February vacation is a wonderful time to visit Salem! Spend a day downtown exploring our museums and attractions with extended hours and special programming made with families in mind. Create take home slime potions with the Good Witch of Salem, explore the PEM with their drop in craft classes, or explore the ground of the House of the Seven Gables. Here are a few ideas on how to spend your school vacation week in Salem, MA.
Explore the Peabody Essex Museum:
Image by the Peabody Essex Museum
It’s easy to get lost inside the expansive Peabody Essex Museum located on the Essex Street Pedestrian WalkWay here in Salem, MA. Dive into the history of Salem and the Indigenous communities that helped to shape the land in the On This Ground: Being and Belonging in America exhibit located on the first floor of the museum. If you are looking for brightly colored and fun modern art, take a stroll through the newest exhibit at the PEM Spirits: Tsherin Sherpa with Robert Beer located on the second floor of the museum. The PEM will also have hands-on activities to participate in on Monday and Wednesday at 11am, which are free and included in the cost of admission. Stop by the giftshop on your way out, or at the cafe located on the Atrium for a mid-day treat before heading out to explore the rest of what Salem has to offer.
Discover real pirate treasure all week long with Real Pirates Salem:
Image by the Creative Collective
The Real Pirates Salem museum will be open all week long for school vacation from 10am to 5pm with tickets available for purchase online or in person. Learn about the story of “Black Sam” Bellamy the richest and one the youngest pirates of all time, and Maria Hallett the so-called “Witch of Wellfleet”. Walk through the immersive exhibits and be transported onto a pirate ship that’s setting sail. Touch real life pirate treasures, and explore actuarial artifacts from the wreck of the Whydah in the Discover Lab.
Spread love and happiness with The Good Witch of Salem:
Image by the Good Witch of Salem
The House of the Good Witch, located on North Street here in Salem, MA is full of crafts, glitter, and love this February vacation. The entire week will be filled with workshops led by the Good Witch and her staff of magical helpers. Starting off the week on Tuesday February 21st at 10:30am there will be a Children’s Witch Hat Decorating Class. Children will design and make their very own PINK Witch Hat in the home of the Good Witch of Salem! Attendees will also receive a sparkly nail manicure and a touch of glitter. The following day, Wednesday the 22nd, stop in for a Winter Witch Spa Day at 10:30am. Join The Good Witch for a little pampering and relaxation. Children will create their own potion and receive a sparkly nail manicure, fancy hair extensions, and a touch of glitter.If you are looking for a messy craft to take home with you later stop in on Thursday the 23rd at 10:30am for a Winter Slime Potion Class. Students will mix, mash, drop, and stir their very own winter themed slime creation. The Good Witch of Salem also has daily visiting hours where you can go pick up a copy of one of her books or just stop in to say hello.
Welcome Home Week at The House of the Seven Gables:
Image by the House of the Seven Gables
The House of The Seven Gables is bringing back their Welcome Home Days this February School Vacation, as a way to open up their museum to students and residents interested in learning about Salem’s literary history. Each day of the week the museum will have free admission to particular local towns’ residents. Tickets should be purchased in person with a valid ID or recent utility bill with appropriate address. Explore the secret staircase inside the home, or walk through the grounds and explore their kids’ space equipped with a telescope to spy wildlife along the coast. See the list below to find out when your town is eligible for free admission
- Monday Feb. 20 Gloucester, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rockport and Middleton
- Tuesday Feb. 21 Beverly, Ipswich, Hamilton and Wenham
- Wednesday Feb. 22 Danvers, Swampscott, Boxford and Topsfield
- Thursday Feb. 23 Peabody and Nahant
- Friday Feb. 24 Lynn
Become a Junior Ranger with Salem’s National Park Service:
Image by National Park Services
Head over to the National Park Service Visitor Center located on New Liberty Street to become a Junior Ranger. The Salem Maritime National Historic Site Junior Ranger program is an activity based program offering visitors the opportunity to join the National Park Service family as Junior Rangers. Interested individuals complete a series of activities in the Junior Ranger booklet during a park visit or from home, share their answers with a park ranger, and receive an official Junior Ranger badge. Join Junior Rangers around the country in taking an oath to protect parks, continue to learn about parks, and share your own ranger story with friends and family! Visitors to the park can learn more about the site using the Junior Ranger booklet. You’ll find historical places, objects, and documents in the park, on our website, and through the NPS App to answer the questions.
Learn about witch history with the Salem Witch Museum:
Image by the Salem Witch Museum
The Salem Witch Museum examines one of the most enduring and emotional events in American History, the Salem witch trials of 1692. The museum consists of two presentations. Step through the doors and immerse yourself into the 1692 trails with a look into the events that took place. The second exhibit, Witches: Evolving Perceptions, explores the meaning behind the word witch and evolution of the image of the witch over time. This presentation focuses on the European witch trials and the background leading to the Salem witch trials. In addition, this presentation discusses the emergence of the stereotypical witch and the phenomenon of witch-hunting.
Kid-Friendly Dining:
Find family-friendly dining throughout downtown Salem. Find pizza and Sci-Fi at Flying Saucer Pizza Company, or NY style pies at Essex’s NY Pizza & Deli. Spend some time after lunch playing classic video games at Bit Bar. Check the list below for more family-friendly dining ideas or view a complete list of Salem’s restaurants here.
- Bit Bar
- Essex’s NY Pizza & Deli
- Flying Saucer Pizza Company
- Red’s
- Lulu’s Bakery and Pantry
- Salem’s Retreat
- … and more
There is so much to do this week in Salem, MA for more ideas check our Things To Do tab linked here
Tags: #schoolvacation, Family
