As a life long New Englander I've always loved fall. Cooler temperatures, no humidity, nights by the firepit and, of course, all the beautiful colors. Halloween is one of my family’s favorite holidays. You know that one house in each neighborhood that goes all out with the lights and displays? That would be my house. Each year I try to come up with an original design and concept. For inspiration we take an annual road trip north to the epicenter of Halloween - Salem Massachusetts. 

Founded in 1629, Salem was a major Seaport with trade routes to China, Asia, India and Africa. The original customs house is a must see. The city is best known  for the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Over 200 people were accused of witchcraft and ultimately 25 were executed. The witch trial memorial near the common burial ground is in the heart of Salem and a solemn reminder of the mass hysteria that consumed a village. Two very famous must-read books about Salem are The House of the Seven Gables and The Crucible.

Modern Salem looks vastly different from the fishing village of the 1600's. Only a handful of original buildings exist today. Much of the architecture today is early 20th century style buildings which still gives Salem an older small town feel. The center of Salem is definitely designed for walking. Essex street is the brick and cobblestoned heart of downtown Salem. From the Hawthorne hotel down to the Witch House of Salem, all the main shops and iconic ¨witchy¨ stuff can be found along  this corridor of history.

A five minute walk down to Wharf street brings you to Salem’s historic waterfront and marina. Here you can visit the 17th century merchant ship The Friendship, walk out to the light house for an amazing photo, enjoy good food, unique shops and take a sunset cruise on a 17th century schooner. Down on the wharf you can visit the Enchanted Shop home of Salem's official number one witch - Laurie Cabot. Salem largely in part earned the moniker ¨Witch City¨ from Ms. Cabot's unwavering efforts to promote Wicca and change the public's perception of modern witchcraft since the 1970’s.

After visiting the Wharf street area make your way along Derby street and turn right onto Libbey street. You have just entered the sanctum sanctorum of Salem. Home to Frankenstein's castle, Salem Witch Village and the lost library, the common burial ground and the Salem Witch Trial Memorial. This location is where many of the candlelight ghost tours start. Head up Libbey street to Charter street and turn right. You are behind the Peabody Essex museum. A quick left takes you through Axelrod park walkway. A scenic, quiet and artsy section of Salem. The end of Axelrod park returns you to the main section of the Essex street brick market. 

Several museums worth visiting are The House of the Seven Gables, The Customs House, the Salem Witch Museum (near the park), the Witch House of Salem and the Witch Dungeon Museum. During September and October all the attractions and museums are crowded and tickets are limited. Plan accordingly. This year a very special pop up museum showcased in Salem. The Warren Museum which is owned by comedian Matt Rife and his business partner. After Ed and Lorraine Warren passed away Matt Rife bought their house and paranormal museum in Connecticut.

The pop up attraction includes paranormal artifacts from around the world, letters and artifacts from infamous serial killers like Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy and Ed Gein. The highlight of the tour is the most haunted doll in the world. Annabelle. The creepiest Raggedy Anne doll you will ever see. The Warren Museum is open right through Halloween. My wife and I visited at the end of September and thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely a must see attraction for fans of paranormal shows and all things creepy.

If you are spending the weekend in Salem I highly recommend visiting Winter Island, Salem Pioneer Village, Proctors Ledge Memorial and taking a walk through the historic Chestnut district of Salem. A quick ride over to Marblehead should also be on your radar. Marblehead became a town in 1649 and is considered the birthplace of America's Navy. The views from Grace Oliver beach, Castle Rock and Chandler Hovey Park are spectacular. Continue over the causeway to Nahant island and visit Henry Cabot Lodge park for amazing views of the north shore rocky coastline and Atlantic Ocean.

Salem explodes with people during September and October, which if you are into all things Halloween, this is the best time to go. However, Salem is more than a Halloween town. It is a time capsule of early American life and history. My wife and I actually find that the best time to visit Salem is the late spring around the beginning of May. The weather is comfortable, all the shops, pubs and museums are open and the parking is cheap and easy. Salem in the spring is a great day trip.

Getting to Salem is fairly easy. Salem is located about 18 miles north of Boston. You can drive in or take a train right into downtown. Just follow 95 north to the Peabody exit. You can use the Proctor Tomb location as a marker to make sure you have the right exit. How much does a day trip to Salem cost?  With parking, drinks, dinner, museums and souvenirs plan on spending $175 to $300 for the day. Obviously walking around and looking in the shops is free, but for a really good time budget accordingly.

Salem is one of those New England towns you fall in love with. It is one of my familyś favorite annual day trips. You won't be disappointed. Happy travels!

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