Salem is located in
Essex County and it is the county seat. It is situated 19 miles northeast of
Boston, between
Beverly and
Lynn along Highway 1A.
Salem was the capital of Massachusetts Bay Colony from its founding in 1626. It was the site of the horrific witch trials that accounted for the executions of 20 suspected witches.
Today, Salem is accessible by car, train, bus and seasonal ferry service from Boston, 16 miles to the south. Attractions include The House of the Seven Gables, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem Wax Museum of Witches & Seafarers and The Salem Witch Museum. The new Salem Arts & Antiques Trail, Salem Women's Heritage Trail and the African American Heritage Trail are more ways to learn about the area and its people.
Salem is part of the Boston, Massachusetts-New Hampshire metro area.