Location: Salem
Top Things to do in Salem
10 Museums in Salem That You Shouldn't Miss
Best known for the witch trials that took place in 1692, Salem is sure to bewitch you with its seaside charm, its maritime history and spellbinding beauty. Follow the Red Line along the sidewalks to navigate your journey through historic sites, including the Witch Trial Memorial, the Old Burying Point Cemetery and more. Discover serenity by the sea on the beaches of Salem Willows. The Bewitched statue, the Witch Museum and the Witch Dungeon conjure up diverse takes on witchery through history.
Restaurants in Salem
1. Waite & Peirce Museum Store
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
2. Phillips House
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 141 reviews
Phillips House is the only home on historic Chestnut Street open to the public, and it provides a glimpse into the private world of the Phillips family during the early decades of the twentieth century. The kitchen, pantry, and a domestic staff bedroom, present a rarely seen picture of how the great houses functioned as new technologies were being introduced.
Reviewed By F3351UYpamelac
This is a beautiful example of a wealthy family's home in the early 1900s. It is full of interesting artifacts and great stories. There are stunning carpets, dishware, paintings and furniture. The carriage house has the family's old cars and some carriages.
3. Punto Urban Art Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 6 reviews
The Punto Urban Art Museum has two primary goals: to create a beautiful, uplifting environment for Point residents, particularly for children to grow up in, and to break down the invisible divide between the Point and the rest of Salem by inviting visitors into the Point to experience world-class art first-hand.
4. The Lost Museum Adventure
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Open in October only! Take a journey deep underground to discover haunted rooms, cursed artifacts, ghosts, monsters and more. Can YOU escape The Lost Museum? The Lost Museum is an interactive adventure with puzzle solving, jump scares, animations , special effects and more. It can be frightening at times to some audiences.
5. Fished Impressions
6. Peabody Essex Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,037 reviews
Experience art and culture from New England and around the world at one of the region’s largest art museums. Explore the museum’s vast collections and changing exhibitions, ranging from modern art to photography to Asian art and culture. The museum campus features numerous parks, period gardens, and 24 historic properties, including Yin Yu Tang, the only example of Chinese vernacular architecture on display in the United States.
Reviewed By 35garetw
Always interesting exhibits, mostly craft oriented, following the traditions of seafaring and connecting Salem to the rest of the world through imports, e.g. Japanese fashion, Maori tattoos.
7. Gallows Hill Museum/Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 421 reviews
Featuring holograms, ghostly projections,4D effects and live action, Gallows Hill is an exciting and immersive way to discover the terror of the Witch Trials, and the history of Salem's Haunted Places! A must see for any visitor. Our other main attractions include The Ghosts & Legends Trolley, and The Lost Museum, our haunted attraction. Gallows Hill makes for a complete interactive and memorable experience that returning visitors continue to see year after year! Open for group tours from March to Mid November. Currently open to the public daily in October.
Reviewed By Boo0719
Our first time visiting Salem and our first excursion was with gallows hill and the ghosts and legends trolley ride. Just jack was an amazing tour guide!! One of the best I’ve seen anyway. We saw many of the sites that bring people to Salem and even learned a little history (in a fun way) there was not one single dull moment on this tour! Highly recommended!!!
8. The House of the Seven Gables
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,913 reviews
The Gables is open Friday – Monday 10 AM – 4PM. We require staff and visitors to follow our mask and social distance policies even if you have had a COVID-19 vaccination. Tickets are sold online ONLY. Visitors will have the option to enjoy a grounds pass or a semi-private guided tour. Advance reservations are required for both of these experiences. PLEASE NOTE: The grounds pass does not include access to any historic interiors. Capacity is limited at our historic site. Online reservations will be available on a rolling basis in 2021. We expect to release tickets mid-month for the upcoming month (i.e. May tickets will be available around April 15). The Museum Store will be open during operating days and hours. Due to staff resources, we have limited time to answer phone calls and emails. Our website has the most up-to-date information to plan your visit.
Reviewed By tedkirby - Lexington, United States
We took a tour of this house on a weekend. There were about ten people in the tour. It was a great tour, we got to see the House of Seven Gables, and the house where Nathanial Hawthorne was born. Our tour guide Alex was very good, she was enthusiastic and shared a lot of interesting knowledge about the house, and also how it relates to Salem's history. The inside of the House of Seven Gables is very nice, and so is the garden in front of it. I imagine the garden looks very pretty in the spring and summer.
9. Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 957 reviews
WE HAVE MOVED to 217 Essex Street in Salem! This cinematic Monster museum is one of Salem's most unique and sometimes overlooked attractions! If you enjoy monsters, don't miss this attraction! This museum is dedicated to all those who have entertained us in the world of Horror, Fantasy and Sci-Fi! Actors, directors and special effects wizards of the past and present are all honored here with over 60 realistic and life-sized recreations of the horror's genre's most memorable characters. With NEW yearly additions the monsters are quite calm and won't move at all. See you soon!!! Be sure to CHECK OUR CALENDAR on our site for times to best enjoy your visit!
Reviewed By 314andrewg - Salem, United States
An exception, one of a kind museum and tourist experience for the Salem visitor. Count Orlok's is a love letter to both the classic and the modern monster & horror movie genre, with both wonderful statues and mannequins depicting all your favorite movie monsters, an staggering autograph gallery, and terrific adds on like the death mask gallery of all the horror film giants. The new location on Essex Street boasts much more space, a wonderful mini-theater inside the old vault (the site used to be bank, and the heavy vault doors just add to the ambiance, and a terrific gift shop. Even if you've visited in the past, you need to come see the new location - it's a whole new experience.
10. Salem Toy Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 95 reviews
Vintage Toy Museum and Gift ShopThe Salem Toy Museum is a celebration of the classic toys we all grew up with. On display are many of your childhood favorites that are still popular today! Fun facts and original advertising artwork are all part of the classic toy exhibit.The young and young-at-heart will be whisked back in time through displays of the toys that defined generations. This magical journey through the evolution of childhood also offers a glimpse into the cultureof the times.Visitors will be dazzled by the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and evensome 90s toys that are showcased in the museum. Come and visit us and be prepared to step back in time and enjoy the flood of memories.Children, History buffs, Collectors and those who appreciate the pop cultural aspect that make these timeless classics are sure to find enjoyment here.
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