Most Halloween
lovers will agree that Salem, Massachusetts is one of the top places to visit
during October. Haunted Houses, various
witch themed museums, ghost tours, psychics and even a pirate museum abound in
this historic New England town.
A pedestrian
walkway on Essex Street houses dozens of tents selling Salem themed shirts,
witches hats, food and a host of Halloween themed items. Salem Vintage Photography features an
extensive shop of costumes where customers can dress up and purchase period
photos.
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| People in costumes roam the pedestrian walkway on Essex Street |
While rich in
maritime history, Salem is best known for the Salem Witch trials of 1692 where
19 people were hung and one man, Giles Corey, was pressed to death. A reenactment of an accused’s hearing is
performed in the Witch Dungeon Museum.
Downstairs is a replica of the jail that the accused witches were sent.
The Salem Witch Museum has a narrated version of the witch hysteria history of
the with scenes above for viewing. Then
visitors are brought in the back to view a timeline and hear more history from
that time period.
There are
several ghost tours departing at various times starting in the late afternoon and
continuing through the evening. We
signed up for a 5:00 tour. Our guide
Pete was extremely knowledgeable about Salem’s history and was impressed with my sons' active
participation and extensive history knowledge throughout this tour. Pete showed us where the original buildings in
1692 Salem were, took us through the historical cemetery, and ended the tour in
front of Captain White’s house where Captain White was murdered in Salem. His
murder later inspired the Parker Brother’s game Clue. Parker Brothers, originally the George S.
Parker Company, was founded in Salem.
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| Pete was an extremely knowledgeable tour guide. |
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| Salem Witch Memorial dedicated in 1992- Each bench bears the name of one of the twenty people killed in 1692 for practicing witchcraft. |
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| Giles Corey, pressed to death during the Salem Witch Trials |
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| Part of the Salem Cemetery |
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| Captain White's house - his murder inspired the game Clue |
Salem has a
number of good restaurants. Our favorite
is Rockafella’s with its fantastic food
and wonderful specialty drinks. Murphy’s
Restaurant is another place we enjoy for a quick lunch and pumpkin ale. I have heard the Lobster Shanty is a
recommended place by visitors and locals alike, and we will have to check it
out next time.
Wear your
costumes, don your witches’ hats and join in the fun! There’s something for everyone in Salem!
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