Salem, MA

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Daytrips

Official Website: Salem, MA
Location: Washington Square, Salem, MA, 01970 map
Phone:978-744-1692
Ages: Kids, Teens, Adults
Cost: $$

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The famous Salem witch trials of 1692 carved a unique place in history for this small town. The Salem Witch Museum brings you back to the days of Salem 1692. Visitors are given a dramatic history lesson using stage sets with life-size figures, lighting and a narration - an overview of the Witch Trials of 1692.

In addition to the With Museum, Salem's 1.7-mile Heritage Trail connects a number of Salem’s major historic sites, including The House of Seven Gables, Peabody Essex Museum and a Whale Watching tour.

Visitor's Info:
There is a chamber of commerce visitors center (978-744-0004) on 32 Derby Square and a National Park Service visitors center (978-740-1650) at 2 Liberty Street.

Recommended Itinerary for Salem:
Start your visit at the Peabody Essex Museum Historic Houses, and learn all about the beginnings of Salem, and the seafarers and interesting people who lived there in Salem's early days, as well as learning a bit about the Salem Witchcraft hysteria.

For evening's entertainment, check out a Dinner Theater at the Chase House on Pickering Wharf. There are many theater presentations available to choose from in Salem. Check them out, and see if you can find any that might interest you. Wharf Rat Productions will be putting on several interesting plays for your enjoyment. The Lyceum is also a good choice. Be sure to check out the listings to see what's playing

Since Salem is best known for its witches - be sure to visit a couple of these interesting witchy sites...

The Salem Witch Museum - Learn all about the Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692. The Salem Witch Village - Another cool place to visit when here. The Witch House - Home of one of the judges of the witch trials. The Witchcraft Memorial - A memorial to the victims of the witchcraft hysteria. Walk the Witch Trial Trail by candlelight with a local historian, and tour sites related to the 1692 Witch Trials, and explore the events of Salem's Darkest Hour.

How about tip-toeing through a terrifying fishing village of ghoulish personalities from the Puritan settlers' worst nightmares at Pioneer Village. Fireside storytelling plus encounters with spirits of Olde Salem are guaranteed to provide spine-tingling thrills. This tour is 'not recommended' for pre-school children.

Or try a tour by'spectral light' beside the Old Salem Burying Point, and checking out some of Salem's 'real' haunted houses. This tour is called Midnight on the Hour, and is run by the Salem Wax Museum.

Don't forget to check out the Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour, as you stroll with the spirits on a candlelit tour through Salem's bewitching streets, and hear tales of superstitions, myths, and witchcraft.

If you are into the supernatural, try seeking out Messages from the Spirit World: The Seance! Seances take place at the Old Town Hall, and after a class on mediumship, you can attend an actual seance where your passed away loved ones may give messages, past lives may be revealed and spirit guides will be contacted.

What visit to Salem would be complete without a visit to the House of Seven Gables? During the Spirits of the Gables tour, you can explore the Mystery of the mansion by candlelight as the 17th Century mansion's night time inhabitants come to life. Meet the ghost of Matthew Maule, a persecuted victim of the witch trials, and hear about the circumstances that drove the family to lunacy, the secrets that surround them, and the curse that led to impending death. Scary..