Salem
Jan 29th, 2001, 12:24 PM
#2
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Salem is a Massachusetts town (small city, actually) with a grand history that was allowed to fall into industrial disrepair and has since regained some of its former charm. The waterfront area was revitalized in part some years ago with restaurants and shops and there are a couple of noteworthy museums, the most famous of which is the Peabody Museum which holds the best collection of ship models in the world outside of the British Admiralty, along with a number of other excellent exhibits. The elegant old mansions in town are also of interest for architectural buffs. The House of Seven Gables is worth a visit and, for the witchcraft set, there's plenty of commercial hype to be had. I don't believe the adjoining city of Peabody has anything in particular to recommend it, but Marblehead is nearby and worth a visit.
Don't have any specific info on campgrounds, but there is likely something to be found in the adjoining towns of Middleton and Danvers.
Don't have any specific info on campgrounds, but there is likely something to be found in the adjoining towns of Middleton and Danvers.
Jan 29th, 2001, 01:48 PM
#3
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Yes, visit Marblehead -- being sure to include both Old Town and Marblehead Neck (for the seaside estates and the view from the light tower). The painting "Spirit of 76" hangs in the Marblehead town hall. Have chowder at the Barnacle at the end of Front (?) St. toward Ft. Sewell.
Also visit Cape Ann -- which includes Gloucester = working fishing village and site of "Perfect Storm", and Rockport = artist town with decent shops and restaurants that are, admittedly, on the touristy side.
Also visit Cape Ann -- which includes Gloucester = working fishing village and site of "Perfect Storm", and Rockport = artist town with decent shops and restaurants that are, admittedly, on the touristy side.
Jan 29th, 2001, 05:53 PM
#4
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We stayed at the Cape Ann Campsites in Gloucester (not too far from Salem) a couple of years ago and thought it was very nice. Some of the campsites overlook the water, and it's just down the road from Wingaersheek Beach, a really lovely public beach.
Mar 19th, 2001, 05:20 PM
#5
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We have been to Salem 3-4 times, they have a great whale watch (India) and the witch house and museum is neat too. The house of 7 Gables is there right by the wharf and be sure to visit the old burying ground. You must go to Marblehead. We spent part of an afternoon watching the fishermen unload the lobsters and it is very quaint. You should have lunch at Matties (sp) they used to make ship masts in the 1600's...good chowder. Swampscott has a nice B&B - Capn' Jacks with beautiful views and Papa John's resturant down the street has great Italian food and good Lobster stew.
Mar 19th, 2001, 06:27 PM
#6
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Salem is crowded and small. Has the expected witch stuff, a few other small museums. Peabody has shopping malls and little else. Just north of these towns are a number of nice (but cold) beaches on Cape Ann - Gloucester, Rockport - with several camp grounds. South of Salem is Harold Parker State Forest which also has a campground. Not a "destination" place - hope you have other reasons to be here.
Mar 19th, 2001, 09:12 PM
#7
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Salem is an interesting town. It's quite congested in the summer, but if you have kids they will like it. I would suggest a visit to the Salem Witch Museum first. It's cliche, but it does give a pretty good history of the witch trials and puts the town into perspective as you explore. There is also a live stage production held nearby several times daily which was very good. I second the house of Seven Gables. It's very interesting even if you're not a fan of Nathanial Hawthorne. We also like Marblehead. It's worth at least half a day. We're especially fond of the artist community there. If my memory serves me (and it doesn't always) it seems we stumbled upon a beautiful drive along the ocean in the Marblehead area (Ocean View Dr. maybe?) Anyway, it had some beautiful homes and estates.
We're not campers so I can't help with that. We stayed in a very quaint old hotel across from the Witch Museum and next to the park.
We're not campers so I can't help with that. We stayed in a very quaint old hotel across from the Witch Museum and next to the park.
Mar 20th, 2001, 08:18 PM
#8
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If you go to Salem, be sure to visit the Witch Museum (not the Witch House) and the House of Seven Gables. Also the Peabody Essex Musuem is excellent. I grew up in Peabody, and there are no tourist spots there. You might want to spend a day or two in Boston: Aquarium, Science Museum, Freedom Trail, Children's Museum, Old Ironsides, etc. Also, down the road from Salem is Cape Ann. Be SURE to visit the Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester if you are in the area. Way cool! Singing Beach in Manchester is lovely, and the Crane Estate in Ipswich schedules outdoor concerts by the ocean. If you have kids, be sure to go to the weekend (maybe only Sunday) magic show at the Cabot Theatre in Beverly. Have fun!
Apr 19th, 2001, 04:26 PM
#10
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Former resident of Salem speaking...a nice place to settle in for a few days, so many day trips to the North (as far as Gloucester, Rockport, Portsmouth and Portland)...recommend In A Pig's Eye on Derby Street for nice, neighborhood pub dinner or Pickerings Wharf for more conventional tourist fare...walk around Salem at night and peek in everyone's living-room windows, colonial homes were built right on the sidewalk and so many are lovingly maintained and restored...Peabody is totally working class with a large shopping mall on the outskirts but nothing else I can think of to offer...if you rent a camper, you can stay (for free? I'm not sure) down at Winter Island, a park near Salem Willows which overlooks Salem Harbor and Peaches Point in Marblehead...ask the Salem Chamber of Commerce for details.
