Located in Essex County on the Massachusetts’s North Shore is Salem, a town that has a fascinating history of witchcraft hysteria, a strong connection to literature and film and is the designated birthplace of the National Guard. There’s also an array of museums to discover, a pleasant waterfront and town centre and plenty of quirky shops to explore.
Upon arrival, you’ll take a self-guided visit of the Witch Museum which shows the story of the Witchcraft Trials. Wander into the small theatre to listen to the voices of actors and actresses who, accurately and dramatically, present the truth of this dark period. A selection of interesting displays offers an insight into the town’s history, along with witchcraft facts.
Afterwards, you’ll visit the House of the Seven Gables, a national historic landmark that served as the centrepiece in novelist and Salem native Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic novel of the same name. It’s the oldest surviving wooden mansion in New England, with sections dating back as far as 1668.
To round off your tour, you’ll have some free time at leisure to purchase some luncheon and explore Salem further, before the return drive to Boston.