A Halloween Weekend in Salem, MA

-
Salem-Massachusetts-Travel-The-East

Looking for plans this Halloween weekend?  What better place to celebrate than America's Biggest Halloween party in Salem, Massachusetts!  Salem is infamous for its witch trials in 1692- a series of hearings, accusing and prosecuting those suspected of witchcraft.  Yet even with the passing of centuries, the spirit of witchcraft and spells has embedded itself deep within the very essence of this historic city.  Witch and magical shops, haunted houses, historic landmarks, psychic and tarot readings, are just a sample of what you can expect during your visit to Salem.

Salem-Massachusetts-Travel-The-East
Salem Storefronts
October marks the month-long Haunted Happenings festivities in Salem.  More than a quarter of a million people come from around the world to experience Salem's Halloween celebration. We made the trip to Salem this past Saturday, which was less than an hour drive from Boston.  With so many visitors in town, street parking was not an option. Instead we paid $15 for the day to park in one of the many lots scattered in and around the city.

Salem-Massachusetts-Travel-The-East

We arrived around noon, so our first stop was lunch and drinks at Rockfellas restaurant.  The menu was your typical American cuisine.  But we really just came for their seasonal cocktails, such as the candy corntini and apple cider mimosa-unbelievably good! 

To learn more about Salem's eerie historic footprint in America, we signed up for a tour at the Salem Witch Museum.  Admission was $9, with presentations occurring every half hour.  It is recommended to get there 30 minutes or so in advance, given the crowds during this time of year.  The tour is very informative, with friendly tour guides that take you back in time through the reenactment of the Salem Witch Hunt.  

Salem-Massachusetts-Travel-The-East
Life-size stage sets at the Salem Witch Museum

Salem-Massachusetts-Travel-The-East

Salem-Massachusetts-Travel-The-East

We wouldn't have fulfilled our Salem experience without visiting America's oldest witch shop, Crow Haven Corner. This is definitely a popular Salem landmark, so expect to find a line outside the shop.  Two friends in our group signed up for a 30-minute psychic reading.  You can call in advance to schedule an appointment. The shop itself is adorned with beautiful glass witch balls and spells hanging from the ceilings.  In the corner of the shop, a witch makes spells and potions for customers to purchase on the spot.  We highly recommend you stop here on your tour of Salem!

Salem-Massachusetts-Travel-The-East
Crow Haven Corner in Salem, MA
Salem-Massachusetts-Travel-The-East
Witch Balls & Spells hanging from the ceilings in the shop
Our last stop was the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, a remembrance of those accused and the 14 women and 6 men who were convicted and executed.  From the moment you walk along the trail of stone benches inscribed with the names of those accused and end up at the tombstones of the Old Burying Point, you are filled with a creepy and unnerving feeling of this horrific time in history.

Salem-Massachusetts-Travel-The-East

Salem-Massachusetts-Travel-The-East

Walking among people dressed up in costumes, with the streets and storefronts decked in Halloween décor
is all part of the Salem experience. There is so much to see and do, it is no wonder tons of people make the trip to Salem an annual occurrence.  We definitely look forward to visiting again next year!

Salem-Massachusetts-Travel-The-East
Kristy and friends, Jordan, Kelley & Liz


Kristy Albano & Matt Pickering                                                      

Popular posts from this blog

Snorkeling at Baby Beach- San Nicolas, Aruba

-
Image
Baby Beach is a great day-trip to make if you've rented a car in Aruba. It’s located on the southern tip of the island in San Nicolas.  Baby Beach gets its name from the tranquil cove of water that surrounds the beach being so calm that even young children are safe to swim in it. The drive down from the hotel area takes around 40 minutes. It’s a fun ride down stopping at the shops in Oranjestad or checking out one of the more local restaurants once you get south of the airport. Directions in Aruba are pretty easy to follow. There are only a few highway-type roads and because it’s a small island, you can usually find the water as a point of reference if you get off-route. Baby beach definitely has a unique look to it, as the rough ocean flows into a protected, horseshoe shaped cove where everyone swims around.  Because there are only a few hotels nearby, the beach has a local flair. However you’ll see plenty of tourists and guided tours as well. There are als
Read more

Wessagusset Beach- North Weymouth, MA

-
Image
Although Summer is already over, we still enjoy going to the beach.  One of our favorite and also most convenient locations is Wessagusset Beach in North Weymouth.  The stone wall of the beach runs along Fort Points Road where you'll find a small cove, with parking as well.   The beach is relative small and very rocky, so you probably won't find yourself walking barefoot in the sand.  However it is the perfect beach to catch some rays, otherwise enjoy the sunset. With Wessagusset Yacht Club  close by, you will always see a few boats out in the water. Snapper Blue The beach is also an attraction for some fisherman with striper and bluefish along the shores.  But rumor has it that fishing has been slow this year. Our favorite part about this beach is that it faces west overlooking the Boston skyline.  So we've seen a few amazing sunsets and views from Wessagusset.  Here are some of many more to come! Waves before a Storm
Read more

Experiencing Boston Sky High- The Skywalk Observatory

-
Image
In planning our weekend adventures, we often overlook the abundance of places we have yet to visit in one of America's largest and most historical cities, Boston, MA.  All too often we turn a blind eye to Boston's many amazing attractions while immersing ourselves in daily routines.  However, we found that being tourists in our own city, has lead to some of our best travel experiences!  That including our recent invitation this past weekend to tour Boston's only 360 degree view of the city skyline at the Skywalk Observatory . Located 52 floors up in Boston's Prudential Center , the Skywalk arguably has the city's most picturesque panoramas.  The observatory is open 7 days a week between 10 am and 8 pm (in the Summer it stays open later until 10 pm) with admission being $17 per adult.  We timed our visit for 4 pm so we could catch the sunset over the city.  Friends- Samantha and Jordan at the Skywalk Observatory Aside from just the views, th
Read more