Salem

This historic Massachusetts coastal town is forever marked by the infamous 1692 witch trials, which are extensively documented in museums and monuments throughout the community. Salem also boasts a picturesque waterfront, colonial architecture, and the House of the Seven Gables made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Things to do

• Salem Witch Museum — Explore the documented history of the 1692 witch trials through exhibits and dramatic presentations that contextualize this dark chapter.
• House of the Seven Gables — Tour the iconic 1668 mansion that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic novel, featuring period rooms and a secret staircase.
• Salem Waterfront and Pickering Wharf — Stroll the picturesque harbor area with shops, restaurants, and views of historic tall ships and maritime heritage.
• Peabody Essex Museum — Discover American art, maritime history, and Asian collections in this world-class museum housed in historic Federal-era buildings.
• Gallows Hill Memorial — Visit the solemn site where twenty people were executed during the 1692 trials, now a peaceful public park with informational plaques.
• Witch House (Jonathan Corwin House) — Tour the only remaining structure with direct ties to the witch trial proceedings, where examinations of the accused took place.
• Chestnut Street Historic District — Walk one of America's finest Federal-period residential streets lined with beautifully preserved 18th and 19th-century mansions.

Food to try

• Essex Street clam chowder — Savor thick, creamy New England clam chowder served at waterfront establishments featuring locally-sourced Massachusetts clams.
• Fresh-caught lobster roll — Enjoy sweet lobster meat piled onto a buttered roll, a quintessential coastal New England experience available at multiple harbor-side restaurants.
• Hawthorne Hotel dinner — Dine at this historic 1925 hotel restaurant overlooking Salem Common, known for traditional New England fare and local seafood preparations.
• Pickering Wharf fish and chips — Sample crispy battered local fish paired with hand-cut fries at casual dockside vendors in the historic maritime quarter.
• Salem witch-themed cupcakes and treats — Browse locally-owned bakeries on Essex Street for Halloween-inspired confections and traditional New England baked goods year-round.

Local customs & good to know

• Respectful witch trial tourism — Remember that real people died during the trials—approach museums and memorials with solemnity rather than as entertainment, and avoid trivializing the historical tragedy.
• October festival season — Salem's Haunted Happenings festival each October brings massive crowds; visit in shoulder seasons for a more authentic colonial town experience.
• Walking-friendly exploration — Most historic sites and attractions are concentrated within the compact downtown core and easily explored on foot from the central Common area.
• Maritime heritage appreciation — Salem's identity extends beyond witch trials—the town was a major 18th-century seaport, so exploring maritime museums and waterfront history provides fuller cultural context.