Salem Things to Do Tips by kazander

House of 7 gables

If you have ever read the Nathaniel Hawthorne novel, or even if you haven't, the House of Seven Gables really is a must see for any Salem visitor. Built in 1668, The Turner-Ingersoll Mansion as it is also called, is the oldest surviving wooden mansion in New England. It's interesting to see the settings where the book took place and compare it to how you had pictured it in your mind. The grounds overlooking the water are beautiful and inside there is even a secret passageway.

The house is open for touring Monday through Saturday 10am - 5pm. In Jul-October 31st 10am -7pm. with Special evening tours taking place during Haunted happenings, the October Halloween celebrations.

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Phone: (978)744-0991
Address: 54 Turner Street Salem, MA
Website: http://www.7gables.org/
Other Contact: www.hauntedhappenings.org

Things To Do: Salem Witch Museum

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Updated by kazander

on Nov 8, 2004

Salem Witch Museum

The Salem Witch Museum is really more of a theatrical performance, well not exactly a performance, a diorama with voiceover would be a bit more accurate, than a museum. The lines on Halloween are huge. You buy your ticket in advance in most cases and then return at the time of your appointed show. Instead of a ticket you get a color coded sticker which allows the tourguides to know by which color which time you are booked for. When it's your time you are led into a large room with a red circle on the floor. The circle bears the names of those who were wrongfully accused of witchcraft at the time of the hysteria. The program continues telling the story of the witchcraft trials and hysteria illuminating each appropriate diarama with each chapter. The show is only about a half hour long. It is informative and a great way to learn about this time if you didn't know the history before coming to Salem. It definately feels like one of the things you "have" to do when in town, well at least the one time....
Of course when you are done with your "tour" you walk out into a large gift shop with all sorts of witchy souveniers.

Hours are 10-5 year round
10-7 in July-August
Special extended hours during Salem's Haunted Happenings in October

Admission:
Adults $6.50
Children $4.50

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Phone: (978)744-1692
Address: 19 1/2 Washington Square North Salem, MA
Website: www.salemwitchmuseum.com
Other Contact: www.hauntedhappenings.org

Things To Do: Burying Point 1637

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Updated by kazander

on Nov 2, 2004

Salem Cemetary

The Burying Point is the oldest cemetary in New England. It is open from dawn to dusk, free of charge. I would imagine it would be a pretty creepy place without a hundred people trampling around. The gravestones are from the 1600's and have that thin haunted house quality about them. Some of the inscriptions are interesting, worth taking the extra minute to read.

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Address: Charter Street Salem, MA

Things To Do: The FriendSHIP

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Updated by kazander

on Nov 2, 2004

The Friendship

The Friendship is a reproduction tall ship that stands in the marina at Pickering Wharf. It is really a great site to see. Make sure to take notice of the details such as the maiden who sits at the prow of the ship. Tours are given aboard, and special scary tours are given during Haunted Happenings.

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Phone: 978-741-8100
Address: Pickering Wharf
Website: http://www.salemweb.com/frndship/
Other Contact: www.hauntedhappenings.org

Things To Do: The Lighthouse

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Updated by kazander

on Nov 2, 2004

Salem Lighthouse

At the far end of Pickering Wharf is a little tiny lighthouse. There is no admittance inside, but it is very picturesque to go down there and look back at the shorefront or out at all of the sailboats.

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Address: Pickering Wharf

Things To Do: Town Hall

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Updated by kazander

on Nov 2, 2004

Town Hall

This was one of our first stops in Salem. As we walked down the cobblestone way we were bid to come inside by a man dressed in period costume. When we went in we found ourselves in the midst of a psychic faire, with tarot card readers, palm readers, gemstone readers and the like. There were also a few vendors selling jewlery, wings, t-shirts and bric a brac. I meant to return to get a gemstone reading, but alas, we did not get a chance.

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Address: Derby Square Salem, MA
Website: http://www.salemweb.com/

Things To Do: The Common

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Updated by kazander

on Dec 8, 2004

Salem Common

The Common is a large expanse of grass and trees in the middle of town with benches and a large gazebo in the center. On Halloween, the common is a commotion of vendors and music and general excitement.
Lots of Halloween festivities for the kids are held here.
There are also a plethora of Porta-Potties if you don't want to wait on the mile long line at the Visitor Center. However, if you decide to use the porta potties, may I suggest only using them only towards the beginning of the day...as it gets into the night after probably THOUSANDS of people have used them, it might not be such a great idea.

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Website: www.hauntedhappenings.com

Things To Do: The Visitor Center

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Written by kazander

on Nov 3, 2004

The visitor center was hustling and bustling on Halloween. Mostly because people were crammed in waiting for the bathrooms, but there were a few people who were braving the crowds to get info on the area. My advice, do all your research beforehand if you are going to Salem during haunted happenings.

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Things To Do: Roger Conant Statue

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Written by kazander

on Nov 8, 2004

Roger Conant....at night

The Statue of Roger Conant is well known as a symbol of the town of Salem, though it is often mistaken for the likeness of a witch. Shrouded in a billowing cloak and a somewhat pointy hat, Roger is placed in front of the Witch Museum, across from the common. (The placement doesn't do much to dispel the rumors, nor does his attire) Conant was actually the founding father of Salem back in 1628. He dedicated his life to serving the town, living here until his death in 1679, he was 87 years old.

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Address: Washing Square West and Brown Street
Directions: Directly in Front of the witch museum

Things To Do: The Madness of Essex Street!

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Written by kazander

on Nov 1, 2005