Who doesn’t love a restaurant set in a former bank? The beloved, buzzy Ledger is a great place for brunch, a cocktail, or dinner, and the menu is filled with elegant, upscale American cuisine that ranges from the classic (Flat Iron steak with squash, broccolini, and fried potatoes) to the inventive (acorn squash with spiced granola, apple molasses, and burrata).
House Tours
The House of the Seven Gables in Salem, Massachusetts.Photo: Getty Images
The community of Salem does an excellent job of maintaining its most historic and significant buildings, two of which are located right downtown and offer fascinating glimpses into colonial life. First up, The House of the Seven Gables, New England’s oldest wooden mansion, and made famous by Salem native Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel of the same name. Across town, you’ll find the Jonathan Corwin House (affectionately known as the Witch House), the only house museum in town that has direct ties to the Witch Trials—Mr. Corwin was a judge who presided over a number of them.
Bluebikes
While it might be a bit ambitious even for the most dedicated cyclists to take Metro Boston’s bike share program all the way from Boston to Salem, it’s technically possible. But if you’re like the rest of us who just need a quick and easy way to get around Salem while you’re here, you’ll be pleased to know that a cluster of Bluebike stations makes getting around town easier than ever.
Take a Hike
There are two fantastic places in Salem to stretch your legs, ditch the tourist crowds and get some fresh air while you’re here. First, the Salem Woods are a bucolic stretch of woodland once used as “common land” for the pasturage of livestock, and today are used by anyone looking for some recreation in nature just a short walk from the center of downtown. Second is Winter Island Park, which is less of an island and more of a peninsula that stretches out from the far end of town. The rocky shoreline, crashing waves, and scenic lighthouse are a great microcosm of New England coastal life—again, just steps from the center of town.
Kokeshi
Photo: Rachel Leah Blumenthal / Courtesy of Kokeshi