Guidebook for Salem
Food Scene
Opened in the summer of 2017, Ledger is located in one of Salem's many old banks and its name is a nod to Salem's historical status in banking. Try making a meal out of the appetizer menu.
62 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Ledger Restaurant
125 Washington StOpened in the summer of 2017, Ledger is located in one of Salem's many old banks and its name is a nod to Salem's historical status in banking. Try making a meal out of the appetizer menu.
The best (and closest) seafood reataurant with raw bar. Make reservations or come early and grab a seat at one of the two bars (I like the left bar, where I can watch them shuck oysters). Try the crabcake appetizer, cup of the lobster bisque, or one of the specials. Note: Turner's is located in Lyceum Hall, where Alexander Grahm Bell first demonstrated an incredible new piece of technology - the telephone.
68 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall
43 Church StThe best (and closest) seafood reataurant with raw bar. Make reservations or come early and grab a seat at one of the two bars (I like the left bar, where I can watch them shuck oysters). Try the crabcake appetizer, cup of the lobster bisque, or one of the specials. Note: Turner's is located in Lyceum Hall, where Alexander Grahm Bell first demonstrated an incredible new piece of technology - the telephone.
What's not to love about this place? Funky atmosphere, rotating art on display, wi-fi, an array of coffee, tea, fresh juices, and great sandwiches. My favorites: 4-shot iced coffee, kale-cucumber-apple-lime juice, and "the Jerome" sandwich - roast beef goodness, grilled on Scali bread.
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Front Street Coffeehouse
20 Front StWhat's not to love about this place? Funky atmosphere, rotating art on display, wi-fi, an array of coffee, tea, fresh juices, and great sandwiches. My favorites: 4-shot iced coffee, kale-cucumber-apple-lime juice, and "the Jerome" sandwich - roast beef goodness, grilled on Scali bread.
One of the top-five best places for coffee in Salem. Great selection of artisanal bread and pastries. Try the bacon, egg, and cheddar on brioche.
42 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
A & J King Artisan Bakers
48 Central StOne of the top-five best places for coffee in Salem. Great selection of artisanal bread and pastries. Try the bacon, egg, and cheddar on brioche.
Creative twists on comfort foods in a relaxed, refined, and homey atmosphere. Try the Smoked Gouda and Goat Cheese Fritters (appetizer) or the Potato Gnocci (entree).
18 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Olde Main Street Pub
121 Essex StCreative twists on comfort foods in a relaxed, refined, and homey atmosphere. Try the Smoked Gouda and Goat Cheese Fritters (appetizer) or the Potato Gnocci (entree).
Mmmmm... meat lovers and scratch kitchen aficionados, rejoice! Casual dining atmosphere, sandwiches, salads, beer and wine. Try the SK Smoked Pork Panini El “Cubano” or just a side of the House Smoked Bacon. Have yet to make it to their Sunday Brunch, but both the Scratch Salmon Lox and Buttermilk Biscuits & Gravy look very tasty.
Scratch Kitchen
245 Derby StMmmmm... meat lovers and scratch kitchen aficionados, rejoice! Casual dining atmosphere, sandwiches, salads, beer and wine. Try the SK Smoked Pork Panini El “Cubano” or just a side of the House Smoked Bacon. Have yet to make it to their Sunday Brunch, but both the Scratch Salmon Lox and Buttermilk Biscuits & Gravy look very tasty.
Love me some noodle soup! Try any of the soups and the steamed pork buns.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kokeshi
288 Lafayette StLove me some noodle soup! Try any of the soups and the steamed pork buns.
I come here more often than I’d like to admit. Beer and creative pizza, and sometimes salad: what’s not to love? Vegan, veggie, gluten free options.
25 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Flying Saucer Pizza Company
118 Washington StI come here more often than I’d like to admit. Beer and creative pizza, and sometimes salad: what’s not to love? Vegan, veggie, gluten free options.
A great place for an afternoon craft beer, crepe, or sandwich. Also has live music at night.
67 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gulu-Gulu Cafe
247 Essex StA great place for an afternoon craft beer, crepe, or sandwich. Also has live music at night.
Drinks & Nightlife
Come here for a unique and memorable cocktail. Or, go through the speakeasy side entrance to get to Opus Underground, an intimate lounge area that has live music on the weekends. Solid beer list and snacks downstairs. Seems to cater to a mid to late 20s crowd.
57 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Opus
87 Washington StCome here for a unique and memorable cocktail. Or, go through the speakeasy side entrance to get to Opus Underground, an intimate lounge area that has live music on the weekends. Solid beer list and snacks downstairs. Seems to cater to a mid to late 20s crowd.
Best no frills, casual bar. Chicken fingers are terrific (get a small, it's really a large).
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Major Magleashe's Pub
268 Washington StreetBest no frills, casual bar. Chicken fingers are terrific (get a small, it's really a large).
My friends say that karaoke is a fun time here. Though you won’t catch me singing on a stage...
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Koto Grill & Sushi
90 Washington StMy friends say that karaoke is a fun time here. Though you won’t catch me singing on a stage...
A tiny little place with terrific food, and some of the best music in town.
37 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mercy Tavern
148 Derby StA tiny little place with terrific food, and some of the best music in town.
It’s a place to drink local beer. Cornhole, darts, outdoor patio.
49 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Notch Brewery & Tap Room
283R Derby StIt’s a place to drink local beer. Cornhole, darts, outdoor patio.
Perhaps my favorite brewing company in Salem. The inside is fairly no frills, but sitting outside in the nice weather is lovely.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
East Regiment Beer Company
30 Church StPerhaps my favorite brewing company in Salem. The inside is fairly no frills, but sitting outside in the nice weather is lovely.
Arts & Culture
Must See Exhibitions:
Kimsooja: Archive of Mind
Hans Hofmann: The Nature of Abstraction
Where the Questions Live: An Exploration of Humans in Nature
Yoan Capote: Immanence
207 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Peabody Essex Museum
161 Essex StMust See Exhibitions:
Kimsooja: Archive of Mind
Hans Hofmann: The Nature of Abstraction
Where the Questions Live: An Exploration of Humans in Nature
Yoan Capote: Immanence
I've been on the tour several times and learn something new every time I go. Part of the fun is climbing a secret staircase...
93 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Indlu yeSeven Gables
115 Derby StI've been on the tour several times and learn something new every time I go. Part of the fun is climbing a secret staircase...
This is an interesting spot that I haven't fully explored yet. They are a "member's library" which means that they have a collection of old books that reflect what the people of Salem would have been reading in the olden days. I think. They put on events and host writing courses as well. One of my favorite events was an evening of Storytelling.
Salem Athenaeum
337 Essex StThis is an interesting spot that I haven't fully explored yet. They are a "member's library" which means that they have a collection of old books that reflect what the people of Salem would have been reading in the olden days. I think. They put on events and host writing courses as well. One of my favorite events was an evening of Storytelling.
If you are interested in Salem's history, ask to see the special collections room on the second floor that houses Salem's directories, historical documents, and more.
Salem Public Library
370 Essex StIf you are interested in Salem's history, ask to see the special collections room on the second floor that houses Salem's directories, historical documents, and more.
Salem Arts Association
159 Derby StLocal artists.
Sightseeing
Get away from the hustle and bustle of down town and spend an hour or two at Winter Island. You can walk 2 miles to get there, or take the Salem Trolley. Go past the campsites and explore the historical bunkers, marina, and Waikiki beach. Great views.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Winter Island/Waikiki Beach
60 Winter Island RdGet away from the hustle and bustle of down town and spend an hour or two at Winter Island. You can walk 2 miles to get there, or take the Salem Trolley. Go past the campsites and explore the historical bunkers, marina, and Waikiki beach. Great views.
Parks & Nature
One of my favorite places to go for a nature walk. Popular place for dog walking as well. Pick up a map at the Visitor's Center for information on the hiking trails, or simply follow the paved path for a loop. About 1/2 way on the paved path is a small beach and swimming area.
23 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Breakheart Reservation
177 Forest StOne of my favorite places to go for a nature walk. Popular place for dog walking as well. Pick up a map at the Visitor's Center for information on the hiking trails, or simply follow the paved path for a loop. About 1/2 way on the paved path is a small beach and swimming area.
Great place to relax, go for a walk, watch a sun set, or have a picnic.
85 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Salem Willows Park
165 Fort AveGreat place to relax, go for a walk, watch a sun set, or have a picnic.
Essentials
Closest pharmacy. Also sells convenience foods, eggs, milk, cosmetics, chocolate, ice cream, home items, etc.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
CVS
200 Essex StClosest pharmacy. Also sells convenience foods, eggs, milk, cosmetics, chocolate, ice cream, home items, etc.
Small grocery store / deli within walking distance. Adequate selection.
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Steve's Quality Market
36 Margin StSmall grocery store / deli within walking distance. Adequate selection.
Budget-friendly grocery store. Can get very busy at times.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Market Basket
227 Highland AveBudget-friendly grocery store. Can get very busy at times.
Shaw's
43 State StQuality Liquors
5 Gedney StShopping
Great place to mix your own 6-pack of beer or cider, solid wine selection, some cheeses, crackers, and other kitchen oddities.
11 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pamplemousse
185 Essex StGreat place to mix your own 6-pack of beer or cider, solid wine selection, some cheeses, crackers, and other kitchen oddities.
Watch local artists in action and visit their shops. Woodturning classes available.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Artists' Row
24 New Derby StWatch local artists in action and visit their shops. Woodturning classes available.
Wicked Good Books
260 Essex StSolid selection of books and a friendly atmosphere.