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Parks and the outdoors in Salem

14 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Salem.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Parks and the outdoors in Salem

  1. See

    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 dailyFree

  2. Buy

    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

  3. See

    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 dailyFree

  4. See

    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 dailyFree

  5. Eat

    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

  6. See

    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 dailyFree, parking $0.50/hour

  7. Eat

    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

  8. See

    Narbonne House

    Built in 1675, this home wouldn't be added to the park until 1964. Acting as a counterpoint to some of the more grandiose structures, this is a remarkable example of a 17th century middle-class family home. Exhibits within the house showcase rare early ephemera and artifacts discovered during archeological digs on-site. The taller bits belong to the original structure, which remains (mostly) as it was when absorbed in the 1960s. The small adjacent sidewalk is a "hidden gem" entrance to the larger Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

    Irregular tours via Salem Armory Visitor CenterFree

  9. See

    Proctor’s Ledge

    This memorial is the execution site for those "convicted" during the Salem Witch Trials. Here, nineteen souls were hung about the neck until dead during the closing months of 1692. For many years the site was assumed to be nearby Gallows Hill, until extensive research by the history department at Salem State University discovered the true location in 2016. This small park features a stone wall with each of the deceased's names etched in stone. Quiet and somber, the ledge was dedicated in 2017, 325 years after the executions.

    24 hours dailyFree

  10. See

    Ropes Mansion

    Built from 1727–1729 in the Georgian style, major restorations were done in 1894, and the handsome back garden was added in 1912. Three generations of Ropes called this mansion home, until it was given to a trust in 1907. The building has seen many renovations and restorations over its life, but generally maintains its original form. Today the mansion is open to the public and controlled by the Peabody Essex Museum.

    Sat Sun noon-4PM; gardens sunrise-sunset daily

  11. See

    Salem Common

    On this field in 1637 the East Regiment militia performed various drills and exercises. This day of training became known as "the first muster"—eventually leading to the birth of the US National Guard. 30 years later, in 1667, villagers decided the park should be held as common land where their livestock could graze. As the town grew and the park could no longer fulfill its purpose, it was closed in. The current handsome wrought iron fence dates from 1850. Visit in April, when the Second Corps of Cadets arrive to pay respects to their founder, Stephen Abbott; interred nearby. During the ceremony the cadets lay a wreath, play taps, and fire a 21-gun salute.

    24 hours dailyFree

  12. Do

    Salem Willows Arcade and Park

    An oceanfront neighborhood and amusement park with a bit of a carnival atmosphere. It's quite good fun, if you're looking for something slightly kitschy and definitely well loved. You'll find a merry-go-round and other rides for smaller children, and an arcade for the older ones. The arcade features video games, pinball, skiball, tickets & prizes, air-hockey tables, and so on. Unfortunately, the only real food options are low quality pizza and Chinese, which you may have to wait over 30 minutes for! The exception to this rule is E.W. Hobbs, well known for quality popcorn and ice cream. Feel free to bring your own eats, the grassy parks and beaches make perfect picnic spots. Parking is ample, and public restrooms are available. Historically, Salem Willows is named for the European white willow trees planted here in 1801. The trees created a shaded canopy for patients convalescing at a nearby smallpox hospital. The area became a public park in 1858, and in the 20th century it became a North Shore summer destination. The beaches here are a great spot to watch 4th of July fireworks; as you can see the shows put on by Salem, Beverly, and Marblehead.

    11AM-9PM dailyFree

  13. See

    Winter Island Park

    Fort Pickering and Waikiki Beach

    This park and historic district spans about 18 acres and is home to Fort Pickering and Waikiki beach. Used for defensive purposes since at least the 17th century, most of the remaining buildings date from World War II, when the U.S. Coast Guard monitored these waters for German U-boat activity. Pickering Light has been guiding sailors safely home since 1871, although the city of Salem has been responsible for keeping the beacon lit since 1983. Urban explorers may enjoy picking through the abandoned seaplane hangar. See the Sleep section for campsite information.

    24 hours dailyFree

  14. Do Not mapped

    Salem Trolley

    Your standard issue tourist trolley bus. Offers one hour narrated historical tours of Salem, stopping at all the main sites in town. Not a hop-on, hop-off service. Museum admission not included. Heated cars. Buy tickets in person day of at the National Park Service Visitor Center.

    Apr-Oct 10AM-5PM daily$22

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Salem (CC BY-SA 4.0).