Salem, MA provides the perfect mix of history, arts, culture, and exploration for your April Vacation trip. Dive into the 1692 Witch Trials with a kid friendly walking tour, unleash your inner artist with the Good Witch of Salem, seek out pirate treasure with Real Pirates Salem, or explore the intersection of arts and science with the Peabody Essex Museum. Grab a delicious bite to eat at one of our local kid friendly restaurants to round out your visit.
Vacation Week Activities
Image by Salem Kids Tours
Take a tour with Salem Kids Tours
Finding a tour based in history can be a daunting task when you are trying to cater to a wide range of ages and interests. Salem Kids Tours has got you covered! There is no fear of boredom on a Salem Kids Tour. Their guides are all history teachers, and they understand how kids learn best. Their guides will lead you on a trip through time in a fun and interactive way. Join them through the mysterious and magical streets of Salem as they tell you stories that are well researched, entirely true, and fascinating. The Salem Kids Tours will be running daily April 13-21 with tours at 1pm also: April 13—10:45am 4/15 10:45am 4/17 10:45am 4/18 10:45am 4/20 9:15am
Image by Salem Kids Tours
Fairy Spa Da, Adopt A Dino and more with the Good Witch of Salem
Step into the House of the Good Witch located on 2 North Street here in Salem, MA for a day filled with bows, glitter, and pink galore! For April Vacation the Good Witch herself will be hosting an array of fairy themed classes including her Fairy Spa Day and Fairy Potion Making classes. With an addition of staff to the magical team over at the Good Witch of Salem, they have been able to offer new classes such as Adopt A Dino, and their Flower Power classes. At each class participants will have the opportunity to make their very own art piece to take home with them to spread the Good Witch magic. Make your very own Good Witch of Salem signature pink hat to take home with you for a piece of magic in your everyday life.
Image by the Peabody Essex Museum
Celebrate Yin Yu Tang this April Vacation at the PEM
Join the Peabody Essex Museum as they continue to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the cultural exchange project that brought Yin Yu Tang to PEM! For this school vacation week, travel across the world without leaving Salem by learning traditional Chinese paper cutting with local guest artist Zhonghe (Elena) Li on Monday, Thursday and Friday afternoons. Join us for film screenings in Morse Auditorium on Friday, and challenge yourself all three days with a museum-wide dragon scavenger hunt!
Check out our full week of programming HERE
Image by Real Pirates Salem
Explore Real Pirate Treasure with Real Pirates Salem
Immerse yourself in the stories of Real Pirates! The family-friendly pirate experience features the true tale of “Black Sam” Bellamy – the richest and one of the youngest pirates of all time – and Maria Hallett, the love of his life and so-called “Witch of Wellfleet.” See the world’s only fully authenticated pirate treasure ever discovered – including coins, jewelry, and weapons – retrieved from the wreck, and last touched by the hands of pirates more than 300 years ago. Bring the entire family by to check out the Discovery Lab with real life wreckage from the Whydah.
Yummy Places to Eat
Salem has a great selection of kid-friendly restaurants to choose from that both parents and picky eaters will love. Downtown Salem is a great place to start when looking for family friendly dining and treats. Looking for a quick slice of pizza? Try Essex’s Pizza off of the Pedestrian Mall if you’re looking for a slice on the go. Flying Saucer Pizza has Sci-Fi themed vegan pizza options, and American Flatbreads has woodfired pizza along with an indoor bowling alley!
If you are looking for family style sit down service there are a wide range of options to choose from. Red’s Sandwich Shop offers breakfast and lunch with a large selection that makes up their menu. Lulu’s Bakery & Pantry is another wonderful option if you are looking for a large selection of breakfast options and treats that the entire family will love.
Dinner is always a great time to sit down with the family and reconnect about the adventures of the day. There are multiple options to choose from in town that offer both adult and kid friendly menus. Rockafellas, which is located directly across the street from the famous Samantha Statue, is a great place to sit down for a full meal. Choose between an eclectic menu filled with burgers, flatbreads, pastas, seafood, and sides that the entire family will love. The Village Tavern, which is conveniently located on the Essex Pedestrian Mall, is open daily from noon until 1am on weekdays and from 11am to 1am on weekends. Their kid’s menu includes grilled cheese sandwiches, burgers, mozzarella sticks, burgers, chicken fingers, pizza, and more! Looking for a playful meal? Bit Bar has vintage arcade games for the whole family! Enjoy games themed foods like their loaded tetris tots, or their fish and chips off of the kid’s menu.
In between your day jam packed with adventure make sure to fuel up with some sweet treats! Curly Girl Candy Shop features bulk candy for kids and nostalgic classics for parents to enjoy too. Wrap in some history by stopping at Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie, America’s oldest candy company, where the whole family can enjoy historic classics like gibraltars. If candy isn’t your preference the massive cookies at Lulu’s Bakery and Pantry will subside any sweet tooth!
Make it an Overnight Stay
Make your trip into an overnight stay with accommodations right in downtown Salem. Stay at the Salem Inn, which features family suites complete with kitchenettes, The Hampton Inn Salem which comes with a hot breakfast every morning and a heated pool, or the Salem Waterfront Hotel which includes an onsite restaurant at the Regatta Pub and an indoor swimming pool. View a complete list of Salem’s accommodations here.
