Salem, MA budget travel ideas

[StitchBuddy]

We leave for a trip to New England in a couple of days. We will be staying in Salem, MA 1 or 2 nights any suggestions for what we should do?? Are there any good corn mazes close by? Thanks!

 

[pipervali]

Salem is reportedly one of the most haunted places in America, and it being October, you won't find a shortage of 'creepy' things to do. There are quite a few places you can take ghost tours through. You can visit the Salem Witch Trial museum, which is fairly inexpensive. Or just take a stroll through the town, you can feel the history come alive, especially after dark!

If you're looking for a good inexpensive steak, there's a great ole steakhouse on Route 1 near Saugus called Hilltop. Every time we're back in Boston visiting relatives, we visit there.

 

[crzy4my2]

There is a farm in Danvers (not far from Salem). They are supposed to have a "haunted" corn maze.

http://www.connorsfarm.com/maze.htm

 

[crzy4my2]

there is this too
http://www.salems13ghosts.com/


and this

http://www.salemweb.com/calendar/#e21
just click the dates on the calender and it will take you to what is going on.

 

[hipchickie]

what do you consider close?
I listed these in proximity to Salem
Brooksby farm is in peabody, it is a very scenic spot surprisingly close to major road (with LOTS of shopping/dining) no corn maze, but apple picking, petting zoo, and IIRC, a fire museum

Connors farm is in Danvers, I think they have a corn maze

Marini farm is in Ipswich, I am pretty sure they have a corn maze

Smolak farm is in N. Andover, I don't think they have a corn maze, but they have a petting zoo, pumpkin and apple picking, hay rides, and usually they have a kids area with some stuff to do (low key - bounce house, hay bale maze, etc)

 

[ACS228]

For the entire month of October, Salem does an outdoor street fair with venders, food, music etc. We usually go every year and it's a lot of fun. There is a psychic fair where you can get your cards read, get a picture of your aura etc. There is also the Salem Witch Museum where they tell you the history of the witch trials and a pirate museum. Here is a link to what's going on:

http://www.hauntedhappenings.org/

 

[Fall1]

For the entire month of October, Salem does an outdoor street fair with venders, food, music etc. We usually go every year and it's a lot of fun. There is a psychic fair where you can get your cards read, get a picture of your aura etc. There is also the Salem Witch Museum where they tell you the history of the witch trials and a pirate museum. Here is a link to what's going on:

http://www.hauntedhappenings.org/

I was just going to post this link, it's a great site to see all that's going on.

 

[mousefan1972]

We just spent all day last Sunday in Salem. We live 1/2 hour train ride away.

It was CREEPY! The Haunted Happenings are in full swing. We checked out the Witch Museum, the Wax Museum, and the Old Burial Ground. We walked around the outdoor fair, which was very fun. Lots of neat things for sale, mostly related to the occult. We also did a Haunted Harbor Cruise. (google Mahi Mahi Cruises) It was so fun. Lunch was at Salem Beer Works.

Just be warned that it is wicked crowded and some of the admissions to the museums are pricey. There are also lots of haunted houses that looked very scary. We didn't go in any as our kids are 5 and 7 and they would've been scared out of their minds. (me, too!)

PM me if you have any other questions.

 

[amyy]

Does anyone recommend a place to stay? thanks

 

[epd0407]

Does anyone recommend a place to stay? thanks

Hawthorne Hotel....

 

[beccab]

HI, I work in Salem, live one city over and have lived in Salem in the past. As far as getting a room, it might be hard to get a room right in Salem if you are coming on a weekend but will probably be ok during the week. There are only two hotels in Salem. As someone already pointed out there is The Hawthorne Hotel and also, the Salem Waterfront Hotel which is relatively new. If you google Salem hotels, you will get a few options. Some of them are inns and one, Lafayette Hotel is a rooming house, just to warn you. Of course, there are other options in surrounding communities.

 

[amyy]

Thanks for the hotel ideas. I guess it wouldn't have to be right in Salem given our budget. We won't have a car. I will check out the Hawthorne Hotel's website.

 

[beccab]

Amy, Depending on how many are in your group, you could try Priceline for a Boston Hotel and get one for about $100/nt. Priceline only guarantees a bed for two. You could take the train to Salem or possibly the ferry. I am not sure if the ferry is still running.

 

[abmitch01]

The PEM musuem is fantastic!

 

[pipervali]

If you scare easily, I'd stay away from the Hawthorne Hotel. It's reportedly quite haunted.

 

[Shleedogg]

Salem is reportedly one of the most haunted places in America, and it being October, you won't find a shortage of 'creepy' things to do. There are quite a few places you can take ghost tours through. You can visit the Salem Witch Trial museum, which is fairly inexpensive. Or just take a stroll through the town, you can feel the history come alive, especially after dark!

If you're looking for a good inexpensive steak, there's a great ole steakhouse on Route 1 near Saugus called Hilltop. Every time we're back in Boston visiting relatives, we visit there.

Beware of the witch "museums." Most are the same old kitchy witch stuff. We found most of them to be a waste of money. I do have a degree in early American History, so I could be a bit too picky though. But even DH thought the plastic figures to be a bit too cheesy. We did find a great company that did walking tours that were amazing. They covered not only the witch stuff, but other history and ghosts of the city too. It was really great. There's a main walking drag in the city, just off of the welcome museum and it's down a side street off of it. Not that that description really helps you, lol. If you google, just look for one that's more "historically" themed and not so much "spooky" themed.

 

[StitchBuddy]

Thanks everyone for your posts! We just got back and we had a blast! We stayed in Marblehead. To say it is beautiful is not enough. We took some of your advice and went into Boston to The Commons and the Freedaom Trail, Then we headed up to Maine and New Hamshire. We can't wait to go back!

 

[mousefan1972]

Thanks everyone for your posts! We just got back and we had a blast! We stayed in Marblehead. To say it is beautiful is not enough. We took some of your advice and went into Boston to The Commons and the Freedaom Trail, Then we headed up to Maine and New Hamshire. We can't wait to go back!

Glad you enjoyed New England! It is most definitely beautiful up here this time of year. Did you make it to Salem?

 

[StitchBuddy]

Yes, we went to the historic area in the evening, but it was so crowded that we didn't go back during the day. We just went to Boston, then drove up to Kennebunkport and through New Hampshire. It was just beautiful! We pan on going back at spring break or during the summer and do some more things in Salem. We stayed in a very charming condo right on the water in Marblehead.