5 Kid Friendly Things to do in Salem, MA this Summer (No ghosts!)

Hey everyone! Happy Monday and welcome back to the blog. Today I wanted to cover five kid friendly things to do in Salem, MA this summer – no ghosts or jump scares included. Not all kiddos like ghosts and scary stories, so these five suggestions have that in mind.

Salem Willows Arcade and Park

Salem Willows Arcade & Park is an oceanfront park that dates back to 1858 and features white willow–lined walks, beaches, fishing piers, and picnic lawns. The arcade strip includes two classic arcades with vintage-style skee‑ball, pinball and more, alongside treats like pizza, ice cream and popcorn.

Real Pirates Salem

Real Pirates Salem is a family-friendly museum showcasing real treasure and artifacts recovered from the 1717 wreck of the pirate ship Whydah Gally, discovered and authenticated by maritime archaeologist Barry Clifford. The exhibits features coins, jewelry, weapons, and even a partial ship replica, all complemented by interactive elements like a discovery lab, hands-on pirate treasure, and narrated audio by Clifford himself.

The Schooner Fame

The Schooner Fame is a full-scale replica of the War of 1812 privateer schooner originally built in 1811, capturing 20+ British prizes before wrecking in 1814. Launched in 2003 and docked at Pickering Wharf, she sails May through Halloween on Salem Sound, offering day and sunset cruises where guests can raise sails, steer, and even hear the ship’s cannon fire.

Salem Kids Tours

Salem Kids Tours offers teacher-led walking tours designed specifically for families with children aged 5 and up. Led by certified educators, the one-hour tours (ranging from classic history to slightly spooky ghost themes) combine interactive storytelling, real Witch Trial history, kid-friendly ghost tales, and visits to landmarks.

Professor Spindlewink’s World of Wizardry

Professor Spindlewink’s World of Wizardry is an interactive, self‑guided fantasy museum where visitors journey through six magical realms including an enchanted forest, crystal cave, fantastic beasts room, aquatic grotto, Ice Dragon lair, and more. Tailored for families, cosplay fans, and lovers of magic, it blends detailed set design, animatronics, subtle audio-visual storytelling, and quirky characters (like Professor Spindlewink) to create an all-ages friendly experience.

Bonus: The Salem Trolley

The Salem Trolley is Salem’s one-hour, narrated sightseeing experience, carrying passengers on an eight-mile loop past landmarks like the House of the Seven Gables, Charter Street Burial Ground, Witch Dungeon Museum, and Salem’s waterfront. Operating seasonally from April through November it offers stories of 1692 witch trials alongside Salem’s rich maritime, literary, and architectural past.

I hope this helped give you some ideas! This list is not all-inclusive of course but is meant to serve as a starting point. Enjoy!! <3