Downtown Salem - Salem, MA Area Guide

Salem was founded along the Naumkeag River near a Native American village. First settled by Europeans in 1626, the city was named after the Hebrew word "shalom," meaning peace. The area’s first church was built in 1639 to house Puritan worshippers.

Salem played a role in the Revolutionary War when patriots raised the drawbridge at North River to stop the British from advancing. The town later became a center for privateering; during this time, more than 800 ships were commissioned as privateers. This practice resumed during the War of 1812. Salem’s shipping industry opened trade with many foreign ports, including China, Zanzibar, Russia, Japan and Australia. As Boston and New York grew into larger cities, Salem turned to tanning, shoe factories and manufacturing cotton.

The National Guard was created in Salem in 1935, when a seaplane facility was established there. Crews used the facility during World War II and during local search and rescue missions.

Though downtown Salem has changed slightly since the 1600s, the city's fierce devotion to restoring and reclaiming its oldest structures has made it a vacation destination for many, particularly around the Halloween season. Today, the city’s police cars have witch logos, a local school is known as Witchcraft Heights Elementary School, and local athletic teams are called the Witches, in keeping with Salem's storied history.

Notable personalities who have lived in Salem include telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell, author Nathaniel Hawthorne, and former GE CEO Jack Welch.

The Peabody Essex Museum houses one of the world’s premier collections of Asian art, as well as artifacts from early American maritime trade and whaling. Other historic buildings operate museums as well, including the Pickman House, Gedney House and Witch House.

The arts scene in Salem is lively, with many artists moving there to escape higher rents in Boston. Many small galleries, including the Maritime Art Gallery, the Salem Oriental Gallery and Boon, dot the downtown landscape. The Salem Arts Association also brings art to the community through a variety of means, including opportunities for local artists to exhibit their work.

Annual events include the Holly Fair, which feature local crafts, and the very popular Salem Zombie Prom and Haunted Happenings, held each Halloween.

Though Salem may be known for a dark time in American's history, its culinary scene provides many varied and eclectic options. Gulu Gulu Cafe' presents a selection of French dishes, along with a tattooed waitstaff and plenty of local art on the walls. Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and even late-night snacks (like the roast beef with boursin sandwich), Gulu Gulu presents customers with a variety of options. Check out their open mics every Wednesday. The local North Shore magazine touted Gulu Gulu's beer list and named it best cafe as well.

Italian, seafood, pizza and traditional American fare are common here, with most restaurants found on Church, Essex or Front streets. Another standout includes Naumkeag Ordinary, which serves up craft beers, wine and cocktails and homemade seasonal food. Pulled pork poutine sets the stage for cassoulet and other comfort food classics. Insiders know to ask about the specials, which change according to whatever's fresh and available. The Boston Globe recommends the baked brie and tangy deviled eggs.

Musically speaking, Howling Wolf Taqueria is the place to be on the weekends, when live bands play to grateful diners. Monday is trivia night, fueled by the creative menu of pupusas, burritos, fajitas, tacos and more. Locals also love the fast service for takeout, if you're in the mood to stay in.

The Salem Theatre Company brings live music to the masses, as well as spoken word, comedy, solo performers and live-action role playing at Salem's Pioneer Village. From Tom Stoppard plays to local comedy acts, this place offers a wide array of entertainment possibilities.

Major MagLeashes, a beloved local dive bar, attracts local students and hipsters, as well as visitors wanting a traditional Irish pub feel. Though it offers several food choices, most go for the drinks, which are dirt cheap.

Though there aren't any dance clubs to speak of in the downtown area, locals also flock to The Exchange for (mostly) testosterone-fueled comedy.

Getting around Salem is easiest by car. Salem lies about 16 miles north of Boston, but many choose to take the Newbury/Rockport Commuter Rail Line from Boston’s North Station.

Bus service operates from Haymarket Square and South Station in Boston, or from Logan Airport’s Terminal C through the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority.

Several taxi services are available in the area, including Salem Taxi, Salem’s Witch City Taxi and Americab Taxi, though visitors will likely need to call and arrange the ride. Uber services the Salem area as well.

Parking is plentiful and cheap in Salem, though getting a good spot may depend on what time you’re visiting a particular spot or museum. Be sure to leave a few extra minutes to get a parking spot, especially during the Halloween season when the city can get very crowded.

Since Salem lies toward the coastline, highways are not immediately accessible. However, visitors can use Highland Avenue/Route 107 to connect with points south, or other local routes to access Route 128 or Interstate-95 to the west.

Downtown Salem is very walkable if you’re staying in the area. Though the streets can be narrow, they’re considered safe for walking. Similarly, Salem’s Bike Path Committee has been working to make Salem more bike friendly, adding bikes lanes wherever possible and easing congestion in the downtown area. The streets are considered safe for bikers.

There’s also a local trolley that runs in the downtown area, offering guided tours.

Salem Common, located in Washington Square, offers green space and grass for dogs, kids and families alike. Locals can be found here running laps, playing Frisbee or watching the kids play on the playground.

Though some complain about the homeless population that likes to use the benches for sleeping, the park is considered safe for visitors. It’s free, with lots of available parking nearby.

Though it is best known for events happening in October, Salem also hosts annual fitness events and road races, historic lectures and holiday happenings around Christmastime.

This beautiful and historically significant place to live, especially the downtown area, does have its cost of living slightly higher than the city’s average. Food and entertainment prices are driven upward as a result of Salem’s reliance on the tourist industry.

A typical one-beddroom apartment rents for about $875 per month and can climb up to around $1,500 per month.

The downtown area comprises the center of Salem's shopping and commerce; nearly all of its businesses are congregated here. Since Salem caters primarily to tourists seeking connection with history and spiritual renewal, it does not support high-end shopping. Rather, small boutiques such as Hex, a spiritual supplies store, and the Marble Faun, a specialty bookstore, provide charm to spare.

In the downtown area, grocery needs can be taken care of at Milk & Honey Green Grocer, Steve's Quality Market and Crosby's Marketplace, all small and locally owned. A lively farmers market takes place Thursdays in Artists' Row, with local vendors selling handicrafts in addition to the traditional fresh produce.