Planning a day trip to Salem, Massachusetts? Get ready for a blend of rich history, intriguing mysteries, and plenty of kid-friendly activities. This charming coastal city offers something for everyone, making it an ideal destination for families and history enthusiasts alike. Let’s head to Salem for a day trip with the kids.
Salem is the perfect combination of a picturesque small New England seaside city, with an independent spirit, great architecture, and, of course, many haunted attractions. The following list details activities that are suitable for kids, but many of the witch-themed museums would not be recommended for the tiniest travelers.
Exploring Salem’s History
Salem’s history is deeply intertwined with the infamous witch trials of 1692. Here are some historical sites to visit:
- Salem Witch Museum: Learn about the events and context of the witch trials through dramatic presentations and exhibits. The Salem Witch Museum welcomes visitors into the imposing building. At this museum, you will learn the history of Salem’s gruesome witch trials with tableaux-style displays depicting the events.
- The Witch House: Tour the only remaining structure directly connected to the Salem Witch Trials, the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, who was one of the judges who presided over the trials. The Salem Witch House is the antithesis of the Witch Museum. The home, which dates from 1675, is one of the oldest in town. It is a historic house that you can tour and learn about the history of the home, as well as the town.
- Salem Maritime National Historic Site: Explore the city’s rich maritime history, with wharves, historic buildings, and replica ships. Fun fact: this was the first National Historical Park established in the country. Learn all about Salem’s maritime past and walk aboard the replica of the sloop Friendship, which is docked in the harbor.
Unveiling the Mysteries
Along with the witch trials, Salem has a mystical allure that draws many visitors. Consider these attractions:
- Witch Dungeon Museum: Dive deeper into the history and mythology of witchcraft. The Witch Dungeon Museum includes a live performance as part of the museum, plus a walk through a dungeon of wax figures recreating scenes of the Witch Trials.
- Numerous Psychic Readings & Shops: Explore the many shops and services that offer psychic readings, tarot cards, and other mystical items. Essex Street is an outdoor pedestrian mall with many shopping options. Expect lots of witch-themed shops in Salem, including stores like Nocturne and Moon’s Gift Shop. Not that it would be easy to take home a plant on the plane, but OAK + MOSS is still a neat store to check out.
- Old Burying Point Cemetery: Walk through one of the oldest cemeteries in the United States, filled with historic headstones and intriguing stories. Old Burying Point and Salem Witch Trials Memorial are worth a walk around. The Old Burying Point is one of the oldest burial grounds in the country, dating from 1637. Peruse the gravestones and visit the memorial to those who died in the Witch Trials in the adjacent park.
Kid-Friendly Fun in Salem
Salem is not just about history and mystery; it also offers plenty of activities for children. Here are some ideas:
- Salem Willows Park: Enjoy amusement rides, arcades, and food stands in this classic seaside park. Salem Willows is the city’s answer to a tiny version of the Jersey Shore. Play skeeball at Salem Willow Arcade, grab a slice of pizza at a take-out spot, and enjoy an ice cream at Holy Cow Ice Cream Cafe. Also in this area are the remains of Fort Lee, a Revolutionary War-era fort that is a bit off the beaten path and overgrown. Enjoy views or a stroll on the sand at Dead Horse Beach and Winter Island Beach. Winter Island also includes a lighthouse.
- Salem Pirate Museum: Engage in interactive exhibits about pirates, their history, and their legends. The wax figures here bring these seafaring menaces to life!
- Walking Tours: Join a family-friendly walking tour that engagingly shares historical facts and stories. There are many tours of all kinds, but some of the best include: Salem Ghost Tours– If you are interested in a ghost tour, Salem has many to choose from. One of the most popular is called Salem Ghosts. Black Cat Tours is also very popular. Overall, though, any of the ghost tours will bring you around town while you hear spine-chilling tales of Salem’s past.
Enjoy your day trip to Salem with kids, where history, mystery, and family fun await!
