Anyone been to Salem?

[Howdoyoulikeyoureggsinthemornin]

I was looking at going for my 40th in a couple of years and been researching the cost. Hotel rooms are coming up at over $400 per night. Has anyone from the UK stayed and managed to get a good deal? I was going to do 2 nights in Salem and 2 nights in Boston. Not too fussed about Boston though.

Why Salem?

I have and I didn't like it. Touristy, a bit tacky and therefore uncomfortably disrespectful, I felt. I did really like Boston.

Salem was fun for a day, when you look behind the tackyness, you can find lots of history and a nice town.

Boston is great.

I would do a day trip from Boston. I’m not a big fan of Salem, some aspects are very tacky. From Boston I prefer Concord as a day trip, the Louisa M Alcott house is very interesting. Rockport is also a pretty seaside town. What appeals about Salem and what doesn’t appeal about Boston?

Lots of interesting places in and around Boston. I think Salem’s a day trip at best.

Salem is a really easy day trip from Boston. We got a boat there (a bit rough even though it was a nice summer day) and the train back. I really enjoyed it - I didn't mind the tacky side. But I was happy with one day there, wouldn't stay longer. I loved Boston - so much to see. Also loved Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and the Pilgrim Village museum at Plymouth was fantastic.

It’s ok, the touristy stuff is just that and it’s a cute town in places. Nothing much there to stay the night for, just do half a day from Boston, which is a great, interesting city with loads to see and do.

Would suggest a day trip to Salem instead of staying there.

Boston is also quite walkable downtown and has a great metro system.

Salem has become a tourist trap for the most horrible version of “witchcraft” that’s possible to commercialise. There are bits that are really interesting down by the port - Nathaniel Hawthorne’s house is a highlight. And there’s a very moving monument to the almost 20 people (most of them women) murdered by the State as “witches”. But most of Salem is most distasteful in its revelling in witches. As if the Salem murdered were really witches - we know they were bullied and murdered.

I came on to say do Salem as a day trip, but I see many others have said the same thing and I am sure you get the message!

Boston, Rockport, Cape Cod all great around there aswell. I wished I had got to do a trip to Nantucket, but couldn’t fit it in.

And yes, very easy from Boston. I prefer Cambridge to Boston, but Boston has some great art galleries and historic houses. The Isabella Stuart Gardner is a must-see gallery.

It's like any normal town but with tarot card shops. I definitely wouldn't make it the focus of a big trip.

I agree with everyone else. It really wasn’t what I was expecting, much smaller & pretty crap really.

I’m an American with lots of family in the Boston area. The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem is excellent and will take about two hours to go through properly. There are also some colonial era houses that have been restored that you can tour. The rest is pretty tacky, but fun if you’re into the witch trials.

Avoid visiting on the weekends as the town will be mobbed. One of the best seafood restaurants in the Boston area is in Salem. Book ahead, it’s hard to get a table.

https://www.turners-seafood.com/salem-ma

Happy to answer questions if you have any.

Two nights in Salem would be a waste of time. Spend another night in Boston instead or do it as a day trip.

Some interesting history, but horribly tacky. Another vote for stay in Boston and do a day trip.

I wasn't asking for people's opinions on Salem. I was asking for accommodation recommendations. Thank you.

Really don't know why people don't answer the questions asked and go on a tangent about something completely different.

Apologies for offering the museum and restaurant recommendations. I was clearly out of order.

Well, aren’t you a delight?

I think people are just saving you time and money. As a tangent, it’s pretty helpful.

Honestly, you don't need to be so rude when people are giving up a moment of their time to try to be nice and helpful!

I love salem but you definitely don’t need two nights there! I would do 3 nights in Boston ( fantastic city) and 1 night in Salem.

Completely different? I don't think you understand what that means.

People can post what they wish whether you like it or not. No need for the appalling attitude. Ignore what you don't like, others may find it helpful

Because you titled the thread with a question ‘anyone been to Salem’. So people are answering with their experience of Salem. If you’re going to be rude, be more precise with your posts and what you want from them.

In answer to your question, yes, I’ve been to Salem. It’s a day trip at most.