Destinations / The best touristic attractions in Massachusetts / Salem

  Salem is a historical city in state Massachusetts, and it’s a residential and tourist area. This is a city known as a mix of important historical sites, New Age and Wiccan boutiques, and kitschy Halloween or witch-themed attractions. People come here to see the mystic place and to try to understand the rich history of the City of Salem. The Salem City has a very wicked past. Due to its past, this city has a variety of attractions that retell the history for which the town is best known. So, since 1626, Salem has been attracting people from all points of the area. This City is known as the site of the Salem witchcraft trials of 1692. It’s a lively and very colorful coastal city and has a lot to offer to both residents and visitors: a culturally diverse population, a rich maritime heritage, an impressive display of historic architecture and amazing stories that span almost four centuries. Salem offers to the people a variety of beauty and a great number of attractions including Halloween attractions, the Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery, Salem Massachusetts haunted ghost tour.

  Most part of the Salem City is made up of museums. The most important and the most frequently visited is The Salem Witch Museum. This museum is one of eleven sites and brings you back to Salem 1692. Visitors are given a dramatic history lesson using stage sets with life-size figures, lighting and a narration - an overview of the Witch Trials of 1692. The showpiece of the museum is a dramatic presentation which goes into historic detail and poses various theories as to why the events took place. The most important Museum exhibits are very old cards, old games and novelties, different things that were used for Halloween, old accessories and jewelry. This might be a bit frightening for younger children but serves as a terrific orientation and introduction to Salem's blemished history. Beside The Salem Witch Museum, in Salem City you can find other witch museums like Peabody Essex Museum - founded in 1799 and home to fascinating art and history collections, Witch Dungeon Museum – has some reenactments of a Salem Witch Trial adapted from 1692 transcripts, Salem Wax Museum of Witches & Seafarers – futures many of the characters from Salem's past, realistically recreated in wax, The New England Pirate Museum – futures a collection of memorabilia from the days when notorious sea-robbers like Blackbeard and Captain Kidd terrorized the waters off Boston's North Shore. All of these museums are a unique experience and every person should visit them.

  Beside museums, in Salem you can visit The Salem Maritime National Historic Site, which consists of 12 historic structures. It was the first American National Historic Site, and interprets the triangular trade during the colonial period. The Salem Maritime National Historic Site embraces multiple touristic objectives like The Friendship of Salem - a replica of a 1797 East Indiaman, built in 2000, Derby Wharf - Salem's longest wharf, Derby House - built in 1762 as a wedding gift, Narbonne House – build 1675, Hawkes House , Salem Custom House - the 13th Custom House in Salem.
Another interesting spot in Salem City is the House of Seven Gables. The House of Seven Gables is one of the oldest surviving 17th century wooden mansions in New England. The house has been renovated several times, but many interesting features of the original mansion are still visible, including unusual forms of wall insulation, original beams and rafters, and extensive Georgian paneling.
  Other attractions that people might find interesting can be counted the Salem 1630 Pioneer Village, The Phillips House - a federal mansion filled with artifacts, Pickering House - the oldest house continuously occupied by the same family, The Old Burying Point -  Salem's oldest cemetery containing the graves of a Mayflower pilgrim and witchcraft trial judge John Hathorne, ancestor of Nathaniel Hawthorne.
 
  Besides all of the historical places, impressive museums and old houses, in Salem there is a place that attracts everyone’s attention called Salem Common. Salem Common is a beautiful park with captivating green space in the center of the City. This place is always full of people that come here to relax after a long stressful day, or came here to spend the time with the family or friends. This park is also used for concerts and community activities. Even if it’s not so old, the park has an incredible architectural beauty.
Besides Salem Common park, in Salem is another park called Salem Willows Amusement Park. The park has very beautiful shaded seaside basis, picturesque ocean views, public pier, stages for concerts, picnic areas, beaches, children's rides, activities and many amusement games. This park has a fascinating history that is described briefly in Salem Tales.
Winter Island is an exotic island connected by a causeway to Salem. Over the years it has served a multitude of purposes including fish drying, shipbuilding, and public recreation. Winter Island has its own fascinating history, some of which is mentioned in Salem Tales. The main attractions on this island are: Fort Pickering Lighthouse, Waikiki Beach, Boat Launch, Salem Harbor, a boat launching ramp, and the former Coast Guard seaplane hangar and barracks, Seasonal Dinghy Rack Storage, Camp Store, and Reserved Picnic Areas.

 

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