Things to be thankful for

There is much to be thankful for in Salem this holiday season, including:

Wonderful cultural sites like the Peabody Essex Museum, which bring the world to Salem.  This weekend, they feature the annual Peabody Essex Museum Antiques Show, which will showcase antiques dealers from around New England and their furniture, paintings, porcelain, jewelry, rugs and decorative accessories. 

New England traditions, like lighting the community Christmas Tree.  Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll will light the Salem tree, in a new location this year at Lappin Park on the corner of Essex and Washington Streets, on Friday, November 27 at 6:00 pm.

New businesses, including the dozens of restaurants and shops that have opened in Salem during the past year.  Make sure to include dining in downtown Salem in your holiday plans, and follow Destination Salem on Facebook because we still have a few more gift certificates to Salem restaurants to give away!

Our longtime partners and friends at the shops and restaurants that have been in Salem, growing with the community, over the past decade(s).  Local favorites like The Trolley Depot, Aroma Sanctum Perfumery, and The House of the Seven Gables shop will be offering Wish Lists this holiday season to help you get what you really want!

Holiday Shopping!  We love shopping for the holidays. Whether you are spending a little or a lot, there are great places to buy unique gifts in Salem.  Roost, The Behive, Urban Elements and others will be staying open late on December 16 as we celebrate Men's Shopping Night in Salem.  Its' the perfect time to come downtown and check out the wish lists that have been created to help you make wise decisions!

Classic Christmas programs like the Trolley Christmas Carol, which is presented every year by The Salem Trolley and Griffen Theatre.  This unique tour of the Dickens classic takes you to the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, and delivers you safely at the end of the evening with a message of hope, generosity and Christmas cheer.

Theater in downtown Salem.  This year the Salem Theatre Company opened its very own space in downtown Salem, and on December 2nd they will open their holiday production, The Long Christmas Ride Home. 

This dynamic city with so many assets it is difficult to capture them all in one list. From Chestnut Street to the tall ship Friendship, the Witch Dungeon Museum to Winter Island, Salem Common to Pickering Wharf, Roger Conant to Samantha from Bewitched. 

And, of course, we are thankful for...

Our fantastic visitors and guests. Thanks so much for visiting in 2010, and we hope to see you in the future!  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.