City Guides: Things to do While Boating in Salem, Massachusetts
Situated between Boston and Gloucester, Salem sits along the Atlantic coast and offers a long and varied past of piracy, shipping and lots and lots of witchy history (we just can’t forget those 1692 Salem witch trials). There are also a wide variety of natural attractions and other fun activities to check out from a private boat dock for rent.
Whether you’re visiting Salem Harbor, fishing for bluefish in the Atlantic Ocean or boating in Collins Cove, the Danvers River and the North River, there are plenty of land-based day trips for the whole crew to enjoy. Let’s get started!
The Peabody Essex Museum
Photo: Peabody Essex Museum (Facebook)
The Peabody Essex Museum features exhibits on maritime art, fashion and design, Asian export art, American art, sculpture, Salem tales and more. There’s a diverse collection of artifacts, including a rebuilt Qing-era Chinese house. Visit the art and nature center as well as historic houses and architectural pieces. The garden has shrubs, trees, flowering plants and an 11-foot cascading water feature.
Salem Witch Museum
Photo: Salem Witch Museum (Facebook)
Can you really go to Salem without visiting something witch-related? No. the answer is no. So, here you go. The Salem Witch Museum features a collection of life-size staged scenes of the 1692 trials, exhibits on the meaning of the word witch and a background on the Salem witch trials. There’s a gift shop in case you want to pick up a witchy souvenir before heading back to a private boat lift rental.
Other witch-inspired attractions in Salem include the Witch History Museum, the Witch House at Salem, the Salem Witch Village and the Salem Witch Trials Memorial as well as historic graveyards, oddity museums and seasonal haunted attractions.
House of the Seven Gables
Photo: House of the Seven Gables (Facebook)
The unique seven gable roofline is reason enough to pay a visit to the House of the Seven Gables. But the National Historic Landmark District is equally interesting to explore the gardens and grounds on a self-guided tour. Located on the harbor, it was built for Captain John Turner I, head of a maritime fishing, trade and mercantile family, in 1668. The mansion is the setting of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel of the same name.
Salem Willows Park
Photo: Wikimedia
With stunning views of Salem Harbor and the North Shore Coast, the oceanfront Salem Willows Park is 35 acres of fun. Established in 1858, it’s named for the many white willow trees throughout the property. The park is near Danvers River and Rams Horn Channel, so it’s convenient to private boat slips for rent.
Enjoy pathways, shaded gazebos, beaches and picnic areas. There’s a bandshell and performance areas, basketball and tennis courts and a public pier for temporary boat docking if you happen to trailer a boat from a private boat lift rental. Pizza, seafood and ice cream vendors provide snack options. Check out the classic arcade with old school and modern video games as well as bumper cars, a carousel and ball drop games.
Salem Maritime National Historic Site
Photo: Salem Maritime National Historic Site (Facebook)
The Salem Maritime National Historic Site sits on nine acres of waterfront land with historic buildings, wharfs, archaeological sites and a light station. If offers more than 600 years of Salem and New England maritime, trade and revolution history. If you’re a fan of Colonial Williamsburg, you’ll probably love this site. Check out the Derby Light Station, Derby Wharf, the Friendship of Salem ship and historic houses such as the Pedrick Store House, Hawkes House and the Narbonne House. Visit the Waite and Peirce Park Store for a fun souvenir.
New England Pirate Museum
Photo: New England Pirate Museum (Facebook)
Learn about Blackbeard and Captain Kidd as you board a pirate ship, explore artifact rooms, traverse an 80-foot cave filled with hidden treasure and stroll along a recreated seaport at the New England Pirate Museum. There are wax figures, artifacts and a souvenir shop. Kids love this place! We just think it’s a super cool place to visit from a boat dock rental in Salem.
We hope you’ve found some new sites to visit the next time you’re spending time together at a private boat lift for rent in Salem. Let us know your favorites!
