Salem's newest outdoor venue, the Marina Beer Garden, is such an awesome summer spot. Head there for casual drinks, live music and lawn games for a good time! Located just behind the Salem Waterfront Hotel, the garden overlooks Salem's canal with views of the harbor. Get here at least once!
Salem is a beautiful and historic city! Take advantage of your time here by hopping on a trolley tour that brings you all over the city and highlights all the noteworthy points that play huge roles in the history of Salem and the US.
The PEM is one of Salem's many claims to fame. Holding many of the world's most amazing artifacts and an impressive schedule of rotating exhibits, the PEM is one of the world's most renowned museums (believe it or not!) with tourists traveling far and wide to check it out.
East Reg has quickly become one of our favorites here in our neighborhood (our apartment sits right around the corner!) A great spot with amazing beer, this lower key option is a staple on our weekend nights. Their patio seating is the perfect spot to hang out and try some creative brews. Want to make a night of it? We recommend checking out Turner's right across the street for an awesome New England seafood dinner.
We would be remiss not to mention our favorite beach in the area: Crane Beach (more familiarly known as "Cranes")—it'll be summertime after all! If you're looking to catch some sun and soak up some of the picturesque New England coast line, head to Cranes in Ipswich for a day on the waves. Other awesome beaches in the area: Good Harbor, Devereaux, Singing, Phillips, Preston, Long.
Looking for a great dinner or lunch spot with a great view? Sea Level has you covered, located directly on the water at Pickering Wharf. Get there early to snag a table on the second floor deck! Great drinks and casual coastal cuisine.
Salem's first rooftop bar – claiming the name along with it! It sits atop Salem's newest boutique hotel, The Hotel Salem. The roof offers an awesome tiki bar cocktail menu (along with a full bar and cocktail experts) and a small eats menu including many taco options, homemade guac, and other yummy shareables. Expect a few minute long wait to get up there! But give your number and take a stroll around Essex Street while you wait for a text :)
Pickering Wharf is a great spot to walk to to browse some shops and grab a bite to eat and one of the many options there. Our favorites are Finz a quintessential New England seafood experience, Sea Level for a raw bar and awesome second story deck seating for the view. Looking for a casual spot for a quick beer and burger? Check out Longboards or Brodie's.
This one takes you outside of Salem, but trust us: it's worth it! The Essex River Cruise company takes you on a couple hour cruise through the marshlands in Ipswich and Essex. Check out their website for some photos of the views and experience. Some of them offer drinks on board! This is such a great way to explore the North Shore's stunning coastline from the water.
Looking for a cool place to hang out for a couple hours? Notch is one of our favorite neighborhood watering holes! It was one of the first breweries and tap rooms to enter the scene on the North Shore. Their biergarten looks over Salem's canal route and is a two minute walk to the waterfront.
We know this one's kitschy, but hear us out! Salem is home to so much history, landmarks, and cool things to see. Perhaps the most well known part of our history are the Salem Witch Trials, leading Salem to be the destination of hundreds of thousands of tourists during the month of October—especially on Halloween. Spend an hour on a candlelit Salem Ghost Tour for a more sinister look at the city.
Seen enough of Salem? Take a ferry boat ride into the big city of Boston! It's about a 50 minute ride on the water, and there are loads of departure times in the summer. The ferry drops you off right outside the Boston Aquarium (center city) on the other side. There's so much to do and see in Boston as well, so why not make a day trip out of it while you're in the area!
For a great drink and a renowned oyster bar, check out Finz. Also located at Pickering Wharf, Finz boasts great harbor views and serves as an awesome spot to start your stroll around downtown.
For a more historic, cozy spot for lunch or dinner, try Turner's! Their menu is awesome for dinner and their oyster bar has a reputation of greatness. Located in Salem's Lyceum Hall, you'll have your meal with a side of historic Salem charm.
If sushi is more your thing, grab a table at Opus for lighter fares and an awesome sushi bar. Their cocktail menu is seasonal and gets really creative, and their patio space is a perfect spot to relax in the shade.