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Salem Travel Guide: 428 reviews and 1,100 photos
You know you are in Salem when you come upon this wonderful statue in the middle of the square....with his pilgrim hat and dramatic cape swinging in the breeze. It's a beautiful sculpture...of Roger Conant, who founded Salem in 1626. At the time the area was called Naumkeag. Later renamed Salem...which is an adaptation of the word "shalom" meaning "peace". Roger is beside the Salem Witch Museum and looks out over the village green.
There are many facets of Salem to enjoy. Friends and family have always enjoyed the Halloween festivities... When my kids were young they loved the Witch Museum... at any time of year. It's sort of a right of passage... one hasn't done New England without getting a taste of the witch stories of Salem. On another trip I was there to do a Historic House Tour, and more recently I've made several visits to the PEABODY ESSEX MUSEUM. You must see the new addition there. Not only is it architecturally wonderful, but it houses the first house ever imported in its entirety from China.
For me... The House of the 7 Gables is an absolute MUST. Even when I don't have time to tour it, I have to go and look at it. Read Nathaniel Hawthorne's great work...the romance of his language...and then visit Salem's venerable house at the end of the lane.......
The list doesn't stop here. Explore the coastline, shops, museums, the oldest candy shop in America, the eateries, the park in the town center... and much more.
The Peabody Essex Museum is said to be the oldest museum in the United States. "At the end of the eighteenth century, a few bold Americans set sail from Salem to Asia, Africa, the Pacific Island, and the Northwest Coast in search of trade. They were among the first Americans to experience the world's diversity of art and culture. Several entrepeneurs formed the East India Marine Society in 1799 and created a unique American museum to present works of art and culture from beyond the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn." This was the roots of the current museum which has just recently completed a mammoth expansion in order to include the wonderful YinYu Tang House brought from China and restored as authentically as possible. What an amazing exhibit! You must see it.
As far as I'm concerned, no trip to Salem is complete without a tour of the House of the 7 Gables.... the subject of Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic and poetic story of Salem. Everyone loves the secret staircase, which was discovered behind a wall in the house. Underground railroad? A mad uncle? Another of the mysteries of Salem!
- Pros:Compact area...walkable....on the water...lots of "stuff" to see and do
- Cons:never enough time to do it all
- In a nutshell:Ya gotta love Salem
Reviews (14)
Peabody Essex Museum
Things to Do
(8)
The Peabody Essex Museum is the country's oldest museum and has recently enjoyed having an enormous new addition which... more travel advice
To the Ends of the Earth Exhibit
Things to Do
(8)
The Peabody Essex Museum has a striking exhibit this winter. "To the Ends of the Earth" includes paintings of the poles... more travel advice
Try the shops and eateries
Things to Do
(8)
There are loads of shops featuring Halloween costumes, there are "haunted fun houses", shops that feature marine theme... more travel advice
Colorful and unique keepsakes
Shopping
(1)
The Museum Shop at the Peabody Essex Museum holds many treasures. There is an Asian theme to much of the shop...due to... more travel advice
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Salem Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
- "RhondaRuth's Salem Page"
- "Salem on Halloween!"
- "Salem Tales"
- "BEWITCHING SALEM"
- "Witch Way do You Go"
- "A FUN DAY IN SALEM"
- "I FOUND MY TRUE WICCAN NATURE ON SALEM'S STREETS"
- See All...
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Comments (44)
Revisiting to see whats new! Looks like they redid the peabody nicely, i don't remember it being that light. Good lobster in Salem?
i do have to revisit salem and the boston area again,,,,,i really do! it was bitter cold when i was there
Hope you get back.... maybe just before Halloween? See the decorations/preparations, but avoid the crowds. Or... spring beautiful w/ blossoms.
We had a great time visiting Salem as a daytrip from Boston. So much history. PEabody essex museum was exceptional at the time!
Great Salem to do ideas! I will try to read the house of seven gables before going :)
The Peabody Essex Museum looks like a place we'd love to wander through, since we love museums! Interesting new tips, Janet....
I'm jealous that you went to that Polar exhibit at the Peabody! I've been wanting to go! I love that museum. Salem Beer Works is great, too. If you like seafood you should try Finz on the waterfront sometime. They're good!
An interesting and informative look at this old town. The updates have me wanting to visit the Peabody Essex Museum (that Antarctic display looks great) and the snowy street photos certainly add an interesting and appropriate touch!
great page. most of what i know of salem is witches. sounds like a fascinating museum too. an excellent diversion during the workday, your usual writeup of fascinating villages. n.
Hi Janet, what a wonderful page on Salem! I've never really thought of visiting, but after visiting your wonderful page, I think I'll set aside a day to visit during my upcoming New England trip :)
What a very nice Salem page. I am looking forward to going back and exploring more of the town. I love the oldest candy shop.
We stopped here for one night during our recent trip to your part of the country. Fun place - but it was HOT! We missed the heat wave in Cal but it got us on the east coast.