How to Visit Salem

The Salem Witch trials of 1642 began when a young girl suddenly came down with a mysterious illness that her doctor attributed to witchcraft. Within a year, 19 people were convicted of witchcraft and hanged. These days, Salem's embrace of its notorious past has made it a lively tourist destination, and the city's official logo is a witch riding a broom.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Visit a psychic. The town of Salem issues licenses to psychics, and there are about half dozen fortune tellers and psychics located in the historic area.

2. Go online to Haunted Happenings for a list of Salem's Halloween events. Salem's busiest time is between summer and late fall. Halloween is peak season, and those who want to attend the festivities are encouraged to make hotel reservations a year in advance. You can purchase tickets online there also.

3. See the place where Salem Witch trial victims are buried. In the years following the hysteria of the 1692 witch trials, Salem made restitution to the families of those who were hanged as witches. The Salem Witch Trials Tercentenary Memorial, located on Charter Street, was dedicated in 1992 to honor the victims.

4. Check out the Peabody Essex Museum. In addition to being a nice art museum, the Peabody Essex has about 500 original documents and artifacts from the witch trial era.

5. Stop by the House of the Seven Gables. The house, made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne's book, is on the register of historic places. It is a 17th century mansion with artifacts typical of colonial Massachusetts.

6. Tour The Friendship. Salem, Massachusetts, was also a shipping port in colonial times. The Friendship, a reconstruction of a 171-foot tall ship, is on anchored at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site on Derby Street.

Tips & Warnings

• Salem, which calls itself "the Witch City" has become a place where Wicca or modern-day witchcraft is respected along with other religious faiths. Such religious tolerance has attracted a significant numbers of Wiccans to the community, and some estimates say pagans could be nearly 10 percent of the population.
• Learn the history. Even if you think you know about the witch trials, pick up a book or two while you're there to explore details of Salem, Massachusetts, as a fascinating place in American history.
• Salem's historic downtown has small hotels and picturesque inns as well as the Salem Waterfront Hotel and Suites, which are located at Pickering Wharf. It will put you within walking distance to many attractions. The Hawthorne Hotel, a restored hotel built in the 1920's, is similarly situated.

Resources

• Check out Haunted Happenings for Halloween.
• See the story of the witch trials.
• Learn witch trial history.
• Find a place to stay while visiting Salem.
• Stay at a historic hotel.
• Stay within walking distance to many attractions.

[dcallahan]

on 1/31/2008 Check your dates- in your first sentence- the date is wrong. 1692 is the correct date- for 19 to have lost their lives during such horrific persecution and have been long remembered for acts of steadfastness, courage, honor, and faith- you could at least check for typos.
Please change or edit it in the posting if you are able.