Established in 1799, this is considered to be one of the country’s oldest continuously operating museums holding about 1.3 million pieces in 22 historic buildings. It is an art-lover's dream , hosting works of art and culture facing on maritime art, American art, international art and two libraries with over 400,000 books and manuscripts.

A stone’s throw away from the Peabody Essex Museum is Essex Street. A red street trolly scurries up and down the cobble stones of Essex Street, moving locals and tourists alike. There are many interesting shops along the stretch and the outdoor pedestrian mall is a popular destination for shopping, eating, and entertainment in the form of night life and a small movie theater. Wise locals know that many of the purported “museums” and psychics along this stretch are tourists traps.

Salem's central square features a wide open space with paved brick surface, ideal for hanging out after school or on the weekends for those who don't wish to leave town. There are benches placed a generous distance apart from one another, as well as dining tables placed conveniently alongside the various shops that surround the square. A statue of Bewitched star Elizabeth Montgomery sits in the middle of the square; simply dubbed the 'Bewitched Statue', it serves as a hotspot for tourists wishing to take pictures and as a landmark for meetups among locals.

Established in 1983 by a first-generation Italian immigrant under the name Tonio's Pizza, Slice Slice Baby is a family-owned restaurant that has won the hearts of locals through their stomachs. Like most of the businesses in central Salem, Slice Slice Baby (they changed the name in 1992) benefits heavily from tourism, but through long-term community efforts and by simply having very good food they have ensured year-round business from residents who are keen to take visiting friends and family. Closed all day until noon, Slice Slice Baby is busiest in the hours just after school and in the evening, when it transitions from a casual eatery to a family restaurant.