Witch-Hunting in Salem, MA

In the northeast corner of Massachusetts, Boston’s most infamous suburb can be a ghoulish scare-fest, an education in art and culture befitting its venerable New England environs, or a place to indulge in fresh seafood while taking in ocean views. Or, for maximum stimulation, it can be all of the above.

This institution retells the awful tale of the famous trials with life-size figures, while across Salem Common, a Qing Dynasty merchant’s house from around 1800 was moved, stone by board, from China and re-erected at the Peabody Essex Museum.

This Qing Dynasty merchant’s house from around 1800 was moved, stone by board, from China and re-erected.

Find no-fuss seafood with marina views at Pickering Wharf. At this dockside grill, the New England clam chowder is made with applewood-smoked bacon.

The wharf-side hotel overlooks the harbor and the full-size, rigged schooner Friendship of Salem, and it also tempts kids with its heated indoor pool.