Last week I took a day trip out of the city to Salem, MA. Though it’s famous for the seventeenth century witch trials, Salem has become a vibrant, artistic hub. And it’s only a 30 minute train ride from Boston on the MBTA commuter rail.
What to Do
The most well known art experience in Salem is the Peabody Essex Museum. You may have seen my photos from their PlayTime exhibit. The museum has an interesting collection of American and Asian artworks on view year round. They also run increasingly innovative temporary exhibitions like PlayTime and T.C. Cannon: At The Edge of America, which runs through June 10.
The newest art innovation in Salem is the Punto Urban Art Museum, a conglomerate of 50 outdoor murals in Salem’s “El Punto” neighborhood. In addition to being instagrammable, the murals advocate for socioeconomic equality. Every mural is painted on or adjacent to a rent regulated building. The project is designed to bring foot traffic and shoppers into the district to patronize immigrant owned businesses.
The mural artists are half local, half internationally known, and many are Latinx and African American. The murals are all within a few blocks of each other so you can see a wide spectrum of contemporary styles in one place. Stay tuned for my article on the Punto in The Bay State Banner.
Where to Eat
Every good day trip includes a long lunch. If you can only have one meal in Salem, it should be at Sea Level Oyster House. Located on the water with beautiful ocean views and an open-air deck, Sea Level serves up all your New England favorites. I could’ve spent all afternoon on the deck with a glass of rose and a never ending oyster order.
For appetizers, they’re known for their popcorn shrimp, which is adorably served with a bag of seasoned popcorn, and their chowder fries, effectively poutine with clam chowder instead of gravy. For main eats, their baja tacos are best sellers. The sizable, soft shell tacos feature lightly fried cod and a boatload of delicious toppings including lime creme fraiche and avocado salsa.
I sampled their lobster roll which lived up to my high New Englander expectations. It was the perfect size with generous lobster meat and comes with house made potato chips. The menu is extensive. Any kind of seafood you’re craving, you can find it at Sea Level and it probably pairs well with one of the many local beers served in house.
If you’re not a Salem local, you’re in luck. Sea Level recently opened their second location in Newburyport, MA.
Despite Salem’s reputation for witchcraft and Halloween parties, the town has a lot more to offer than just its history. As we head into the summer months, keep Salem in mind for a relaxing seaside day trip. The quick 30-minute trip from North Station will give you just enough time to secure your lunch reservation and plan your artsy instagrams.
Please note: I was provided with a complimentary meal by Sea Level Oyster Bar for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you for supporting the businesses that support Trends and Tolstoy!