The city of Salem is located about a 30-minute train ride away from Boston and is a popular destination for visitors to Massachusetts. It’s well known for the Salem Witch Trials, which took place between 1692-1693. The tragic events resulted in the execution of 20 individuals as well as the death of others in prison. Every year tourists visit, particularly around the Halloween season, to immersive themselves in both the historical and modern interpretations of witches.
While the city does an excellent job of educating visitors about the trials, there’s also much more to Salem than it’s eerie past. Below are my recommendations for 10 Historical Things to Do in Salem, Massachusetts.
1. Visit inside the infamous Witch House.
The house is one of Salem’s most infamous buildings and also one of few remaining buildings that has a direct connection to the Salem Witch Trails. However the house was not owned by anyone accused of witchcraft, but by Jonathan Corwin, one of the judges who presided over the trails. He purchased the home in 1675 and lived there for over 40 years.
Today, the house is open to the public and the museum gives an insight into the mass hysteria that caused the number of accusations as well as just how scary it was to be living in Salem, particularly as a woman, during this time period.
Note: if you are planning to visit in October, reservations are now required through the website.
2. Stay in historical accommodation at the Hawthorne Hotel.
This historic accommodation first opened in 1925 and was named after the author Nathaniel Hawthorne, who hailed from Salem. Over the years the hotel has hosted a number of notable guests, including Liza Minnelli, Johnny Cash, Bette Davis, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro and more. In the 1970s the television show Bewitched also filmed the Salem Saga in the city and it featured the hotel.
There’s lots of interesting stories about the hotel and you’ll often hear that it’s haunted. One particularly interesting story is that on October 30, 1990, a séance was held in the Grand Ballroom of the hotel, in the hopes of summoning Harry Houdini on the anniversary of his death. The hotel notes that it was unsuccessful!
Learn more about booking accommodation at the Hawthorne Hotel here.
3. Learn more about the Salem Witch Trials at the Salem Witch Museum.
While there are a number of historical things to do in Salem, the city is probably most famous for the Salem Witch Trials. The trials took place between 1692-1693 and, in what is often described as mass hysteria, they resulted in the execution of 20 individuals and more deaths in prison. A person could be accused of witchcraft for something as trivial as butter turning bad and it was a terrifying time to be living in the area.
There are two parts to the Salem Witch Museum; the first provides an immersive look at the events and the second explores the history and meaning of the word “witch”. Note that if you’re going around the Halloween season, you will need to pre-book tickets in advance. At any time of year I would double check the website here for admission details before going.
4. Visit the inspiration for the novel The House of the Seven Gables.
The House of the Seven Gables, also known as the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, was built in 1668 by merchant and sea captain John Turner. However it was made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 19th century novel of the same name. By 1811 the house was owned by a woman named Susanna Ingersoll, a cousin of Nathaniel Hawthorne. It was his time spent visiting the house that would go on to inspire his novel.
Today, visitors can take a guided tour that lasts about 45 minutes and gives insight into both the celebrated history of the house and some of the darker moments in its past. You’ll also learn about the nonprofit organization established to assist families immigrating to the area… important work that is still done today. You can also visit the house where Nathaniel Hawthorne was born, which has been relocated to the grounds.
5. Explore maritime history at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site.
Salem has an extensive maritime history that played a key role in the development of the city over centuries. The Salem Maritime National Historic Site preserves and interprets over 600 years of this maritime history. First established in 1938, it was also the first National Historic Site in the United States. The site is located along the waterfront and consists of 12 historic buildings, including the Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center, Narbonne House, Derby House and more. It’s a beautiful place to take a walk through visit some buildings and learn more about the heritage.
6. Visit the city’s oldest graveyard at the Old Burying Point Cemetery.
The Old Burying Point is the oldest maintained cemetery in Salem and is one of the oldest in the United States. Also known as the Charter Street Cemetery, it first opened in 1637 and is the final resting place of a number of Salem’s historical figures. Two infamous burials here include those of John Hathorne and Bartholomew Gedney, two judges of the Salem Witch Trials.
If you’re visiting the cemetery in the Fall, reservations are normally required. They can be made here on the Charter Street Cemetery website. If you don’t have reservations, you can also view the site from over the cemetery walls.
7. Pay your respects at the Salem Witch Trials Memorial.
Next to the cemetery you’ll find the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, that remembers the 20 victims who lost their lives. Each victim’s name, date and means of execution is etched into a stone bench in remembrance. There are also quotes from the victims carved into the ground that were taken from trial transcripts. The quotes are purposefully cut off mid sentence to symbolize the lives cut tragically short.
The Salem Witch Trials Memorial is open from dawn until dusk. It’s a sombre place for reflection and visitors can enter at no cost to pay their respects.
8. Experience art and history at the Peabody Essex Museum.
The origins of the Peabody Essex Museum go back to the establishment of the East India Marine Society in 1799, making it the oldest continuously operating and collecting museum un the United States. From its earliest days, it has housed a collection of interesting objects and historical memorabilia. Today, the museum is home to an extensive collection of maritime art and history.
There are a number of interesting things to explore in the museum, including architecture, photography, fashion and textiles, as well as impressive collections of African, American, Asian, European art and more. The collection also includes objects and information regarding the Salem Witch Trials.
9. Try some of America’s oldest candies at Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie.
Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie is said to be the oldest candy company in America. The business dates back to approximately 1806, when a woman named Mary Spencer first created a candy called Salem Gibralters. Also known as “Gibraltar rock”, these historical candies were the first to be sold commercially in the United States.
The store is well known for its historical treats that include Black Jacks and other old fashioned candies. It’s the perfect place to stop for a sweet treat!
10. Enjoy a bowl of New England Clam Chowder.
Probably the regions most famous dish, there’s nothing like a bowl of steaming hot New England Clam Chowder after a day out exploring. The dish was believed to have been brought to the area by English, French and/or Nova Scotian settlers and was very popular by the 18th century. There’s quite a few places in Salem that offer the chowder and I can highly recommend the bowl I had at O’Neill’s of Salem. And if you’re interested in more seafood, I would also recommend the Sea Level Oyster Bar.