Come for the Witch Trials of 1692, maritime trade, and The Scarlet Letter. Stay for the culture, art, restaurants, shopping, and New England experience!  Here are a few ideas for how to spend a day or an overnight in Salem this month.

Vacation Week Activities

Bit Bar School Vacation Week Hours

Bit Bar is opening early at 12:00 pm during school vacation week, April 15-19! Visit Bit Bar for lunch and spend some time playing classic arcade games. Token Tuesday begins at 4:00 pm on April 16– Get $5 in game tokens with any purchase! (Bit Bar is 21+ after 8:00 pm.) Learn more at Bit.Bar.

Harbor Sweets Bunny Tours

Are you looking for a fun activity during April school vacation? Try Harbor Sweets’ “Bunny Tour” April 16 and 17 at 11 am. See how our one-of-a-kind Robert L. Strohecker Assorted Chocolate Rabbit is made! Space is limited, email naomi@harborsweets.com before Friday, April 12 to sign up. Easter is almost here and every bunny could use one of these to celebrate. Follow Harbor Sweets on Facebook for details.

Miss Emmerton’s Settlement House

April marks the birthday of the founder of The House of the Seven Gables, Caroline Emmerton. She restored The House of the Seven Gables, opened it as a museum, and used proceeds from visitors to provide educational programming for neighborhood immigrants.

Over April vacation, join us for fun, hands-on activities inspired by classes held at the museum for immigrant families in the early 20th century. This special activity is included with your admission! The settlement activities happen daily from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, April 13 – 21. Plan your visit at 7Gables.org.

Lego Friendship “Make & Take”

Join Essex Heritage and the National Park Service on Wednesday, April 17th for an exciting LEGO Friendship “Make & Take” event! Gavin Gardner, our special NPS instructor and local LEGO expert, is leading this family friendly activity where guests (ages 5+) will have the chance to make and take home their very own “mini” Friendship. Guests are invited to come by any time between 10 am-12 pm to build their Friendship and only those who wish to “make & take” are required to register. Come celebrate the maritime heritage of Salem through the art of LEGO building! Register here.

Salem Food Tours

Salem Food Tours offers Salem’s original, award-winning food and cultural tour! Each tour includes tastings at local shops and restaurants, information on Salem’s spice trade history and more. AM Coffee Walks and Afternoon Strolls are offered daily during school vacation week and families are welcome! Email Salem Food Tours directly to book tours for guests under 21. Tour details at SalemFoodTours.com.

Salem Kids Tours

Take the only walking tour in Salem designed exclusively for kids and families. This one-hour walking tour covers the Salem Witch Trials, Salem’s maritime history and the spice trade, and more, with stories all told in a way that’s easy for kids to understand and hold their interest. Learn more and get tickets in advance at SalemKidsTours.com.

School Vacation Week at PEM

Get those synapses firing and join us for three days of hands-on art making, demonstrations and storytelling that explore the way our brains affect how we see the world. From optical illusions to the rhythm of dance, learn more about the intersection of science and art with the help of guest artists, presenters and PEM’s own neuroscientist, Dr. Tedi Asher. Runs April 16-18, 11:00 am-4:00 pm. All programs included with admission, learn more at PEM.org.

Make it an Overnight

Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites Family Package

Cabin Fever? Looking for the perfect family getaway without spending a fortune? Our Family Vacation Package includes luxurious overnight accommodations, children under 12 years old eat free from our kids menu (choice of a complimentary breakfast or dinner voucher) throughout your stay in our onsite restaurant, access to our indoor heated swimming pool, and a special welcome gift for the kids. Also enjoy special package discounts at the local shops on Pickering Wharf. *This special offer will be available for reservations until May 31, 2019. Make your reservation online or by calling our Front Desk (978-740-8788 ext 0). Learn more at SalemWaterfrontHotel.com.

Special Savings This April

• Flying Saucer Pizza Company: Bring in your ticket stub from Avengers: Endgame April 26-May 5, 2019 and receive $2 off a small specialty or $5 off a large specialty pizza. FlyingSaucerPizzaCompany.com
• Salem Witch Museum: Free admission for Boston Marathon runners April 12-19, 2019. Family members receive $1.50 off adult admissions and $1.00 off child admissions. SalemWitchMuseum.com

Keep Reading:

• 10 Free Things to Do in Salem
• How to Visit Salem’s Historic Cemeteries
• 5 Ways to Start Your Visit to Salem