Salem - So much more than Witches

Next in our tour of the Northern Shore led us south into Salem and Marblehead.  The first thing we learned is that Salem is so much more than witches.  Other than October, when it can be crazier than Mardi Gras, many of the witchy events are closed.  First up - The House of Seven Gables.  This property includes the house that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne to write the book as well as the house the Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in.  When you first arrive, walk to the back of the property.  You will see a spectacular view of Salem Harbor.

Its light house.

And the wooden schooner Fame.

From there, if your tour time allow, proceed into the Nathaniel Hawthorne house for a self guided tour. The walls have beautiful paintings and there are many displays of Hawthorne history.  The tour of the seven gables house includes a hidden passageway.  Pictures are not allowed inside the houses, so you will have to go see for yourselves.

Next, enter the address for the Salem Visitor Center into your GPS.  Why?  Right across the street is a very reasonably priced garage.  Park in the garage and cross the street to the visitors center.

Go in the visitor center, pick up a walking map.  You really don't need it, but if you decide to get to something specific, it will help you know where you are.  While you are in there, check out the information about the Salem Maritime National Historic site.  There used to be a separate building, but it is now housed in the visitor center.

If you want to go to the Salem Witch Museum, it is behind the visitor center.  It is a nice presentation, but it is not suitable for small children or children that frighten easily.  The opening of the presentation is a bit intense.

When you finish at the with museum, or if you don't want to go there, look down until you find a red line.  This is a walking tour of Salem that will hit all of the high points - including the Peabody Essex Museum and the Pirates Museum.

Our first stop was the Salem Museum.  This is a free museum run by a partnership of Gordon College and the city of Salem.  It touches on the lesser known history of Salem.  While we were there, a special exhibit of Parker Brothers Games was the feature.

After the museum, we were a bit peckish, so lunch was in order.  Hubby decided to stop at Rockafellas.    We both had a wonderful vegetarian option - I had a grilled panini with vegetables and goat cheese, Hubby had a veggie wrap.

Next stop in our tour was the Salem Maritime National Historic Site.  On the way, we saw The Burying Point and the Salem Witch Trial Memorial.

If you like to shop, I also suggest a detour through Pickering Wharf.

Anchored at the Maritime Exhibit is the Friendship of Salem.  

While we were there, Navy Seaman were being trained by park service employees on how to lash the main sail in preparation for a sail in the coming weeks.

The ship is docked at Derby Wharf.  While you are there, walk the half mile wharf and visit the lighthouse.

From here, continue following the red line until it returns you to your parking garage.  It is well worth the time to do the full walking tour.