"Witch City"- Salem, MA

Salem, MA is as charming a destination as it is haunting. With its tour trolleys, museums, wonderful restaurants, scenery, quaint shops and history, there are plenty of reasons to visit, and re-visit.  Known as “Witch City”, Salem has built its economy on its own dark past - the Witch Hysteria of 1692.

That was my reason for visiting Salem. I have always wanted to see the place where that terrible, tragic Witch Hunt took place. I was in for a surprise. I fell in love with this town.

As many people know, the Witch Hysteria of 1692 was brought about because of the accusations of several young girls who claimed they had been ‘bewitched’ by the  slave Tituba, a West Indian woman from Barbados.  These local girls pretended madness and hysteria and claimed Tituba had cursed them, making them have ‘fits’ of hysteria and other maladies. Having great fun with this ‘game’, the girls continued to accuse neighbors and acquaintances. Thus launched a witch hunt that would see over 400 people accused and imprisoned for witchcraft, 19 people hung and 1 poor soul, Giles Corey,  crushed to death under piles of stone slabs placed on his chest.

Today, visitors to Salem can learn about its tragic - and some not so tragic -  history at a variety of attractions.

The Salem Witch Museum brings visitors back to Salem 1692, through the use of dioramas,  life-size figures, lighting and a narration -  which dramatically detail  the Witch Trials . This visual presentation is an easy way to experience the historic episode.

Their new exhibit, Witches: Evolving Perceptions, examines the stereotypical witch, aspects of witchcraft in the 17th century, modern witchcraft and the phenomenon of witch hunts. Do you believe in witches? Don't answer until you visit them!

The Salem Wax Museum, is filled with London- made wax figures
that depict Salem's vivid history from its founding in 1626 through the terrifying Hysteria of 1692. Notable Salem historic figures include famed author of The Scarlet Letter and The House of Seven Gables - Nathaniel Hawthorne, the pirates of New England, the merciless Witch Trials judge, Colonel John Hawthorne, and Tituba the accused " witch " who helped fuel the hysteria of 1692.

Visitors looking for more, can also explore places like the Witch House, directly connected to the Salem witch trials, Witch Dungeon Museum, where they can experience the an actual witch trial and a recreation of the dungeons, the Witch History Museum and many more ‘witch’ places of interest!

There is also, “Cry Innocent”, a live performance of the recreation of the witch trial of Bridget Bishop, the first person executed for witchcraft.

There are a variety of historic landmarks in Salem, as well. Among them, several burial ground where those involved in the trial and those accused, are buried.

 Among those buried here are the remains of Judge John Hathorne, the witch trial judge. Author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, was related to John Hathorne and was so embarrassed by the role the man played in the trials,  he changed the spelling of his family name.

Of course, there are ghost tours in Salem. I went on - and thoroughly enjoyed - a Spellbound Ghost Tour.

Spellbound Tours takes visitors to documented haunted locations that they have personally investigated and successfully captured images on film. Among these locations are a haunted graveyard, the site of the witch's jail, the jail keeper's house and other locations. Although I did not personally capture any orbs or ghostly images while on the tour, my brand new Canon D500 froze while I was attempting to photograph two top windows at one of the 'haunted locations'. When I pointed the camera away from the windows, it was fine. However, each time I pointed it at those same windows , it would - once again- freeze up!

During the tour, our "Ghost Guide" posed with a statue of America's favorite witch, "Bewitched " star, Elizabeth Montgomery. One of my particular highlights!

We had the opportunity to visit locations where many of the historic’ witch events’ occurred. Among these, the site where the original Witch "Gaol" once stood. It was here the accused were imprisoned. According to history, the conditions here were cruel and intolerable. The cells were extremely small and the jail was extremely overcrowded. Reportedly, many sightings have occurred here at the site of the jail.

But there is more to Salem than  witches and witch history.

It is the location of Salem's premiere historic site, Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, best known by the literary masterpiece, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “House of Seven Gables”.

Built in 1668, this is the oldest surviving 17th century wooden mansion in New England. It became known as the House of Seven Gables, because of its seven-gabled architecture.

On a guided tour, visitors explore Turner-Ingersoll Mansion (The House of the Seven Gables), a visit to the Nathaniel Hawthorne House, the Counting House, the Colonial Revival Gardens, and the waterfront. There are some interested ‘secrets’ in this house, including a mysterious secret staircase where you least expect it! Be sure not to miss this historic landmark and literary inspiration!

The House of the Seven Gables also has an 18th century granite sea wall, and two seaside Colonial Revival Gardens. The museum houses more than 2,000 artifacts and objects, more than 40 framed works, 500 photographs and glass plate negatives, and more than 650 volumes in our research and rare book library.

In addition, visitors can tour the Nathaniel Hawthorne house - the home where he was born on July 4th 1804 to Elizabeth and Nathaniel Hathorne. Originally located a few blocks from its current location at Seven Gables,  it was moved to this location in 1958.

Culturally, one of Salem’s outstanding places to visit has nothing to do with witches and witch hunts at all. It is the iconic Peabody Essex Museum.

The Peabody ( pronounced Pi-bddy, by locals) is one of the nations’s major museums. It houses some of the finest Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Indian art. It presents the earliest collection of Native American and Oceanic art in the world.

The Peabody  ( PEM) presents its collections in unique and authentic settings, making it a “must see” for anyone visiting Salem. As one walks through the front doors and stares up at this incredible structure, there is no question it is going to be an incredible experience. It is! Don’t miss it!

Something else unexpected about Salem is its cuisine. When visitors head to Salem, they are generally there to explore its history and culture. But there are some wonderful places to dine in Salem. Among them - Finz Restaurant and Grill and Sixty2 on Wharf.

Finz Seafood Restaurant and Grill on Pickering Wharf - with its indoor and outdoor waterfront dining, its fresh and tantalizingly prepared seafood, specialty drinks, live jazz and friendly staff, Finz is a great place to relax and enjoy yourself. The contemporary, ‘hip’ decor includes a copper-topped bar, floor to ceiling glass wall, fire-side lounge with sofa seating and the built-in raw bar. In warmer months, dine on their outdoor shaded patio overlooking the water. I recommend the stuffed whole grilled lobster... “to die for”!

Although the owner describes this restaurant as “  a casual neighborhood bistro serving rustic, modern Italian cuisine”, I would describe it as trendy gourmet dining. Owner/Chef Antonio Bettencourt and his staff take pride in using the best locally-sourced, all natural, in season, ingredients for optimum flavor.

The atmosphere is warm and charming... the staff...equally so. The food was nothing short of perfection! Everything was beautifully presented, plated, and prepared. The grilled jumbo scallops were savory, succulent and well-seasoned. The dessert-Warm Toffee Pudding with toffee sauce and home-made whipped cream  - was worth “leaving room for”!

The Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites is one of Salem’s newest hotels and is located on the waterfront overlooking Salem Harbor. It has a pleasant nautical theme and the guest rooms are comfortable and a nice size. It is conveniently located - within walking distance to many attractions and Pickering Wharf. It is also moderately priced.

Salem is easily reached from Boston by taking The Salem Ferry, a state of the art high speed catamaran that leaves the Long Wharf North in downtown Boston. Enjoy this 55 minute trip cruising the picturesque New England coastline as you pass lighthouses and points of interest. Onboard, there is a climate-controlled cabin, snack galley, and a concierge for assistance with onshore suggestions.

If you are looking for someplace special to travel to this Halloween Season, I heartily recommend Salem, MA. Salem celebrates Halloween in a spectacular way with "Salem Haunted Happenings". It is a month-long celebration of everything "Bewitching"! There are carnivals, festivals, costume events, haunted harbor cruises, haunted house tours and more! Salem guarantees fun for the whole family.But beware! It is the busiest time of year in Salem and you may want to check on accommodations, etc before heading that way.

If crowds are not your thing, than you might want to visit any time from Spring through Fall; Winters get a little chilly... but sometimes chills are good... right?