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.

Address: 165 Fort Ave
Hours: 11AM-9PM daily
Price: Free
Website: willowsarcade.com (opens in a new tab)

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Listing from Wikivoyage: Salem (Massachusetts), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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