Things to Do in Salem, MA this Winter

If you need to pick a time to enjoy Salem, MA, don’t limit yourself to summer or October. There are so many things to do throughout the year. Winter is especially great thanks to the crisp air, the reduced crowds, and the incredible food.

Where to Stay

Salem is the perfect spot for a winter weekend getaway. Salem’s charming hotels are conveniently located throughout town, just steps from historic sites, shops, and restaurants. No matter your preferred amenities, there’s a hotel here that’s perfect for you

The Hotel Salem

If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel experience, consider booking a room at  The Hotel Salem. With a stylish mid-century vibe, all 44 rooms, suites, and lofts are comfortable and trendy. From 156 square foot micro-King rooms to the 500 square foot Lark Suite, you’ll find accommodations that suit your size and budget.

Among the amenities, guests receive bath supplies from Lather, free wireless internet, access to the guest lounge, a guest hospitality center on each floor, and a complimentary iPad to use during your stay. Right in the middle of downtown Salem, it’s the perfect home base for your winter vacation.

Hawthorne Hotel 

Located in the heart of Salem, the Hawthorne Hotel blends nearly a century of history with thoughtful modern comforts. Guest rooms strike an elegant balance between classic style and contemporary comfort, offering a variety of suites tailored to meet the needs of families, couples, and guests requiring ADA-accessible accommodations.

Just steps from the hotel doors, you’ll find many of Salem’s most iconic attractions, shops, and restaurants. For added convenience, the Hawthorne offers two on-site dining options, making it easy to relax and enjoy a meal without ever leaving the property.

Visit A Museum

Winter is one of the best times of the year to check out a museum. Even if the weather outside is cold and dreary, you’ll be transported to another time and place for an amazing escape. Spend a few hours or a whole day learning and immersing yourself in culture or history.

Peabody Essex Museum 

There is no better way to discover New England’s grand and storied past than with a trip to the Peabody Essex Museum. As Salem was one of the major ports for the colonies, the region had connections to the art and culture of China, Japan, India, and beyond. Come see exhibits featuring early American landscape paintings, historical furniture, original Witch Trial artifacts, and even step inside a 200-year-old Chinese house.

Salem Witch Museum

A visit to Salem isn’t complete without taking a tour of the Salem Witch Museum. Get a dramatic history lesson of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials through life-size stage sets, lighting, and narration. You’ll be challenged to reassess your perceptions of the so-called “witches” and think of Witch-Hunts that might be happening today. The museum is open daily, year-round, with presentations every half hour and is offered in English, French, German, Japanese, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Where to Eat

When you’re on vacation, you deserve to spoil yourself in some way. For some, it’s staying in a nice hotel suite, for others it’s shopping, but in Salem, good food is one of the best ways to treat yourself. 

Turner’s Seafood

Turner’s Seafood offers a menu full of classic New England delights like lobster bisque, stuffed clams, Oysters Rockafellas, and lobster rolls. The chef uses culinary mastery and the freshest ingredients to create food fit for royalty. As fine as the dining is, though, Turner’s is far from stuffy, with the high tin ceilings, brick walls, and oak floors giving a welcoming, rustic vibe.

Harbor Sweets

Coming from humble beginnings in 1973, Harbor Sweets aspires to make “the best chocolates in the world.” They’ve arguably succeeded, with all their confections handmade in their seaside factory in Salem. Purchase an assortment of decadent treats to try, from delectable almond buttercrunch toffee Sweet Sloops to creamy caramel Sand Dollars. Who cares about calories – you’re on vacation!

Don’t fool yourself into thinking winter is the wrong time to take a vacation and visit Salem. You won’t want to miss out on one of the best times of year to book yourself a trip and take a well-deserved break.