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Canobie Lake's wooden coaster and the stone chambers of America's Stonehenge give Salem, New Hampshire, a surprising mix of thrills and mystery for a town of about 30,000 people just over the Massachusetts line. With no state sales tax, it has long pulled shoppers north from the Boston suburbs along Interstate 93.
Carved from parts of older Massachusetts towns and incorporated in 1750, Salem grew around its common, small mills and later the Rockingham Park horse track, which opened in 1906 and held live racing until 2009. The track grounds are now Tuscan Village, a walkable district of restaurants, shops and homes.
Families fill Canobie Lake Park in summer, while history fans visit the Salem Common Historic District and the local historical society museum. The paved Salem Bike-Ped Corridor follows an old rail line through the middle of town, and the beaches of Hampton and the city of Manchester are both within about 45 minutes.
A lakeside amusement park open since 1902, with the classic wooden Yankee Cannonball coaster, an antique carousel, water rides and newer thrill rides. The season runs roughly May to October, with Screeemfest nights in the fall. Tickets bought online are cheaper, and arriving at opening beats the lines.
Also known as Mystery Hill, this wooded hilltop in North Salem holds a maze of stone chambers, walls and standing stones whose age and builders are still debated. A marked trail loops the site and past stones said to line up with solstice sunrises. Wear sturdy shoes, as the paths are rocky.
Built on the grounds of the old Rockingham Park racetrack, this growing mixed-use district has Italian-inspired streets lined with restaurants, a food market, shops and landscaped green spaces. It is liveliest on summer evenings, when outdoor dining and seasonal events fill the plazas.
One of the largest malls in New Hampshire, with department stores and well over a hundred shops beside Interstate 93. The lack of sales tax makes it a popular trip from Massachusetts, especially before the holidays. Expect heavy traffic on December weekends and go early in the day.
A paved rail trail on the old Manchester and Lawrence railroad line through the center of town, with public art, numbered markers, a restored depot and a quirky cow tunnel. Flat and easy, it suits walkers, runners and young cyclists. The Cowbell Corner picnic area makes a nice break.
The town's historic heart, gathered around a small green with the white-steepled First Congregational Church, an early meetinghouse and older homes that predate the highway era. It is a quick, quiet stop between shopping trips, and the churches look especially fine framed by autumn leaves.
Run by volunteers in the old town center, this small museum keeps artifacts, photographs and stories of Salem's farms, mills, schools and the Rockingham Park racetrack. Opening hours are limited and often seasonal, so check the society's schedule before you go, or ask about group visits.
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Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: John Phelan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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