Anyone here live in Danvers, MA? Going to the Salem witch museums..

[C.Ann]

Having a hard time finding accomodations for my road trip - first stop Salem, MA. - the witch museums.. Seems there are a number of hotels/motels in the Danvers area though..

Is this a large city? Easy to drive around in? Anyone know how long it takes to get to Salem from there?

Any other cities nearby where I could check for accomodations?

Thanks!

 

[SetzKitten]

I lived in Danvers several years ago. It's a great little town. The center of town is very small, but the town itself is quite large and spread out. Depending on where you are, it's about 5 to 15 minutes to Salem. There are two main highways (Rt. 1 and Rt 128) that run through it. It's pretty easy to navigate. I also think it's a very safe town. I really liked living there.

 

[UnderTheMistletoe]

I have done several pageants in Danvers, Ma. They always seemed to be held at the Sheraton Ferncroft Resort. It's a very nice facility- very comfortable with all the ammenities (a nice restaurant, a salon, pool, spa, etc). We did a day in Salem and I remember the ride being less than 10 miles- closer to five it seemed. I remember sleeping really well there, too, despite all the excitment and commotion- the beds were really lovely!

 

[Sirius]

Isn't Danvers the old Salem village? I think they changed the name around 1752.

 

[mtemm]

danvers is an easy drive to salem. In salem, make sure to check out the Witch Dungeon Museum (much better than the witch museum, at least imho). Peobody is right next to danvers, so same story.

 

[Teejay32]

I used to live there too. You'll have to got through Peabody or Beverly to get to Salem. Not a long drive at all but avoid the 8:30am and 5pm traffic. For hotels I think the Rt. 1 area is the best bet: Danvers, Peabody, Lynnfield or Saugus.

 

[tar heel]

We visited the Rebecca Nurse house years ago -- is it still open. It was fascinating and very informal. We were the only people there, and the caretaker (who might have been a volunteer) was mowing the lawn when we got there. Some of the stuff in Salem was kind of hokey -- there was even a Halloween-type witch to have your picture made with.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I work in Salem, MA, and drive through Danvers to get here. During rush hour, it takes me about 30 minutes to get to Salem from Danvers. Without traffic, the commute would be considerably less, of course.

Have fun!!!

ETA: When you get to Salem, park your car somewhere and walk everywhere if you can or take the trolley. There's a parking garage at a mall that's pretty cheap ($10 for the entire day during the week...they JUST started charging on weekends) and then there are meters everywhere. You don't have to pay the meter on weekends.

 

[C.Ann]

Thanks all!! Finally found a place right in Salem that looks good..

About 7 years ago my DD and I spent a few hours in Salem and I think I parked in that parking garage that was mentioned here.. Will probably try to find that again and then walk and/or take the trolley around town..

Can't wait! I'm SOOO excited!!!!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

There are some new hotels on Rte. 1. Before you go you should look up some of the haunted spots. The witch dungeon museum is supposed to be haunted. Also walk along the sea coast and go into the places where Nathaniel Hawthorne used to work(custom house). There is candy store across from the House of the Seven Gables that is supposed to be one of the oldest ones in the country. Definately go into the Essex Peabody Museum and also check out the houses out back.
If I were you I would go to the visitors center (near the parking garage) and have the rangers work out the routes to all the places you might want to see. If I were you I would buy one of the books by a man named Cahill that are sold in the center. He was a sheriff in Salem and he writes lots about the history and also the haunted spots etc. IN fact Giles Cory the only accused witch who was pressed to death put a curse on all the furture sheriffs of Salem involving heart problems and even Mr. Cahill had to retire from his job b/c he too succumed to this.

We have eaten in the Hawthorne hotel and it was not too bad for lunch. The grave yard is very interesting also. That is where Nathaniel Hawthorne's great grand father is buried. His last name is Hathorn and he was the judge at the Salem witch trials. Nathaniel put the "w" in the name b/c he was so embarrassed in his ancestor's part in the trials.

I love Salem.

 

[4chitlins]

Grew up in this area. I would say stay in Salem if at all possible. It's much easier to get around walking than driving.Lots of traffic and one ways and just misery at times.
Plus it is a great time of the year to walk around and check out at the stores and attractions like Witch Museum,House of Seven Gables ect.

 

[C.Ann]

Thanks for all that info! I sent away for some info (and have been browsing what is available on the web) so I do have at least "some" idea of what I'd like to see.. Wish the 17th was sooner, but I do have some things I need to take care of before I go, so I guess it's good that I have a little time to get ready..
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There are some new hotels on Rte. 1. Before you go you should look up some of the haunted spots. The witch dungeon museum is supposed to be haunted. Also walk along the sea coast and go into the places where Nathaniel Hawthorne used to work(custom house). There is candy store across from the House of the Seven Gables that is supposed to be one of the oldest ones in the country. Definately go into the Essex Peabody Museum and also check out the houses out back.
If I were you I would go to the visitors center (near the parking garage) and have the rangers work out the routes to all the places you might want to see. If I were you I would buy one of the books by a man named Cahill that are sold in the center. He was a sheriff in Salem and he writes lots about the history and also the haunted spots etc. IN fact Giles Cory the only accused witch who was pressed to death put a curse on all the furture sheriffs of Salem involving heart problems and even Mr. Cahill had to retire from his job b/c he too succumed to this.

We have eaten in the Hawthorne hotel and it was not too bad for lunch. The grave yard is very interesting also. That is where Nathaniel Hawthorne's great grand father is buried. His last name is Hathorn and he was the judge at the Salem witch trials. Nathaniel put the "w" in the name b/c he was so embarrassed in his ancestor's part in the trials.

I love Salem.

 

[C.Ann]

Grew up in this area. I would say stay in Salem if at all possible. It's much easier to get around walking than driving.Lots of traffic and one ways and just misery at times.
Plus it is a great time of the year to walk around and check out at the stores and attractions like Witch Museum,House of Seven Gables ect.

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I've decided on the Clippership Inn.. Most everything else was booked solid and I really didn't want to stay further away..

Now I'm hunting for someplace we might like to stay when we head to the mid-coast Maine region when we leave Salem..

 

[kat3668]

I live next door to Salem and have lived in the surrounding communities for the last 30 some odd years... While you are in Salem make sure you check out Salem Willows.. nice little park with ocean and places to eat... You can also take day cruises for whale watching, and tours etc..You can hop a train to Boston pretty close to downtown and visit fanuiel hall, Quincy market and the Boston waterfront too. The train also goes to Rockport (the end of the line) and you can visit the little shops, and motiff #1 Iove rockport it is so quaint with the little art galleries and such.
I'm sure you will have a wonderful vacation Salem is and awesome place but I may be partial since I was born here..

 

[C.Ann]

Can we get a train from Salem to Rockport? That might be neat.. (I've been there before, but my cousin hasn't..)
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I live next door to Salem and have lived in the surrounding communities for the last 30 some odd years... While you are in Salem make sure you check out Salem Willows.. nice little park with ocean and places to eat... You can also take day cruises for whale watching, and tours etc..You can hop a train to Boston pretty close to downtown and visit fanuiel hall, Quincy market and the Boston waterfront too. The train also goes to Rockport (the end of the line) and you can visit the little shops, and motiff #1 Iove rockport it is so quaint with the little art galleries and such.
I'm sure you will have a wonderful vacation Salem is and awesome place but I may be partial since I was born here..

 

[snowwite]

Can we get a train from Salem to Rockport? That might be neat.. (I've been there before, but my cousin hasn't..)
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Yes.There is a train station by the court house on bridge st.

 

[C.Ann]

Yes.There is a train station by the court house on bridge st.

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Thanks!!

 

[SplshMtn99]

As a child, my DH lived in the house that Nathaniel Hawthorne lived in when he wrote "The Scarlet Letter". 14 Mall St. There is a sign on the house. It was yellow when I saw it a few years ago. It's easy walk off the common near the Witch Musuem. Looks like its been painted - scroll towards bottom:
http://hawthorneinsalem.org/Architecture/HousesinSalem/HawthornesHouse/Images.html Boy, Nathaniel moved around alot.

I think the house is a couple of apts now. It was a tiny apartment when DH lived there at age of 3. I think DH lived on the 3rd floor.

 

[C.Ann]

As a child, my DH lived in the house that Nathaniel Hawthorne lived in when he wrote "The Scarlet Letter". 14 Mall St. There is a sign on the house. It was yellow when I saw it a few years ago. It's easy walk off the common near the Witch Musuem. Looks like its been painted - scroll towards bottom:
http://hawthorneinsalem.org/Architecture/HousesinSalem/HawthornesHouse/Images.html Boy, Nathaniel moved around alot.

I think the house is a couple of apts now. It was a tiny apartment when DH lived there at age of 3.

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Wow! That's interesting! When I was there years ago with my DD and we took the Trolley Tour, my hair was a reddish blonde and the guide told me that if I had lived there during the witch trials I would have been burned at the stake simply because of the color of my hair!!! That was such an interesting tour - this time I'm going to take notes because I forgot much of what I learned..

 

[Jeanny]

C.Ann, I love Salem. I haven't been there for a few years, but it's so much fun to visit there. I went during the summer and we walked all over the city, there's just so much to see!

We went once right before Halloween~ I didn't know if some people were actually dressed up for Halloween or not, we just couldn't tell.

have fun