Salem goes all out for the Halloween/Samhain season, and I'd been wanting to check it out for ages. Sheila & I decided to go up there and we could not have asked for a better day! Parked at the downtown garage and headed out on foot. It was a little chilly but I'm glad I wore shorts anyway. These next few posts will be in honour of Halloween. I hope you enjoy the creepiness!
The decorations and celebrations are incredible.
Last time I was up there, I totally missed the statue dedicated to Elizabeth Montgomery and 'Bewitched'.
It was placed there courtesy of the TV Land network but it didn't say what year.
The shopping up there is just the best. I could've dropped thousands of dollars so easily. This sign was in the store called Hex.
There's a lot more foliage up there than down the Cape yet.
This is The Witch House, built in 1642. We didn't take any tours....too much to see on foot and no time to take tours.
The Unitarian Church next door.
In a house across the street. Note the raven on the skull's head.
Coolest architecture up there.
Lots of creepy stuff.
Although I've seen bits and pieces of the movie 'Hocus Pocus', almost everyone I know is a huge fan, including Russell, my stepkids and Sheila. They offer HP walking tours but I jotted down a few of the movie shooting locations and we went on our own. Town Hall was used as an exterior for a party scene.
Next up, the old burial ground!
Interesting town JoJo. Never been there. They certainly like Hallowe'en. Love your pictures as usual. Wish I was that handy with a camera. I never even remember to take mine - don't have a phone which takes pix unfortunately. Stephen Tremp's Salem's Daughters is out now. He is doing a blog tour.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo! There will be at least 3-4 more Salem posts....there was so much to take pics of! And I still need a 3rd trip up there to hit all the stuff we weren't able to visit this time.
DeleteHow fun - I was just reading about the Elizabeth Montgomery statue the other day. And you gave me a chance to see it!
ReplyDeleteNever cared to visit that part of the country too much, but I admit Salem intrigues me...
I hope you change your mind and check it out here....esp. early to mid October to see the foliage. It's peaking in New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine right now.
Deleteoh how fun! I've not yet been to Salem, but need to go. I love the architecture in these old New England towns. thx for the virtual tour!
ReplyDeleteSalem's so worth seeing!!! There will be a few more posts as there was a lot to do and see.
DeleteGorgeous! I've been to Salem once and now want to go back.
ReplyDeleteReally, I just want somebody to pay me to drive around New England for the next month or so. The cat can ride in the back seat.
I know right? If I didn't have dog care issues, my husband and I would've been touring New Hampshire by now. I haven't been up there in the fall since the 80s.
DeleteSorry to take the depressing view, but isn't it sad a town has to base its fame and success on the murder of a bunch of innocent people (mostly women)? I was a student in Lancaster where the Lancashire witches were tried and executed on the early 1600s, and actually had the experience of being shut for a few moments into the cell where they were held for months - once the door was shut there was zero light. A friend of mine changed his name because he was descended from the family of one of the so-called "witches", he found the name Nutter is a bit too memorable to chance.
ReplyDeleteWell...yeah....I do agree with you. But that said, if it wasn't for all that stuff, Salem would be just another depressed, run down town with no revenue, like so many of the towns around and near it. At least it helps bring a little trickle down revenue to those other towns b/c people pass through and stop to get gas, convenience store, fast food, etc. There is an upcoming post of the graveyard and the benches dedicated to each person killed in the witch trials. There were more men than I thought. I only knew about Giles Corey.
DeleteI haven't been to Salem in years. Went once on a class trip to see the House of Seven Gables. Then again when I lived in Hopkinton, MA. Never went at Halloween though. I don't think they did it up quite so much 30 years ago, lol... I just love Halloween.
ReplyDeleteI've been near the House of 7 Gables but it's expensive to tour it and they put a fence all the way around it so you can't even really shoot pics from the street like you can with the Witch House above. Halloween's really come into it's own over the past 20 years. It might overtake Christmas in terms of decorations and stuff!
DeleteThat Bewitched statue was a great idea, but the execution looks a little weird. I'm not sure Elizabeth Montgomery would feel complimented.
ReplyDeleteKristy
At least it looks like her...did you see that horrible one of Lucille Ball that was in a park in her hometown? She was holding a spoon of vitameatavegamin but it doesn't even look like her. It's grotesque and creepy. They finally took it down.
DeleteAwesome post JoJo! Can't wait to see the upcoming ones. Once again, I have to say how beautiful your part of the country looks. Thanks for the amazing photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Yeah I kinda over did it with the photos so much so that I had to break them up into five total posts.
DeleteWhat an awesome place to visit during this time of year! Although I hate winter, I can tolerate fall because of the gorgeous color of the leaves and that fall smell in the morning. Plus all the neat decorations. But after thanksgiving…boo hiss. Well, okay, fine. I like a couple of weeks before Christmas but then after that, I'm over it. :)
ReplyDeleteWe are still waiting for the foliage down here on the Cape. And it got into the 20s last night. I am sooooo not ready for this at all.
DeleteMore great photos. I haven't been to Salem in nearly 30 years. My oldest daughter was very young then, but her visit there impressed her so much that a couple years ago she went back with her husband and kids to see it again. They loved it.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Thanks Lee! I hope you like the rest of the series of pics I took. It's a lovely and quaint town (at least the historic district is). I still need like one more trip to see everything else.
DeleteI'm loving the fact that there's a statue dedicated to Elizabeth Montgomery. She was much prettier and less creepy, though, even if that was the intent. Once again, I'm impressed by all the fun shenanigans in your neighborhood, JoJo. Keep enjoying, for all of us.
ReplyDeleteThanks Robyn! I don't really think it looks all that bad, the statue. It really does look better in person. I think it's the shadows.
DeleteWOW...so cool!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is! Then I watched Hocus Pocus the other night and it was neat to see all the places we took pics of.
DeleteI'd love to visit there.
ReplyDeleteThat'd be great! I would finally get to meet you!
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