A weekend in Boston and Salem is sure not to disappoint. These two towns hold so much history of the United States from the Boston Tea Party to the Salem Witch Trials. Be prepared to eat well here especially from the fresh selection of seafood.
Day 1: Boston
1. Take a Walking Tour on the Freedom Trail.
You can either take a free tour using GuruWalk or do what I did and book one through AirBnB. I booked this one https://www.airbnb.com/experiences/2508077. My guided tour included 16 stops along the freedom trail which included Paul Revere’s house, the grave of John Hancock, and the site of the Boston Massacre. It lasted for around 2.5 hours.
2. Whale Watching
The best time to whale watch is between May and October. You will have the chance to spot humpback whales, finback whales, and dolphins. The cruise is 3 hours long and can be quite windy so bring a jacket.
Day 2: Salem
1. Salem Witch Trials Memorial
This memorial is dedicated to the 20 victims of the witch trials. Written on each granite bench is the name, the means in which the person was executed, and their date of execution. One of the saddest stories I heard is the man named Giles Corey. He was pressed to death and refused to plea. He did not want to lose his property. They kept putting heavier rocks on him to get him to say something and his last words were ” More weight.”
2. House of the Seven Gables
You can enjoy the grounds pass or take a guided tour. I recommend taking a guided tour because that is the only way to access the interiors. The House of the Seven Gables is what inspired Nathaniel Hawthornes famous book. You can also see his birthplace.
3. Peabody Essex Museum
Stroll through one of the oldest operating museums in the United States. The art collected here showcases different pieces from all around the world. You will need a couple hours here to check out everything it has to offer.
4. Take a Hauntings and History Tour
This 2-hour tour includes visiting the sites of Burying Point Cemetery, Witch House, and the Ropes Mansion while you hear haunted tales and the history of each location.
History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour (expedia.com)
The Ropes Mansion is known for being in the movie Hocus Pocus, while Witch House is where Judge Corwin lived. Judge Corwin is one of the judges known for the Witch Trials.
5. Try the Pumpkin Beer
I’m not even a big beer fan, but I thought this tasted delicious.
6. If you are here in October, check out the Haunted Happenings Schedule
October is definitely the busiest time to visit. There are large crowds and long lines. If you are still set on going in October, the Salem website has a schedule of events that happen during this time of the year. There are haunted houses, psychic fairs, and outdoor markets to dive into.
I hope you enjoy your weekend in these beautiful locations. If you would like to check out another city with much ardor and mystery, check out my New Orleans post.
The Best Tours in Mysterious New Orleans – Venture with a Ginger
Comments
One response to “A Weekend in Boston and Salem”
This was a cool adventure it had its history and spooky turns of events Salem would be great to go to at Halloween I wish I could go on as many adventures as you, you inspire me.