Salem Massachusetts

[1GoldenSun]

I'm on a road trip with a somewhat bored 13-year-old and I wondered if he might enjoy the "witch stuff" at Salem. We're going to be more or less in the area anyway on our way to Acadia National Park. Is Salem just corny and touristy or is it interesting?

 

[Carol_]

It’s both corny and interesting. Take the trolley tour. http://salemtrolley.com/

 

[LuvOrlando]

Nice enough but I wouldn't go too far out of my way for it although there are other things in the vicinity you could rope into a nice day, where are you driving from?

 

[1GoldenSun]

Corny and interesting sounds like a winning combination for a 13-year-old boy.

We'll be coming from Saratoga Springs. According to Mapquest, it's only about 30 minutes out of the way on the drive to Bar Harbor.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Have him read ”The Crucible” first for context if you can.

 

[disneydreamer781]

Corny and interesting sounds like a winning combination for a 13-year-old boy.

We'll be coming from Saratoga Springs. According to Mapquest, it's only about 30 minutes out of the way on the drive to Bar Harbor.

If you have the time, check out the House of Seven Gables. One of my fav things in Salem. It's the birthplace of Nathaniel Hawthorne the writer of the gothic novel of the same name. I've done it a couple of times and it's pretty famous on the North Shore. I actually read the novel before going to see the house many years ago though the story is only based on the house, it did give me a bit of perspective and made it a bit spookier at the time. It's both a fun and interesting tour! https://7gables.org/

 

[disneydreamer781]

Corny and interesting sounds like a winning combination for a 13-year-old boy.

We'll be coming from Saratoga Springs. According to Mapquest, it's only about 30 minutes out of the way on the drive to Bar Harbor.

There's also a great place up in Bucksport, Maine on the way to Bar Harbour. It's called Fort Knox (no, not the one with all the bullion) but it's an actual Fort on the Penobscot River. It's supposedly haunted and has been on Ghost Hunters. You can go in and out of all these tunnels that lead you through all areas of the Fort and then you can climb up to the top. It's a blast and has incredible views! There is also a bridge with an observatory where you can go up and see all over the area. It's a great side trip! https://www.maine.gov/mdot/pnbo/fortknox/ https://www.fortknoxmaine.com/copy-of-photo-gallery

 

[JaxDad]

Have him read ”The Crucible” first for context if you can.

Or watch “Hubie Halloween.”

 

[LuvOrlando]

The Gloucester & Cape Ann area is pleasant to add on to Salem for a family friendly day trip.
My kids liked watching "The Perfect Storm" and then checking out the Gloucester monument and walking along the piers down there where we got to see fisherman returning with their catch while all the seals came in for scaps.
Close by is Rockport, Cape Ann which has a great little pier with shops.
Rocky Neck Art Colony is nice to just sort of wander in and out of the studios.
And finally, Manchester By the Sea has an bustling tourist area which is mostly families.
Of course, Boston's Freedom trail is another nearby option.

The only thing you need to pay for with the above is possibly parking & lunch or ice cream

 

[HeatherC]

If you don’t want to go out of your way, Portsmouth. NH is a fun stop. Tons of restaurants and shops to browse. Could also do a harbor cruise which your son might like.

 

[Carol_]

Don’t miss the LLBean outlet store in Freeport.

 

[clori]

My daughter loved Salem at 13 for the tacky touristy places including the witch places and the pirate museum. I think a 13 year old boy might enjoy the bitbar in Salem for lunch for the old fashioned arcade games or a stop at Salem Willows. Another place to look at that tons of 13 year olds enjoy is Boda Borg in Malden though that needs 3 to 5 people in your group. It started in Sweden and Malden is the first US location with another planned for California.

 

[DisneyOma]

I second the idea to go to Salem Willows!

Have him read ”The Crucible” first for context if you can.

The Crucible is incorrect - it had the accusing girl the wrong age and having sex with one of the men involved.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I second the idea to go to Salem Willows!



The Crucible is incorrect - it had the accusing girl the wrong age and having sex with one of the men involved.

Since the play is a historic fiction I really see nothing wrong with that (or the meshing of various historical figures into one) as long as the point of the story is clear.

To be honest I don’t recall anyone having sex beyond the fantabulous orgies the “suspects” were accused of having with the Devil but perhaps that’s one of the film versions? Please clarify my mind.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

We went on a Boston vacation with our teenage/early 20s children. My wife and I thought Salem was dumb and lame and they liked it. But I can't tell you what a 13-year-old would think.

 

[Moliphino]

When I was in school, the 8th grade field trip to Salem was always a highlight. I think we did the Salem Witch Museum, Pirate Museum, and the House of the Seven Gables (8th grade was a long time ago ).

 

[DisneyOma]

Since the play is a historic fiction I really see nothing wrong with that (or the meshing of various historical figures into one) as long as the point of the story is clear.

To be honest I don’t recall anyone having sex beyond the fantabulous orgies the “suspects” were accused of having with the Devil but perhaps that’s one of the film versions? Please clarify my mind.

https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/crucible/section2/
Can't find an online version, but here's the adultery part in Sparknotes form.

 

[prgal0715]

Is your son a fan of Hocus Pocus? It's kind of fun to find the filming sites throughout Salem!

The vibe of Salem is a lot different now than in the fall/Halloween season. It's a National Park location, so there are some cool things to see, do learn: https://www.nps.gov/sama/index.htm

I also really like Pickering Wharf for walking around, grabbing a bite to eat, etc.

If you and your son are into the witch history, the Salem Witch Museum is interesting for sure, though it's not a museum in the traditional sense.

Have fun!

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

I love Salem! it has been so long since I have been there I need to go back!

 

[mmouse37]

My ancestor was the first Governor of Salem!!! My mom grew up in Gloucester and we spent every summer up on Cape Ann and always went to visit Salem. A statue of my ancestor is in the center of town. His name was Roger Conant. If you visit say hi and give him a wave!!! LOL

Roger Conant (colonist) - Wikipedia

MJ