Visit Salem Where The Witch Trials Took Place

In high school I became a tad obsessed with witch trials, especially after reading the Crucible, and The Witch of Blackbird Pond.

While in Boston the opportunity arose to visit Salem, Massachusetts, home of the witch trials.

I was in.

We boarded a train to Salem from Boston.   Salem was beautiful.  It had snowed the evening before so the parks were covered with fresh powdered snow.  

The Salem Witch Trials occurred during 1692-1693.   Men and women were executed for being witches or wizards.   Around 25 were convicted and executed by hanging, or simply died in prison after being convicted for witchcraft.   Even two dogs were hanged!  I mean, really?!?!

There are several museums and sites in Salem dedicated to witches and the Salem witch trials.  We headed to the first one that we had an address for, the Witch Dungeon Museum.  

It was closed.   What?

We stood around stumped, and a local walked by and told us that the "season" doesn't start till April.  We were only a month too early!  He told us that there was a visitors center close by that was open, so we looked at our map and found our way there.

There was only a small handful of people at the visitor's center.  We learned that there was one museum open that was down the road.

We visited the Salem Witch Museum with it's tacky "show" and less than stellar exhibits.  I think the best part was getting some candy at the gift shop.

Perhaps once upon a time maybe 30 years ago, the Salem Witch Museum was at its peak and it was a great museum.  My best advice is that if you want to know more about the Salem Witch Trials then pick up a book and skip this museum.  Salem is a cute little town, but not worth the visit if you only have a short amount of time in Boston or the New England area.

We were excited to head back to Boston, but unfortunately we had to wait quite awhile for our train.  It was sooooo cold.  I'm so glad I live in California!

Date Accomplished:  February 28th, 2008

Have Clam Chowder In New England

While walking the Freedom Trail we made a stop at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, home to a ton of good eats.   As we continued on our path through the trail, we took side note that we would have to try to return in the evening to get some New England Clam Chowder (sometimes known as Boston Clam Chowder).


We somehow made it back to Faneuil Hall from Bunker Hill in the blistering cold.  We walked the entire way, and even got lost in the process.   It was time to reward ourselves with some warm New England Clam Chowder.  There were a few choices to choose from, but I looked around at what the locals were eating and found one place that served the Clam Chowder in bread bowls. 

It was creamy, delicious, and the clams were fresh.   It helped warm my freezing insides too. 

Best clam chowder I've ever had!

Date Accomplished: February 27th, 2008