Founded in 1626, Salem grew from a Puritan outpost into a powerful maritime hub before its Witch Trials etched an indelible chapter in American history. Today, the city pairs 17th-century streets and storied sites with contemporary art, indie shops, and a lively food scene. You’ll explore both legacies—seafaring and supernatural—at a measured pace, with time for the ocean air to do its restorative work.

Expect walkable neighborhoods, compact distances, and easy access to the North Shore’s prettiest coastal towns. October is electric (and crowded); spring and early fall bring mild weather and lighter lines, while winter offers atmospheric calm and great museum time. Pack layers, comfy shoes for cobblestones, and curiosity—Salem rewards the unhurried wanderer.

Seafood shacks, modern New England kitchens, craft breweries, and serious coffee fuel the week. For flights into Boston (then a quick hop to Salem), compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From Boston Logan, reach Salem in about 30–60 minutes via MBTA Commuter Rail (North Station), rideshare, or the seasonal ferry (late spring–early fall).

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem is best experienced on foot. The Essex Street Pedestrian Mall threads together indie bookstores, witchy boutiques, and cafes, while the waterfront around Pickering Wharf frames schooners against red-brick warehouses. Don’t miss the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM), a world-class collection reflecting Salem’s global trade roots, and the House of the Seven Gables, which inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s dark classic.

Witch Trials sites provide essential context: the Witch House (Judge Jonathan Corwin’s 17th‑century home), the stark Witch Trials Memorial, and nearby Proctor’s Ledge. For the maritime story, walk Derby Wharf at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, where privateers and merchant captains once set sail for the world.

• Where to stay: Search historic inns and downtown hotels on Hotels.com or browse charming apartments and cottages on VRBO. Look near Essex Street or Pickering Wharf for walkability; Hawthorne Hotel, The Merchant, The Hotel Salem, and Salem Waterfront Hotel are popular picks.
• How to get here: Fly to Boston Logan via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Then: MBTA Commuter Rail from North Station to Salem (~30 minutes; about $8.75 one way), rideshare (30–45 minutes; traffic-dependent), or the seasonal ferry (50 minutes; roughly $25–30).
• Top experiences: PEM and Yin Yu Tang, the Witch House, Witch Trials Memorial and Old Burying Point, House of the Seven Gables, Derby Wharf and the Custom House, Punto Urban Art Museum murals, Salem Willows Park (saltwater taffy and arcades), Notch Brewing biergarten, and guided ghost/history walks at dusk.
• Good to know: Many attractions use timed tickets—reserve weekends and October slots early. Some coastal sites and ferries are seasonal; hours shift in winter. Trains to Gloucester/Rockport make car‑free day trips easy.

Day 1: Arrival, First Sips, and Salem at Dusk

Morning: Travel to Boston on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Continue to Salem (commuter rail ~30 min). Check in via Hotels.com or settle into a downtown VRBO.

Afternoon: Shake off travel with a pour-over at Odd Meter Coffee (seasonal specials and meticulous roasts) or a flat white at Jaho Coffee Roaster & Wine Bar. Stroll the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall past historic storefronts, The Bewitched Statue, and indie shops like modern apothecaries and occult bookstores.

Evening: Dinner at Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall—start with littlenecks and order the broiled fisherman’s platter or day‑boat scallops. Then join a guided ghost or history tour (popular picks include Bewitched After Dark, Black Cat Tours, or Spellbound Tours; $20–35) to hear Salem’s 1692 story where it unfolded.

Day 2: Witch Trials, PEM Masterpieces, and Craft Drinks

Morning: Breakfast at Red’s Sandwich Shop (cinnamon bread French toast or the corned beef hash). Visit the Witch House for rare 17th‑century interiors and context ($9–$13). Walk to the Old Burying Point Cemetery and the minimalist Witch Trials Memorial, where stone benches bear victims’ names.

Afternoon: Spend several hours at the Peabody Essex Museum—don’t miss maritime art, Oceanic galleries, and the transported Qing‑era Yin Yu Tang house (timed add‑on; PEM admission about $20 adults). Lunch at Gulu‑Gulu Café (crepes, pressed sandwiches, strong craft beer list) or Howling Wolf Taqueria (house‑made tortillas, brisket tacos).

Evening: Dinner at Ledger, a New American spot set in a 19th‑century bank; try the popovers, wood‑grilled steaks, and seasonal vegetables. Nightcap at Notch Brewing (session lagers and a riverfront beer garden) or Deacon Giles Distillery for small‑batch gin and rum cocktails in a handsome tasting room.

Day 3: Waterfront History and Hawthorne’s House

Morning: Espresso and a pastry at Front Street Coffeehouse. Tour the House of the Seven Gables complex (garden paths, secret staircases, and period rooms; plan 60–90 minutes). Walk over to Pickering Wharf for harbor views and boutiques.

Afternoon: Explore the Salem Maritime National Historic Site: the Custom House, Derby Wharf, and views of the tall ship Friendship of Salem (on-site or in maintenance depending on season). Lunch at Sea Level Oyster Bar—oysters, chowder, and a lobster roll with a harbor breeze.

Evening: Catch golden hour from The Roof (Hotel Salem’s seasonal rooftop) for tacos and cocktails, or cozy up at Mercy Tavern for pub fare sourced from local purveyors. Dessert at Caramel Patisserie—get the seasonal fruit tart or pistachio éclair.

Day 4: Day Trip to Marblehead’s Old Town and Fort Sewall

Morning: Coffee and a blueberry muffin at Jaho, then head 10–15 minutes to Marblehead (rideshare or local MBTA bus; buses are roughly $2.40 one way, 20–30 minutes). Wander Old Town: crooked lanes, cedar‑shingled captains’ houses, and galleries. If open in season, step inside the Jeremiah Lee Mansion for Revolutionary‑era grandeur.

Afternoon: Picnic or beach stroll at Devereux Beach (sea glass hunting after storms). Walk to Fort Sewall for panoramic harbor views and the site where the USS Constitution once found refuge. Lunch at The Landing (waterfront chowder and fried clams) or classic New England plates at Maddie’s Sail Loft.

Evening: Return to Salem. Dinner at Bella Verona (cozy Italian; house lasagna and osso buco are standouts). Sip retro cocktails at All Souls Lounge with a soundtrack of vinyl classics and a welcoming neighborhood vibe.

Day 5: Rockport and Gloucester—Motif No. 1 to Fishermen’s Memorial

Morning: Take the MBTA Commuter Rail toward Rockport (about 55 minutes from Salem; approx. $12–13 each way to Zone 5). In Rockport, stroll Bearskin Neck to photograph the iconic red fishing shack, Motif No. 1. Coffee and a doughnut at Brothers Brew.

Afternoon: Lunch at Roy Moore Lobster Co.—stand at the barrels and savor a warm buttered lobster roll or smoked bluefish pâté. On the way back, stop in Gloucester to pay respects at the Fishermen’s Memorial and, in season, tour Hammond Castle Museum (a curious 1920s stone castle with medieval artifacts and ocean views).

Evening: Return to Salem. Casual dinner at the seasonal Lobster Shanty (comfort classics and local beers) or back to Sea Level if the Shanty is closed. Late pint at Notch or live music at Opus Underground below Opus.

Day 6: Art, Oddities, and Salem Willows

Morning: Breakfast at Gulu‑Gulu Café (savory crepe “The Godfather” is beloved). Visit the Punto Urban Art Museum for large‑scale murals that celebrate culture and community in The Point neighborhood—bring your camera.

Afternoon: Choose two: Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery (loving tribute to classic horror cinema), The Satanic Temple’s Salem Art Gallery (provocative rotating exhibitions with an emphasis on civil liberties), or the New England Pirate Museum (family‑friendly). Lunch at Bambolina for blistered Neapolitan pies from a wood‑fired oven.

Evening: Sunset at Salem Willows Park—old‑school arcades, ocean breezes, and popcorn from Hobbs if open. For dinner, book Settler (inventive seasonal plates, great wine list) and finish with small‑batch sweets at Maria’s Sweet Somethings.

Day 7: Last Looks and Departure

Morning: Brunch at Red’s Sandwich Shop or a lighter start at Front Street Coffeehouse. Pick up thoughtful souvenirs: hand‑poured candles, local sea salt, PEM shop design finds, or a classic history title from an independent bookstore.

Afternoon: If time allows, a final waterfront walk along Derby Wharf. Then depart for Boston (train ~30 minutes; ferry 50 minutes in season; rideshare 30–45 minutes). Compare any last‑minute flight changes on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Fly home with a camera roll of salt air panoramas, museum highlights, and moody cobblestones.

Across seven days, Salem’s layers come into focus: Puritan trials, global trade, literary legends, and contemporary creativity. With coastal day trips and excellent local dining, this itinerary balances insight and ease—leaving room for serendipity along the North Shore.