Choose from 2,014 Fun Things to Do in Usa
ShowingFilter 1361-1380 of 2014 listings.

Safeco Field
Safeco Field is the home of the Mariners baseball team, and the stadium is located just south of the city center in Seattle. The Seattle Mariners’ original home, the Kingdome, was replaced in the 1990s by Safeco Field, which hosted its first Major League Baseball game in 1999. The stadium holds more than 47,000 spectators for baseball games, and features a retractable roof.
Among the attractions at Safeco Field - besides the baseball games themselves - are the Mariners Hall of Fame, the Baseball Museum of the Pacific Northwest, and the many baseball-related pieces of artwork on display throughout the stadium.
Practical Info
Safeco Field is in what’s known as the “SoDo” neighborhood - South of Downtown - and is easily reached via public transportation. One-hour tours of the stadium are available April-October at 10:30am, 12:30pm, and 2:30pm (except on game days); and November-March at 12:30pm and 2:30pm Tuesday-Sunday. Admission for the tour is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $8 for children ages 3-12.
Address: 1250 1st Avenue South, Seattle, Washington 98134, USA
Hours: Tours April-Oct 10:30am, 12:30, 2:30pm (except on game days); Nov-March 12:30pm, 2:30pm Tuesday-Sunday
Admission: Tours $10 for Adults, $9 for Seniors & $8 for Children 3-12
From $ 70

Runyon Canyon Park
A 160-acre park that sprawls along the Hollywood Hills, this is where Angelenos go to hike and be seen. Full of dogs and their spandex-clad owners, a walk here is a regular routine for both aspiring performers and famous celebrities, singles of every age and persuasion, and folks who are simply single-minded about their fitness.
Devoid of shade and full of dirt-packed paths, Runyon’s various features allow you to customize your workout. The Fuller Avenue entrance requires one of two steep climbs, either up a winding series of high, uneven steps, or up a long hill with two switchbacks; these two climbs can be combined in a challenging loop. The Mulholland entrance enables you to either head up into the steepest hills for the most challenging terrain, or to take a mostly flat, 15-minute route straight out to a viewpoint; this second option leads to both the stairs and the long hill up from Fuller, so you can tack on either route – or neither.
Runyon looks and feels its best on L.A.’s clearest days, generally from late November to early May; throughout the summer and fall, it can get extremely hot up here anytime after 8 a.m. More often than not, though, the paths and lookout points here offer panoramic views of the city’s coastline, Westside, West Hollywood, Hollywood and Downtown.
Devoid of shade and full of dirt-packed paths, Runyon’s various features allow you to customize your workout. The Fuller Avenue entrance requires one of two steep climbs, either up a winding series of high, uneven steps, or up a long hill with two switchbacks; these two climbs can be combined in a challenging loop. The Mulholland entrance enables you to either head up into the steepest hills for the most challenging terrain, or to take a mostly flat, 15-minute route straight out to a viewpoint; this second option leads to both the stairs and the long hill up from Fuller, so you can tack on either route – or neither.
Runyon looks and feels its best on L.A.’s clearest days, generally from late November to early May; throughout the summer and fall, it can get extremely hot up here anytime after 8 a.m. More often than not, though, the paths and lookout points here offer panoramic views of the city’s coastline, Westside, West Hollywood, Hollywood and Downtown.
Practical Info:
No matter what month you visit, try to start out early in the morning or
late in the afternoon, before the park, its adjacent parking lot and
on-street parking spaces become full to capacity. Runyon offers no
bathroom facilities and only one water fountain, beside the Mulholland
entrance.
Address: 2000 N Fuller Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046, USA
Hours: Mon-Sun 6am-9pm
From $ 35

Samuel Adams Brewery
For more than 30 years, no beer has been as synonymous with the city of Boston as Sam Adams, named after the well-known patriot who played a critical role in the Boston Tea Party and American Revolution.
For a real taste–literally and figuratively–of Boston, a visit to the Sam Adams Brewery is a must. The brewery is among the city's most popular attractions for both beer-loving tourists and locals. Learn about the general history of beer-making and the brewing process, as well as what makes Sam Adams unique. Visitors can sample raw ingredients along the way and gain an appreciation for the materials involved.
Practical Info
Admission is free, and the brewery is open year-round, except for most major holidays. Hours are Monday through Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Friday until 5:30 p.m. Due to limited onsite parking, the brewery recommends using public transportation.
Address: 30 Germania St, Boston, MA 02130, USA
Hours: Year-round Mon thru Thur and Sat 10am - 3pm, Fri 10am - 5:30pm
From $ 57

San Andreas Fault
Running down the state of California, from Cape Mendocino to the Mexican border, the San Andreas Fault forms a continuous, narrow break in the Earth's crust between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. Seismologists predict that the fault will eventually cause the "big one": a 7.0+ magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale.
The Basics
At just over 28,000 years old, the San Andreas Fault is still growing at a rate of 2.5 inches (64 millimeters) per year, constantly reshaping California. The fault is divided into three distinct zones, each of which can be visited: the northern part via the Pinnacles National Park, the central part at the San Andreas Fault Observatory in Parkfield, and the southern part from the San Bernardino Mountains to the San Gabriel Mountains.
Open-air Jeep tours head out to the Palm Desert to explore the fault, as well as the oasis and hot springs it created.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Desert temperatures can fluctuate drastically, so dress in layers if you’re heading to Palm Desert on a tour.
- Wear sneakers or hiking boots to climb around the fault area.
- Be sure to apply sunblock, wear a hat, and bring water.
- Almost all traces of a crack in the earth along the fault line were erased by the 1906 earthquake that leveled San Francisco; what remain now are geological rock formations.
How to Get There
The southern part of the fault begins near the San Bernardino Mountains, just outside of Los Angeles, and runs east to the San Gabriel Mountains, with Palm Springs being the best place to explore the fault. Palm Springs is located about an hour and 45 minutes southeast of LA. Tours typically begin at a location in Palm Desert, not Palm Springs.
When to Get There
If you’re planning to head out to Palm Desert to tour the fault area, book your trip between January and April, when the weather is the most pleasant. During the summer, temperatures regularly rise above 100 degrees. If you want to explore the northern section at Pinnacles National Park, which is near Big Sur, aim for some time between September and November for optimum weather conditions.
Joshua Tree
Named for the Joshua trees that are native to the Mojave Desert, Joshua Tree National Park is located near San Bernardino and Palm Springs. The protected area boasts plenty of outdoor activities, such as camping, hiking, rock climbing, and birding, and many tour companies offer rides in 4WD vehicles, to explore the park and its wildlife.
Address: USA
From $ 139

Saguaro Lake
Located just outside of Phoenix, Saguaro Lake is the westernmost lake in the Salt River Project – a series of reservoirs on the Salt River, which include the famous Roosevelt Dam, built in order to sustain agricultural activities in the area and to provide drinking water to the Phoenix metropolitan area. Today, the lake is a recreational area famous for its fishing and its stunning scenery, characterized by Arizona’s signature cactus trees (the lake was, after all, named after the Saguaro Cactus) and dramatic landscapes of Stewart Mountain.
Saguaro Lake is the fourth reservoir of the Salt River Project, and is formed by the Stewart Mountain Dam. At 1264 hectares large and 90 feet deep, Saguaro Lake makes for a prime destination for fishing enthusiasts; rainbow and brown trout, several types of bass, crappie, sunfish, channel catfish and carp are found abundantly in the lake, which is regularly stocked by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The lake is home to a quaint marina which includes the Lakeshore Restaurant and a boat concession, as well as picnic tables, boat ramps, narrated double-deck boat tours, restrooms and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s station.
Practical Info
The Stewart Mountain Dam as such is a 1,260-foot-long and 207-foot-high concrete, thin-arch dam built in 1928. It contains a hydroelectric generating unit mainly operated in the summer months. Saguaro Lake is located 41 miles outside Phoenix, Arizona in the municipality of Mesa. It can be reached in 50 minutes by car via routes 202 and 87. The area is open daily until 8pm from April through September. There are free, year-round camping facilities onsite.
Address: Tonto National Forest, Arizona, USA
Hours: Daily until 8pm from April through September
From $ 23

Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park
Evidence of a little-remembered attempt by Russians to gain a foothold in Hawaii between 1815 and 1817 can still be found in the remnants of an old fort alongside the mouth of the Waimea River. Though today the site is little more than jumbled red rock walls hinting at its former layout, an irregular octagon guarding entrance into Kauai via the waterway, it once was the site of grand plans to use Kauai as a permanent provisioning and trading station for the state-sponsored Russian American Company. With outer rock walls constructed from ancient heiau (Hawaiian temples), the fort once included residences, a chapel, gardens, a trading center and the main fort building. Visitors can explore what’s left via a self-guided interpretive tour following signage with drawings of how the area once appeared.
Here, Dr. Georg Anton Schäffer, sent to retrieve lost cargo from a wrecked Russian American Company ship, overstepped the orders of his mission. Schäffer instead built the fort complex, befriended Kauai’s chief, set him against the newly instated Hawaiian King Kamehameha and secured a sandalwood monopoly for the company. When Mother Russia learned of Schäffer’s actions, however, she disapproved. Russia didn’t want to become embroiled in the already complicated politics of the islands; they just wanted their cargo back. So, Russia summoned Dr. Schäffer home, leaving the fort to be claimed by the Hawaiians, and, later, after the dismantling in 1864, the elements.
Practical Info
The remains of the fort—within the larger Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park—are located off Kaumualii Highway (named for Kauai’s last king and the man Dr. Schäffer befriended) on the river’s eastern bank about a mile south of Waimea proper. The site has a small parking lot and is open daily during daylight hours. If visiting during peak sun, bring sunscreen and a hat; the area is exposed with little shade.
Address: Kaumualii Hwy, Waimea, Hawaii 96796, USA
From $ 75

Russian River
California's Russian River is one of the longest rivers in the San Francisco Bay Area, beginning in Mendocino County and cutting through Sonoma County on its way to the ocean. The area is famous for its wine and farm-to-table cuisine, and in warm weather the river is a hotspot for outdoor adventures like canoeing, swimming, and fishing.
The Basics
The entire Russian River runs more than 110 miles (177 kilometers) from its source in Mendocino County southward to the Pacific Ocean. Wine country towns like Healdsburg, Cloverdale, Santa Rosa, Geyserville, Sebastopol, Jenner, and Bodega Bay are all draws for outdoor recreation, fine dining, and winery visits. From spring through fall, the river itself is a popular place to cool off—whether you want to float down the river via inner tube or paddle in a canoe or kayak. In the surrounding redwood forests travelers can go horseback riding, hiking, or camping.
Wine-tasting tours are a popular Russian River Valley draw, and round-trip transportation from San Francisco or Sonoma means you don't have to worry about drinking and driving. Group tours via bicycle, kayak, and canoe are great ways to explore the river itself, and often involve a picnic lunch. It’s also possible to combine a float down the river with a wine tour of local vineyards.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Russian River is a must-see for nature, wine, and food lovers.
- Travelers embarking on kayak or canoe trips should come prepared with sun protection, swimsuits, towels, and water shoes.
- Most kayaking, canoeing, and wine tours are not suitable for small children.
How to Get There
The river runs from Mendocino to its terminus at Goat Rock Beach on the Sonoma Coast, so there are many places to access the water. Be prepared to drive on backcountry roads through forests and farmland. Major highways such as Route 1 and Highway 101 lead to the Russian River from the Bay Area.
When to Get There
The Russian River Valley wine region is popular for wine tours year-round, but during winter months the river is too fast-flowing for boating or swimming. Summer is the most popular time for kayak and canoe tours, when the weather is typically warm and sunny.
Food and Wine in the Russian River Valley
The Russian River Valley is famous for its chardonnay, pinot noir, and zinfandel, as well as its bounty of farm-to-table food. Restaurants and wineries in towns along the valley such as Forestville, Healdsburg, and Geyserville typically utilize produce and livestock from the surrounding farmland and are frequently managed by celebrity chefs.
Address: California, USA
From $ 50

Saddle Road
Like a lonely ribbon of black asphalt across the Big Island’s empty bosom, Saddle Road provides the fastest means of driving between Hilo and Kona. There was once a time when this remote stretch of highway was one of the worst roads in Hawaii, but substantial improvements and re-paving have made it accessible and open to cars.
From Hilo, Saddle Road climbs through residential neighborhoods towards a lush, mist-soaked rainforest. The green of ferns is gradually replaced by the brown of desert scrub brush, and fog is common as the road climbs toward 6,600 feet in elevation. Passing between the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa—Hawaii’s dueling 13,000-foot mountains that are often snowcapped in winter—the road passes the turnoff for the Mauna Kea Visitor’s Center, where stargazers gather each evening.
Cell phone service is spotty on Saddle Road, and for the entire duration of its 48-mile stretch there are no gas stations or supply shops. While Saddle Road can be a time-saving alternative for driving between Kona and Hilo, visitors need to make sure they’re prepared to traverse a remote stretch of island. The journey is one of the most beautifully desolate and adventurously rugged stretches of road in the state, and it’s a convenient way for Kona visitors to access the east side of the island.
Practical Info
Also known as Route 200, Saddle Road reduces the Kona-Hilo driving time to one hour and 35 minutes. It’s a convenient alternative for visitors traveling to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and while the road is safest during the day, anyone driving the road at night must match out for feral cattle.
Address: Hawaii Highway 200, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA
From $ 186

Salt River
Playing in or on Arizona’s Salt River is a great way to stay wet and cool any time of year. Just how you make a splash is entirely up to you.
Depending on conditions, whitewater rafting season typically runs winter through spring on the Upper Salt River. Its rafting rapids are rated class III and IV. Guided trips can run from just one days to five days in length.
Near Mesa, folks love to rent inner tubes and float down the lower Salt River. Not far from Scottsdale, you can paddle, or simply just float in the calm water. Be sure to be on watch for bald eagles and wild horses. A class 1 river, it’s also a great place for a stand up paddle board tour.
Practical Info
The Salt River is easily accessible from many of Arizona’s popular destinations including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa and Tucson.
Address: Arizona, USA, USA
From $ 124

Ryman Auditorium and Museum
Known as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” Ryman Auditorium helped transform Nashville into a legendary music destination. Since 1892, the venue has hosted notable stars such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Van Morrison, and Minnie Pearl. Today, visitors can tour the 2,362-seat auditorium, visit the museum, or catch a live show.
The Basics
Travelers can visit independently or on a Nashville tour. Ride a hop-on hop-off trolley with flexible start times throughout the day and stop here for a self-guided tour to explore on your own, or take a guided backstage tour to see dressing rooms that have hosted countless stars, peruse the music venue’s exhibits and multimedia presentations, and check out an array of historic memorabilia and artifacts. Music history buffs can visit the auditorium on a walking tour of downtown Nashville, during which a tour guide tells tells stories of the city’s must-see sites. Foodies can stop by the Ryman on a culinary tour and sample local cuisine along the way, or, for a special treat, combine a visit with an evening tour of Nashville featuring live music and a traditional barbecue dinner.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Café Lula, the Ryman’s on-site dining venue, serves up local food and drinks from 9am to 8pm every day, with extended hours for concerts and events.
- Cameras are permitted during daytime tours but are not allowed backstage.
- There are no coat check facilities.
- The Ryman provides wheelchair escorts during nighttime events for guests with limited mobility. Accessible ticket options are available.
How to Get There
The Ryman is centrally located in the heart of downtown Nashville, at the junction of Broadway and Fourth Avenue. The entrance is located on the Fourth Avenue side of the building. The site does not have a dedicated public parking lot.
When to Get There
The Ryman Auditorium and museum are open year-round except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Tours are offered daily between 9am and 4pm. The most popular time to visit is from April through October, when warm weather brings Music City to life. Winter is the city’s low season, when visitors may find cheaper prices.
Not Just for Country Music
Although it’s the original home of Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry country music concerts, the Ryman stage has seen superstars of every genre. Artists such as Paul Simon, the Pixies, MGMT, and even Houdini have performed here, in addition to comedians Joe Rogan and Bill Burr.
Address: 116 5th Avenue North, Nashville 37219-2309, USA
Hours: Tours offered daily 9am-4pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day
Admission: Standard Daytime Tour - Adults: US$21.95, Children (4-11yrs): US$16.95
From $ 20

Saints Peter and Paul Church
The Roman Catholic Saints Peter and Paul Church dates back to 1924, and its cathedral-like façade and twin spires tower over the north side of Washington Square Park. Located in San Francisco’s North Beach district, or Little Italy, the church still holds daily mass, but it’s best known for a photo op—Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe posed here after getting married.
The Basics
Mass at Saints Peter and Paul Church is offered throughout the week. Inside, you can admire the church altar, carved from 40 tons of marble, as well as several small altars, shrines, statues, and the painted interior of the dome.
North Beach is often included on San Francisco city tours, including hop-on hop-off tours, ideal for independent travelers. A Segway tour, urban hike, or pub crawl offer entertaining ways to explore the neighborhood and pass the church with a guide.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Saints Peter and Paul Church is ideal for movie buffs (the church has featured in Dirty Harry and San Andreas) and those interested in Italian-American culture.
- Mass is offered in English, Italian, and Chinese on Sundays, in Latin on some Sundays, and in English during the week.
- If you drive, pay attention to posted signs about prohibited parking.
How to Get There
Conveniently located among Fisherman’s Wharf, Chinatown, and the Embarcadero, Saints Peter and Paul Church is easy to reach by cab, shared-ride vehicle, and public transportation. Take the Powell-Mason cable car or MUNI buses 41 or 45. Metered and street parking is available throughout the neighborhood for those who drive.
When to Get There
Mass services take place daily; schedules are posted on the church website. If you want to admire the church from the outside while discovering North Beach, go in the evening or on weekend afternoons, when sidewalk cafes and restaurants are full and locals are out strolling. The North Beach Festival, which takes place every June, features a variety of food stands and merchants selling art and jewelry.
Coit Tower
Head two blocks down Filbert Street and uphill to Coit Tower, where views of downtown San Francisco, Alcatraz Island, and the Golden Gate Bridge can be found from the top of Telegraph Hill. The 210-foot-high (64-meter-high) tower, built in 1933, offers some of the best panoramic photo ops in the city.
Address: 666 Filbert Street, San Francisco, California, USA, USA
From $ 30

Russian Hill
This neighborhood in the northeast section of San Francisco features mostly high-end real estate with enviable views of San Francisco Bay, but it’s also home to one of the city’s top attractions—the crooked block of Lombard Street. One of San Francisco cable car travels straight up and down the hill on Hyde Street, drawing lots of visitors to this otherwise residential area.
The Basics
With its location adjacent to Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, North Beach, and Nob Hill, Russian Hill is part of many city sightseeing itineraries, but most tour buses won’t travel up the steep hill itself. Opt for an urban hike, food walking tour, or Segway tour for a more in-depth look at the neighborhood, which is one of San Francisco’s prettiest.
Ina Coolbrith Park at Taylor and Vallejo streets is a tiny spot with a lush garden, benches, and bay views—it’s a great place to take a short break if you’re exploring the neighborhood on foot.
Things to Know Before You Go
- There is a lot of metered and free street parking available, but pay attention to posted signs about prohibited parking during street cleaning or other times.
- Wear shoes appropriate for walking down steep grades.
- Hyde and Leavenworth streets at either end of Lombard Street’s switchbacks are busy San Francisco roads; blocking traffic while trying to take pictures is not recommended.
How to Get There
Russian Hill sits roughly between Van Ness Avenue, Broadway, Columbus Avenue, and Bay Street. For the most quintessentially San Francisco experience, take the Powell–Hyde cable car line north from Union Square. The neighborhood is also accessible via Muni buses 19, 41, and 45.
When to Get There
For photos of Lombard Street without the crowds or serene views of the city and bay, go in the early morning before tour groups arrive. In August, the Polk Street Blues Festival features live entertainment, food stands, and arts and crafts booths.
Polk Street
On the western edge of Russian Hill and down into Nob Hill, Polk Street is a popular destination for shopping, dining, and nightlife. After a day of climbing up and down some of the city’s steepest blocks, check out Polk Street’s bar scene to mingle with the locals.
Address: Russian Hill, San Francisco, California, USA
From $ 49

Saks Fifth Avenue
Arguably the most luxurious department store in the city, Saks Fifth Avenue is the result of a partnership between two powerful New York City department store families: the Saks’ and Gimbel Brothers. In September 1924, Horace Saks and Bernard Gimbel opened this famous chain’s flagship store in Midtown Manhattan, next door to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and across the street from the site that would become, in 1939, Rockefeller Center.
Saks’ flagship building occupies an entire city block and is decorated in the Art Deco style, inspired by the 1925 Paris Exposition. The store’s layout is divided into a series of high-end specialty shops, each highlighting individual designers of clothing, accessories and home wares. The 8th floor shoe department, 10022-SHOE, is a fantasy-inducing collection of the world’s greatest luxury shoe designers, and is named with the zip code of the surrounding neighborhood.
Though utilizing ground floor windows for elaborate product displays had become common practice by the 1920s, the flagship has since become especially famous for its window scenes, which feature entire room sets, costumes, mannequins, a wide variety of art and craft materials, video projection screens and more. Especially at Christmastime, the window displays here are a tourist attraction all on their own.
Saks’ flagship building occupies an entire city block and is decorated in the Art Deco style, inspired by the 1925 Paris Exposition. The store’s layout is divided into a series of high-end specialty shops, each highlighting individual designers of clothing, accessories and home wares. The 8th floor shoe department, 10022-SHOE, is a fantasy-inducing collection of the world’s greatest luxury shoe designers, and is named with the zip code of the surrounding neighborhood.
Though utilizing ground floor windows for elaborate product displays had become common practice by the 1920s, the flagship has since become especially famous for its window scenes, which feature entire room sets, costumes, mannequins, a wide variety of art and craft materials, video projection screens and more. Especially at Christmastime, the window displays here are a tourist attraction all on their own.
Address: 611 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022, USA
Hours: Open Mon-Sat, 10am - 8pm; Sun, 11am - 7pm
From $ 35

Sacramento River
The name Sacramento doesn’t just refer to California’s capital, but it’s also the name of the largest river in all of California. In total, the Sacramento River flows for 445 miles from the high country outside of Mount Shasta to the waters of San Francisco Bay. Camping, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing are popular pastimes on the wilderness sections outside of Redding and Red Bluff, although most visitors to the Sacramento River are those who stroll along its banks in Old Town Sacramento. Step aboard the Delta King Riverboat that’s now permanently docked on the river, and dine in one of the multiple restaurants in this historic, floating hotel. In summer, the calm waters of the Sacramento River are covered in colorful clusters of tubers and floating cooler flotillas—and while the tubers eventually leave the river and continue to wander the Old Town, the water keeps following its route towards the sea to create an inland series of wetlands home to thousands of resident birds. Finally, as the river approaches San Francisco Bay and forms a deep water delta, wakeboarding, boating, sailing, and kitesurfing keep East Bay residents entertained where the river meets with the sea.
Address: Sacramento, California, USA, USA
From $ 20

Salem Witch Trials Memorial
The Salem Witch Trials Memorial preserves a moment in history, when 17th-century residents of colonial Massachusetts tried and executed women and men accused of witchcraft. The site, a small grassy area surrounded by stone walls and locust trees, is just one of the many witchcraft hysteria attractions in the historical town of Salem.
The Basics
Enter the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, a small park, through the stone threshold where the accuseds’ statements of innocence are inscribed. Then feel the palatable history as you rest on one of the 20 granite benches, each inscribed with the victim’s name and date of execution. Designed by Maggie Smith and James Cutler, the memorial is based on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington DC.
Salem is chockablock with witchery reminders, and guided tours often combine the Salem Witch Trial Memorial with visits to the 1637 Burial Point, downtown Salem, and the Salem Witch Village. Many visitors come as a day trip from Boston, only 30 minutes away, and spend time exploring the town of Salem, which is compact and very walkable.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Salem Witch Trials Memorial is a must for anyone into witchy, spooky history.
- The memorial does not offer any services but is close to facilities at the Salem Witch Village and the Salem Wax Museum.
- The Salem Village Witchcraft Victims Memorial, distinct from the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) away in Danvers, Massachusetts.
- The Salem Witch Trials Memorial is accessible to wheelchair users.
How to Get There
The Salem Witch Trials Memorial is on Liberty Street between Charter and Derby streets. Many of the town’s historic sites, hotels, and restaurants are within a few blocks. Parking is available for a fee on public streets and in the town’s many parking lots. Direct train service from Boston to Salem is available daily on the Newburyport/Rockport line from North Station.
When to Get There
The Salem Witch Trials Memorial is open year-round, and is outside so best to visit when the weather is pleasant. Many nearby attractions have limited (if any) hours in winter, which means fewer lines but cold toes. The town hosts events all year, including events for the new and full moons. October, the season of the witch, brings Halloween, the Official Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball, and many other events in tune with the season.
The Witch Trials, Then and Now
The Salem Witch Trials, held in 1692, began with the hanging of Bridget Bishop at Proctor’s Ledge near Gallows Hill, also in Salem. John Hathorne, the judge of the Salem Witch Trials, died in 1717 and is buried at the Old Burying Point Cemetery next door to the memorial. The witch trials’ tercentenary, celebrated in 1992, featured a dedication speech by Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel.
Address: Liberty Street, Salem, Massachusetts, USA
From $ 14

Salem Witch Museum
The 1692 Salem Witch Trials are an important part of the early history of America. Twenty people were found guilty and executed as part of the infamous Salem Witch Hunt. Today, travelers can visit the Salem Witch Museum to learn more about the historic event. The museum is located across from Salem Common, not far from the Derby Wharf.
The Salem Witch Museum guides visitors through exhibits based on actual trial documents. You’ll have to the opportunity to see and hear how neighbor turned against neighbor during this turbulent time in American history.
There is a second exhibit at the museum, which looks more into the perception of witches today. You can see how the real-life witches exist versus the stereotypes we may be used to seeing, and how witch hunting is still around today. There is also an on-site store where you can purchase items related to the Salem Witch Trials, as well as local handcrafts.
Practical Info
Salem can be reached from Boston via the Salem High-Speed Ferry, or consider visiting as part of a bus tour day-trip. The Salem Witch Museum is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Closing time is 7 PM in July and August, and there are extended hours in October as Halloween approaches.
Address: Salem, Massachusetts, USA
Hours: Open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM. Closing time is 7 PM in July and August, and there are extended hours in October as Halloween approaches.
Admission: Varies
From $ 12

Salem Ferry
Salem, Massachusetts (of Salem Witch Trials fame) continues to be a favorite weekend getaway from Boston, and the Salem Ferry offers a fast route from the city direct to the the seaside town. In less than an hour, the high-speed Salem Ferry offers transportation back and forth between the two Massachusetts destinations. Weather-permitting, the outdoor lounge is a great place to take in ocean views during the journey. There is also comfortable indoor seating, as well as a small galley serving food and drinks.
This historic area of New England is home to a proud nautical tradition, as one of the oldest seaports in colonial America. As such, lighthouses, quaint homes, and historic ships are some of the things that make this area so beautiful to visit. The Salem Ferry journey by high-speed catamaran is quick and comfortable, so it’s even possible to do a day trip from Boston.
Practical Info
From Boston, catch the ferry at Long Wharf. The journey to Salem takes just about an hour and docks at Blaney Street in Salem. Ferries run up to six times a day in both directions, and it’s best to check the schedule ahead of time.
Address: 10 Blaney Street, Salem, Masachusetts, USA
Admission: Varies
From $ 25

Salk Institute
The Salk Institute is a leading medical research facility known as much for its scientific breakthroughs as its unique structure and design. Named for Dr. Jonas Salk, the creator of the polio vaccine, the building was commissioned by Salk in 1959 and designed to have a monumental feel and spiritual impact. Standing at the edge of the series of uniform buildings, one can really feel the expanse of possibility and the inspiration of the design.
The architect researched monasteries worldwide to build what he referred to as an “intellectual retreat,” which it certainly seems to be today. Standing mostly in concrete and glass, its symmetry and simplicity seems the perfect blank canvas for original thought.
The research undertaken here seeks to find a deeper understanding of biological processes, so that we might discover new cures to existing diseases. Through a spark in imagination and with three Nobel laureates on staff, the institute is breaking ground in immunology, genetics, and neuroscience. The structure itself and the institute both make for an inspiring visit.
Practical Info
The Salk Institute is situated on the bluffs of La Jolla on North Torrey Pines Road, overlooking the coast. It is available to tour Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. Guided tours of the exterior are given by docents daily at noon for $15 per person. Free parking is available.
Address: 10010 N Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California, USA
Hours: Mon - Fri from 9 am - 5 pm
Admission: Free; tours are $15.
From $ 90

Salem Wax Museum
Salem Wax Museum is a chance to walk through the history of Salem. The museum features 50 lifelike wax figures made in London, depicting pivotal figures and scenes from the history of Salem.
The Salem Wax Museum includes exhibits surrounding the founding of Salem in 1626, the Salem Witch Hunt and Salem Witch Trials of 1692, as well as the maritime merchant trade and New England piracy of the 18th century. Visitors will get to see such notable figures as the author Nathanial Hawthorne, Tituba, the accused “witch” who sparked the 1692 hysteria, and Colonel John Hawthorne, who presided over the trials.
Aside from the wax galleries, there is an interactive area where you can learn nautical knot tying, do a grave rubbing on a headstone recreated from Salem’s Charter Street Burying Point, and experience what the accused witches went through during their detention during the Witch Hysteria by being locked in a life-size recreated cell.
During October, the Salem Wax Museum is the centerpiece of the Haunted Neighborhood, which also includes the Salem Witch Village and other attractions.
Practical Info
Salem can be reached from Boston via the Salem High-Speed Ferry. You can buy a combined ticket that includes the Salem Wax Museum as well as a tour of the Salem Witch Village. During October, the attractions are especially busy, so it’s advisable to book your tickets in advance.
Address: 288 Derby St, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, USA
Admission: Varies
From $ 14

Salem Witch Village
A visit to the Salem Witch Village includes a 15-minute guided tour by a practicing witch, who will bring you through an indoor maze in which you can trace the history of witchcraft and the stereotypes surrounding it. If you are wondering why witchcraft is associated with flying broomsticks, black cats, and devil worship, you’ll find out the history in the Salem Witch Village.
The Salem Witch Village tour includes a timeline of the different persecution periods in the history of witches, included the Salem Witch Trials and Burning Times in Europe. You’ll also find out what it means to be a witch today.
After a guided tour, visitors can stop in the Salem Witch Village’s gift shop, complete with authentic Pagan and Wiccan supplies, New England handicrafts, and other souvenirs.
Practical Info
Salem can be reached from Boston via the Salem High-Speed Ferry. You can buy a combined ticket that includes a tour of the Salem Witch Village as well as the Salem Wax Museum. During October, the attractions are especially busy, so it’s advisable to book your tickets in advance.
Address: 282 Rear Derby Street, Salem, Massachusetts 0197, USA
Admission: Varies
From $ 14