Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
The Salem witch trials did not begin in Salem town but here, in the farming community then called Salem Village. In early 1692 the household of the Reverend Samuel Parris saw the first accusations, and the hysteria that followed sent many local residents to the gallows. The village broke away from Salem in 1752 and became Danvers, now a town of about 28,000 people some 20 miles north of Boston.
That history is unusually tangible. You can walk the excavated foundations of the Parris parsonage, visit the homestead of the accused Rebecca Nurse, and read the words of the victims at a memorial facing the old meetinghouse site. Colonial houses tied to the Putnam family, including the birthplace of Revolutionary War general Israel Putnam, still stand.
Modern Danvers mixes shopping along Route 1 and Route 114 with green space. Endicott Park has farm animals and trails, the Danvers Rail Trail crosses town on an old rail bed, Glen Magna Farms hides formal gardens and a 1794 summer house, and Connors Farm fills with apple pickers each fall. Salem's museums are ten minutes away.
The farmhouse and land of Rebecca Nurse, a respected grandmother hanged as a witch in July 1692. The site includes the late-1600s house, a reproduction of the Salem Village meetinghouse and the family burial ground with a memorial to her. It opens seasonally with guided tours; check hours before driving out.
A granite memorial dedicated in 1992, on the 300th anniversary of the trials, across from the site of the Salem Village meetinghouse where many hearings took place. It lists the names of those executed or who died in jail, with quotes from their pleas of innocence. It is free and open at all times.
The excavated stone foundations of the parsonage of the Reverend Samuel Parris, where his daughter and niece first showed the fits that sparked the 1692 accusations. Interpretive signs explain the household and the events that followed. The small site sits off a residential street; please be respectful of the neighbors.
A first-period house where Israel Putnam, the Revolutionary War general famous at Bunker Hill, was born in 1718. The Putnam family was deeply involved in the 1692 accusations as well. Interior access is limited to occasional events, but the exterior can be seen from the road.
A historic country estate with a Colonial Revival mansion, formal gardens and the Derby Summer House, a graceful 1794 garden teahouse designed by Samuel McIntire. Owned by the Danvers Historical Society, it hosts tours, events and weddings. The gardens are prettiest in June; check the society's calendar for open days.
A large town park with a barn of farm animals, an expansive playground, walking trails through meadows and woods, and a visitor center. It is a favorite with young families, and the sledding hill draws crowds in winter. Bring snacks for a picnic, as there are tables near the barn and play area.
A stone-dust trail of about four miles that follows a former railroad line across Danvers, passing wetlands, woods and quiet neighborhoods. It is flat and suitable for walking, running and biking, and links toward neighboring towns. Several small lots and street parking give access along the way.
A family farm known for pick-your-own strawberries, blueberries and apples, plus a large corn maze and farm activities in the fall. The farm stand sells produce, pies and cider donuts. September and October weekends get very busy, so arrive early or visit on a weekday for an easier time.
Top-rated local businesses in Danvers, with real reviews on WiserMap.
No reviews yet. Been to Danvers? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Danvers? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photosPhoto: Fletcher6, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Elizabeth B. Thomsen, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Daderot., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Willjay, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Elizabeth B. Thomsen, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Todd Van Hoosear, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Todd Van Hoosear, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Elizabeth B. Thomsen, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Daderot., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Daderot., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Alcinoe, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Alcinoe, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Fletcher, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Francis Helminski, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Matthias J. Schoenhofer assumed (based on c, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.5
Photo: Daderot., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Daderot., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Daderot., Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Elizabeth B. Thomsen, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Fletcher, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Fletcher6, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
