Bewitched Statue In Lappin Park
Watch Samanthas nose on the Bewitched statue in Lappin Park, and see if it twitches!
Not the witch that drew you to Salem, but Samantha from Bewitched has fans of her own.
The 1960s tv show filmed a few episodes in Salem, and the statue was donated to the city by TV Land. Samantha is riding her broom through a crescent shaped moon. Nice photo op for fans of the show.
The Old Burying Point Cemetery & The Salem Witch Trials Memorial
Covered by most guided historical tours and the Salem Trolley Tour, but there are some informational plaques if you want to quick pop in and out.
Several noteworthy people are buried in this cemetery, including colonists that arrived on the Mayflower, the Massachusetts Bay Colonys last governor, and the 1692 Witch Trials judge John Hathorne, author Nathaniel Hawthornes ancestor.
Note that none of the accused witches are buried here, as they were denied burial in consecrated ground.
However, in 1992 a memorial wall that borders the side of the graveyard was constructed in memory of the wrongly accused. Elie Wiesel, the famed Holocaust survivor, author, and Nobel Laureate, dedicated the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, which appropriately features the phrase Lest Terror Be Forgotten.
The House Of The Seven Gables
Combination tickets are available for evening theatrical events this October at The House of the Seven Gables. On select weekend evenings throughout the month, Legacy of the Hanging Judge and Spirits of the Gables bring Nathaniel Hawthornes characters to life with theatrical performances done live in these historic buildings. Combination tickets for both performances are $32 , and may be purchased online at 7Gables.org. Be sure to book performances at least 50 minutes apart so you have enough time to experience both.
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The Witch Dungeon Museum
Salem, Massachusetts
The Witch Dungeon Museum features a live witch trial, a most entertaining presentation of justice. It’s located right where it all happened back in 1692.
The show begins with several minutes of preparatory narration, piped into a “courtroom” filled with tourists. Stage curtains slowly pull back to reveal a shadowy court bench and jury box, containing roughly a dozen trail participants.
The proceedings get underway quickly, but it soon becomes apparent to the more attentive audience members that only two of the performers are actually alive. The rest are thinly-disguised dummies that fail to move an inch or utter a syllable during the entire show. However, the prosecutor and the accused, Sarah Goode, are animated — animated enough to make up for a whole dungeon of dummies.
Every summer a new duo of aspiring actresses work their thespian magic here. The witch gets to be spooky by cackling and prancing about in a moldy, hooded cape, but it’s the prosecutor who has the lion’s share of great moments. Our favorite is her twitching struggle with some invisible demon as she shrieks, “She has the devil’s mark! She’s biting me!!!” The audience accepts all this in dead earnest, even at the climax when the witch, ranting incoherently, plunges into the crowd, whacks the pressure bar on the nearest exit door, and disappears!
How To Get To Salem Massachusetts
Boston is the gateway to Salem. Of course, you can drive to Salem if youre already in the area, but visitors from out of town will likely fly into Boston Logan International Airport and stay in the Boston area.
If you plan to rent a car, then Salem is only a 30-45 minute drive northeast of downtown and the airport.
But Boston also has good public transportation, by American standards, and you can hop a train from downtown out to Salem.
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What Happened In Salem Massachusetts
It all started with a couple of young girls acting strangely and when pressured by adults for a reason, they made accusations. It spiraled into neighbors accusing neighbors, over a hundred accusations, people being struck by witchcraft, arrests, torture, bogus trials, and a total of 25 people dying for connections to witchcraft.
It makes for a thrilling story today, but, unfortunately, its all true. That all happened to real people.
Nineteen people were hanged, five died in prison, and one poor soul, who refused to say anything after being arrested, was pressed to death .
The dogs were put down when the girls accused the animals of giving them the evil eye and they were assumed to be agents of Satan.
The number of he-said-she-said accusations, citing dreams as evidence of guilt, and the general pathetic excuse for justice dealt out at the trials eventually led to public outcry.
Judges publicly admitted to error in judgement, and the colonial government eventually admitted the trials were a mistake and compensated the families of the accused and the executed.
Its historys great warning of what can happen when lies and accusations mix with fear of the unknown and multiply through a community.
Not the only time in the history of the world that its happened, but it left a significant impression on Americas psyche.
The 1692 Salem Witch Museum
Built in a desanctified church, the Salem Witch Museum makes my short list for several reasons. First, it doesnt sugar coat the Salem Witch Trials. Second, the life-sized, 360-degree show is fascinating, even for school-aged children. Lastly, the museum downstairs has a story angle that takes on a witches through the ages-style angle.
Address: 19 1/2 N Washington Square, Salem, MA 01970
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Best Museums In Salem Ma: House Of The Seven Gables
If youre a literary fan, TheHouse of the Seven Gablesis probably on your radar. Written by Nathaniel Hawthorne, the mansion was owned by his relatives and it actually inspired the book.
So, what if youre not a fan of the book, its still a cool lesson in architecture and Salem lineage. While the house didnt look exactly like the book depicted, additions were made to make it feel more immersive.
Address: 115 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970
Thanks again to Destination Salem for the assistance in writing this article!
Best Museums In Salem Ma: Witch Dungeon Museum
Definitely one of my favorites, the Witch Dungeon Museum offers a recreated dungeon and tells the back story of the horrible conditions the poor souls inside had to bear. But what really impressed me was the live reenactment of a trail. The performers were astoundingly good!
Address: 16 Lynde St, Salem, MA 01970
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How To Reach Witch History Museum
- Rent a car or hire a taxi.
Love this? Explore the entire list of places to visit in Salem before you plan your trip.
Fancy a good nightâs sleep after a tiring day? Check out where to stay in Salem and book an accommodation of your choice.
- Witch History Museum Address: 197 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970, USA, 01970, United States
- Witch History Museum Contact Number: +1-9787417770
- Witch History Museum Timing: 10:00 am â 05:00 pm
- Best time to visit Witch History Museum: 01:00 pm â 04:00 pm
- Time required to visit Witch History Museum: 01:00 Hrs
- Try the best online travel planner to plan your travel itinerary!
Salem Witch Museums Sticker Savings
Save your admission sticker and your receipt when you visit the Salem Witch Museum for access to a list of savings for other sites around Salem. Discounts are available for psychic readings, walking tours, shops, restaurants, and more. Plan your trip to the Salem Witch Museum early in your trip to Salem so you can make the most of these discounts throughout the day. Get admission prices for the museum at SalemWitchMuseum.com.
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Goth Travel Guide To Salem Ma Witch Museum Tickets Gothic Witchcraft Count Orlok Nightmare Gallery Horror
When I was in Salem MA, a child came up to me and yelled Witchhh! Witchhh! I took it as a compliment that she put me on trial .
This September, I made a Goth pilgrimage to Salem, Massachusetts the center of the 1692 century witch trials. As youll see, this little American town lives up to its notoriety as the ultimate Gothic destination.
The sign Enter if you Dare is apt. I have several friends who didnt plan out their trip to Salem well, and ended up being disappointed .
Fear not if youre planning a trip to the witch capital, then this Goth travel blogger has got you covered. Here lies part 1 of my guide to getting the most out of a day trip to Salem MA, including how to plan transportation and see all the darkest, witchiest attractions.
How to maximize Salem, in a nutshell Come between spring-fall, but avoid the October tourist rush. Weekdays are less crowded, but make sure the places you want to see are open .Arrive around 10am, when the museums and shops open. Go to the Witch Museum first, as ticket slots sell quickly. Then make your rounds of other attractions and stores before things close around 5-6pm. End with a visit to the Satanic Temple & Art Gallery, as it requires an Uber and closes at 7 or 8pm. .
Lets start with how to get to Salem. Unless youre able to fly on a broom, most travellers come over from Boston as this is the closest major city and airport.
Lissette and I had until 5-6pm to see Salems other museums and boutiques .
Whose Statue Is Out Front
A handsome statue of Roger Conant, the founder of Salem, stands outside the Salem Witch Museum. Because of the statues proximity to the museum and because of his cloak and hat and generally impressive appearance, Roger Conant is often mistaken for a participant in the Salem witch trials. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
We know that Roger Conant was baptized in All Saints Church in the parish of East Budleigh, Devonshire, England on April 9, 1592. His father was the leading merchant of Clayton, a neighboring parish. Family tradition says that as a boy young Roger met Sir Walter Raleigh. Later Conant and his young family came to New England probably arriving in Plymouth in 1622.
The Dorchester Company established a fishing settlement on Cape Ann during the winter of 1623-24 under a charter with England. Located at Stage Point, now Gloucester, the company invited Roger Conant to join them in 1625 as their governor for the management and government of all their affairs at Cape Ann.
After a years residence, Conant became convinced of the need for a more permanent settlement and found an ideal site at the mouth of the Naumkeag River . There the settlement thrived and grew by farming as well as fishing. When Governor Endicott arrived in 1628, he incorporated Conant and his men into the new government. . Known as the Old Planters, Conant and his followers lent continuity to the new settlement and can be considered the founding fathers of Naumkeag, renamed Salem for
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Gallows Hill Museum/theatre & Witch Pix
Visit Gallows Hill Museum/Theatre and experience history, entertainment, and excitement all in one place. Save money while experiencing multiple attractions with a variety of combination tickets for the Gallows Hill Main Show, Myth, Magic, Madness, and Mayhem Walking Tour, Lost Museum, Ghost & Legends Trolley, and Tales & Ales. Combination ticket prices range from $22 for adults and $14 for kids to $34 for adults and $24 for kids based on the attractions selected. Learn more and purchase advance tickets at GallowsHillSalem.com.
New for 2019, combo tickets are now available for the Gallows Hill Museum/Theatre and Witch Pix! The package includes a premium costumed photo shoot and VIP entry to the Gallows Hill Main Show and the Lost Museum. This 10% discount is available weekends in September and midweek throughout October and prices and details are available from both the Gallows Hill Museum/Theatre and Witch Pix.
Take The Ferry To Salem
The ferry is available seasonally, April 1 through October 1, and takes the longest but has the best views. Trust us, you wouldnt want to be on the cold and windy Atlantic during the winter anyway.
Boston Harbor Cruises operates the ferry from Boston to Salem. Board the ferry at Long Wharf, right next to the New England Aquarium. Enjoy a sunny cruise up the coast and arrive at the Salem Ferry Terminal on Blaney Street.
Adult tickets are $56 roundtrip, or $31 one way.
Pro Tip: Save some time and money and combine a one way train ride with a one way ferry trip. If you time it right, youll arrive in Salem earlier than a ferry can you get there and then later catch a sunset ferry back to Boston.
Boston Harbor Cruises also offers a combo ticket with the Salem Trolley Tour company for $76. Considering the Trolley Tour costs $20 per adult, you arent receiving any savings but you are saving the hassle of two transactions, if that matters to you.
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Salem Witch Museum: The Complete Guide
Courtesy of Salem Witch Museum
The town of Salem, Massachusetts, is best known for its role in American History as the site of the Witch Trials of 1692. Today, visitors from near and far head to Salemincluding the Salem Witch Museumto experience this piece of history and learn about witchcraft and the events that took place.
Free Tickets For Salem Residents:
The Salem Witch Museum offers free admission to residents of Salem. According to the Salem Witch Museums website, the museum began offering free admission to Salem residents starting in 2010 in an effort to make itself more accessible to the local community.
The museums website doesnt say what type of proof is required, if any, but a simple drivers license or identification with an address on it will probably do just fine.
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Visiting Salem Massachusetts: Have An Adventure In Witch City In One Day
Salem, Massachusetts is one of Americas most well-known historically haunted cities, thanks to movies and books like Hocus Pocus and The Crucible, and to its real-life history with the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Salem has embraced its history and the town has equal parts amazing history tours and museums and cheesy witch museums and shops.
Salem is an easy day trip from Boston or a convenient first stop on a road trip into Maine. There are plenty of things to do in Salem, but what if you only have one day? Use this itinerary to hit the highlights and explore Salem in one day.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
History Of The Witch Dungeon Museum
This museum has been sharing a particularly interesting recounting of the Salem Witch Trials since 1979. The building was initially designed as a chapel for the East Church and you can still see the resemblance to a church today. After a fire in 1902, the East Churchs congregation relocated elsewhere in Salem. The building was then passed on to the Church of Christ Scientist. The new owners began holding their services in the building in 1908 and continued until 1979. Then, the Witch Dungeon Museum purchased the building. Its been running as one of the many Salem Witch Trials attractions in the Witch City ever since.
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Please Read Carefully Terms And Conditions
Tickets are only available to purchase online on the day of your visit. Click the Purchase Same Day Ticket box on the upper right hand corner of the website, anytime after Midnight. Purchase is ONLINE ONLY at this time of the year.
We cannot change or switch the ticket time you have selected. Tickets are non-refundable. Choose your time wisely!
You understand your party must check in on time for your reservation. The arrival time is listed on your ticket. Make everyone in your party aware of this information, as we offer limited tickets, and We DO NOT REFUND you if you are late and can not see the presentations.
You will check your spam or junk folder if you do not see your ticket confirmation email.
Best Museums In Salem Ma: Old Town Hall
Not a museum, but definitely worthy of making this list is Old Town Hall. Again with the movie reference, in Hocus Pocus its where Max, Dani, and Allison run to find their parents and where the Sanderson Sisters sing I Put a Spell on You.
During open hours, a super cool Mrs. Havishams Parlor photo opportunity is available for a fee.
Address: 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA 01970
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Tips For A Great Trip:
- Each child is unique: One of my four kids was a little nervous given how dark some of the exhibits were, but it was not anything like a haunted house. There were some exhibits that showed violence as it relates to the history of the Witch Trials, but they were not overly realistic and my kids were not intimidated by them. I do think it’s worth noting that you should consider each child individually when deciding whether or not to visit.
- Educational Curriculum: ensure that you’re making the trip educational by taking advantage of the resources provided to you by the Witch Dungeon Museum and the New England Pirate Museum – perfect for homeschoolers, school groups, and all interested parents!
- Don’t forget the combo ticket! You will save $8 when you buy a combo ticket to visit all 3 museums and they’re all easy to visit in one day while still leaving room to do other touristy stuff in Salem like just browsing the pedestrian mall area!
The Witch Dungeon Museum, Witch History Museum, and New England Pirate Museum are recommended destinations if you are visiting Salem, Massachusetts! They do a fantastic job of combining history with the fun and silliness of Halloween, in a campy and memorable way. You can learn more about the three museums, and the combo tickets at
Read about some of the other adventures we’re having on our Year-Long Road Trip!
