Have you ever considered taking a trip to the Witch City? Salem, MA is located on the North Shore of Massachusetts, just about 20 minutes from Boston. The family-friendly city is steeped in history, from the House of the Seven Gables to the Witch Trials Memorial. There is a little something for everyone in the family, and fun city to explore not far from New Jersey.
If you ever stayed up past your bedtime to watch Nick at Nite, or spent a sick day at home watching TV Land, there is a good chance you have seen Bewitched. The ’60s classic starred Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha, a witch who falls in love with and marries a mortal.
As an ode to the famous series, TV Land donated a statue to Salem in 2005. The statue of Samantha is located in Lappin Park, and is an absolute must-see for tourists.
While in Salem, you will definitely want to stop by the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, better known as the House of the Seven Gables. This piece of living history is located right in the heart of the Witch City, at 115 Derby Street.
The museum offers guided tours of the mansion, Nathaniel Hawthorne’s birthplace, and a trip to the waterfront. If you visit during October, you may be lucky enough to catch a live performance of Hawthorne’s famous novel!
Located on Derby Wharf, the Friendship of Salem is steeped in history from the 15 voyages the original ship made all over the globe. The original ship first launched in 1797 and was captured in 1812, and a replica of the ship was created for visitors. Although it is currently under repairs, the ship is set to be back on the wharf by November 2016.
A visit to the Friendship is a perfect day activity for the family, as it is right on the busy waterfront, which is lined with plenty of fun shops and restaurants!
You read about them in The Crucible during high school, but do you really know the history of the Salem Witch Trials? The Salem Witch Museum tells the tale of the infamous 1692 Witch Hysteria.
Divided into two exhibits, the museum starts off with a show featuring 13 different stage sets that brings the witch trials to life. The second half of your visit offers live guides to explain to visitors the evolving and present day perceptions of witches. Although this is a great spot for families, beware: the content may be a little strong for your littlest ones!
The Salem Witch Trials Memorial
To continue your hands-on history lesson, the Salem Witch Trials Memorial is just a few blocks away on Charter Street. Dedicated in 1992, this memorial was erected as a point of reflection and remembrance for those lost during the hysteria. The site is also located right next to the Charter Street Burying Point, which dates back to the 17th century.
There is no shortage of ghost tours in Salem, and they are the perfect way to see the city. Many tourists love to tour at night, usually carried out by a lantern-wielding guide. If you love ghost stories, you will love a ghost tour.
With so many to choose from, you will have to decide which is best for your family, since some are longer and scarier than others. If you’re ready to go all in, be sure to check out the Salem Night Tour, voted Salem’s Best Historical Tour of 2015!
If you’re looking for accommodations in Salem, look no further than the Hawthorne Hotel. This lovely hotel is said to be haunted, specifically rooms 325 and 612. These rooms have been tested by many ghost hunters and paranormal experts, and was even featured on the Travel Channel for its spooky past.
If you’re not willing to brave the possibility of ghostly encounters, definitely check out the hotel for its beautiful lobby and ballrooms. (Fun fact: the Hawthorne was recently featured in the Jennifer Lawrence movie Joy.)
