Salem, Massachusetts
Salem, Massachusetts: What Most People Don’t Think About
When people think about Salem, they think of Halloween. Witch trials. Costumes. October crowds. And yes, that’s part of it.
But if you live on the South Shore, Salem is only about an hour away, and it’s so much more interesting than just a late-October tourist destination.
Here are a few things people don’t think about when planning a visit.
Go in Early October
If you want the fall atmosphere without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds, go at the beginning of October.
Park Smart (Or Take the Boat)
We always get there early and park at the Salem MBTA commuter rail station garage. It’s centrally located and walkable to everything. Current daily parking is $6, which is reasonable given how convenient it is. You park once and walk everywhere.
If you want to avoid driving entirely, the Salem Ferry runs seasonally from Boston. It drops you right near the waterfront and turns the trip into part of the experience.
Follow the Lines on the Sidewalk
Salem makes navigation easy.
The lines on the sidewalk connect many of the main historic sites in downtown Salem and lead you to the waterfront and harbor. They make it easy to explore without constantly checking your phone, turning the town into a self-guided experience.
Walk to Salem Harbor
Most visitors stay clustered around Essex Street. Don’t. Walk toward the harbor. The waterfront is beautiful, calmer, and gives you a completely different feel of Salem's maritime history. The walk itself is part of the experience.
The “Contractor’s House” (A True Hidden Gem)
Right before you reach the harbor area, there has long been a private home filled with imaginative scrap-metal and found-object art created by a local contractor who transformed everyday materials into something whimsical and unforgettable.
It is not a formal attraction, just a private residence with an unbelievable collection visible from the street.
The original creator has sadly passed away, and because it is privately owned, the status of the displays can change over time.
If it’s still there when you visit, it’s one of those unexpected Salem moments that reminds you the town isn’t just about history it’s about character.
Peabody Essex Museum (Worth Your Time)
The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) is one of the oldest continuously operating museums in the United States and one of the most underrated parts of Salem.
It blends:
• Maritime history
• Global art
• Rotating exhibits
• Modern architecture
If you want something thoughtful and less theatrical than the witch attractions, this is it.
Gallows Hill Museum & Tours
If you do want to understand the witch trial history beyond the surface level, we really enjoyed Gallows Hill Museum and Theater. They focus more on storytelling and historical context than gimmicks. It gives you a more grounded perspective on what actually happened in 1692.
Hawthorne Hotel
At the edge of Salem Common sits the historic Hawthorne Hotel, often referred to as one of Salem’s “haunted” landmarks.
Whether you believe the stories or not, it’s a great place to sit down for lunch or dinner after a long day of walking. The Tavern on the Green has a cozy, old-New-England feel, and it’s far calmer than the high-traffic spots on Essex Street.
The Salem Most People Miss
Yes, you should:
• Walk Essex Street
• Visit a historic sites
• Lean into the history
But also:
• Walk the harbor
• Follow the lines
• Visit PEM
• Get slightly outside the main strip
Salem is at its best when you treat it like a layered coastal town, not just a Halloween set.