Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Salem, MA

Salem, positioned as the cultural epicenter of the North Shore, served as a bustling international port until the late 19th century. This city was a pivotal location for merchants and shipowners who amassed wealth during the Old China Trade.

Over two centuries later, the prosperity of that era is evident through the grand mansions lining Chestnut Street and the notable architecture maintained at the waterfront Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

Salem’s history is marred by the infamous witch trials of the early 1690s, resulting in the execution of 20 innocent individuals based largely on “spectral evidence”.

This term referred to the notion that the accused were seen by their accusers in visions, perceived as proof of their association with witchcraft. Today, numerous attractions reflect this historical event, merging somber themes with lighter fare.

The charm of Salem resides in its 17th-century cobblestone streets, historic buildings, renowned waterfront, and the esteemed Peabody Essex Museum.

1. The House of the Seven Gables

The House of the Seven Gables, a source of inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Dark Romantic novel, is among the oldest timber-framed mansions in North America.

Featuring Colonial and Georgian architectural styles, this house was originally constructed in 1668 for shipowner Capt. John Turner, with expansions made by his son in the early 18th century.

Hawthorne visited the residence as a guest of his cousin, Susannah Ingersoll, and infused the location with a captivating essence in his narrative.

Your visit includes a 45-minute guided tour with an experienced docent, alongside a 30-minute audio guide for the historic grounds.

The admission also grants access to the Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace, a mid-18th-century structure relocated to the site from 27 Union Street.

2. Peabody Essex Museum (PEM)

Named after its benefactor, the philanthropist George Peabody, the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) is one of the oldest and largest museums in the United States.

The museum’s impressive collections encompass art from Japan, China, Africa, Oceania, India, and Korea, alongside extensive textile collections, American decorative arts, Native American art, and maritime art.

A notable exhibit is the Yin Yu Tang House, an 18th-century home from China’s Anhui province that has been relocated to the museum grounds.

Visitors can explore local history, trace the evolution of fashion and design, understand the early American maritime trade, and visit several PEM properties throughout Salem, including the Ropes Mansion, which will be discussed later.

3. Salem Maritime National Historic Site

This national park highlights the city’s maritime history, preserving a portion of the waterfront on Salem Harbor.

Within the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, visitors can explore a dozen historic structures, with interpretive signs illuminating over 200 years of maritime history.

Here, you can learn about the Triangular Trade during the Colonial period, privateering during the Revolutionary War, and the Old China Trade that significantly impacted Salem’s economy until the mid-1800s.

Stroll along Derby Wharf to view the Friendship of Salem, a replica of a 1797 East Indiaman that undertook long voyages to and from China.

You may also enter many historical buildings, with self-guided tours available through the U.S. Custom House (1819), the Narbonne House (1675), and the Derby House, an elegant merchant’s residence dating back to 1762.

4. Witch House

Located at 310 Essex Street, the Witch House is the only surviving structure in Salem with a direct connection to the witch trials. Constructed in the mid-17th century, it served as the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin from 1675 until his death in 1718.

As one of the judges during the trials, Corwin was responsible for preliminary inquiries, signing arrest warrants, and conducting hearings.

While his specific role remains somewhat ambiguous due to limited records from 1692, he never publicly expressed remorse for the trials in his subsequent years as a judge of the Superior Court and Probate.

The house underwent restoration in the 1940s, removing an added storefront and re-opening as a museum in 1948. Guided and self-guided tours offer insights into the domestic life of an affluent Salem resident during the late 17th century.

5. Chestnut Street

To appreciate the wealth generated by the Old China Trade from the late 18th century to the mid-19th century, a stroll through the tree-lined residential streets just west of the downtown area is recommended.

Designated as the Chestnut Street Historic District, this neighborhood encompasses a variety of Federal-style residences erected for prosperous merchants by architect Samuel McIntire.

The charming avenues of Chestnut, River, Bridge, Beckford, Lynn, Pickering, and Broad Streets boast an array of remarkable homes.

Among these, notable properties include Hamilton Hall (9 Chestnut), the Stephen Phillips House (34 Chestnut), the Saunders House (39 Chestnut), the Ropes Mansion (318 Essex), the John Bertram Mansion (370 Essex), the Pierre-Nichols House (80 Federal), the Pickering House (18 Broad), and the Francis Cox House at the intersection of Chestnut and Summer Streets.

6. Salem Heritage Trail

Upon your arrival in Salem, an excellent method to familiarize yourself with the historic landscape and main attractions is to follow this self-guided walking trail around the downtown area.

The Salem Heritage Trail is marked by a red line on the sidewalk, guiding visitors to points of interest such as the Old Town Hall (1817) and Salem Common (established 1667), as well as various notable sites mentioned in this article like the House of the Seven Gables, the Witch House, and the Peabody Essex Museum.

Each location includes informative and engaging descriptions, addressing themes related to Salem’s indigenous background, Colonial history, witch trials, the Age of Sail, abolition, African American experiences, and contemporary Salem.

7. Old Burying Point Cemetery

A vital stop in Salem is the Old Burying Point Cemetery, the second-oldest graveyard in the United States and the resting place of numerous individuals who lived during the witch trials.

Among the most notable is John Hathorne, a prominent judge during the trials and an ancestor of Nathaniel Hawthorne.

One prominent gravestone belongs to Sinon Bradstreet, last governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and husband to Mary Bradstreet, America’s first published poet.

You can spend some time examining the carvings on the cemetery’s historic gravestones while appreciating the adjacent Pickman House, a Colonial dwelling likely dating back to the time of the witch trials.

8. Salem Witch Trials Memorial

Salem is characterized by many whimsical references to witchcraft; however, it is essential to acknowledge the somber human tragedy that unfolded in the early 1690s.

Dedicated in 1992, on the 300th anniversary of the executions, the memorial features a simple yet poignant design. Located on Liberty Street adjacent to the Old Burying Point, it consists of a granite wall partly enclosing a small courtyard adorned with six locust trees.

From the wall project 20 granite slabs, each inscribed with the name, manner, and date of death of a victim of the trials. At the entrance, quotes from the condemned are etched into the stone, sourced from court transcripts, including statements such as “God knows I am innocent,” “Oh Lord, help me,” and, “On my dying day, I am no witch.”

9. Salem Ferry

Given the city’s rich maritime legacy, traveling to Salem by boat provides a unique perspective. This journey can be enjoyed via the Salem Ferry, a high-speed catamaran that transports passengers between Long Wharf in Boston and Blaney Street Dock at Salem Harbor within 50 minutes.

The vessel, named Nathaniel Bowditch, measures 92 feet long and features two decks equipped with interior seating, a galley, and three restrooms.

The upper deck offers a perfect viewing area for sightseeing, especially during summer trips, while the climate-controlled internal section ensures comfort regardless of weather conditions.

10. Punto Urban Art Museum

Located south of the harbor, El Punto is a traditionally working-class neighborhood, now recognized for its vibrant Latinx and immigrant community.

In an effort to bridge socioeconomic gaps and encourage pride within the neighborhood, several blocks of El Punto have been transformed into a stunning outdoor gallery.

Here, visitors can admire over 75 large-scale murals created by renowned global artists, as well as contributions from 25 local artists.

This inspiring and thought-provoking Punto Urban Art Museum acts as a refreshing contrast to Salem’s historical attractions.

11. Stephen Phillips House

The Stephen Phillips House, a beautifully preserved Federal-style residence located at No. 34 Chestnut Street, serves as an historic house museum.

This residence, constructed in 1821, has an intriguing backstory: Its core comprises four rooms transported via ox sled from Danvers by Captain Nathaniel West, which were originally part of his country house built in 1806 with his former wife, Elizabeth, who was the daughter of wealthy merchant Elias Hasket Derby.

In 1911, the house was acquired by Stephen W. Phillips, also of a shipping lineage, who brought in five generations of family furnishings while his wife Anna oversaw a Colonial Revival remodel.

During your visit to the Phillips House, you can explore the antique furniture and decorative arts, learn about the Phillips family and their staff, and view a selection of vintage carriages and automobiles.

12. Salem Willows

Another engaging destination is an oceanfront park located at the end of Salem Neck, a spot that has attracted families since the mid-19th century.

This park is named after willow trees, first planted here in 1801 to provide shade for patients at a nearby hospital.

Converted to a public park in 1858, the seasonal boardwalk establishments bordering the park have continued to operate since 1880.

Here, an array of informal eateries offers pizza, seafood, tacos, Chinese cuisine, and ice cream. The park is an ideal retreat for those wishing to relax by the ocean while enjoying views across the water to neighboring North Shore municipalities.

The end of the peninsula is lined with beaches, presenting a prime location for observing the July 4th fireworks displays in Salem, as well as those in Marblehead and Beverly.

13. Salem Art Gallery

Providing a counterpoint to superstition, the Salem Art Gallery, which opened in a former funeral parlor in 2016, serves as the global headquarters for the Satanic Temple, advocating for egalitarianism, social justice, and the separation of church and state.

The gallery not only hosts temporary exhibits showcasing works by established and emerging artists from across the globe, but it also features a permanent exhibit detailing the history of Satanism alongside moral panics and witch hunts.

A key highlight is the monumental 3,000-pound bronze statue of Baphomet (2015), which was presented to the State of Oklahoma following the erection of a statue of the Ten Commandments on public grounds outside the State Capitol.

14. Ropes Mansion and Garden

The Ropes Mansion, constructed in the 1720s for merchant Samuel Barnard, was opened to the public as Salem’s first historic house museum in 1912.

The property remained within the Ropes family from 1768 until 1907, at which point it was bequeathed to a trust for public benefit.

Now operated by the Peabody Essex Museum, the Ropes Mansion is especially renowned for its one-acre Colonial Revival garden, designed by Salem botanist John Robinson.

The garden is accessible to the public free of charge, 365 days a year. Meanwhile, the mansion, featured in the film Hocus Pocus (1993), is open for self-guided tours on weekends throughout the summer until the end of October.

15. Salem Pioneer Village

Forest River Park, located near Salem State University, is home to the United States’ first living history museum.

This distinctive site, the Salem Pioneer Village, was established in 1930 as a set for a play commemorating Salem’s tercentennial.

Designed to reflect the appearance of Salem in its formative years, the village covers three acres and features thatched-roof cottages, dugouts, wigwams, and the impressive Governor’s Faire House.

The grounds include kitchen and medicinal gardens, while the blacksmith’s shop provides further insight into 17th-century life. When this article was drafted, the Salem Pioneer Village was open on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.