I'm a Salem resident and I am on a mission to tour all the local attractions and museums.

About this one: I went today with my 1.5 year old son, it was our first time at this museum.

What it is: It's rooms after rooms of play areas each built around a theme: the beach, the theater, the campfire, the kitchen, the bank etc etc. The highlights - for me - were the wind tunnel (a tube where you can make pieces of fabric fly) and the spaceship room where everything glows in the dark, but my son seemed to prefer the kitchen room and the doctor office. There is also a space with a more traditional playground. The rooms look great; some of the actual toys a bit beaten up.

It was not overly crowded but pretty busy. It is a place designed so parents stay next to their children all the time, and overall there was a great atmosphere and all kids seemed to be at their best behavior! My toddler was even able to play with some of the older kids without being overwhelmed.

If you are visiting Salem, it is a very short drive from it.

PROs It's entertaining and can keep your kid busy for a few hours!

CONs Not sure if I would call this a "museum". Also, it is probably more suitable for toddlers and younger kids than older kids. There is only street parking (there isn't a parking lot for the museum) on a very busy street.