The town of Danvers within the lovely New England region of Massachusetts is a historic venue, but you’ll hardly find this exact name in many history textbooks. This particular land was originally known by Salem Village, and it’s the same ground that was associated with the Salem Witch Trials of the 17th century. It’s just minutes away from the Salem, the coastal city, and about an hour’s drive to the city of Boston. Since this town is nearby two well-known places of Essex County, it’s often disregarded by the tourists visiting the Greater Boston metropolis region. However, this city has many great hallmarks like the largest indoor complex of this region, one of the oldest malls, and places of historical value. Stay on this page to know more about this little city with our article on the best things to do in Danvers, Massachusetts.
1. Learn about the esoteric past at Rebecca Nurse Homestead
A few kilometers from the mystic town of Salem, this is an authentic site that has witnessed the true witch hysteria in the late 1600s. An innocent elderly woman named Rebecca Nurse was hung here at the age of 71 in connection to the witch trial. However, your visit to her property would cover more than just things related to witchcraft. The house is still conserved in its original form as it was like when the Nurse family lived here. It’s a chance to learn about the social and economic aspects of the late 16th and early 17th century. Come and learn how people managed to live a totally self-sufficient life in colonial times.
Rebecca Nurse Homestead
Address: 149 Pine St, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
Website: Rebecca Nurse Homestead
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 3pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: 5 - 8 USD
2. Go bowling at Sunnyside Bowladrome Inc
This bowling center is the favorite destination for the town’s bowlers, as they boast 32 lanes with automatic pinsetters and electronic scoring. Besides, it’s a great place for a hangout, too; Sunnyside Bowladrome also features arcades, jukebox, drinks, and snacks vending machines. The price per round is also inexpensive, and it will get even affordable when you book for a group. Come and play a game with the locals, or learn bowling for a very cheap price if you’re a novice.
Sunnyside Bowladrome Inc
Address: 176 Water St, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
Website: Sunnyside Bowladrome Inc
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 9am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm; Mon: 10am - 10pm
Price: 4 - 5 USD
3. Enjoy the heated pools of CoCo Key Water Park
Winter season in New England is frosty, but this water park delivers tropical joy all year round. Come and see for yourself, the water always remains 84°F (29°C) here. Built on an area of about 65,000 square foot (over 6,000 square meters), CoCo Key Water Park is probably the largest indoor aqua park of this region. The place boasts a variety of water slides, a lazy river, splash pads, a zero-depth pool, an interactive arcade area, and more amusing things.
CoCo Key Water Park
Address: 50 Ferncroft Rd, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
Website: CoCo Key Water Park
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 11am - 5pm; Thu - Sun: 11am - 8pm
Price: From 35 USD
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4. Rejuvenate at Maison Esthetique Christiane Bourque Spa
Maison Esthetique Christiane Bourque has been in the business for over 14 years now, and ranks amongst the top spa centers of this city. They have a team of talented professionals who are proficient in their specific skills. Several wellness and beauty treatments can be availed here, please check their website for the detailed information. Thus if you’re feeling like going for a pedicure, facials, or massages, you now have the name of a lovely place. Also, this place doesn’t charge too much for the treatments.
Maison Esthetique Christiane Bourque Spa
Address: 94 High St, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
Website: Maison Esthetique Christiane Bourque Spa
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 9am - 8pm; Sat: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: Varies
5. Explore Endicott Park
Endicott Park is a recreational land which offers so much to see. The 165 acres (66 hectares) of parkland has woodland and marshes, historic farm building and orchards, hike trails and picnic areas, and also a fishing lake. It is open all days of the year, and the entry is free. It’s better to come with children; they would love the petting zone of farm animals. Fun events are held here every now and then; check its agenda on their website. It’s only minutes away from the town.
Endicott Park
Address: 57 Forest St, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
Website: Endicott Park
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Price: Free
6. Jump high and dunk harder at Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Specifically, youngsters of this town love this place since the activities here certainly come with an adrenaline rush. As the name indicates here, this funhouse has put much emphasis on trampolines. This indoor park features amusement facilities that involve trampolines, too. Sky Zone boasts sky ladder, sky slam, dodgeball, ninja warrior course, foam zone, freestyle jumping, and more. They have separate areas for children and grownups, and pricing is inexpensive.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Address: Liberty Tree Mall, 100 Independence Way, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
Website: Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 12pm - 8pm; Fri: 12pm - 11pm; Sat: 10am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 8pm
Price: Varies
7. Discover Israel Putnam House and its ties to the American Revolution
General Israel Putnam House is also referred to as Thomas Putnam House. The great Major General of the American Revolution ‘Israel Putnam’ was born here in the year 1718. However, the house was built by his grandfather Thomas Putnam in 1648. The house along with its 100 acres (40 hectares) of farmland remained with the Putnam family for more than three centuries, later the descendants gave it to Danvers Historical Society. Today this first-period house is registered in the National Register of Historic Places.
Israel Putnam House
Address: 431 Maple St, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
Website: Israel Putnam House
Opening hours: Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm (closed from Mon - Fri)
8. Let your kids loose at Monkey Joe’s
This funhouse is designed for pre-teens or children below the age of 13. Kids below this period are usually reckless and vulnerable to mishaps. If you have such an active child, then this place is for you. Monkey Joe’s is a playhouse with inflatable slides, jumps, and obstacle courses. This center has age-appropriate inflatables, trained supervisors, and a clean environment. This is a cool place to celebrate your children’s special day because you know that they will be safe while having lots of fun.
Monkey Joe’s - Danvers
Address: Crossing Mall, 10 Newbury St, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
Website: Monkey Joe’s - Danvers
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 6pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 7pm
Price: 8 USD
9. Find out about the infamous witch hysteria at Salem Village Parsonage
You can call this place the ground zero of Salem’s witch hysteria. It all started when this town decided to build a parsonage in the year 1681, and a young reverend George Burroughs became one of its first clergy members. As soon as the witch hysteria swelled in Salem and its surrounding, it caused the imprisonment of about 150 and death to 25 people. Unfortunately, George Burroughs was also killed for the accusation of witchcraft; he was still reciting Lord’s Prayer while people were hanging him. Visit this parsonage to know the destructive past of the late 17th century.
Salem Village Parsonage
Address: 67A Centre St, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
10. Have a superb dining experience at 9 Elm American Bistro
This is one of the finest dining options in Danvers; people admire its wonderful food, extraordinary service, and rich aura. The menu has just dinner and dessert selections, and wine should be available to you by the glass or bottle. The pricing is also moderate so it’s a good idea to plan a supper here. The tables are usually busy however, thus a reservation is recommended.
9 Elm American Bistro
Address: 9 Elm St, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
Website: 9 Elm American Bistro
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 5pm - 9:30pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
11. Live country life for a day at Connors Farm
Connors Farm was established in the year 1904 and it’s still a working ranch. This is a pure rural world in its 140 acres (56 hectares) campus, and it should demonstrate you the true colors of the farmstead. Its general admission ticket will cover farming and fun activities like: picking the corn maze, petting the cattle, and more. Additional fun rides like the Putnamville Railroad would cost extra. Festivals and events are held each season and you can also buy fresh supplies from their farm market.
Connors Farm
Address: 30 Valley Rd, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
Website: Connors Farm
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
Price: From 10 USD
12. Try delicious American cuisine at Four66 Pub & Grille
Four66 is a casual family restaurant with reasonable food price. On its menu, you will see American cuisine, fresh seafood, barbecue, and gourmet pizzas. Besides, they serve drinks and supports takeout delivery. The ambiance is always nice; mostly you would see live sports broadcasting and reruns of games so it’s virtually a sports bar. The parking is plenty and their place is wheelchair-accessible. All in all, a terrific place to try a meal.
Four66 Pub & Grille
Address: 466 Newbury St, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
Website: Four66 Pub & Grille
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm; Sun: 12pm - 9pm
13. Check out the dated Liberty Tree Mall and catch a movie
This commercial place was opened about 50 years ago, and unlike Northshore Mall, the proud, upscale shopping destination of Danvers, Liberty Tree Mall is viewed as an affordable shopping center. This place features a department store, some retail chains, and consumer electronics and clothing stores. However, the cinema theater is the best part of it. Spare some time and watch a movie here.
Liberty Tree Mall
Address: 100 Independence Way, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
Website: Liberty Tree Mall
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 11am - 6pm
14. Play your game at Danvers Indoor Sports arena
It’s one of the largest indoor sports complexes of New England region, and has an area of 160,000 square feet (about 15,000 square meters). Inside of which, you will find four basketball courts, eight turf fields, and a fitness center. This indoor arena also maintains qualified coaches and professional staff. Do visit them if you’re serious or curious about sports because camps and programs are usually ever-open. It’s for every age group and believe us when we say that every athlete will like this place.
Danvers Indoor Sports
Address: 150 Andover St, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
Website: Danvers Indoor Sports
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 8am - 11pm; Sat - Sun: 7am - 11pm
Price: Varies
15. Taste the best cookie combos from The Cookie Monstah
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
This cookie chain has the sweetest food trucks of Boston and Danvers, and they have even been on television for a couple of times. Although ice cream and other sweets are also on the menu, cookies are the specialty here. The master baker and owner of this chain, Missy Gale, humbly conceals the truth that they just get enough dough to hold the chocolate together. The Cookie Monstah vends the best cookie combos in the region, with lots of customers to testify this claim. Refer to the website to know the schedule of trucks, or visit their bakery at the given time.
The Cookie Monstah
Address: 75 Newbury St, Danvers, MA 01923, USA
Website: The Cookie Monstah
Opening hours: Tue - Wed: 11am - 8pm; Thu - Sat: 11am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm (closed on Mon)
Danvers is definitely worth a visit
There is so much to see in Danvers than we can actually write about, but still, we did our best to present you the popular attractions of this town in one list. However, it’s also true that we cannot wrap it all in a single page. Thus, make a trip to Danvers at the earliest because there is always more to discover. Lastly, you should also take a look at their local calendar as this city sees endless numbers of events throughout the year.
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