East Coast Family (Part 6)~ Salem, MA

One of the first places I wanted to see around Boston was Salem. This place intrigued me as a little girl when I had heard the stories of the Reverend Samuel Parris and the infamous trial of Rebecca Nurse, as well as many others.

My SIL didn't tell me it was much more than that. And I am glad she didn't. What a great day of discovery and history!! First stop? The Visitor's Center.


We had to have Little Man try on the hats!! He is so handsome!!

After strolling through the gift shop, spotting items we wanted to take home later that day, we waited outside for the trolley. The perfect way to find out what you want to see in Salem!! While waiting, my camera itched for some pictures of the kids!!

Along the tour we saw some amazing historical architecture. It was so much fun seeing these original establishments and some of their remodeled neighbors.

Along the way, we noticed a long red line painted on the sidewalks. This is the line to follow for the walking tour around Salem. How handy!!

The Salem Witch House. It is the only building still standing that has direct ties to the Salem Witch trials. I would have loved to go in and tour this, but we had to choose wisely those places we were going. Maybe next time!

The period architecture seen from the Trolley was beautiful!!!

I believe the trolley guide told us we were riding the oldest trolley in Salem. The wood squeaked the entire time. It didn't look worn or anything, but it still made me cringe a couple times when I would hear it as we turned the corners.

One of the places we chose to see in Salem was the House of Seven Gables. Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of Seven Gables and other fine pieces of literature, received his inspiration to write said book. The house where he was born was actually brought to stand right next to it. This was a fun house to go in to see the architecture on the inside. Full of steep staircases, deadly kitchens and a secret passage upstairs. Unfortunately I was not allowed to take pictures inside. (Don't they know I could take some without the flash????) So, you will have to settle for the Visitor's Center.

And the kids area after the tour. They had costumes, a small portion of a ship with wheel to steer... it was a fun break for the kids from all the tours!

The only lighthouse I saw the entire time, Winter Island Light.... it was small, but still beautiful! What is it about lighthouses that drives me to stare into them endlessly?

This building stuck out like a sore thumb. But in a beautiful way. Salem is full of a broad diversity of religious architecture as well as mansions and witchcraft.

Salem, we learned, was a place for pirates, maritime, as well as peaceful pilgrims; great authors; a beautiful place of history. But that was not what brought us to Salem. Salem, MA is better known by almost everyone for the Salem Witch Trials in 1692. So, on we went to the Salem Witch Museum.

Inside these cousins had fun passing time with a bunch of giggles and tickling. They were just plain silly.

Towards the end of the day, we stopped for a group picture. This statue of founder Roger Conant first captures the imagination as one of witchery. But, it is actually one of pilgrimage. He left Plymouth and came to Salem, of which he became the first governor. I don't think he could have possibly imagined the historical significance Salem had in store for itself in many ways!!

We were exhausted. But it was well worth it!! One day (out of three) spent with family unseen for too long. It was worth every second!!