Town Summary
Salem, New Hampshire is home to over 28,000 residents making it one of the largest towns in the state and a suburb with lots of happenings! Located on interstate 93, Salem attracts residents with different types of lifestyles. Some love the quiet back roads, others the activities in the heart of it all! There are neighborhoods to match those preferences and an array of restaurants, activities, and events.
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Neighborhood Lifestyle
Explore Salem to find homes on smaller side streets as well as apartments in the busy center. The town accommodates many different lifestyles for those with family or for those who are always on the go. No matter where a home is located all of Salem’s amenities are always nearby.
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Food Stops
Food is always a great way to bring family and friends together! In Salem, there are a variety of dining options for any occasion. Restaurants range from casual stops on the go, to full dining experiences. Whether you need a quick bite in the midst of running errands, or plan a night out, there is a place for you.
Quick Bites
For those looking for a bite to eat in the midst of a wide range of shops, the Beach Plum has you covered! With both indoor and outdoor seating, the Beach Plum offers a varied menu from fried food and ice cream to fresh New England lobster rolls, options for everyone on the go or to dine in.
Known as a local chain that began over 70 years ago, Kelly’s Roast Beef is famous for, what else, delectable roast beef. Customers return often for that beefy sandwich of meat thinly sliced, medium rare, and always perfectly hot. Not only are sandwiches served, but customers can also order seafood, chicken tenders, fries, and other items listed on their menu.
Looking for an early stop for breakfast and lunch? Try Maddie’s! Enjoy a classic breakfast, sandwich, soup, salad, and other unique specialties in a friendly atmosphere. Maddie’s always changes their daily specials making a new experience for each time you visit!
Watch your favorite sports team while you enjoy a delicious meal! Granfanallys' menu offers a range of pizzas, pastas, burgers, sandwiches and more. the perfect addition to food and friends is their beer selection with over thirty different taps.
Indulge in that delicious concoction without traveling to the beach! Each of Beach Pizza’s pizzas are freshly made into crisp squares topped with a sweet sauce and choice of regular or extra cheese. Sold alongside the pizzas are a selection of pastries, spinach pies, lamb pies and more!
Day/ Night Out
Enjoy an indoor, outdoor dining experience at Tuscan Market. Here, guests are served Italian food and beverages alongside live music, outdoor fire pits, cornhole, and more. On top of a great dining experience, Tuscan Market also provides an array of fresh goods that are available for purchase. This includes pasta, sauces, pizzas, imported Italian cheeses and olive oil, curated wines, pastries, bread, and an Italian butchery. For guests looking to try Tuscan’s recipes at home, Tuscan offers cooking classes alongside their talented chefs.
With an inviting atmosphere and a varied menu, Black Water Grill has options for all! D ishes range from personal pizzas and quesadillas to fresh seafood. Located close to a major highway, the Black Water Grill makes meeting up with family and friends easy!
Located just off Broadway the Copper Door is open for lunch and dinner. Diners choose from a wide range of irresistible menu items including New England seafood, oven creations, steaks, salads, and other meals locally sourced.
Indulge in flavorful slow cooked barbeque, handcrafted beer, specialty items, and more At Border Brewery and Barbecue. Menu Items are cooked low and slow for full barbeque experience whether it's with their in house dining or catering events.
Enjoy a mini trip to Italy dining at Trattoria Amalfi! Menu items offer unique appetizers, salads, fresh pasta, and more. Rich in flavor, dishes feature handcrafted selections of five infused oil olives, and original sauces to tease your taste buds.
Coffee
Coffee is always a necessity whether it’s to start the day or for a midday pick me up! In Salem, there are many establishments that have all your coffee needs. Each shop provides an assortment of coffee flavors, cappuccinos, lattes and more. you're sure to find a favorite.
Wicked Good, Coffee Donuts & More
Family-friendly Events & Activities
With over 85 rides, games and attractions alongside one of New Hampshire’s beautiful lakes lies Canobie Lake Park! During the summer months Canobie is packed with fun and entertainment from breathtaking rollercoasters to lively arcade games to water park rides and slides. Food options invite visitors to take it with you or to sit and relax with a water view. Can't get enough of the park during the summer? Come back in the fall to experience the park’s spooky transformation for Halloween. Guests can enjoy their favorite rides, walk through five different haunted houses, and encounter some of the frightening characters that roam the park.
Jump around at Fun city! A trampoline park located off Broadway, where family and friends can gather for any occasion. Guests enjoy joyful jumping, trying a rock climbing wall, a lively arcade, and more.
Looking for a day out or a much needed shopping trip ? Visit the Rockingham Mall with over 150 tax free stores! Here you can find clothing, cosmetics, technology, locally made products. Stop for a quick bite while you shop in the mall food court with a number of options to choose from. With its convenient location just over the Massachusetts border, this mall serves the greater Boston area, and the Merrimack Valley.
Paint Party is a family-friendly paint studio that offers a wide variety of fun painting activities. Paint parties are designed to suit everybody regardless of if they have ever picked up a paintbrush before! Offering step-by-step tutorials, Paint Party is dedicated to helping guests create beautiful handmade artwork that they will be able to treasure forever!
Sit back, relax, and watch the newest movie releases at Cinemark! This theater provides guests with their favorite theater snacks, comfortable reclining seats, big screen, and an amazing sound system. Located near many restaurants, and shopping centers, Cinemark is a go to stop!
Add locally grown fruits and vegetables to your weekly grocery run! At the Salem Farmers Market there are a variety of vendors that provide the community with locally produced foods. This market is open year round and educates about the nutritional, economic, environmental and social implications of eating locally
Salem Outdoors
Salem Rail Trail (Salem Bike-Ped Corridor)
Enjoy the outdoors at the Salem Rail Trail! The paved path runs for more than 5 miles from Windham to Methuen. The trail is surrounded by trees and residents are welcome to walk, run, biker, rollerblade, and more.
Step into an outdoor wooden wonderland at the Field of Dreams! Here, family and friends can gather to enjoy park features that include outdoor fitness trails, hiking trails, a volleyball court, a stage for performances, and picnic tables all alongside a large playground.
Take an outdoor stroll, and shop for high quality plants, seasonal decorations and garden supplies all year round! With a large nursery, greenhouse, display gardens, and excellent herb and exotic annual section there is lots to explore!
To sum it up ...
Salem has become a southern New Hampshire hub. With a wide variety of food stops, activities, parks and more, the town appeals to many different tastes. Hundreds of shops, and a full calendar of events throughout the year, offer plenty to do with family and friends. Housing includes both apartments and quiet neighborhoods to meet personal preferences. Located off the highway, the town also has easy accessibility to both surrounding towns and the greater Boston area. Salem is always growing, transforming, and adding new businesses for residents and visitors to explore and enjoy all year round!
About this Feature Article on Salem, NH
This one town feature is a part of a larger Southern New Hampshire Guide. If you're looking to buy or sell in the Southern New Hampshire area, reach out to long time New England resident, and real estate expert Moira V with Compass.
Thank you to Moira for being a Macaroni KID Nashua and Derry sponsor!
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