How to spend one day in Salem Massachusetts: Best day trip from Boston
If you’re planning a trip to Boston and have a few extra days to spend in the city, then I highly recommend taking a day trip to Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is only a 30-minute drive from Boston and worth the visit.
Known for its rich history tied to the infamous witch trials of 1692, Salem offers a plethora of activities for history buffs and thrill-seekers alike.
You can explore the Salem Witch Museum, walk through the charming streets, explore the city’s maritime history, and visit the Hocus Pocus movie set locations.
In addition to the historical attractions, downtown Salem features unique shops, delightful cafes, and vibrant art galleries, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
On the blog, I will share all the top things to do in one day in Salem Massachusetts. You can easily see most of Salem’s main attractions in one day, which makes it the best day trip from Boston.
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How to get to Salem from Boston
By Car
- Salem Massachusetts is an easy day trip from Boston and is only about a 30-minute drive. There are parking garages in Salem, all within walking distance of all the main attractions in Salem.
By Train
- You can also get to Salem from Boston by train on “the T”, which is a commuter rail that connects both cities. The journey takes about 30-35 minutes on either the Newburyport or Rockport lines, which depart from Boston’s North Station, and makes a stop at the Salem Depot.
By Ferry
- Another way to get to Salem from Boston is by ferry. During the Summer and fall, Boston Harbor City Cruises operates a ferry from Long Wharf to Salem.
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Best time to visit Salem Massachusetts
Since Salem MA is known for the Witch trials, one of the best times to visit is in October, during the Salem Haunted Happenings Event.
- This is probably one of the most popular times to visit Salem, and if you’re planning to visit during this Halloween celebration in Salem, be prepared for crowds!
- Salem Haunted Happenings goes from October and is an annual celebration of Halloween and Fall in New England.
- Events usually include a Grand Parade, the Haunted Street Fair, Family Film Nights, costume balls, ghost tours, haunted houses, live music, and chilling theatrical presentations. Visit the website here for all the special events happening this Halloween.
- The Grand Parade is a free event that happens on October 3, 2024 from 6:30-8pm and starts at Shetland Park, continues through downtown, and ends at the Salem Common.
- The Salem Psychic Fair & Marketplace: From October 1-31, 2024, The Salem Psychic Fair and Witches’ Market features Psychic readings, magical gifts, and you can meet real practicing witches! Location: Witch City Mall 176 Essex Street in Historic downtown Salem! Free Admission!
- Guilty! A Salem Witch Trial Gallows Hill Salem: October 1-31 – 6:15 pm & 7:15pm. An event featuring the audience on trial for witchcraft!
- Tickets: Adults: $24 / Child: $20 (8-13 years) Children under 8 years are not allowed to attend. Reserve tickets here
- Location: Gallows Hill & The Lost Museum-7 Lynde Street, Salem, MA 01970
- History Alive Inc. Insists there are
NoGhosts at the Old Town Hall: Thurs., Sat. & Sun. nights October 12-31 at 7 & 8:30pm. No Ghosts at the Old Town Hall is a kid-friendly combination haunted scavenger hunt/spooky storytelling/immersive theatre experience based on all the rumors of hauntings in this cherished 1816 building. - Tickets: $26 Reserve tickets here
- Location: Old Town Hall (Meet outside the building facing Essex Street)32 Derby Square
Salem, Massachusetts 01970
- Hollowed Harvest at Wicked Labyrinth: From Sept. 23-Oct. 30, enjoy hundreds of intricately carved Jack-O-Lanterns at the Hollowed Harvest at Wicked Labyrinth, which is Salem’s only Jack-O’-Lantern festival. There will also be a Jack-O’-Lantern Tunnel, and a new season pass option this year.
- Tickets: General admission– $20 adults / $16 kids / FREE 3 and under
- VIP Tickets-$25 adults / $20 kids / FREE 3 and under
- Seasons Pass-$50 adults / $40 kids
- Tickets must be purchased online here
- Location: 1 Sewall St, Salem, MA 01970
- If you’re planning a visit to Salem in October, make sure to plan ahead of time and book hotels and tickets to attractions ahead of time to beat the crowds and to ensure you have tickets on the days you plan to visit!
- I also recommend visiting in early October, the closer you get to Halloween, the more crowded the town gets.
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Booking.comHow to get around Salem Massachusetts
One of the best ways to explore Salem Massachusetts is on the Salem trolley tour.
This hop-on-hop-off tour takes you to all the main attractions in Salem MA on a narrated one-hour tour, and can also be used as a shuttle service around Salem.
You can easily explore Salem on foot, but the trolley tour is worth it, especially when visiting with kids.
You can only purchase a Salem Trolley Tour Ticket at the Salem Visitors Center, Corner of Essex Street & New Liberty Streets.
- Adult (Ages 15-59): $25.00
- Senior (Ages 60+): $24.00
- Child (Ages 6-14): $15.00
- Young Child (Ages 5 and Under): Free
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Where to eat in Salem
- Red’s Sandwich Shop: We enjoyed lunch at Red’s Sandwich Shop which is known for its award-winning breakfast and home-cooked meals. We enjoyed the Lobster Rolls and the Fried Shrimp platter.
- Village Tavern: Serving New England staples like clam chowder, lobster mac and cheese, and more!
- Howling Wolf Taqueria: Made from scratch Mexican cuisine with live music & margaritas.
- Flying Saucer Pizza Company: Serving traditional, vegan & gluten-free pizzas with a sci-fi decor!
- Ledger Restaurant: Upscale restaurant specializing in New England cuisine in a 19th-century bank building.
- Ugly Mug’s Diner: Another great place for breakfast or lunch and specialty drinks
- Ye Olde Pepper Companie: One of the best candy shops in Salem which is one of the oldest circa the 1800s.
Top things to do in Salem Massachusetts
Salem Visitors Center
Your first stop when visiting Salem should be the Salem Regional Visitors Center. Watch a film, visit the exhibits, and purchase some souvenirs.
There are some Ranger-guided programs that you can take part in, which include a tour of some of the Historic Houses in Salem.
This is also the perfect place to get more information about Salem and all the things to do in the area.
The Visitors Center is also the pickup location when taking the Salem Trolley tours, which I highly recommend.
You can purchase tickets on the spot, and the Trolley can be used as a hop-on-hop-off ride when visiting Salem.
The Salem Visitors Center is run by the National Park Service, so make sure to bring along the kid’s Junior Ranger book to get stamped.
You can also pick up a Junior Ranger book at the Visitors Center, or download one here for the kids to complete and get a Junior Ranger Badge.
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Walk the Salem Heritage Trail
One of the best ways to explore Salem is by following the Salem Heritage Trail.
The trail starts at the Salem Regional Visitor Center and meanders its way along some of Salem’s most historic spots.
The line is red and you definitely can’t miss it! Make sure to pick up a map at the Visitors Center or download one here.
The Heritage Trail connects all of Salem’s main sites, including the Witch House, Old Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Witch Trials Memorial, and more. It’s the best way to explore the city on a self-guided tour.
You can also purchase tickets for the Salem Witchcraft Walking tour here.
Visit the Salem Witch Museum
One of Salem’s main attractions is the Salem Witch Museum. There are exhibits & tours exploring the 1692 Salem witch trials.
Visitors are given a dramatic history lesson using stage sets with life-size figures, lighting, and narration.
- Hours: Open daily from 10am-5pm, with extended hours in October.
- Tickets: Tickets can only be purchased online and on the day of the visit here and cost $17.50 for adults, $16 for Seniors, and $14.50 for children (3-14). (The museum presentation depicts the tragic history and may not be suitable for younger children!)
- Be aware that ticket times cannot be changed and are non-refundable. Check in with a staff member when you arrive at the front of the museum at your allotted time and have your cell phone and confirmation email ready.
- Location: 19 1/2 N Washington Square, Salem, MA 01970
Tour the Witch House
One of the most important landmarks in Salem is the Witch House, which is the former home of Jonathan Corwin, who was a trial judge during the Salem witch trials.
The Salem Witch House is the only building left that had direct ties to the 1692 Salem witch trials and is now a museum. You can go on a self-guided tour and explore the Witch House.
- Hours: open daily from 10am-5pm (Winter hours are till 4pm from Nov.-March).
- Tickets: Tickets can be purchased at the museum gift shop
- Self-guided tours: $12 for adults, $10 for Seniors, $8 for kids (6-14), and free for kids under 6.
- Location: 310 Essex Street Salem, MA 01970.
Visit the Salem Witch Trial Memorials
On your sightseeing stroll through Salem MA, don’t forget to visit the Salem Witch Trial Memorial.
This somber memorial is dedicated to the victims of the Salem Witch Trials. It consists of 20 granite benches inscribed with the name of the accused and the date of execution.
We learn so much about the Salem Witch trials through movies and books, but there’s nothing like visiting it in real life. It was such a sobering experience, and one you just have to experience for yourself.
Visit the Old Burying Point cemetery
Adjacent to the Salem Witch trials memorial is the Old Burying Point Cemetery.
The Old Burying Point Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in Salem and one of the oldest in the United States.
This is the final resting place of several Salem notables, including Judge John Hathorne, one of the principal witchcraft trial magistrates.
Tour the House of the Seven Gables
One of the best places to visit in Salem MA is the House of the Seven Gables.
This historic home in Salem was made famous by author Nathaniel Hawthorne, who wrote the novel “The House of the Seven Gables”.
You can go on a 45-minute guided tour of the House of the Seven Gables, and visit Nathaniel Hawthorne’s childhood home as well, which is located within the property.
If you’re short on time, you can purchase tickets to explore the grounds and gardens only, which cost $5 or $10 depending on the season.
This was one of our favorite tours in Salem, and is so worth the visit!
- Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm
- Tickets: Tickets can be purchased online here and guided tours cost
- $25 for adults, $20 Seniors 65+, $17 for kids (5-12), and FREE for kids under 5.
- A grounds Pass only ticket cost $12 (from May 1-Sept. 30.) and $6 (from Nov 1.-April 30)
- Location: 115 Derby Street Salem, MA 01970
Explore Salems Maritime History
Salem is most notably known for its Witch Trial History. On your sightseeing tour of Salem, get to know Salem’s Maritime history as well.
Your first stop should be at Salem’s Maritime National Historic Site.
Explore the city’s Maritime history by visiting some of the historic buildings, wharves, and replica ships that tell the story of Salem.
The Salem Maritime historic site was established to preserve and interpret the maritime history of New England, It consists of 12 historic structures, and they’re all within walking distance along Derby Street.
Along the Derby Wharf, you can visit the Friendship of Salem Tall ship, which was a replica of a ship built in 1797 and was used in the East Indies Trade and brought back various goods and merchandise to Salem. Tours are available Sat. & Sun. from 12-3pm.
The Pedrick storehouse is also located on the wharf. This historic rigging sail loft was built around 1770 and was relocated to this location from Marblehead MA.
Go shopping on Essex Street
When visiting Salem, make sure to stop by Essex Street and go shopping.
This historic pedestrianized street is lined with a cobblestone and brick walkway, located in the middle of downtown Salem.
You can find lots of attractions, museums, shops, restaurants, and cafes here.
Make sure to pick up some witch souvenirs, they can be found in pretty much every shop in the city.
Visit Winter Island Park
Winter Island Park is a recreational park located just a short drive away from downtown Salem. On your visit, you can explore the historic Fort and Pickering Lighthouse.
There are also camp and RV sites on Winter Island with many recreational opportunities, including swimming, fishing, camping, boating, and relaxation under the sun. RV and tent camping are available from May 20-Nov. 1 and reservations can be made here.
Go on a Salem Ghost Tour
One of the best things to do in Salem is a Ghost tour. A visit to Salem in October during the Haunted Happenings event is the best time to visit this spooky town in America. Go on a haunted ghost tour of some of Salem’s most spooky places.
Go on a Hocus Pocus movie locations tour
Since you’re in Salem, make sure to go on a Hocus Pocus movie locations tour.
Some of the movie spots are located right in the city, and a few are a short drive away. Here is a list of some of the locations right in the city:
Max’s House
- One of the best movie spots to visit in Salem is Max’s House. This is one of the most recognized houses from the movie, and it’s just a short drive away.
- Keep in mind that the house is a private residence, so please respect the owners’ property and their privacy. You can find the house on 4 Ocean Ave. Salem MA.
Old Town Hall
- The Old Town Hall is another famous movie spot in Hocus Pocus and is known as the location of the Halloween Party where the Sanderson sisters sang the “I Put a Spell on You” song.
- The Old Town Hall is the earliest surviving municipal structure in Salem, dating from 1816-17. It is located in the city center at 32 Derby Square Salem, MA.
Ropes mansion
- Visit the 18th-century Ropes Mansion in Salem, which is known as Allison’s house in the movie and is located at 318 Essex Street Salem, MA.
- Now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum, you can tour the interior of the home which is open on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays 10 am–5 pm, Fridays 10 am-7 pm.
- Tickets can be purchased online here and cost $20 for adults, $18 for Seniors, $12 for students with valid ID, and FREE (for kids ages 16 and under, Military & Salem residents with valid ID)
Pioneer Village
- The Pioneer Village is where the opening scenes of the movie were filmed. The scenes where the Sanderson sisters captured Emily Binx, and turned her brother Thackery into a black cat.
- Pioneer Village is a living history museum and is located at 310 West Ave. Salem, MA.
- Tours of the village are offered during the summer and are open from 12-4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets cost $5 and can be purchased at the gate or online here.
- There are two other locations that we didn’t get to visit, which is the Phillips Elementary School where Max and Alison went to school. The school is located at 56 South Washington Square in Salem.
- We also missed the Old Burial Hill Cemetery, where Max crosses the town’s bullies and loses his shoe. The scene was filmed in Marblehead at the Old Burial Hill, which is one of the most picturesque graveyards in New England. You can find the cemetery in Marblehead just about a 5-mile drive away from Salem.
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