By Jennifer Ciotta
It is no wonder that Nathaniel Hawthorne's literary skills flourished in Salem, MA since the town offers a variety of excitement and beauty. Upon entering Salem, a tourist would be fooled. The gorgeous, suburban Colonial houses mixed with quaint shops and cafes mask the true ambience. A closer look reveals ghost tours, psychic parlors and mystical shops keeping with the spirit of the towns ancestral Salem Witch Trials. For Hawthorne fans The House of Seven Gables demands a visit with its spectacular greenery, and location by the sea. The seventeenth century mansion is made of the rusty wood the author writes about and contains a rare book library. The Nathaniel Hawthorne House, located next to Seven Gables, was moved from its original location in 1958. The cherry red home was the authors birthplace and now is a museum dedicated to its namesake.
Perhaps the most intriguing part of the town is the spookiness. The show Legends of Salem at the intimate Griffen Theatre provides a multimedia look at witch craze, the Puritans and Indians and the Great Fire. At Cry Innocent/History Alive a tourist can see a live reenactment of the witch trials from 1692. But its not just something to watch since the audience participates as the grand jury. Duties include cross-examining witnesses and deciding the final verdict. A tourist can satisfy their supernatural curiosities by visiting The Salem Witch Museum, Witch Dungeon, Witch History Museum and The Witch House. Meanwhile, other popular attractions include whale watching and renting boats for deep sea fishing. Explorations of the sea can also be viewed at the famed Peabody Essex Museum where maritime history is revealed over three centuries. The town also boasts Pickering Wharf, a seaside marketplace for elegant, international shops and charming restaurants as well as the Salem Psychic Center, where interested parties can make appointments by private appointment.
During the month of October Salem flourishes. It plays host to a huge Halloween party which lasts the whole month. Special events include a grand parade the weekend of October, which maintains a theme each year, in 2006 it is Pirates of the North Shore. Usually held mid-month there is a Children's Day, which features a Harry Potter role-play experience for children ages 5 to 10; and a Boo-tiful Pets competition where dogs, cats and small animals dress up in costume. The month ends with a costume contest, costume ball and the annual Wiccan priests and priestesses walk to commemorate the end of their calendar year.
A tip: During the winter most museums and attractions are closed in Salem.
Advertisement:
