Salem Town Guide: Where to Eat, Stay and Explore

Salem is the first town you reach in New Hampshire heading north on I-93, and for a lot of people it is just that: the exit for the mall. But Salem has a century-old amusement park on a lake, one of the most debated archaeological sites in New England, and a growing food and drink scene. This guide covers the things to do in Salem NH that make it worth more than a shopping stop, plus places to eat and unwind from our directory.

September is a good month to visit. Families are back in school routines, the late-season weekends are calmer, and the cooler weather makes outdoor sites more comfortable to explore.

Salem at a glance

Salem is a town in Rockingham County with 30,089 residents at the 2020 census. It is a suburb of both Boston and Manchester, sitting on Interstate 93, and it has grown into a regional commercial hub for the northern part of Greater Boston. Its best-known landmarks are Canobie Lake Park, America's Stonehenge and, historically, the Rockingham Park horse racetrack.

That location is Salem's big advantage. The Mall at Rockingham Park is about 30 miles north of Boston, so a day trip from Massachusetts is easy, and Salem makes a convenient base for exploring southern New Hampshire.

Canobie Lake Park

Canobie Lake Park was founded in 1902 as a trolley park on the shore of Canobie Lake. It is one of only thirteen trolley parks still in operation in the United States. The park originally featured botanical gardens and a few rides. After the automobile took over and the trolley line closed, attendance fell and the park shut in 1929. It was bought at auction in 1931 and reopened in 1932, and in 1936 it added a wooden roller coaster called the Yankee Cannonball. The park is owned and operated by three families.

Today it is the main reason many families come to Salem. The lakeside setting is part of the appeal: a classic amusement park on the water, with a long history behind it. The park's season and hours change through the year, so check the park's own site before you plan a visit.

America's Stonehenge

America's Stonehenge is a privately owned attraction and archaeological site with stone structures scattered across about 30 acres. It was called Mystery Hill until 1982, when it was renamed America's Stonehenge, after a term coined in a news article in the early 1960s.

The site is genuinely contested, which is part of what makes a visit interesting. The site itself presents itself as a historic site and museum preserving more than 4,000 years of human history, from ancient construction through Pawtucket occupation, the colonial period and later archaeological research. Many archaeologists take a different view. Some theories hold that the structures reflect 18th- and 19th-century farm practices along with construction by William Goodwin, who bought the land in 1937; claims of a pre-Columbian European origin are generally regarded as pseudoarchaeology. Archaeologist David Starbuck has said it is widely believed that Goodwin may have created much of what is visible today.

Go with an open mind and enjoy the debate. The grounds also include snowshoe trails in winter, and the site runs guided tours and seasonal programs.

Shopping

Salem's retail heritage is hard to miss. The Mall at Rockingham Park is the largest shopping mall in New Hampshire, with more than a million square feet of floor space, next to I-93 and the former Rockingham Park racetrack. That track was a one-mile horse racing establishment where Seabiscuit raced in 1935 and 1936.

If you are coming for shopping, plan the mall and nearby stores for one block of the day, and leave the rest for Canobie, America's Stonehenge or a long meal.

Where to eat and drink

AV Wine Bar

AV Wine Bar is a veteran and family owned wine bar at Tuscan Village that pours locally made and locally grown New Hampshire wines alongside chef-curated, scratch-made small plates. It is connected to Appolo Vineyards, which was founded in 2006, specializes in cold-climate grapes such as Brianna, and describes itself as the first vineyard in New Hampshire to be officially recognized as a certified sustainable vineyard. If you have never tried New Hampshire wine, this is an easy and relaxed introduction.

The Black Water Grill

The Black Water Grill is on Pelham Road and has a dining room, a lounge and an outdoor deck. Reservations are recommended for the dining room, while the deck is first come, first served. Its menu leans toward American favorites such as salads and burgers, which makes it an easy choice for a group.

The 99 Restaurant and Pub

The 99 Restaurant and Pub is a New England pub chain that has served classic pub food since 1952. It is a practical, family-friendly option after a day at the park, especially with kids who want something familiar.

Unwinding

Salem Massage Therapy Center has provided therapeutic massage in Salem since 1992. It describes itself as a non-clinical massage therapy center rather than a spa, and it tailors treatment using techniques such as Swedish, deep tissue, sports and prenatal massage, with seated chair massage for people who cannot lie down comfortably. After a long day of walking a park or a mall, it is a welcome reset.

Getting around

Salem is a driving town. Its attractions are spread out rather than clustered around a walkable center, so plan on short hops by car between the amusement park, the stone site, the shopping areas and dinner. The upside is that nothing is far apart, and parking is generally straightforward. If you are coming from Massachusetts, the town is one of the first exits after you cross the state line on I-93, which makes it an easy half-day trip as well as a full-day outing. For a longer stay, Salem's position between Boston and Manchester makes it a practical base for exploring in either direction.

A simple one-day plan

• Morning: America's Stonehenge while it is cool and quiet.
• Midday: Lunch in town.
• Afternoon: Canobie Lake Park, or shopping at the mall if the park is closed for the season.
• Evening: New Hampshire wine and small plates at Tuscan Village.

Tips for visiting

• Watch I-93 traffic. Salem sits right on the interstate, and weekend traffic toward the state line can be heavy. Avoid the late-afternoon rush if you can.
• Check seasons. Canobie Lake Park and America's Stonehenge both have seasonal schedules. We do not list hours or prices here because they change, so check their own sites.
• Wear good shoes. America's Stonehenge is an outdoor site with uneven ground.
• Combine with nearby towns. Windham, Derry and Londonderry are close by if you want to extend the day.

FAQ

What is Salem, NH known for?

Canobie Lake Park, America's Stonehenge and the Mall at Rockingham Park, the largest shopping mall in New Hampshire. It is also known as the first New Hampshire town on I-93 northbound.

How old is Canobie Lake Park?

It was founded in 1902 as a trolley park and is one of only thirteen trolley parks still operating.

Is America's Stonehenge really ancient?

Its origins are debated. The site presents a long human history, while many archaeologists believe much of what is visible reflects colonial-era farming and 20th-century construction.

How far is Salem, NH from Boston?

The Mall at Rockingham Park is about 30 miles north of Boston.

Is there New Hampshire wine in Salem?

Yes. AV Wine Bar at Tuscan Village pours New Hampshire wines from Appolo Vineyards.

Sources

• Salem, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 census, I-93, landmarks): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem,_New_Hampshire
• Canobie Lake Park, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canobie_Lake_Park
• America's Stonehenge, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America%27s_Stonehenge
• America's Stonehenge official site: https://www.stonehengeusa.com
• The Mall at Rockingham Park, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mall_at_Rockingham_Park
• Rockingham Park, Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockingham_Park
• AV Wine Bar: https://avwinebar.com
• The Black Water Grill: https://www.theblackwatergrill.com
• 99 Restaurants: https://www.99restaurants.com
• Salem Massage Therapy Center: https://www.salemmassagetherapycenter.com