{"id":11935,"date":"2021-03-22T18:28:54","date_gmt":"2021-03-22T22:28:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thingstodoinsa.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=11935"},"modified":"2021-03-22T18:46:34","modified_gmt":"2021-03-22T22:46:34","slug":"how-to-choose-what-to-do-in-salem-ma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2021\/03\/22\/how-to-choose-what-to-do-in-salem-ma\/","title":{"rendered":"How to choose what to do in Salem, MA"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Hi everyone. Happy Monday and welcome back to the blog. Today I wanted to chat about how to choose what to do in Salem, MA, especially when you want to go everywhere. Before I get into it, just keep in mind there is no right or wrong way to visit Salem or plan your trip. The city has something to offer for everyone and going without a plan can be just as enjoyable as going with one. There is no way set way. The following are just a few tips to help you narrow down what to do if you&#8217;re having trouble with that. I hope it helps!<\/p>\n<p>Please also keep in mind that if you&#8217;re visiting Salem from a distance or out of state, COVID-19 based travel restrictions may apply to you. Be sure to do the appropriate research ahead of time to keep yourself and Salem&#8217;s locals safe.<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First, consider the size of your group and who is with you<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Are you bringing the kiddos to Salem? If so, you&#8217;re likely going to be seeking family friendly content and attractions. Salem does have some of that available and there are even walking tours gearing towards the younger ones. If you have a large group with you, there are also a few things to consider when it comes to finances, group based activities, <a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/accommodations\/\">accommodations<\/a> and more.<\/p>\n<p>The following links might help you gather some ideas:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2019\/02\/04\/is-salem-ma-too-scary-for-kids\/\">Is Salem, MA too scary for kids?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2019\/04\/05\/blog-post-roundup-kid-friendly-salem-ma\/\">Blog post roundup: Kid friendly Salem, MA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2019\/01\/29\/tips-for-visiting-salem-ma-with-a-large-group\/\">Tips for visiting Salem, MA with a large group<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Are you on a time constraint?<\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you just in Salem for just a day or a few hours? Or do you have an entire weekend? If you have the time and funds to stay in Salem at least one night, that is what I&#8217;d go for. However I know that isn&#8217;t always an option. If you are short on daylight, I&#8217;d suggest the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Hop the Salem Trolley. This is a quick way to sight see and get to peek at some of Salem&#8217;s major landmarks and historic areas. This is way faster than trying to walk around to all of them from one side of the city to the other or route it out on your own.<\/li>\n<li>Grab food you can eat on the go while you walk versus dining in. Eating a sandwich while on foot will save you time compared to sitting down inside Rockafellas for drinks and a meal, for example.<\/li>\n<li>Buy tickets ahead of time where you can. This will help you schedule the limited time you have so you aren&#8217;t waiting around and can make the best use of your day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What time of year are you visiting?<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>This one should be pretty obvious: If you&#8217;re visiting Salem in the fall, book everything super early. This applies extra to 2021. So many people had to cancel their 2020 visit so 2021 is going to be absolutely nuts assuming COVID is more under control by then. Pick the high priority items that you&#8217;re most drawn to from the list and book those. Then fill in the blank spaces from there.<\/p>\n<p>On that note about yearly timing, be sure to recognize seasonal closures. Not all of Salem&#8217;s attractions operate year &#8217;round and some businesses take a break in November after the October rush of tourists. This might help narrow your list down right off the bat for you.<\/p>\n<h4>Salem is more than Halloween. What topics are you most interested in?<\/h4>\n<p>Salem is SO much more than just Halloween town. You can visit the city to experience attractions and history coming from many different angles. Here are just a few (with links) to get you started.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Visit Salem as someone into history<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2020\/05\/25\/learn-about-the-salem-witch-trials-ft-local-historian-jen-ratliff\/\">Learn about the Salem Witch Trials ft. local historian Jen Ratliff<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2019\/09\/22\/a-photo-tour-of-the-proctors-ledge-memorial-salem-ma\/\">A photo tour of the Proctor&#8217;s Ledge Memorial, Salem MA<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2019\/05\/01\/behind-the-scenes-at-the-house-of-the-seven-gables\/\">Behind the scenes at the House of the Seven Gables<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Visit Salem as someone into the metaphysical<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/product\/5-card-tarot-reading\/\">Book a tarot card reading from me<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2019\/05\/12\/how-to-pick-a-tarot-reader-in-salem-ma\/\">How to pick a tarot reader in Salem, MA<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2018\/10\/02\/my-experiences-with-having-my-tarot-cards-read-in-salem-ma\/\">My experiences having my tarot cards read in Salem, MA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Visit Salem as a creative<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2021\/02\/08\/salems-so-sweet-2021\/\">Salem&#8217;s So Sweet 2021<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2020\/04\/09\/the-most-instagrammable-places-in-salem-ma-part-iii-2020\/\">The most Instagrammable places in Salem, MA &#8212; Part III (2020)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/how-to-start-a-blog\/\">How to start your own blog<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/salemartsfestival.com\/\">Salem Arts Festival<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Visit Salem with your partner<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/SalemMAWedding.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SalemMAWedding.com<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2018\/08\/31\/10-date-night-ideas-in-salem-ma\/\">10 Date night ideas in Salem, MA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Visit Salem from the water<\/strong><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2020\/06\/29\/the-schooner-fame-salem-ma-attractions-reviews\/\">The Schooner Fame &#8212; Salem, MA attractions reviews<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2018\/06\/05\/five-ways-to-enjoy-the-nautical-aspect-of-salem-ma\/\">Five ways to enjoy the nautical aspect of Salem, MA<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I hope this helps! The above info is by no means all inclusive. It is just meant to get the ideas kicking around. Have fun, be safe and enjoy!! &lt;3<\/p>\n<h4>Recommended reading | You might also like&#8230;<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2020\/04\/21\/the-best-hotels-to-book-in-salem-ma\/\">The best hotels to book in Salem, MA &#8212; My top three picks<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2018\/12\/06\/five-tips-on-choosing-your-hotel-in-salem-ma\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Five tips on choosing your hotel in Salem, MA<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2019\/05\/30\/should-i-book-a-hotel-right-in-salem-ma-is-it-worth-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Should I book a hotel right in Salem, MA? Is it worth it?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2019\/02\/17\/which-salem-ma-hotels-have-parking\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Which Salem, MA hotels have parking?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/2019\/02\/20\/a-first-timers-guide-to-planning-a-trip-to-salem-ma\/\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-11463\" src=\"http:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/first-timers-guide-to-salem-ma.jpg\" alt=\"things to do in salem, first timers guide to salem ma\" width=\"730\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/first-timers-guide-to-salem-ma.jpg 730w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/first-timers-guide-to-salem-ma-534x110.jpg 534w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/first-timers-guide-to-salem-ma-300x62.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/first-timers-guide-to-salem-ma-24x5.jpg 24w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/first-timers-guide-to-salem-ma-36x7.jpg 36w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/first-timers-guide-to-salem-ma-48x10.jpg 48w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 730px) 100vw, 730px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h4>Pin for later<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/pin\/864480090974609955\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11941 size-full\" src=\"http:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Simple-Photo-Mens-Grooming-Pinterest-Graphic.jpg\" alt=\"things to do in salem, how to choose what to do in salem ma\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Simple-Photo-Mens-Grooming-Pinterest-Graphic.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Simple-Photo-Mens-Grooming-Pinterest-Graphic-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Simple-Photo-Mens-Grooming-Pinterest-Graphic-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Simple-Photo-Mens-Grooming-Pinterest-Graphic-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Simple-Photo-Mens-Grooming-Pinterest-Graphic-540x810.jpg 540w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Simple-Photo-Mens-Grooming-Pinterest-Graphic-408x612.jpg 408w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Simple-Photo-Mens-Grooming-Pinterest-Graphic-255x383.jpg 255w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Simple-Photo-Mens-Grooming-Pinterest-Graphic-555x833.jpg 555w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Simple-Photo-Mens-Grooming-Pinterest-Graphic-360x540.jpg 360w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Simple-Photo-Mens-Grooming-Pinterest-Graphic-262x393.jpg 262w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Simple-Photo-Mens-Grooming-Pinterest-Graphic-16x24.jpg 16w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Simple-Photo-Mens-Grooming-Pinterest-Graphic-24x36.jpg 24w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Simple-Photo-Mens-Grooming-Pinterest-Graphic-32x48.jpg 32w, https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Simple-Photo-Mens-Grooming-Pinterest-Graphic-534x801.jpg 534w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hi everyone. Happy Monday and welcome back to the blog. Today I wanted to chat about how to choose what to do in Salem, MA, especially when you want to go everywhere. Before I get into it, just keep in mind there is no right or wrong way to visit Salem or plan your trip. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11939,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[836,33,847,1186,4542,36,2834,4260,18,19,26,27,24,20,21,428,429,25],"class_list":["post-11935","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-your-visit","tag-destination-salem","tag-haunted-happenings","tag-historic-new-england","tag-historic-salem","tag-how-to-choose-what-to-do-in-salem-ma","tag-north-shore","tag-plan-your-trip","tag-plan-your-trip-to-salem-ma","tag-salem","tag-salem-ma","tag-salem-mass","tag-salem-massachusetts","tag-the-witch-city","tag-things-to-do-in-salem","tag-things-to-do-in-salem-ma","tag-visit-salem","tag-visit-salem-ma","tag-witch-city-guide"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11935","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11935"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11935\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11939"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11935"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11935"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thingstodoinsalem.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11935"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}