Spend A Budget-Friendly Day in Salem, MA 

Americans love to travel, whether it’s setting off on an adventure across the globe or exploring a neighboring community. Unfortunately, travel can be expensive, especially if you want to spend quality time at your destination. Thankfully, Salem, Massachusetts has lots to see and do for those traveling on a budget. 

If you want to explore more for less, here are a few ideas to inspire your next budget-friendly trip to Salem. 

A Trip to the Salem Willows

Want to soak in the sun, walk along Salem’s coastline or just people-watch? Salem Willows, located on Fort Avenue, is a seaside public park that is just one of Salem’s treasures for budget-following travelers. 

Play tennis or basketball at one of the number of courts that overlook the water, or bring a picnic and spread out along the 35 acres of greenery. Watch boats, kayaks, and paddleboarders do their thing as you relax with friends and family. 

Want more than picnic food? Salem Willows has reasonably priced eats ranging from the classic American Chop Suey sandwich to pizza, Chinese food and Hobbs popcorn. If the kids want to bring their quarters, they can enjoy classic arcade games, foosball or skeeball before heading to the pier to do a little fishing! 

There is something for everyone at the Willows including benches that tired parents can use while taking in the scenic views. 

Stroll Through Salem’s History 

History lovers and wallet-conscious travelers will rejoice as Salem has many budget-friendly activities, trails and landmarks to explore. Learn about the contributions of Salem’s ancestors during the American Revolution, see the replica of a Tall Ship the Friendship, or take a deep dive into the haunting history of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. 

Some landmarks and sites you may want to visit to satisfy your inner history buff include Salem’s Maritime National Historic Site , the Salem Witch Trials Memorial or take a comprehensive tour of Salem’s history along the Salem Heritage Trail. The latter is a free self-guided walking tour of Salem’s historic sites accessible via QR code on the Salem Heritage Trail website. 

Take in Salem’s Art & Culture Scene

Support Salem’s artists along New Derby Street at Artists Row, a public plaza and pedestrian space that features artists and artisans seasonally. This downtown location is in the heart of Salem, surrounded by shops and unique Salem businesses and was created to help artists in the region build their businesses. 

Take a short walk to the point neighborhood where you can view and learn more about the Punto Urban Art Museum. This free outside museum features 75 large-scale murals as well as 30 world-renowned artists and 25 local artists. 

Get Outdoors 

Salem doesn’t just have a rich history to explore; it also has some picturesque walking paths, commons and quiet areas for reflection. Try out Salem Woods if you are looking for somewhere quiet where you can hike, bike, bird watch, explore nature and more. 

For those who want to stay in the city, bring a picnic lunch to Salem Commons, or try one of Salem’s Blue Bikes to take a spin around the beautiful city at your own pace. 

A Final Word

Downtown Salem is not just home to hundreds of artists but equally as many unique shops, bakeries, coffee shops, museums, art installations, restaurants, retail stores, small businesses and breweries. There is a place for everyone in the Witch City and so much of it is free to explore. 

Don’t forget to visit us at Real Pirates Salem at 285 Derby Street next time you are in Salem to find out more about the men and women who sailed the seas during the Golden Age of Piracy.