Things to Do in Salem and the North Shore
Witch-trial history, a great museum, fishing harbors and fried clams.
See top-rated activities »About Salem
Salem, about 25 minutes north of Boston by commuter train or seasonal ferry, is known around the world for the witch trials of 1692, when 19 people were hanged and others died in jail after accusations of witchcraft. The Salem Witch Museum, the Witch House of Judge Jonathan Corwin and the Salem Witch Trials Memorial near the Old Burying Point each tell part of that story, and dozens of guided walks, from serious history to ghost tours, fill the downtown streets every evening.
The town has a deeper history as a seaport. Salem ships sailed to China and the East Indies in the decades after the Revolution, and Salem Maritime National Historical Park, the first site of its kind in the country, preserves wharves, the Custom House where Nathaniel Hawthorne worked and a replica tall ship. The Peabody Essex Museum, founded by sea captains in 1799, has grown into one of the largest art museums in New England, with an entire Chinese merchant's house moved from China and rebuilt inside. The House of the Seven Gables, made famous by Hawthorne's novel, overlooks the harbor.
October is Salem's busiest month by far, with Haunted Happenings filling the calendar with parades, costume balls and late-night tours. Expect crowds, closed streets and full trains on weekends; the rest of the year is calmer and easier to enjoy.
Beyond Salem, the North Shore stretches toward New Hampshire past Marblehead's harbor and the fishing towns of Cape Ann. Gloucester, the oldest fishing port in the country, sends whale watch boats to Stellwagen Bank and has Hammond Castle, an inventor's medieval-style home above the sea. Rockport's Bearskin Neck is a narrow spit of shops and lobster shacks around the red fishing shack known as Motif No. 1, and the town of Essex is famous for the fried clam, which local lore says was first served there in 1916.
Don’t Miss
A narrated presentation of the 1692 trials and an exhibit on how witch hunts have repeated through history.
Art and culture from around the world, including Yin Yu Tang, a 200-year-old Chinese house rebuilt inside.
The 1668 mansion that inspired Hawthorne's novel, with gardens on the harbor.
Wharves, the Custom House and the replica ship Friendship from Salem's trading era.
A 1920s castle built by inventor John Hays Hammond Jr. on the cliffs of Gloucester Harbor.
A narrow neck of shops and seafood stands around the most painted fishing shack in America.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in Salem
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ViatorTours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 27, 2026. Best in Mass may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »Salem — FAQ
How do I get from Boston to Salem?
The MBTA commuter rail from North Station takes about 30 minutes. A seasonal ferry runs from Long Wharf from late spring into fall. Driving is slower in October, when parking fills early.
Is Salem worth visiting outside October?
Yes. The museums, historic houses and restaurants are open all year, prices are lower and you can see the town without crowds. Spring and early fall are pleasant.
When can I go whale watching from Gloucester?
Most boats run from spring through October. Humpback, fin and minke whales feed on Stellwagen Bank through the summer.
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