Massachusetts Salem

Salem Travel Guide: Discover Museums & History in Massachusetts

The brick sidewalks have been polished by three centuries of footsteps. Salem smells of roasting coffee and candle shops, of autumn leaves and ocean breeze drifting up from the harbor. Church bells mark the hour while sunlight warms the Federal-era facades. This is a city that wears its history with pride and knows how to keep it alive and relevant. Especially when October arrives.

What draws visitors has evolved over the centuries. Sea captains built grand houses here when Salem rivaled Boston as a trading port; their wealth funded one of America's first great museums. Today, those same streets buzz with restaurants, galleries, and the energy of a city still writing new chapters.

Salem Maritime National Historic Site with a tall ship and anchor in Salem, MA

Historic dark wooden buildings with a red door and brick path in Salem, MA

Learn the City History with the Salem Heritage Trail

Bronze Puritan statue with a historic brick church in the background in Salem MA

Salem Commons park scene with stone gazebo

Quick Facts

Getting Here	Boston Logan Airport (BOS), 25-minute drive; commuter rail from Boston
Getting Around	Walkable downtown
Best Time	Year-round; October for festive atmosphere
Lark Properties	2 properties: The Hotel Salem (44 rooms), The Merchant (11 rooms)

Things to Do in Salem

Start at the Peabody Essex Museum where collections span art, architecture, and maritime history across a million objects. The standout is Yin Yu Tang, a 200-year-old Chinese house that was disassembled, shipped across the Pacific, and reassembled inside the galleries. You can walk through its rooms and courtyards without leaving Massachusetts. From the museum, it's a short walk to the House of the Seven Gables, the 1668 mansion that inspired Hawthorne's Gothic novel.

Essex Street forms the heart of downtown, a pedestrian mall lined with restaurants and shops. Counter at The Hotel Salem anchors the block with modern American fare, an open kitchen, and patio seating that spills onto the sidewalk. Upstairs, The Roof offers the city's only rooftop bar, serving tacos, margaritas, and a view of the church spires. For a change of pace, Ledger serves upscale fare in a former bank, and Howling Wolf Taqueria keeps things casual a few doors down.

October transforms the city. Haunted Happenings brings a month of festivals, costume parades, and candlelit tours that draw visitors from around the world. The Salem Heritage Trail, marked by a red line painted on the sidewalk, connects 12 historic sites for those who prefer a self-guided journey through the city's layered past.

Our Favorites

1

HOUSE OF SEVEN GABLES

Built in 1668 and the namesake of Nathaniel Hawthorne's famous novel of the same name, you'll be transported back in time while learning all about Salem's rich history.
2

The WITCH HOUSE

Visit the original home of Jonathan Corwin—one of the judges involved in the Salem witch trials of 1692—the only remaining structure in Salem with direct ties to the infamous witch trials.
3

PEABODY ESSEX

World class art, walking distance from both of our Salem hotels. Dynamic historic and contemporary exhibits change seasonally. Great for families.
4

PICKERING WHARF

On the Salem harbor, the wharf is a quaint shopping village with local shops, waterfront dining, and historic sites include the America's first national historic site.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Salem from Boston?
Salem is 25 minutes by car from Boston Logan Airport. The MBTA Commuter Rail runs from North Station to Salem Depot in about 30 minutes, with frequent service. No car is needed if you're staying downtown.
How long do you need in Salem?
One full day covers the highlights: the Peabody Essex Museum, Essex Street, and dinner. Two days allows for the House of the Seven Gables, Salem Witch Museum, and deeper exploration. Salem works as a day trip from Boston, but staying overnight lets you enjoy the restaurants and evening atmosphere.
Is Salem worth visiting outside of October?
Yes. The Peabody Essex Museum, historic architecture, and restaurant scene are excellent year-round. October means crowds, costumes, and Haunted Happenings. Other months offer a calmer experience with shorter lines and easier parking.
What is the best time to visit Salem?
Salem works year-round, but October brings Haunted Happenings with crowds, costumes, and events throughout the month. Spring and fall offer pleasant weather and easier access. Winter is quieter, good for museum days and cozy dinners.
What is there to do in Salem, MA?
Salem has layers beyond the 1692 witch trials. The Peabody Essex Museum holds one of the country's best art and maritime collections, including Yin Yu Tang, a 200-year-old Chinese house reassembled inside. The House of the Seven Gables offers tours of the 1668 mansion that inspired Hawthorne. Essex Street is a pedestrian mall with restaurants and shops. Counter at The Hotel Salem serves modern American fare, and The Roof offers the city's only rooftop bar. The Salem Heritage Trail connects 12 historic sites.
What Lark Hotels properties are in Salem?
Two properties: The Hotel Salem (44 rooms) on the Essex Street pedestrian mall with Counter restaurant and The Roof bar, and The Merchant (11 rooms) in a 1784 mansion designed by Samuel McIntire. George Washington stayed at The Merchant in 1789.
What restaurants does Lark Hotels have in Salem?
Counter at The Hotel Salem serves modern American cuisine with an open kitchen and patio seating on Essex Street. The Roof offers seasonal rooftop dining with cocktails and city views.