A Date Day Trip to Historic Salem

Only about an hour ferry ride from Boston, Salem is the perfect town to visit for a summer date day trip. Salem is well known for its October Haunted Happenings and month long celebration of Halloween but there is so much to discover in this town! It is a beautiful historic spot by the ocean that is particularly fun to explore in the summertime.  There is sailing, literature, art, great foodie finds and more here.  Navigating the streets after arriving by ferry is easy and fun on The Salem Trolley.  You can take a tour of historic Salem on the Trolley or you can hop on and off around town. Below we are sharing our summer day trip experience curated by Destination Salem. Follow the stops below to help you plan a summer day date in Salem of your own!

 

Stop 1: Peabody Essex Museum

Museum tours make wonderful day dates! One of the most interesting and unique stops on our day in Salem was our first visit to the Peabody Essex Museum and tour of the Chinese house Yin Yu Tang.  This 200 year old house was once a prosperous merchants ancestral village home. Yin Yu Tang was brought to America and lovingly re-erected at the museum after the last of the family had left the village.  It is truly amazing to step inside this ancient piece of architectural and Chinese history.

Yin Yu Tang House at Peabody Essex Museum

 

Yin Yu Tang House at Peabody Essex Museum

 

Yin Yu Tang House at Peabody Essex Museum

Stop 2: Finz Seafood

A lunch date at Finz Seafood on Pickering Wharf is a must while in Salem! The seafood dishes are fresh and delicious. The waterfront location on Pickering Wharf is the perfect setting for relaxing al fresco summer dining.

 

Baja Fish Tacos at Finz Seafood
Baja Fish Tacos at Finz Seafood

 

Pickering Wharf

 

Stop 3: Sail on the Schooner Fame

After lunch at Finz, board the Schooner Fame off Pickering Wharf for an interactive sail around Salem Sound.  This replica 1812 Privateer is gorgeous and you can help the crew raise the sails and enjoy a glass of wine or beer too while out on the water.

 

Schooner Fame at Pickering Wharf

 

 

Stop 4: Salem Food Tour

Enjoy an afternoon stroll with some fun bites of Salem on a tour with Salem Food Tours.  We got to experience some delicious cheeses at The Cheese Shop of Salem, handmade chocolate treats at Kakawa Chocolate House, and wine sampling at Pamplemousse Salem on our afternoon tour.

 

Chocolates at Kakawa Chocolate House Salem

 

cheese appetizers at The Salem Cheese Shop

 

Stop 5: Psychic Readings and Shopping

You can’t visit Witch City without a stop in for a psychic reading or some witchy sundries or checking out the vibrant artist community on Artist Row. We checked out Omen Psychic Parlor & Witchcraft Emporium, Hauswitch Home and Healing, and Grace & Diggs for wearable art selfie fun.

 

bewitched statue in Salem

 

Stop 6: Happy Hour at Opus

After a long fun day of seeing the sights of Salem, you deserve a cocktail or two! We cozied up to the glowing glass bar at the fun and quirky Opus restaurant for some inventive cocktails and bites.  This is a great spot for happy hour break on your day date in Salem.

 

Drinks and Apps at Opus Bar
cocktails at Opus

 

Stop 7: Tour of the House of the Seven Gables

Complete your day in Salem with a tour of this beautiful 17th Century seaside mansion. The House of the Seven Gables was the inspiration for the famed novel of the same name by 19th Century New England author (and Salem born) Nathaniel Hawthorne. Explore the grounds, see the infamous hidden staircase, and feel transported back to this historical time in New England literary history.

 

House of the Seven Gables

 

 

 

Disclosure: This day and experiences were provided on a complimentary basis to the writer. All opinions and photos of experience are my own.


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