A Great Day in Salem

Each year Destination Salem kicks off the tourism season by inviting members of the Greater Boston Concierge Association and tourism professionals from Massachusetts and New England to Salem for a day of exploration, fun, and good food.

Yesterday was that day. We were thrilled to welcome thirty industry professionals to Salem for the day.  Since our itinerary may inspire your own, here are the highlights.  Pictures of the day's events can be found on Destination Salem's Facebook page. 

• Salem Ferry from Boston to Salem (passing the mega-yachts in Boston harbor is always a highlight!)* 
• Salem Trolley tour highlighting the rich history of Salem 
• A cemetery tour led by lead guide Eric of Salem Night Tours
• Lobster rolls, chowder, and aged top sirloin appetizers at Capt.'s 
• A tour of the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, also known as The House of the Seven Gables, and time to shop in the Gables gift shop. 
• Hors d'œuvres at Rockafellas, and a tour of the new Colonial Hall function space upstairs. 
• Docent-led tours of Yin Yu Tang, a 18th-century Chinese House at the Peabody Essex Museum.  This is the only authentic example of Chinese architecture outside of China that you can visit and tour.
• Strawberry Shortcake and Chocolate Mousse in the Atrium of the Peabody Essex Museum (thanks to the Hawthorne Hotel!) 
• Finz for fried oysters, tuna tar tar, hummus and pita, crab cakes, and cocktails!

We didn't have time for psychic readings while we were in Salem, so the psychics from Omen joined us on the Salem Ferry back to Boston, doing tarot readings for all who wanted.

We also met Brad and Jeff from Witch City Segway, Brittany from Mahi Mahi Harbor Cruises, and ate lobster rolls from The Lyceum aboard the Ferry.



And, demonstrating how fantastic our shopping is in Salem, we gave away gift baskets from the Trolley Depot, The Salem Witch Museum, The House of the Seven Gables Shop, the Peabody Essex Museum shop, Omen, and Pamplemousse.  The love basket from Omen was a huge success!

We learned about Salem's literary and architectural history, maritime heritage, the stories of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, and some fascinating cemetery facts.  And we ate really good food.  We only wished we had more time to shop!

You can plan your own Salem adventure at Salem.org!