Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Danvers, MA

On the North Shore, Danvers is a captivating historic town, known for its now-closed psychiatric hospital, shoe industry, and its connection to the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692.

Previously referred to as Salem Village in the 17th century, Danvers was at the heart of the hysteria and accusations that resulted in the trials and executions.

By exploring monuments, archaeological sites, and preserved homes within the Salem Village Historic District, one can gain insight into the events of 1692, becoming acquainted with both the accusers and the accused.

Danvers is also the birthplace of Israel Putnam (1718-1790), a hero of the American Revolutionary War, whose family was embroiled in the tumult two decades earlier.

1. Rebecca Nurse Homestead

During the intensity of the Salem witch trials, no community member was impervious to accusations.

This was true for Rebecca Nurse, a devout 71-year-old who had nurtured eight children to adulthood, all residing nearby.

Nurse was convicted and executed in 1692, having resided in a house that was the predecessor to this structure, which was constructed around 1700.

The Rebecca Nurse Homestead is a remarkable First Period building that has been operating as a museum since 1909, set within nearly 30 acres of grounds that encompass the Nurse Family Cemetery.

Visitors can explore the great hall, sleeping chamber, lean-to, and parlor, all meticulously restored and adorned with furnishings from the early 18th century. In preparation for Halloween, eerie Twilight Tours of the property are conducted by candlelight.

2. Endicott Park

Danvers’ primary location for passive recreation rivals many public parks.

Spanning 165 acres, Endicott Park features a bucolic landscape, including orchards, woodlands, meadows, historic farm buildings, a pond, and marshes, all connected by an intricate network of trails and gravel roads.

Children will be enchanted by the park’s farm animals, such as horses, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, and a cow, and a nature center offers educational programs for both children and adults.

The playground is among the finest within miles, with distinct structures for older and younger children. Wildlife enthusiasts may encounter whitetail deer, beavers, and various resident and migratory bird species while traversing the trails.

3. Witchcraft Victims’ Memorial

Located in the Salem Village Historic District, this monument was erected in commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the trials, positioned across from the site of Salem Village’s original meetinghouse, where the first accused “witches” were interrogated.

The house was demolished in 1702. The Witchcraft Victims’ Memorial honors the 25 individuals who perished (19 hanged, 1 pressed to death, and 5 who died in prison).

Additionally, a historical marker established in 1992 by the Danvers Preservation Commission notes that the memorial serves a further purpose: “to remind us that we must forever confront intolerance and ‘witch-hunts’ with integrity, clear vision, and courage.”

4. Glen Magna Farms

This stunning estate in Danvers was established in 1814 by prominent Salem merchant, Joseph Peabody.

The estate expanded to encompass 330 acres and achieved its current Georgian Revival style in the 1890s.

Now under the stewardship of the Danvers Historical Society, Glen Magna Farms is especially valued for its beautifully landscaped grounds and gardens, designed by noted landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Joseph Chamberlain.

In 1901, the property became home to the historic Derby Summer House (1794), an exceptional example of an 18th-century summer residence, adorned with some of the earliest American sculpture on its roof.

The grounds are adorned with statuary and beautiful floral arrangements, making them a desirable venue for weddings, while also being open to the public for self-guided tours.

5. Salem Village Historic District

Many of the aforementioned attractions are located within the Salem Village Historic District, an area characterized by an irregular arrangement of streets, including Centre, Collins, Hobart, and Ingersoll streets, extending northward to Brentwood Circle and southward to Mello Parkway.

This district serves as the historical core of Salem Village and was the epicenter of the mass hysteria leading to over 200 accusations and more than 20 fatalities.

Not included in this summary is the archaeological site of the Salem Village Parsonage, located at the rear of 67A Centre St, which is accessible to the public via a narrow path from the street.

The parsonage, built in 1681 and rediscovered in 1970, was the residence of minister Samuel Parris, whose children began to exhibit an unexplained affliction in early 1692.

6. Israel Putnam House

This exceptional heritage site had recently been entrusted to the care of the Putnam family descendants, ensuring its long-term preservation.

A First Period building, the Israel Putnam House was constructed around 1648 and is recognized as the birthplace of the renowned Revolutionary War general, Israel Putnam.

The house also bears connections to the Salem witch trials through Israel’s half-uncle, Thomas Putnam (1651-1699), who made 43 accusations of witchcraft during the hysteria and testified at the trials.

Conversely, Putnam’s father signed a petition in defense of Rebecca Nurse. Previously operated as a museum by the Danvers Historical Society, the house awaits restoration and could only be viewed from the exterior during the time of this writing.

7. Endicott Pear Tree

Believed to have been transported from England on the Arbella in 1630, this pear tree was planted by John Endecott (1600-1664/65), the first Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

The Endicott Pear Tree is recognized as the oldest enduring cultivated fruit tree in North America, serving as a remarkable living connection to the earliest European settlers.

Currently growing behind a protective fence, this resilient tree has survived numerous hardships, including hurricane damage (1804, 1815, 1843, 1934) and an act of vandalism in 1964.

A nearby marker accompanies the tree, situated above the marshes along the Waters River at 100 Endicott St.

8. Danvers Rail Trail

As of the time of this writing, this 4.3-mile multi-use trail was undergoing an extension northwest to connect with an extensive converted rail bed in Middleton.

The Danvers Rail Trail follows a segment of the Newburyport Branch of the former Boston and Maine Railroad, originating in the 1850s.

The southern trailhead is located at Lowell St in West Peabody, meandering through Danvers, passing downtown, several parks, and significant landmarks like the Rebecca Nurse Homestead.

The new extension runs northwest from downtown Danvers, while the main trail continues northward to merge with the Topsfield Linear Common Trail.

9. Salem

In this charming port city, visitors can explore the historical site of the 1692 executions and pause at a solemn memorial honoring the victims.

The Salem witch trials represent just one aspect of Salem’s history, which thrived in the 19th century due to the Old China Trade, leading to the construction of splendid mansions preserved in the McIntire Historic District.

Established in 1799, the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) is the oldest continuously operating museum in the country, housing expansive collections of Asian art and American maritime trade and whaling, while the House of the Seven Gables (1668) on the waterfront inspired the famous novel by Nigel Hawthorne.

10. Connors Farm

Founded in 1904, this 140-acre working farm remains family-owned, safeguarded by agricultural preservation restrictions that ensure its continuity as open space.

Connors Farm began as a truck farm, supplying produce wholesale to Boston, and opened a roadside stand in the 1950s—a venture that has grown into a major operation with seasonal family attractions.

Autumn is an excellent time to visit, featuring apple picking, a seven-acre corn maze, themed play areas, a pumpkin patch, and delicious seasonal treats, including apple cider donuts.

Throughout the summer and fall, younger children will be delighted by the Putnamville Railroad, a charming miniature train with carefully crafted cabooses and freight cars.

11. Water Park of New England

Spanning 65,000 square feet, this indoor water park in Danvers is located adjacent to the DoubleTree Boston North Shore Hotel.

The Water Park of New England is filled with a variety of attractions, including body and raft waterslides such as Shark Slam, Gator Gush, Barracuda Blast, and Pelican Plunge, along with the serene Coconut Grove Lazy River, winding throughout the park.

This area also features the Parrot’s Perch Play Area, an engaging interactive jungle gym equipped with open-top slides, water cannons, and a massive tipping bucket that spills hundreds of gallons of water every few minutes.

In addition, a seasonal outdoor splash pad and Coral Reef Canyon are available for active older children, offering water basketball and a lily pad obstacle course.

12. Sunnyside Bowladrome

Candlepin bowling originated in Worcester, MA in the 1880s and remains the predominant style in Massachusetts and other regions of New England.

This variation utilizes ten slender pins and smaller, handheld balls, making it generally more challenging than tenpin bowling.

A family-run alley in Danvers features 32 candlepin lanes. Sunnyside Bowladrome employs electronic scoring and has recently installed a state-of-the-art pin-setting system.

Bumpers are available for younger bowlers, and there is also a game room and pro shop offering top-tier bowling and billiard equipment.

13. Paradise Family Golf

Families can enjoy a golf-themed day at this attraction, just across the boundary in Middleton. The 18-hole mini golf course is designed to be enjoyable for individuals of all skill levels while rewarding accomplished putters.

This course features fountains, rocky formations, a small river integrated into one of the holes, and a 35-foot hole with a treehouse obstacle.

Dedicated golfers can practice their skills at the driving range, which consists of over 100 targets, including island greens, as well as 50 tees with 15 natural grass options. Additionally, there is a golf simulator, club fitting services, lessons, and regular golf clinics.

14. Liberty Tree Mall

Since its opening in 1972, this enclosed mall in Danvers has often been perceived as the less favored sibling to Northshore Mall, located merely a mile along Route 128 in Peabody.

The Liberty Tree Mall has also felt the effects of dwindling mall popularity overall; however, when assessed, a variety of major retailers are still present.

Notable stores include Old Navy, Target, Nordstrom Rack, Kohl’s, Marshalls, Lids, Home Depot, Hallmark, and Claire’s. Additionally, the mall features a 20-screen AMC theater, equipped with stadium seating and recently renovated with comfortable new recliners.

15. Sky Zone Trampoline Park

A recent addition to Liberty Tree Mall is this indoor trampoline park, featuring a wide range of attractions designed to challenge and entertain visitors of all ages.

Younger guests at Sky Zone can enjoy the Kid Zone (ages 0 – 8), which includes a designated Toddler Zone, complete with a foam pit and open jump area.

Other available attractions include an open freestyle jump court, a Ninja Warrior course, a dodgeball court, a large foam pit, and various challenges, such as a precarious ladder suspended above a soft landing area.