Deb's Guidebook to Salem
Walks nearby
Walk to the harbor and Hocus Pocus House
Forest River Park
32 Clifton AveSalem Ghosts
221 Essex StThese are fun tours in the fall. Look for a Groupon!
Sightseeing
Museu Peabody Essex
161 Essex StGreat local museum
Salem Maritime National Historic Site
160 Derby StLa Casa de les Set Gables
115 Derby StSalem Witch Museum
19 1/2 N Washington SquareMuseu de la Presó de Bruixes
16 Lynde StCasa de les Bruixes
310 Essex StFriendship of Salem
Food scene
Red's Sandwich Shop
15 Central StGreat breakfast spot
Ugly Mug Diner
122 Washington StGreat breakfast spot
Sea Level Oyster Bar
94 Wharf StDinner with a view. Good food!
Engine House Pizza
71 Lafayette StGood NY style pizza. They deliver too
Far From The Tree Cider
108 Jackson StThis is a great local spot in Salem.
Notch Brewery & Tap Room
283R Derby StOne of Salem’s popular breweries.
This is one of the best seafood restaurants in Salem. Great atmosphere, especially in fall and winter.
68 residents recomanen
Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall
43 Church StThis is one of the best seafood restaurants in Salem. Great atmosphere, especially in fall and winter.
Good food, near the water, located on popular Pickering Wharf near Sea Level and many other shops and sites.
71 residents recomanen
Finz
86 Wharf StGood food, near the water, located on popular Pickering Wharf near Sea Level and many other shops and sites.
You are in for a treat if you stop here—bread, pastries, sticky buns, croissants— a European bakery in Salem. Worth checking out if you can, but check hours of operation—they sell out fast sometimes!
6 residents recomanen
A&J King Artisan Bakers
139 Boston StYou are in for a treat if you stop here—bread, pastries, sticky buns, croissants— a European bakery in Salem. Worth checking out if you can, but check hours of operation—they sell out fast sometimes!
Sometimes you just need to have…a cheese platter dinner. Get the best baguette, some good wine, apple cider or seltzer, a local craft beer— some olives or a nice sun dried tomato tapenade—and cheese from the Salem Cheese Shop—they have it all and often feature specials, check their website for more info. Good stuff!
19 residents recomanen
The Cheese Shop of Salem
45 Lafayette StSometimes you just need to have…a cheese platter dinner. Get the best baguette, some good wine, apple cider or seltzer, a local craft beer— some olives or a nice sun dried tomato tapenade—and cheese from the Salem Cheese Shop—they have it all and often feature specials, check their website for more info. Good stuff!
I really like this restaurant. The food is good, fresh and the menu changes often. It’s nice to sit at the bar and have dinner or relax at a table with some friends.
62 residents recomanen
Ledger Restaurant
125 Washington StI really like this restaurant. The food is good, fresh and the menu changes often. It’s nice to sit at the bar and have dinner or relax at a table with some friends.
When people ask me “where can we get good fried seafood?” I always include Dube’s on that list! It’s not only within walking distance of our place, but last I checked the portions are big! It has been in existence for as long as I can remember and it is always crowded. Good local spot. Nothing fancy.
Dube's Seafood
317 Jefferson AveWhen people ask me “where can we get good fried seafood?” I always include Dube’s on that list! It’s not only within walking distance of our place, but last I checked the portions are big! It has been in existence for as long as I can remember and it is always crowded. Good local spot. Nothing fancy.
Howling Wolf Taqueria
76 Lafayette StGood Mexican food!
Beaches Nearby
There are several nice beaches nearby. Some are farther than others, Devereaux in Marblehead charges for parking, During the summer season, all others are free for now.
Devereux Beach
Forest River Park
32 Clifton AveStramski's Beach
Grace Oliver Beach
Ice Cream Treats Nearby
A fun thing to do when visiting is to go for ice cream! There are several nearby and it is fun to sample them to see who has the best!
Melt Ice Cream
60 Washington StThis is gourmet ice cream!
This location is one of the prettiest New England locations—it is right across from Manchester Harbor with beautiful vistas. The ride there from Salem by car is also very scenic, right along the coast.
19 residents recomanen
Captain Dusty's Ice Cream
143 Derby StThis location is one of the prettiest New England locations—it is right across from Manchester Harbor with beautiful vistas. The ride there from Salem by car is also very scenic, right along the coast.
Good soft serve, not too expensive, a local favorite in the summer.
6 residents recomanen
Dairy Witch Ice Cream
117 Boston StGood soft serve, not too expensive, a local favorite in the summer.
This place is open year round, most others are seasonal, and it serves VERY generous portions! Good stuff!
Treadwell's Ice Cream
46 Margin StThis place is open year round, most others are seasonal, and it serves VERY generous portions! Good stuff!
This is one of the most historic and amazing places—all ice cream is made on site, they have amazing taffy and popcorn too. It is located in historic Salem Willows, an old fashioned small amusement park and arcade.
E.W. Hobbs, Inc.
207 Fort AveThis is one of the most historic and amazing places—all ice cream is made on site, they have amazing taffy and popcorn too. It is located in historic Salem Willows, an old fashioned small amusement park and arcade.
Boat and Ferry Rides, Whale Watches too
There are a number of outside activities you can do from Salem, including Salem Harbor cruises, a ferry ride to Boston, as well as whale watches to Stellwagen Bank from Boston or Gloucester.
Schooner Fame
86 Wharf StSalem Ferry
10 Blaney StWhale Watching
1 Long WharfSunset Sail Salem
10 Blaney StOther fun things to do in downtown Salem
If you just feel like strolling about, the Pickering Wharf area is very nice. You can see the harbor, relax in some waterside Adirondack chairs, visit some shops, and see some nice art murals.
Pickering Wharf Marina
23 Congress StI have not been on this tour but many people ask if Salem has ghost tours—and the answer is yes! I suggest you go online and read the reviews to choose one that works for you, your guests, family, etc. Some offer daytime tours which may be a good option for kids (don’t want it to be too scary for the little ones!) Some are also by candlelight—a nice option on a colder fall evening. Some are also more about history than they are about ghosts. All are usually memorable!
7 residents recomanen
Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour
8 Central StI have not been on this tour but many people ask if Salem has ghost tours—and the answer is yes! I suggest you go online and read the reviews to choose one that works for you, your guests, family, etc. Some offer daytime tours which may be a good option for kids (don’t want it to be too scary for the little ones!) Some are also by candlelight—a nice option on a colder fall evening. Some are also more about history than they are about ghosts. All are usually memorable!
When you are strolling around Essex St. stop by this book stop and by a fun book on the history of Salem! They have the BEST selection of Salem books!
Wicked Good Books
260 Essex StWhen you are strolling around Essex St. stop by this book stop and by a fun book on the history of Salem! They have the BEST selection of Salem books!