Adventure
The City of Salem
Not just a city rich in history and maritime lore, Salem boasts a vibrant, charming downtown with museums, attractions, performances, restaurants, and boutique shopping. Get the inside scoop on all of the best attractions and activities around town, straight from the locals.
And Beyond
There are plenty of diversions and oppurtunities for leasure up and down the North Shore, and evidently, in the big city! Travel up the scenic, craggy Essex coastline to its stunning beaches and picturesque seaside towns. Or visit Boston, the birthplace of the American Revolution, and join the tea party. Just 22 miles south of Salem, Boston boasts a rich history marked by monuments and heritage sites; yet is also home to world-class restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and nightlife.
Local Adventures
There’s so much to explore in the city of Salem – so don’t forget to escape to the rest of the scenic North Shore and the city of Boston. The beaches of Cape Ann are just a quick zip up the beautiful coast, and the city of Boston is just a short train or ferry ride away – or about a half-hour by car. No matter the season, your interests, or your budget, our recommendations will delight your sense of wonder.
Summer in Salem is as breezy as it is beautiful. Walk the Heritage Trail around the city, learn about Salem’s colonial history and infamous 1692 Witch Trials in one of the many attractions, and pop into the quirky shops or delicious eateries. Stroll the waterfront and out the jetty to Derby Light, or to the bay at Pickering Light on Winter Island. Head up the coast to enjoy an afternoon on the beaches of Gloucester, Ipswich, Manchester, Plum Island, or Salisbury or explore the high seas by whale watch, chartering a schooner, taking a sailing lesson or renting a motorboat with your friends. Stroll charmingly cosmopolitan downtown Newburyport, explore a quaint, waterside village like Bearskin Neck in Rockport, or peruse the antique shops and fried clam shacks of marshy Essex. And don’t forget to visit Boston. Walk the meandering Freedom Trail through Boston, enjoy a picnic or Shakespeare on the Commons, catch a Red Sox game, or take a cruise through the Boston Harbor Islands. Or celebrate the 4th of July listening to the Boston Pops on the Charles River as fireworks burst overhead.
There is something here for everyone in every season.