The Salem Witch Museum is an obvious choice for anyone vaguely interested in history, but while it's worth a visit, it might not be what you'd normally expect in a museum. You won't find artifacts from the witch trials of 1692. You will find a large room with life-sized wax figurines and a recording telling the story of the Salem Witch Trials, followed by a guided tour of a room detailing and discussing the evolution of witch hunts. It is an eerie and educational place that will enrich your Salem experience. Also, note that children are welcome but younger kids may be scared by some of the displays.
Best and worst time to go to the Salem Witch Museum
The museum is open year round with only a few closures: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and weekdays the first two weeks of January. The museum closes early on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Weekdays are your best bet, though with presentations every half hour, if it's crowded due to a tour group, wander the charming town and come back to the museum in a bit. There are extended hours in October, but the later you go in October, the more crowded the entire town will become.
Must see/do at the Salem Witch Museum
Check out the statue out front of Roger Conant. Though most people assume the statue depicts a witch trial participant, it actually commemorates the founder of Salem. Also, look through the museum's gift shop for fun, but be aware that you'll find witchy, varied, and cheaper shopping throughout the rest of Salem.
Admission to the Salem Witch Museum
Admission is about $10 per adult with reduced rates for seniors and children through age 14. Children under 6 are free.
Parking and Public Transportation to the Salem Witch Museum
There are plenty of metered spots on the streets of Salem as well as a quite a few parking lots. The cheapest lot is the South Harbor Garage on the waterfront (cash only). There is also the Church Street Lot with smart meters (that take cash or credit card) and no time restrictions, but you must pay when you park. The slightly pricier Museum Place Garage is also cash only, paid upon exit, but is in a great location for tourists right across the street from the Salem Regional Visitor Center. For public transportation, take the #450 or #455 bus from Haymarket (in Boston) to Salem, or take the Commuter Rail from North Station to the Salem Station. Additionally, there is a ferry from Boston to Salem.
Food at the Salem Witch Museum
The museum itself is small and does not have a restaurant, but Salem has plenty of dining options. Salem Beer Works is a popular microbrewery with generous portions of tasty comfort food.
Insider tip for visitors to the Salem Witch Museum
October in Salem is like the mall on Black Friday: crowded and often overwhelming. If you go to Salem on a weekend in October, plan to spend hours (more as you approach Halloween) in traffic and looking for parking. You will see people dressed in costume all month, which is fun. On Halloween and Halloween weekend, you'll see a huge mass of people in costumes, many of them drunk; you may or may not find this as fun. Parking is certainly not fun, but scary; park at the Beverly T station or further and take the train with all the other costumed commuters.
Author's bio: Deborah Jarvis is a freelance writer who grew up and currently lives in the Greater Boston Area. She never pahks her cah in Hahvahd Yahd and tries not to drive like she's from Boston if she can help it. She has been to Salem on Halloween and lived to tell about it.
The Pilgrim Hall Museum houses treasured possessions of those first courageous settlers. Among those irreplaceable treasures are William Bradford's Bible, Myles Standish's sword, the only portrait of a Pilgrim (Edward Winslow) painted from life, the cradle of New England's first–born, Peregrine White, the great chair of William Brewster and the earliest sampler made in America, embroidered by the teenage daughter of Myles Standish. The Museum is located in the heart of historic Plymouth Center.
Best recognized as the red house on the Post Road, Putnam Cottage is a historic site built around 1690. Originally called Knapp's Tavern during the American Revolution, the house became known as the place from which General Israel Putnam made his famous escape from the invading British. In 1906, the house was turned into a museum. Although it underwent various renovations during the 19th century, today the building has been restored to its original design. On Sunday afternoons visitors can tour the inside to experience true colonial living conditions.
The Witch Dungeon Museum has a long history of educating and entertaining tourists. Stop in to view a live reenactment of the 1692 Salem witch trials. The reenactment uses text taken from the original trial transcripts. After the performance, take a guided tour through the witch dungeon and other notable witch trial locations, including Gallows Hill.
This location houses the archives and resource center for historical activities and events in the Saint Charles area, including city and county will, probate, circuit court and naturalization records. The building is on the National Register of Historic Landmarks.
The Historical Society of Glastonbury was established in 1936 to preserve the town's historical heritage and to display it in an educational and entertaining manner. Its museum, located in the former town hall at 1944 Main Street, houses exhibits ranging from Native American artifacts to early 20th century items. The society maintains an extensive schedule of house tours and walking tours, and hosts the annual Farm Festival and Antiques Festival.
The Mary Baker Eddy Library is a public educational museum dedicated to Mary Baker Eddy's life and achievements. It offers such exhibits as The Hall Of Ideas, a Mapparium and the Quest Gallery. It also features Impressions On Paper.
While Salem, Mass., is notorious for the witchcraft hysteria, according to the folks at the New England Pirate Museum, it wasn't the so-called "witches" who were the ones causing the real trouble around these parts. The museum offers visitors the chance to see recovered artifacts, board a full-scale pirate ship, and explore an 80-foot pirate cave. Additionally, tour guides recount stories of Blackbeard, Captain Kidd and others, providing a historical perspective while keeping the overall atmosphere lighthearted and fun.
The Grosse Ile Historical Museum consists of two historical buildings from the 1870s: the Michigan Central Railroad Depot and the Customs House, which was moved to the site in 1979 from its original location on Macomb Street. The two buildings are in the East River Road National Historic District, which includes the St. James Episcopal Church chapel and six private homes. In addition to artifacts on display from the early days of the island's history, art and handicrafts are often for sale at the museum, especially during the holiday season.
Pohick Church has a lengthy history in Northern Virginia. It was built in 1774 and was the church of George Washington and George Mason. The church is a longtime member of the Anglican and Episcopalian Churches. The well-kept grounds of the church are available for tours and the church itself is open to the public from 9am - 4:30pm. Services are held on Sunday at 7:45am, 9am and 11am. The first service is traditional, the second is contemporary and the third combines aspects of both. In the summer months there are only two services -- at 8am and 10am.
There are also services during the week at the Fairfax Retirement Home at 2:30pm on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesdays at 7:30am there is laying on of the hands service. Bible Study is on Saturday mornings at 8am.
The church rector is Donald B. Binder.
