Recs for a spooky weekend (plus a nice dinner + cute bookstore) in Salem, MA? We want to go before Halloween this year!

Question

Margo · Answer

Go on a nighttime ghost tour: It’s always fun whether it’s because you’re spooked or feel silly or the other people on the tour are bizarre. Ideally have a drink or two first. You will leave with some good trivia no matter what.

Roger · Answer

Bernadette Restaurant, Salem, MA: We had a great meal at this beautiful Salem, MA restaurant. A bit of a splurge, so that can be the scary part!

Joel Abrams · Answer

Turner Seafood: My family’s go-to in Salem. Reliable seafood and not too touristy. Also, the site where the first long-distance phone call (to Boston) was placed.

My main rec for Salem is the Peabody Essex Museum. A world-class museum, with its roots in the goods brought back by sea captains, but today with a cosmopolitan and eclectic collection, ranging from contemporary art of India to an entire 19th-century Chinese house (and fabulous hands-on exhibits for kids).