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Sightseeing in Salem

Our first day of sightseeing in Salem, Massachusetts was fun, informative and busy! After spending our first full day in the state driving up the coast to Rockport (read about it here), we spent Thursday getting to know Salem and its history.

Salem Witch Trial Memorial

We had breakfast at our Airbnb, then walked to the Salem Witch Trial Memorial. This is a solemn and moving place memorializing the 20 people who lost their lives during the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Since the accused could not be buried in hallowed ground, there are instead benches with the names and dates of each of the victims. It is so sad that such hysteria was put to use for political and personal gain!

The benches commemorating the victims of the Salem witch trial hysteria.

Peabody Essex Museum

After the memorial, we toured the Peabody Essex Museum. I found the various exhibits fascinating. One of my travel partners was not quite as enthralled as I was, so we spent a bit less time there than I would have liked. Still, I really enjoyed the art and history, and especially some of the furniture! The holdings of this museum are vast, and only a fraction are on display! Enjoy some of my favorite pictures from the museum below!

This is a very large multi-colored (but mostly red) decorative piece of blown glass at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA.
A huge piece of beautiful blown glass!
This is a large, intricate, decorative Japanese vase at the Peabody Essex Museum.
An intricate decorative Japanese vase.
I was drawn to this painting of a boy in yellow shorts riding his pinto/piebald pony. It is found in the American section of the Peabody Essex Museum.
I was drawn to this simple picture of a boy on his pony. It was in the American section of the museum.

Salem Witch Village

A brief walk from the museum, and very close to the memorial, is the Salem Witch Village. This was not at all what I was expecting, but it was very interesting, cool and informative all the same. It basically gave a history of pagan religions, so it was right up my alley! It was very dark in there, and we were asked not to use flash photography, so the only picture I took that really came out is of the dragon at the end. Rubbing his belly is supposed to bring good luck!

This is the dragon that is at the end of the tour of the Salem Witch Village. Rubbing his belly is supposed to bring good luck!
This is the dragon at the end of the Salem Witch Village tour. It is supposed to be good luck to rub his belly!

Crow Haven Corner

A short walk from the Witch Village and the museum was an incredible pagan shop called Crow Haven Corner. The shop was very small but the staff there was very knowledgeable and helpful. There were new discoveries in every nook and cranny, and we enjoyed finding them! Tina and I both bought a few things in the store, and both agree we need to visit again!

Voodoo Walking Tour

In my next post I will tell you about the Voodoo Walking Tour that we took on this night! It was a lot of fun and pretty informative over all! Until then!