Bewitched in Salem

Devilish Fun at the Salem Witch Museum

I love history and when October rolls around I always think of fall foliage, Halloween candy, and witches! I decided to take a day trip to the “bewitching” city of Salem, Massachusetts to celebrate this time of year! The day trip called Spooky Salem, organized by Tours of Distinction, stirs up a cauldron of devilish fun.

Salem is known worldwide as the city of the witch trials. It is no surprise that the term witch hunt is traceable to this fascinating and fearsome town. Witchcraft as a pagan religion has grown through the years and has been influenced by TV shows, movies and plays like Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and the Salem Saga. I am a fan of the 1970s show “Bewitched” and found out there was a connection between this popular show and Salem. I decided to visit Salem because I wanted to understand how and why the witch trials started. The flexible itinerary offered by TOD would allow me to delve into this dark chapter of our history at my own pace and to travel with a group of like-minded people.

Situated on the North Shore, Salem is a quaint city of just over 40,000 residents with a notorious history of witches. Walking around the city I could not help but notice Salem’s witch history everywhere - in statues, signs and, of course, in buildings and homes. The first statue I wanted to see was the “Bewitched” statue of Elizabeth Montgomery, who played Samantha Stephens on the television series ”Bewitched”. The statue was erected in 2005 to mark the 40th anniversary of the show which was actually filmed in Salem!

Photo Credit John Andrews

My next stop was a visit to the Salem Witch Museum located in the East Church built between 1844 and 1846. This attraction has become an iconic image for Salem. Just before entering the museum, I saw the statue of Roger Conant, Salem’s founder. This statue is often called the wizard statue and makes for a good photo opportunity! Entering the Salem Witch Museum is like walking back in time when this puritan village was caught up in the witchcraft hysteria of 1692. Here you can relive the trails with life-sized figures, mood lighting, and listen to a stirring narration that offers an interesting overview of the witch trials that sent shivers down my spine! One thing that this museum does well is to clear up misunderstandings about what actually happened in 1692. I also enjoyed the exhibit called “Witches Evolving Perceptions” that delves into the way witches have been viewed through the centuries and what modern witchcraft is like. 

Photo Credit Robert Duschenne

I like the fact that Tours of Distinction balances time on your own with attractions and lunch. There are so many things to see here and, best of all many attractions are located within a twenty-minute walk from each other at their farthest points. It is easy to get around on your own in Salem during your free time by following the Heritage Trail marked in red that links all of Salem’s main sites. From the Witch History Museum, you can walk to the former Daniel Low Building, the Fountain House, the statue of Samantha Stevens, and the 17th-century Witch House which is the only building still standing with direct ties to the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Adjacent to the Witch House is the First Church in Salem which was the parish of the accused during the trials.

After a delicious lunch at Brother’s Taverna that scores high on trip advisor reviews, I had a choice of visiting the Witch’s Dungeon Museum or the Salem Pirate Museum. I decided to visit the Witch’s Dungeon Museum because this award-winning venue is rated as one of the most exciting experiences in Salem, and that is something I didn’t want to miss out on. Here, the Witch Trials come to life as professional actresses reenact these sinister historical events. It was really interesting to see how the Witch Trials got started and how misunderstandings were blown out of proportion with devastating consequences resulting in 19 people hanged, one man pressed to death and, two dogs killed because they gave children the “evil eye.” This immersive experience also shows the horrors the accused had to endure inside the dungeon.

Photo Credit Jarad Charney

Another way to spend your free time is to check out the Salem Haunted Happenings. This is an annual series of events in October that celebrate Halloween. On October 27 there is a Ghosts and Legends Trolley that will take you on a thrilling ride through Salem and point out many of the city’s spooky attractions. For a magically fun time head to the Salem Psychic Fair and Witches’ Market to find out what is in your future and to shop for a variety of magical items. For complete information on Haunted Happenings click here. The Haunted Happenings events are not included in your tour ticket. If you decide to take the Trolley Ride, it is best to get your tickets in advance for this sell-out 50-minute excursion - and, remember to bundle up.

Photo Credit John Andrews

If you enjoy exploring legends and lore, Salem is the perfect day trip any time of year because it is packed with a roster of attractions, statues, and history that is bewitchingly fun!  For tour information click here.