Salem

A Beautiful Corset

Authentic steel-boned Vollers corsets. Custom and stock for all sizes. Private fittings by appointment.

noon-5PM daily

A&J King Artisan Bakers

Opened in 2006, this bakery won a Best of Boston award from Boston Magazine in 2009 & 2012. Serves fresh breads & pastry, coffee & tea in a traditional cafe setting. Plenty of sammie options for breakfast and lunch. PB&J and Fluffernutters for the kids.

8AM-3PM daily·$4-15

Adriatic Restaurant

Upscale Mediterranean and Italian offerings with outdoor seating. The dishes look as good as they taste. Any of the seafood options are great, but the Faroe Island Salmon is quite popular. The house-made pizzas offer tasty alternatives at a lower price point. Take advantage of the full bar and extensive wine list.

Mon-Fri 4-10PM, Sat Sun noon-9PM·$15-30

All Soul's Lounge

A neighborhood bar with an old-school tiki-esque–but not–kind of vibe. Friendly people and one of the best jukeboxes on the north shore. Kitchen bangs out custom hotdogs and grilled cheeses until 11PM, and it's 21+ after 9. First come, first serve; with limited outdoor seating options in nicer weather.

Mon-Thu 5PM-1AM, Fri-Sun 11:30AM-1AM·Food $8-12, beer & wine $8, cocktails $12

Bakers Island Light

Essex Heritage Tours

While this tour group offers several interesting walking tours, the real highlight is the excursions offered on their 32 foot vessel, Naumkeag. During the high season they offer trips to see Bakers Island Light and ​Misery Island. The trip is slightly adventurous, and visitors must be at least 4 years old and be able to withstand some light exposure to the elements. Most visit the island for 2.5 hours; but it is possible to camp overnight. Those with deep pockets may stay at the assistant keeper's house. Boat tours depart from the Salem Ferry dock.

Wed-Sun 10AM-4PM·$35, children $25

Bella Verona

This little trattoria has been serving quality Italian cuisine since 1996. One popular house specialty, the Linguini Capesante e Gamberi, features shrimp and scallops in a slightly spicy tomato sauce. If you're thinking about dessert, the cannoli are made in-house.

4-10PM daily·$25-45

Bit Bar

Classic arcade games in a pub atmosphere. All the fan favorites from air hockey and skee-ball, to Donkey Kong, Tron, and Mortal Kombat II. Their pinball machines even work! More craft brews and classic cocktails than you can shake a stick at. Full menu, outdoor seating.

Wed Thu 4PM-midnight, Fri 4PM-1AM, Sat noon-1AM, Sun noon-midnight·$10-20

Boston Hot Dog Co.

This family business run by the chef and owner churns out a wide selection of tubed meats. Get the basic, or go for something more artisanal like the Cubano. Shares additional reclaimed parking-spot outdoor space with Melt, just next door.

Mon-Sat 11AM-4PM, Sun noon-4PM·$6-12

Coffee Time Bake Shop

Visit this well loved bakery just outside the prime tourist area for sandwiches, doughnuts, and some Polish selections. The few house specialties on offer change with the seasons. Locals come though all day long looking to find their next fix of caffeine and sugar.

5AM-11PM·$4-18

Collins Cove Park

Great combination park, sandy beach, and playground with encircling walking path. Provides excellent harbor views, and it's a perfect spot to let your kids get the wiggles out. Pretty, but check for broken glass in the sand before you decide to go for a dip.

24 hours daily·Free

Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery

Salem's only monster/sci-fi/fantasy museum. Haunted house every October.

Fri-Sun 10AM-5PM

Crow Haven Corner

The first Salem Witch store in town. Salem's first witch shop is home to Lorelei and her staff of talented witches and psychics offering readings using tarot, palmistry and mediumship. Classes also available. Nightly Witch Walk Tours every October.

10AM-9PM daily

Custom House

Salem's 13th customs house, this one dates from 1819 and was built to represent the power of the federal government. Pay a visit to reveal exhibits on the tools of the Custom Service, the work of the Customs inspectors, and the office of Nathaniel Hawthorne, the famous American author whose three-year stint in the Salem Custom House inspired his classic novel, The Scarlet Letter.

10AM-noon, 1-4PM daily·Free

Dead Horse Beach

The views are significantly better than the name. Offers an escape from nearby crowds. You'll often have the place to yourself, as the beach has little sand to speak of. It's mostly rocks with a little harbor detritus mixed in. Open to the public, but not to dogs.

24 hours daily·Free

Derby Wharf

Derby Wharf Light

Reaching nearly half a mile by 1806, this wharf is Salem's longest. At the height of its power, over 20 buildings here stored goods imported from around the globe. Today it provides beautiful, if windy, views of the harbor and park itself. Visitors who make it to the end are rewarded with up close views of Derby Wharf Lighthouse, built 1871.

24 hours daily·Free

Dube's Seafood

Seafood stuff in a simple setting since the swinging sixties.

Tue-Sat 11AM-9PM·$15-35

Fame of Salem

Take a tour of Salem harbor on a full-scale replica of the famous schooner. Framed and planked of white oak and trunnel-fastened in the traditional manner, this replica was launched in 2003. The original Fame was a fast Chebacco fishing schooner reborn as a privateer when war broke out in the summer of 1812. She was arguably the first American privateer to bring home a prize, and she made 20 more captures before being wrecked in the Bay of Fundy in 1814.

From $39

Finz

Somewhat fancy seafood spot overlooking Derby Wharf. Nice, but quite touristic.

11:30AM-9PM daily·$22-45

Flying Saucer Pizza Company

Pizzas and craft beers, with a classic sci-fi movie and TV show theme. Voted Bons best of north shore 2021. Some outdoor seating in Lapin Park.

Mon-Thu 3-9PM, Fri Sat noon-10PM, Sun noon-9PM·$10-30

Forest River Park

Great option for meeting some locals, or for those visiting with children. You'll find plenty of swings, slides, and games scattered throughout these 30 acres. The stunning outdoor community pool opened in 2022 and provides sweeping vistas of the harbor. A 1930s era concrete slide remains ensconced in a hillside, perfect for those who really want to dislocate something. Parking for Pioneer Village is found here, see Do section for more.

8AM-8PM daily·Free, parking $0.50/hour

Fort Lee

These 5 point irregular star fort is what remains of earthworks constructed in 1776, during the Revolutionary War. Some original bits remain, although it has been modified dozens of times over the years. Granted to the Federal Government in 1867, it was returned to Salem in 1922. Some trails and interpretive signs were added at the nation's bicentennial, but they were removed and the site is today overgrown. The paths are well trod today, and it's certainly worth a visit to any history buff.

24 hours daily·Free

Friendship of Salem

This replica ship usually functions as a floating museum; however, the vessel is fully functional and Coast Guard certified. She was designed after a model of the original (on display at PEM), and is occasionally taken out under full sail for crew trainings and tall ship events. The original was a three-masted trading ship built in Salem in 1797. After circumnavigating the world over a dozen times, she would eventually be taken by British forces during the War of 1812, then stripped and sold for parts.

Irregular dockside tours via Waite & Peirce·Free

Front Street Coffeehouse

Serving bagels, coffee & tea. Fresh soups and a variety of sandwich specials. No wi-fi, but great people watching location. On cold days they offer a hot pear apple ginger juice. The art exhibits adorning the walls rotate each month, and on some evenings you might catch a live music performance.

Mon-Fri 7AM-4PM, Sat Sun 8AM-2PM·$5-15

Gulu-Gulu Café

A European-style café that features live music and local art. Outdoor seating on Lappin Park and a warm interior environment. High quality curated beer list featuring offerings from near and far.

Sun-Wed 8AM-8PM, Thu-Sat 8AM-midnight·$10-20

Hamilton Hall

One of the finest examples of Federal style building, Hamilton Hall was completed in 1807 by Samuel McIntire. Upon opening the townsfolk held many celebrations and banquets here, feting high status guests. That tradition continues today; hosting concerts, lectures, weddings, and other joyful events in the lives of Salem's residents. The hall is owned by a non-profit, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

Mon-Fri 10AM-2PM·Free

Harbor Sweets

Handmade chocolates & candies from sweet sloops to delicious gourmet truffles. Valentine gifts, sugar-free chocolates, wedding, party favors & chocolates in bulk. Enjoy a free sample when you visit the factory and shop. Watch chocolates being handmade.

Mon-Sat 9AM-5PM

Hex

Old World Witchery

Authentic witchcraft for everyone from curious visitors to experienced practitioners, including candles, incense, jewelry, Voodoo dolls, potions, broomsticks, and spell kits.

11AM-7PM daily

House of the Seven Gables

Turner-Ingersoll Mansion

One of the oldest surviving 17th-century wooden mansions in New England. Made famous by the eponymous 1851 Nathaniel Hawthorne novel. The oldest sections of the home date to 1668, when it was built for Captain John Turner and his family. The home has been altered and modified countless times over the centuries as family fortunes ebbed and flowed. Eventually; in 1908, wealthy philanthropist Caroline Emmerton purchased the home and set about effecting its restoration. Supervised by Boston's city architect; they restored the home to its former glory, making only the occasional sacrifice to historical accuracy. Visitors today will discover low ceilings, extensive Georgian paneling, and hidden staircases among hundreds of period curios. Walking the grounds is always a charming activity. The fresh ocean breezes are sure to invigorate. Also on site is the home where Nathaniel Hawthorne was born. It was moved here in 1958 and is worth a few minutes of your time.

10AM-4PM daily·$20, $12 children 5-12, $5 grounds pass

Howling Wolf Taqueria

California-style taqueria featuring cuisine inspired by the Southwest. What started as a simple take-out taco joint evolved into much more, as owners Patrick Schultz and Matthew Gaughan brought in a chef from Guadalajara, and decked out the dining room with wood floors, a fun bar, and colorful artwork.

11:30AM-9PM daily·$12-25

J. Mode

Contemporary clothing boutique. Brands include: Vince, Trina, Turk, Nicole Miller, Three Dot, Velvet, Joe Jeans, and XCVI. Testament. A little basic for Salem.

11AM-5PM daily