Top Tourist Attractions in Salem

Best Things To Do in Salem, Massachusetts

Are you looking for what to do in Salem?

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

Popular as the ‘City of Witch Trails’, Salem is abundant with museums and galleries centring around witch trials.

The Pickering House which is Salem’s oldest continuously lived-in house is a must-visit. Quite questionably, it is also lived-in by the same family! The Salem Visitor Centre showcases an interesting film on the history ofthe Essex county. The Salem Maritime National Historic Site features two of the historic custom houses (1819), two colonial residences that date back to 1672 and 1761, along with a full-scale replica of the 1805 ship the "Friendship." Additionally, the Peabody/Essex Museum is a great opportunity for anyone who is fond of maritime art, as it is home to the world's largest collection of Asian export art, as well asother art forms such as 18th and 19th century Chinese oil paintings.

The Salem Witch Museum and the Witch Dungeon Museumoffer narrative insights into the witch trials and witch trial re-enactment, respectively.

Other must-sees in Salem include New England Pirate Museum, Witch History Museum, Salem Willows Amusement Park, Salem Trolly, the Salem Toy Museum and the Salem Wax Museum.

If you crave some eerie adventure then go ghost hunting! Yes, you read that right! There are several tour operators offering ghost hunting ventures for an out-of-the-world experience, quite literally. All things paranormal and wicked, these tours will giveyou an adrenaline like no other!

Taking the phenomenality, a little further are the many magic shops and parlours in Salem.

And if all this gets a tad overwhelming, cruise out of the town in an all-inclusive charter!

Below we have a list of things to do in Salem and the places where you want to spend the best moments of your trip. At the same time, the city offers you the best neighborhoods to explore and new foods to try.

This list should help you in deciding and prioritizing what you should plan on your Salem getaway. Find a mix of must-see tourist spots, underrated local hangouts, and maybe even a few new experiences you can try out.

Make the most of your trip to Salem with confidence.

Tourist Attractions in Salem

Here is the list of things to do in Salem and tourist attractions in city.

  1. House Of The Seven Gables

    4.5 (1756 Votes)
    House Of The Seven Gables
    Built in the year 1668, House of the seven Gables was once the house of Captain John Turner, who along with his family stayed for three generations. Turned into a historical attraction by Caroline Emmerton during the early 20th century, House of the Seven Gables is one of the popular attractions of the modern era that is frequented by tourists. House of the Seven Gables also served as an inspir...Read more

  2. Peabody Essex Museum

    4.6 (1690 Votes)
    Peabody Essex Museum

    Art And Culture, Art Museum

    Considered as one of the oldest continuously operating museums in the United States, Peabody Essex Museum in Salem will change the way you look at art. Dating to the year, 1799 Peabody Essex Museum has come a long way in becoming one of the diverse museums of all times housing arts from Asia, America, and Africa. Comprising of more than 840,000 works of art and culture that represents maritime ...Read more

  3. Old Burying Point Cemetery

    4.6 (1925 Votes)
    Old Burying Point Cemetery

    Cemetery

    If you are interested in getting to experience the real Salem that was back then with all the witchcraft and the mysterious stories, then you should definitely visit 'The Burying Point' where all the bodies from the Witchcraft trails lay deep inside the ground. Set on top of a hill, the graveyard is all spooky and dark making it one of the intriguing spots to visit. To get the most out of the p...Read more

  4. Bewitched Statue Of Elizabeth Montgomery

    Bewitched Statue Of Elizabeth Montgomery

    Statue

    Bewitched Statue of Elizabeth Montgomery is the iconic statue of Elizabeth Montgomery who starred as Samantha in the television series, Bewitched. Sponsored by the cable channel TV land, the statue was a way of commemorating the performance of Elizabeth Montgomery as a witch in the series. Visit the six-foot tall bronze centerpiece of Salem that is centered in the heart of the city of Salem and...Read more

  5. Witch Dungeon Museum

    4.2 (606 Votes)
    Witch Dungeon Museum

    Museum, Entertainment

    Witch Dungeon is a museum in Salem that performs a live re-enactment of the Salem Witch Trial of 1692 followed by an informative tour of the museum. The atmosphere and the setting inside the museum takes you back to the time of the actual trails and gives you a profound information on the tragic happenings that changed the history of Salem forever. After the play, the visitors are taken on a to...Read more

  6. Pickering Wharf Marina

    4.6 (874 Votes)
    Pickering Wharf Marina

    Walking Area, Cafe, Restaurant, Neighborhoods

    Pickering Wharf Marina is a neighborhood in Salem that is situated in close proximity to the bay. If you are looking for a place to walk around leisurely in the city of Salem, then look no further Pickering Wharf Marina is the place to be in. Adorned by quaint cafe shops, restaurants, and plenty of places to shop from, Pickering Wharf Marina is an excellent place to hang out and just relax. The...Read more

  7. Salem Maritime National Historic Site

    4.6 (685 Votes)
    Salem Maritime National Historic Site

    Historical Site

    Regarded as the first National Historic Site in the United States, Salem Maritime National Historic Site offers you a true flavor of the city of Salem. Preserving a wide range of attractions that include Derby House, Derby Wharf, Friendship of Salem, Hawkes House, Narbonne House, Pedrick Store House, Custom House, St. Joseph Hall, and West India Goods store, Salem Maritime National Historic Sit...Read more

  8. Salem Arcade

    4.6 (233 Votes)
    Salem Arcade

    Amusement Park, Boating, Picnic Spot, Neighborhoods

    Named after the white willow trees, Salem Willows is an oceanfront neighborhood and an amusement park in Salem that is a popular picnic spot for the local residents as a means to escape from the heat and the stress of the city. Win tickets and exciting prizes at the Willows casino. Enjoy the classic 80's games of Pacman, and Vintage Pinball along with the latest virtual-reality games at the gam...Read more

  9. National Park Service Regional Visitor Center

    4.8 (2 Votes)
    National Park Service Regional Visitor Center Image
    ©
    Tracing back to the late 18th century, the gothic-styled building of National Park Service Regional Visitor Center, formerly known as 'The Salem Armory' is one of the first stops that you should visit before setting on to explore the attractions in Salem. Tour the Essex National Heritage Area and understand the 400 years of history of the Essex County going through the permanent exhibits inside...Read more

  10. Gallows Hill Museum Theatre

    4.6 (276 Votes)
    Gallows Hill Museum Theatre

    Entertainment, Performance, Stage Show, Theatre

    Be a part of the theater's best show of 'The Witchcraft and Ghost Experience' that is exciting with its incredible storytelling, surprising twists, special effects and phenomenal acting performances. Go on a thrilling trolley ride through the sinister streets of Salem while listening to the eerie stories of witches, and ghosts. Listen to the terrifying tale of ghosts and madness in the Gallows ...Read more

  11. Pioneer Village

    4.1 (76 Votes)
    Pioneer Village

    History Museum, Garden, Village, Architecture

    Created in 1930 as a set for a play, Pioneer Village in Salem is America's first living history museum. Take a stroll through the 3 acres of land that is complete with various examples of colonial architecture including thatched roof cottages, culinary & medicinal gardens, a sawmill, and a blacksmith's workshop. The live display of the artifacts puts you right in the face of history and tel...Read more

  12. Salem Old Town Hall

    4.2 (67 Votes)
    Salem Old Town Hall

    Museum, Historical Site, Heritage Building, Hall

    Dating back to the 19th century, the federal style building of Salem Old Town hall is one of the oldest surviving municipal structures in Salem. Turned into a museum, Salem Old Town hall is an interesting stop. Learn about the history of Salem with the help of an experienced tour guide who eases your visit and makes it worthwhile. The main highlight of the hall is the interactive show of Cry In...Read more

  13. Stephen Phillips House

    4.7 (136 Votes)
    Stephen Phillips House

    History Museum, Heritage Building

    Historic New England Phillips House is a residence turned museum in Salem. Initially belonging to Elias Hasket Derby, one of the self-made millionaires of that time, the house later became the residence of Stephen W. Phillips who bought the house in 1911 and moved five generation of family furnishings into the house. After the death of Stephen W. Philips in 1955, the house was converted into a ...Read more

  14. Salem Wax Museum And Salem Witch Village

    3.6 (275 Votes)
    Salem Wax Museum And Salem Witch Village

    Museum, Village, Castle, Cemetery

    If you are looking for a place to celebrate Halloween in the best way possible, then Salem is the ideal place and the neighborhood of Salem Witch Village is the ideal place to be in. Lined by attractions like Salem Wax Museum, Frankenstein's Castle, Salem Witch Village, and the Old Burying Point cemetery, the area is popularly recognized as the haunted neighborhood. Catch a sight of the life-si...Read more

  15. Essex Street Pedestrian Mall

    4.5 (29 Votes)
    Essex Street Pedestrian Mall

    Mall, Shopping Center

    Essex Street Pedestrian Mall is a shopping center in Salem that helps you in picking up the best souvenirs for your loved ones and offers a special something to cherish Salem by. From everyday gifts to glittering jewelry to curious witchcraft collections to wines to paintings to imaginative toys to Harry Potter souvenirs to coffee mugs to watches, Essex Street Pedestrian mall has a unique somet...Read more