The Salem Trolley is one of the best ways to see Salem, especially if it's your first visit. (I have been known to recommend trolley tours for first-time-visitors to any destination. If a trolley is available, take advantage of it!) The advantage of the Salem Trolley is two-fold:
1) You get a one-hour narrated tour that includes downtown Salem, Salem Willows, Winter Island Maritime Park, the McIntire Historic District and Chestnut Street, Salem Common, Pickering Wharf, our two lighthouses, historic districts, and Salem's multi-faceted history.
And,
2) Your ticket is good all day, so you you have a shuttle between 13 stops in Salem so you can easily navigate back to the sites you see on your trolley tour.
If you do take a trolley tour, you may be lucky enough to have Ron Olson as your driver and guide. In addition be being a great driver, Ron gives an awesome tour of Salem, and - as you'll see from his picture - he has a great sense of humor.
Here is How Ron sees Salem.
Ronald K. Olson, Driver/Guide The Salem Trolley
Where are you from originally? Revere, MA
How long have you lived in Salem? 26 years
How long have you worked in Salem? 20 years
Your Top Five:
Place to Eat: Bella Verona
Place to Shop: Trolley Depot
Special Event: Halloween in Salem
Museum or Attraction: Peabody Essex Museum
Hidden Gem: Winter Island Maritime Park
Describe Salem in ten words or less: A multifaceted historical city replete with pleasant surprises and great restaurants!!
What is the first thing you do with guests from out of town? Take them on a Salem Trolley Tour!
* * *
If you want to shop, dine and explore like Ron, here are the links to the places he recommends:
Last October a new retail show on Front Street arrived , and much to our shopping delight we had lots of new options for holiday shopping. That shop, Roost: Urban Country Design turned many shoppers into Roosters, inspiring owners Kate and Jamie to open a second shop, right next door. The Beehive will celebrate its grand opening with a party on Monday, July 19th, 5pm - 9pm. The Beehive offers the sassier side of cards and gifts. The shop is filled with laugh-out-loud items that will make you call your friends over from the across the store (it's true, I've done it). Featuring cheeky greeting cards and coffee table books to slinky dogs and squirrel underpants, The Beehive is filled with gifts you've gotta get and give.
But wait, there's more! The Beehive is not only adjacent to Roost, but the two stores are attached inside. So, there will be drinks, eats, and store(s)-wide discounts! If you won't be around on the 19th, no need to wait. The stores are both open now.
We are going to start the celebration a week early on Salem.org by finding out how Roost and Beehive owner Kate Leavy sees Salem. Congrats and best wishes to Kate and Jamie on both stores. Kate Leavy, Owner Roost & The Beehive
Where are you from originally? Born in Virginia, but call Portsmouth, NH home
How long have you lived in Salem? 1.5 years (we opened Roost 8 months ago)
Your Top Five:
Place to Eat: Sixty2 on Wharf
Place to Shop: (Other than Roost!) Two Girls Shop for clothing
Special Event: The Scooper Bowl
Museum or Attraction: PEM
Hidden Gem: Mahi Mahi Cruises
Describe Salem in ten words or less: Fun, friendly and quirky with a very bright future.
What is the first thing you do with guests from out of town? Grab a drink at the Shanty
* * *
If you want to shop, dine and explore like Kate, here are the links to all of the places she recommends:
July Fourth in Salem is a fantastic celebration of all things patriotic. 2010 marks the eleventh year that Salem's celebration of the Fourth will be led by Conductor Dirk Hillyer and the Hillyer Festival Orchestra on Derby Wharf at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site.
This year the musical celebration will celebrate "Rising Stars" and feature:
Puccini favorites sung by Manhattan School of Music graduate student Anna Lawrence;
Mozart's Marriage of Figaro performed by Salem State College students Kathryn O'Connell and Robyn Higgins;
A beautiful tenor aria from I Pagliacci sung by Dan Kamalic;
A Salem March written by local Ian Bunker for the Fourth;
Broadway overtures;
Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, and
Igor Stravinsky's very challenging Firebird (celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the ballet).
And, of course, the orchestra will perform patriotic favorites while the fireworks explode above the tall ship Friendship, Derby Wharf, and Salem Harbor.
The man behind the program, and in front of the orchestra, is the very talented Dirk Hillyer. You may have seen him performing in the band for Salem Theatre Company's recent production o Hair, or at one of the HFO's many other regional events.
In anticipation of another wonderful 4th of July in Salem, here is how Dirk Hillyer sees Salem.
Dirk Hillyer, Conductor The Hillyer Festival Orchestra
Where are you from? Portland, Oregon
How long have you worked in Salem? 25 Years
Your Top Five:
Place to eat: Pig's Eye
Place to shop: Harbor Sweets
Special Event: July Fourth!
Museum or Attraction: Salem Witch Museum
Hidden Gem: Harbor Sweets!
What or where do you recommend to guests from out of town? Go to Salem Beer Works and the Salem Witch Museum.
Describe Salem in ten words or less: A happenings city that is rising to terrific regional prominence, especially in the arts, such as July 4th, Salem Film Festival, Salem Theatre Company.
* * *
If you want to dine and explore like Dirk, here are the links to all of the places he recommends:
One of the best ways to experience Salem and New England is from the water. One of the best ways to do that in Salem is aboard Mahi Mahi Cruises. Cruising out of Salem Willows, Mahi Mahi offers narrated tours of the harbors and coastline, thematic cruises (including Cape Ann Brewing, Lighthouses, Fireworks), and a great opportunity to get away from it all.
This week we are hearing from Mahi Mahi Manager Phoebe Cole, and how she sees Salem.
Phoebe Cole Manager, Mahi Mahi Cruises & Charters
Where are you from? Gloucester
How long have you worked in Salem? Five Years
Your Top Five:
Place to eat: Finz
Place to shop: Roost and The Behive
Special Event: Farmers' Market tied with the Salem Jazz & Soul Festival at Salem Willows!
Museum or Attraction: Salem Trolley, and although I’ve never tried it Salem Kayak seems like a great new addition to the park, can’t wait to try ‘em out!
Hidden Gem: Can I say Rudder, our boat dog? He’s just so handsome. I guess it’s not so hidden but I’m gonna go with Passage to India, so good!
What or where do you recommend to guests from out of town? To be honest, we bring them on a cruise; it’s a great way to see the entire area without all the hassle. I’m also a fan of simply relaxing and grabbing a drink at Vic Station or any of the great restaurants right on the Wharf.
Describe Salem in ten words or less: A beautifully unique sea-side city rich with history and itching to be discovered and explored. There’s more to Salem than October, come discover it!
* * *
If you want to shop, dine, and explore like Phoebe, here are the links for more information:
This week we get to see Salem through the creative and dramatic eyes of David Allen George, who is a Professor of Theatre at Salem State College and the Artistic Director of Summer Theatre at Salem.
David Allen George is starring in the Summer Theatre at Salem production of Lend Me a Tenor, which opens Thursday, June 17th. This is a great opportunity to see professional theater in Salem.
We've changed the questions a bit. I hope you like the new format!
David Allen George Theatre Professor, Salem State College Artistic Director, Summer Theatre at Salem
Where are you from originally? Napa Valley, CA
How long have you worked in Salem? 35 Years
Your Top Five:
Place to eat: Grapevine
Place to shop: Bernard's Jewelers
Special Event: July 4th on Derby Wharf featuring the Hillyer Festival Orchestra
Museum or Attraction: Peabody Essex Museum
Hidden Gem: Salem State Theatre!!
Describe Salem in ten words or less: A small city with a big heart.
What or where do you recommend to guests from out of town: Amelia Payson House or Hawthorne Hotel
* * *
If you want to shop, dine, and explore like David, here are the links for more information:
Salem has some great bed & breakfasts, including Stepping Stone Inn. Stepping Stone is located in the heart of downtown Salem, next to the Salem Witch Museum, across the street from Salem Common and the statue of Salem's founder, Roger Conant, and around the corner from the Peabody Essex Museum.
Stepping Stone was built in 1846 for naval officer Benjamin True. When the inn was restored each of the eight unique bedrooms were refurbished in the elegant style of the 19th century. Each room has its own private bath. You can watch a video I took inside the Stepping Stone Inn here.
Here is how Stepping Stone Innkeeper John Brick sees Salem.
John W Brick, Innkeeper Stepping Stone Inn
Where are you from originally? Des Moines, Iowa
How long have you lived & worked in Salem ? 19 years
What is your favorite thing about Salem? Love the Farmers' Market, shops on the waterfront, and the beautiful beaches.
What’s your favorite place to eat in Salem? I have two wonderful places where I like to eat: The Grapevine & Bella Verona
What’s your favorite place to shop in Salem? There are three great places to shop in Salem: The variety of shops on Front Street, Pickering Wharf, and the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall.
What is the first thing you do with guests from out of town? First, I explain that they are in the heart of the city and all attractions are within walking distance. I point out that there are great places of interest, and I recommend they use the Trolley tour to get an overview of the city.
* * *
If you want to shop, dine, and explore like John, here are the links for more information:
For this week's installment of "How We See Salem," we are traveling up Chestnut Street to the Phillips House (1821), which is a property of Historic New England. Historic New England is celebrating its Centennial this year, and on June 5 all properties of Historic New England, including the Phillips House and Gedney House (1665) in Salem, will be open free of charge from 1pm - 5pm.
"For one hundred years, Historic New England has served as the region's storyteller, opening its doors to share four centuries of New England home and family life," reads the release on HistoricNewEngland.org, and I couldn't say it better myself.
The Phillips House is the only home on Chestnut Street that is open to the public. If you can't make it during the Centennial Open House on Saturday, it is certainly worth the $5.00 admission fee during its regular operating hours. More information can be found at HistoricNewEngland.org. (They have recently launched a new-and-improved web site, and it's worth browsing to see the Phillips House and all of the properties in the care of Historic New England.)
Here is how the very busy site manager for the Phillips and Gedney Houses sees Salem:
Julie Arrison Salem Resident Site Manager for Historic New England's Phillips and Gedney Houses, Board Member and Events Committee Co-chair for Historic Salem, Inc., Board Member for the Chestnut Street Associates
Where are you from originally? Chicopee, MA
How long have you lived or worked in Salem? I've moved up to Salem for my job with Historic New England, which started in May 2008.
What is your favorite thing about Salem? There is always something to do and you can always walk to it if you choose! Salem also has a great running community, almost fully organized by the Wicked Running Club.
What’s your favorite place to eat in Salem? In a Pig's Eye, Gulu Gulu, Lobster Shanty
What’s your favorite place to shop in Salem? Salem Wine Imports...Eric Olsen, the owner is so helpful about wine selection for special occasions or every day. Roost has a great selection of anything for myself or for gifts. Harbor Sweets is at the end of my street and is also another great place for last minute gifts.
What is the first thing you do with guests from out of town? The great thing about Salem is that no matter which type of guest is coming up, there is something appropriate to do...and ALWAYS something going on. Museum friends always like a trip to the PEM. Others like dinner at Sixty2 on the Wharf and drinks somewhere after. Mom and Dad love to walk around the Willows and Winter Island. I've "coerced" friends to come up for the Phillips House Car Meet, the Antique Boat Show, Spring Fling, Salem So Sweet, and many other fun events.
* * *
If you want to shop, dine, and explore like Julie, here are links for more information:
Schooner Fame opens for the 2010 season on Saturday, May 29. To celebrate the launch of the new season, we are sharing Captain Mike's favorite things to do in Salem.
Schooner Fame is a replica of a successful privateer (of the same name) of the War of 1812. Fame was built at Burnham's Boat Yard in Essex, Massachusetts, and has been sailing out of Pickering Wharf since 2003.
When you sail aboard Fame, you will learn about the fishermen, pirates, privateers, traders, and men of war who shaped the North Shore. The captain and crew share stories of Essex County's early fishing trade, the East India Trade that made Salem rich, and the privateers of the American Revolution and the War of 1812.
Here's a bit about Captain Mike and his haunts in Salem...
Captain Mike Rutstein Schooner Fame
Where are you from originally? Massachusetts
How long have you worked in Salem? 8 years
What is your favorite thing about Salem? The history, and the waterfront.
What’s your favorite place to eat in Salem? Victoria Station, Derby Deli, Finz
What’s your favorite place to shop in Salem? Nautical Traders
What is the first thing you do with guests from out of town? Take them sailing!
* * *
If you want to shop, dine, and explore like Captain Mike, here are links to the places he recommends:
This week's "How We See Salem" column has been submitted by Chef Ken from the Hawthorne Hotel.
The Hawthorne Hotel has two full service restaurants, Nathaniel's and The Tavern in the Hawthorne Hotel, and a full banquet service. Here's a bit of insight into Salem from the man behind the menus.
Chef Kenneth O'Keefe Executive Sous Chef at the Hawthorne Hotel
Where are you from originally? New York and New Hampshire
How long have you lived or worked in Salem? 8 years
What is your favorite thing about Salem? The history. There are very few 400-year-0ld cities in the United States.
What’s your favorite place to eat in Salem? Tavern at the Hawthorne Hotel, Sixty2 on Wharf, Dube's Seafood
What’s your favorite place to shop in Salem? Beautiful Things and J. Mode (for gifts for my wife).
What is the first thing you do with guests from out of town? I usually take them to the Peabody Essex Museum.
* * *
If you want to shop, dine, and explore like Chef Ken, here are links to the places he recommends:
Before I post this, I just have to add... Chef Ken shops at J. Mode and Beautiful Things for his wife! He wins for sweetest answer yet. I can't wait to see what next week's perspective brings!
