Each autumn, when the leaves start to turn, visitors flock to New England in search of chowder, quaint scenery, and colorful foliage. But there’s a subsection of visitors that makes a beeline for Salem, Massachusetts—a town where the past is so deliciously spooky it could make even the most jaded visitor raise an eyebrow.
In colonial America, Salem was not the charming seaside town it is today. In fact, it was to its settlers the grim, precarious edge of the known world. Spirits, the supernatural, and, yes, witches were considered as real and reliable as the changing of the seasons. Then came the hysteria: between 1692 and 1693, over 200 people were accused of witchcraft. Many were tried, 19 were executed, and Salem cemented itself in one of the more obscure annals of American history. To this day, no one can entirely explain what ignited the frenzy–which, naturally, only adds to the intrigue.
But fast forward to 2025, and Salem has undergone a pretty complete transformation. Today’s Salem is part colonial-gothic fairy tale, part seaside charmer. The witch tours and museums remain, but they’re now paired with quaint restaurants, shops, and hotels—perfect whether you’re a first-time visitor, or a lifelong New Englander in search of a weekend or day trip with a little extra magic.
Peabody Essex Museum
There are a lot—and we mean a lot—of museums in New England, but few shine as brightly as the Peabody Essex Museum, one of the country’s oldest continuously operating museums and the successor organization to the East India Marine Society, which dates back to 1799. It’s filled with a range of curios and fine art pieces, including special collections of American, Asian, and Oceanic art. A museum that isn’t afraid to step outside the box and keep even repeat guests guessing, the PEM’s varied galleries range from a full-sized 18th-century Chinese house, to immersive contemporary art experiences. The latest special exhibit feels especially apropos for fashion lovers: “Andrew Gn: Fashioning the World” offers a retrospective of the Singaporean, Paris-based designer.
Punto Urban Art Museum
For a glimpse at the diverse community that Salem is today, head two blocks south from the central, touristy downtown towards the Point neighborhood. Here, contained within about a three-block radius, you’ll find the Punto Urban Art Museum: seventy-five large-scale murals by a mix of global and local artists. It illuminates a side of Salem that even locals are often surprised to discover.
Salem Witch Museum
Were you even a kid in Massachusetts if you never went on a field trip to the Salem Witch Museum? Yes, it’s hokey, but this age-old animated exhibition is a quintessentially Salem thing to do, and puts you right into the action of the town’s most dramatic witch trials.
WKND
Hop across the bridge to neighboring Beverly to visit WKND, a beautifully curated shop of “small batch vintage” and “mindful goods.” Cozy knits, clean small-batch skincare products, lovely candles, and baskets—you’ll absolutely find something here to bring home as a souvenir.
The Hotel Salem
Many visitors do Salem as a day trip from Boston proper or from the surrounding suburbs, but an overnight at the cute 44-room Hotel Salem takes the stress out of commuting. In fact, “The Roof” is the only rooftop bar and restaurant in town, offering expansive views of the surrounding harbor and cobblestone streets. On a warm autumn night, there’s nowhere better to be.
Ledger Restaurant Bar
Who doesn’t love a restaurant set in a former bank? The beloved, buzzy Ledger is a great place for brunch, a cocktail, or dinner. The menu is filled with elegant, upscale American cuisine that ranges from the classic (grilled miso salmon) to the inventive (grilled beets with labneh and spiced pomegranate molasses).
Take a Hike
There are two main places in Salem to stretch your legs, ditch the tourist crowds, and get some fresh air—and both are just steps from the center of town. First, the Salem Woods are a bucolic stretch of woodland once used as “common land” for the pasturage of livestock. Second is Winter Island Park, which is less of an island and more of a peninsula that stretches out from the far end of town. The rocky shoreline, crashing waves, and scenic lighthouse are a great microcosm of the New England coast.
The Old Burying Point Cemetery
Nothing says “weekend getaway” like a stroll through the cemetery. The Old Burying Point Cemetery, also known as the Charter Street Cemetery, has soil rich with history—quite literally. Originally opened in 1637, it’s one of the oldest cemeteries in the country and is the final resting place for several historical figures, including John Hathorne, a leading judge during the Witch Trials.
House Tours
The community of Salem does an excellent job of maintaining its most historic and significant buildings, two of which are located right downtown and offer fascinating glimpses into colonial life. First up, The House of the Seven Gables, New England’s oldest wooden mansion, and made famous by Salem native Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel of the same name. Across town, you’ll find the Jonathan Corwin House (affectionately known as the Witch House), the only house museum in town that has direct ties to the Witch Trials—Mr. Corwin was a judge who presided over a number of them.
Gallows Hill The Lost Museum
Gallows Hill flips the script on attendees and accuses them of witchcraft during a witch trial recreation. But if interactive theater isn’t as spine-tingling as you’d hoped, the Lost Museum now offers a ghost-hunting experience. The paranormal investigation includes cool, high-tech gear like EMF detectors, infrared thermometers, and audio recorders. Prove you’re not afraid of no ghosts and test out your paranormal skills over the course of 90 minutes in the museum.
Crow Haven Corner
If ghost hunting isn’t enough otherworldly fun, take a stroll to Salem’s oldest witch shop, Crow Haven Corner. The owner and local clairvoyant, Miss Lorelei, offers services like psychic readings and love spells and was even on an episode of The Bachelorette in 2022. This is not a walk-in activity, so if you can’t snag an appointment ahead of time, you can still browse the shop for crystals, herbs, and books on the occult. But if you need some serious guidance on love, consider picking up a pink quartz crystal at the shop.
The Salem Ferry
When it’s time to head back to Boston, you can either hop on the Commuter Rail back to North Station, or you can opt for a water journey. An experience unto itself, the Salem Ferry delivers you to Boston in under an hour and offers several unique viewpoints along the way.
Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie
While trick-or-treating may be out of the question, there’s always a way to satiate that sweet tooth. The warm, wooden interior of Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie feels akin to walking into the kitchen while Grandma is baking, sugary aroma and all. For a city with such a deep history, it’s no surprise even the candy has delectable lore.
Schooner Fame
The Fame is a full-scale replica of the first American privateer to set sail during the War of 1812, seizing over twenty targets before her wreck in 1814. Today, this modern replica cruises around Salem Sound, the same waters where Native Americans, pirates and privateers have been making history for 400 years. The ship sails from Memorial Day through Halloween from Pickering Wharf Marina in downtown Salem, and offers both private charters and scheduled sails during the day and at sunset.
Maitland Farm, Kitchen and Spirits
A newcomer to the competitive Salem restaurant scene, Maitland Farm, Kitchen and Spirits more than lives up to its lengthy name. It’s the perfect spot for a quick and easy lunch, with a menu created with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. On a cold day, there’s no better way to warm up than their indulgent grilled cheese on toasted baguette.
Goodnight Fatty
Yes, the name is jarring, but in that insouciant, slightly naughty way that makes you look twice. This weekends-only bakery has become something of a cult favorite for its signature item: an obscenely thick cookie, topped (or rather smashed) with over-the-top ingredients like marshmallows or Oreos, and served warm from the oven. They’re the kind of indulgence that makes you forget every juice cleanse you’ve ever considered. In this town, much like visiting the P.E.M. or touring the Salem Witch Museum, a “fatty” is a rite of passage.
Bernadette
Opened in late 2024 by local husband-and-wife duo Aaron and Shanna Chambers, Bernadette is the type of restaurant that makes you want to extend your day trip through dinner. The menu is French—think tartes flambées, ratatouille, poulet rôti—but it’s also thoughtfully local, sourced wherever possible from nearby providers. The interiors are luxe without being showy, and inviting without feeling pedestrian.
