guide to help you experience Salem, Massachusetts a bit more authentically with some of the best things to do in Salem that aren’t your typical popular attractions. Helping you go from being a tourist to a traveler.
I’ll admit. The first time I heard of Salem was as a kid watching Hocus Pocus. I’m sure I’m not the only one. I quickly associated Salem with Halloween and witches, not thinking much more about the city until I moved to Boston. Suddenly, Salem was no longer this spooky city from my childhood, but a very real city less than an hour away from me. I quickly added it to my list, eager to learn more about Salem’s history.
After my trip to Salem, I’m incredibly fascinated by the balance of its fame for Halloween with the need to remember the very real tragic events that occurred and the mass hysteria that led to the death of innocent people. Not to mention, that Salem has rich maritime history as well, which gets a bit overshadowed by the numerous witch-related things there are to do in the city.
(This blog post is in collaboration with Destination Salem. As always, all opinions are my own.)
Best Time of Year to Visit Salem
Most blogs are going to tell you to go to Salem in the month of October and while I’m sure Salem is a sight to see at the time of the year, I highly encourage you to go in the off season. Trust me, off season travel is one of the best ways to go from being a tourist to a traveler. You avoid the crowds, can have more of an authentic experience, can benefit from better hotel rates, etc. Additionally, it’s more eco-friendly as you’re helping prevent over tourism during peak season.
Best Way to Get to Salem
During the peak season, parking is incredibly difficult to find so driving should be a last resort. Coming from Boston, it’s easy to hop on the Commuter Rail or take the ferry. The city of Salem is very walkable so you won’t need a car for your trip. Given that we went in the off season, we were able to find parking easily and just left our car parked for the duration of our trip. Another benefit of off season travel: parking was so cheap it was almost free.
Where to Stay in Salem
You definitely want to stay in the downtown area for your trip to Salem. We stayed at the Hotel Salem and can not recommend it enough! It’s located on the bustling Essex Street pedestrian mall, steps away from the old town hall, right in the center of the city. You can not beat this location. The furthest we were from anything we wanted to see was a 10 minute walk. The hotel itself is housed in one of the historic buildings of Salem and used to be a high-end clothing store. The history combined with the quirky, colorful interior and comfortable rooms, makes this a perfect place to stay for your visit to Salem.
Fun Things to do in Salem MA (Perfect for a Weekend Trip)
Eat Your Heart Out on the Salem Food Tour
I always recommend taking a walking tour in any new city you visit. It’s a great way to get an overview of the city and learn about a city’s history. The best kind of walking tour to take? A food tour, of course! We absolutely loved our Salem Food Tour. This guided tour is unique every single time. They always do a spice tasting, a cheese tasting, a wine tasting, and a smattering of sweet and savory tastings.
This was a great tour for so many reasons. We learned about Salem’s history specifically, the maritime and trade history, sampled a variety of great food, saw plenty of historic sites, and Karen, one of my favorite tour guides ever, is a wealth of knowledge. I highly recommend doing this tour as the first thing you do in Salem.
Marvel at the Exhibitions at the Peabody Essex Museum
The Peabody Essex Museum is an absolute must and one of the top things to do in Salem. What really stood out to us was the diversity of artists featured and the exhibits’ focus on cultural understanding and appreciation.
The history of the museum dates back to the founding of the East India Marine Society in 1799. It was a home for the “cabinet of natural and artificial curiosities” that were brought back by captains and supercargoes.
It’s easily one of the most unique museums that I have visited. I recommend spending at least 2 hours here.
Make a Broom at The Witchery
This was so much fun! The Witchery is a creative space that holds daily broom making sessions. The process of making a broom was surprisingly satisfying and therapeutic. Once you get the hang of it, you get lost in the craft of it. I’m not normally an artistic person (I’m not even sure I can draw stick figures adequately) but this was something I was able to pick up and thoroughly enjoy. Plus, the broom turned out beautiful. It’s a wonderful way to have a memento from your trip that can also serve a decorative purpose that you didn’t just pick up in a gift shop.
Walk Around and See the Street Murals of the Punto Urban Art Museum
This open air museum is spread over three blocks and is in the “El Punto” Neighborhood. The 75 murals include artwork by renowned local and international artists. The murals are part of a mission-driven social justice art program and are a must see on your trip to Salem. Some of the pieces take the viewer’s perspective into account, so make sure you step back and view them from another angle if you aren’t sure you’re getting the whole picture.
Get a Psychic Reading Done at Artemisia Botanicals
This is not one of those touristy, cliched psychic readings that are more for the gimmick than anything else. I did a tea leaf reading at Artemisia Botanicals and loved every bit of it. I found it to be a somewhat meditative experience. The reader was patient and insightful, taking the time to explain the symbols and framing it in the context of past, present, and future. I personally connected to the insights and felt lighter and validated leaving Artemis Botanicals.
Have a Casual Breakfast at Red’s Sandwich Shop
Red’s Sandwich Shop is a Salem staple, located in the London Coffee House building from 1698. This no frills spot is a must stop for breakfast. I highly recommend any of their french toasts. Absolutely scrumptious.
Taste Incredible Chocolate at the Kakawa Chocolate House
If you like chocolate (and if you don’t…who are you?) then you will love this place. It seriously may be some of the best chocolate I’ve ever had. They have creative handmade artisan chocolates to satisfy your sweet tooth. But the best and most unique thing they have is their drinking chocolate elixirs. Trust me on this one. They will make you weak in the knees.
Grab Freshly Baked Bread at A&J King Artisan Bakers
If you want to do as the locals do, get up and head to this bakery early (like 8 am) and grab some freshly baked bread. Their olive bread is to die for. Okay, seriously anything at this bakery is incredible. We also went in the afternoon for some coffee, scones, and a cookie and were blown away. I’m talking lick the crumbs tasty. Hey, don’t judge me.
Walk on Historic Chestnut Street
We sadly didn’t get a chance to do this on our trip but it was highly recommended by Karen, the Salem Food Tours guide. This street located in the McIntire Historic District is lined with historic homes and is one of the oldest planned streets in the United States.
Sip Beer at East Regiment Brewery
We loved this local brewery. My boyfriend is somewhat of a beer connoisseur and he raved about this spot. I also thought everything we tasted was delicious, though I’ll admit my beer palate isn’t as refined as his.
Buy Wine From Salem Wine Imports
Now this is my expertise. Located almost next to the brewery, I fell head over heels for this little wine shop. First of all, always support a local wine shop. Not only can you find some hidden gems but you’re supporting an important local business. This particular wine store is a great place to discover unique wines. We left with a mix of wines from various regions including one of my favorites, Georgia. The prices were also unbeatable! Especially compared to Boston.
Bottom Line
There is a lot to do in this historic town all year round beyond doing a ghost tour or haunted house at Halloween. Salem is one of the best places to visit in New England and there’s so much to do, see, and eat beyond the typical tourist attractions.
Liked this Post on the Top Things to do in Salem, Massachusetts? Then You’ll Love These:
Best Things to Do in the Berkshires – A Foodie Weekend Itinerary
How to Spend One Day in Portsmouth
The Ideal First Timer’s Guide to the Finger Lakes
Pin this Post on the Top Things to Do in Salem, Massachusetts for Later:
