Exploring Salem with guests from France

We were thrilled to host thirteen guests from France in Salem over the weekend.  Representing Carlson Wagonlit and Air France, representatives from Paris came to Boston and Salem to learn more about the destinations for their clients.

Thanks to Logan International Airport, Boston is a major Gateway City in the Northeast, and thanks to our  proximity to Boston, Salem is a great day trip for visitors from France (or from anywhere, for that matter!).

This was the first trip to Salem for most of the group, and they were truly impressed with the Peabody Essex Museum and interested in the story of the Salem Witch Trials as told at the Salem Witch Museum.  We also took a Salem Trolley Tour, visited the House of the Seven Gables, and had lunch at the Atrium Cafe at the Peabody Essex Museum.

As always happens when I have the opportunity to tour Salem with visitors (from near or far), I learned new things.  Our wonderful docent at the Peabody Essex Museum showed us highlights of the collections, including a sculpture that is a portrait, an Oceanic deity named Ku, and an Asian export desk made entirely of ivory.

We ate lunch at the Atrium Cafe, provided by the Hawthorne Hotel, before walking over to the Salem Witch Museum, where the group heard the first presentation in French.  After going through the second presentation, one of our guests commented on the "Witch Hunt Wall," asking why they stopped at the AIDS epidemic, and commenting, "There are many witch hunts happening now that they could include."   Indeed.

Our Salem Trolley Tour highlighted our downtown history and the dozens of contemporary restaurants and shops, as well as taking us down Chestnut Street, around Pickering Wharf and ultimately dropping us off at the House of the Seven Gables. 

The House of the Seven Gables continues to refine its interpretation of the mansion, and the curatorial staff is repainting and papering the dining room.  The new trim is a gorgeous green, and it was fascinating to see the project in progress. Our guide, Jeff, started the tour by telling us that he would cover three themes, architecture, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and maritime history, during the tour.  And he did just that.

Thanks to Adventure Limousine who provided transportation from and to Boston for the group.


I Tweeted during the tour, and you can see the (formerly) live Tweets at Twitter.com/DestSalem.  We use the hashtag #SalemMA for all things Salem on Twitter.   

Hearing an introduction to the PEM from our docent, Nancy, in the Atrium.

 

In one of the maritime galleries learning about the model of the tall ship Friendship.

In the Faces of Devotion exhibit, which features art of India. I was fascinated to learn that this ca. 1848 sculpture is a portrait of a shipping agent in Kolcata named Rajibder Dutt. So this would have been displayed in Dutt's home, just as a painted portrait would be displayed.

We got to hear the new contemporary art exhibition in the East India Marine Hall.  The third installment in the Freeport contemporary art series, this sound sculpture by Susan Phillipsz breaths life into Salem's maritime history. 

Aboard the Salem Trolley, pausing on Chestnut Street to talk about Hamilton Hall.  This is the park across the street from Hamilton Hall, which is a lovely location for weddings.

An example of our new pedestrian signage in Salem, which will help you find your way between the McIntire, Downtown and Waterfront Districts.

Still aboard the trolley, paused to discuss the Old Burying Point on Charter Street, it's significant residents, and the sea walls that once abutted the South River, and today abut Derby Street.

Our guide at the House of the Seven Gables, Jeff, did a great job leading the group through the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion.  In this picture, he is leading the group into Nathaniel Hawthorne's Birthplace.

The House of the Seven Gables' gardens are in full bloom. The tulips are stunning, and the water views breathtaking. 

Vacation Week Isn't Over Yet

If you're home with the kids this week, you're probably going a bit stir-crazy.  The weather has not been conducive to outdoor fun, and the kids (at least in my house) are getting a bit stir crazy. 

Well, vacation week isn't over yet, and there's lots to do in Salem that will keep you out of the elements.  Here are a few ideas.

Ride the red trolley.  Salem Trolley tours are awesome for all ages.  Younger kids who might not understand all of the historical nuances will just love being on the trolley, and older kids will appreciate Salem's diverse and dynamic history.  When you disembark from a trolley tour, you will be one-hour richer in Salem trivia, and full of facts on topics including Monopoly, the US Coast Guard, Salem's original sea wall, where Alexander Hamilton almost got to dance, and why doors on Chestnut Street are slightly wider than usual. 

Your trolley ticket is good for on-and-off shuttle service all day, too, so you can use the Trolley to visit the New England Pirate Museum, Salem Maritime, the Witch Dungeon Museum, the Salem Witch Museum, Salem Willows (trust me, you need popcorn from Hobbs), and the House of the Seven Gables.

Drop into the Peabody Essex Museum for Art Activities to benefit Disaster Relieve in Japan.  Join the PEM for a celebration of Japanese art and culture this week.  There are drop-in activities (included with admission) all week, and on Friday students from MassArt's Boston Origami Project will be on site creating Origami cranes and fund raising for Red Cross emergency relieve efforts in Japan.  For complete information and a schedule of activities, visit pem.org. 

This Saturday, April 23rd is Junior Ranger Day at Salem Maritime, the National Park in Salem.  This is a great opportunity (and, frankly, excuse) to take the kids to Salem Maritime and celebrate all of our National Parks.  There will be free, Ranger-led programs for kids of all ages between 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the Salem Visitor Center, on Derby Wharf, and on board the tall ship Friendship. The Junior Ranger program is a great way to engage your kids in the national parks.  It's fun, and kids who complete the tasks can earn a Junior Ranger badge. 

There's always the old standby of taking the kids to the movies. CinemaSalem is showing Rio this week, which is a film made for School Vacation Week.  It's animated.  It's funny.  And the kid's concession combo only costs $5. 

All of this exploring is bound to get the kids hungry, so here are a few options for food:

Diner-style, enormous servings... eat at Reds Sandwich Shop.  The pancakes are enormous, you'll only need a half-portion of the Mac & Cheese, and for adventurous eaters, the daily specials are $6.95 and market-fresh.  Located on Central Street, a block away from a Trolley stop.

Pizza... Essex's NY Pizza and Deli provides quick counter service for pizza, subs, sandwiches and salads.  It's located inside Museum Place Mall, so you are a short walk from both the PEM and CinemaSalem.

Italian... you've got to try Caffe Graziani for the fresh pasta in a family-friendly environment.  Located on Washington Street, just a short walk from the closest trolley stop (use the rear entrance to make it shorter!).

Seafood... try the new Seaport Cafe on Derby Street at the entrance to Pickering Wharf.  The seafood is fresh and they will event get some veggies onto the plate for the kids! 

So, if you need activities for the rest of vacation week, look to Salem.  For even more ideas, visit the Calendar on Salem.org.  Enjoy the rest of the vacation week.  Grab a sweatshirt and a rain coat or a poncho and you'll be having so much fun you won't notice the weather!  

Salem Trolley Food Drive for Salem Pantry

Take a ride with the Salem Trolley April 1^st through April 30^th , 2011 and help feed Salem’s hungry at the same time.  The Salem Trolley is hosting a Food Drive for the Salem Food Pantry during the month of April. 

Here’s how you can help:  With your donation of a non-perishable, non-expired Food item – Salem residents will receive $5 off the price of an Adult ticket and $9 off the price of a Seniors (age 60+) ticket during the month of April.  With your food item(s), Adult tickets will be $10 (usually $15) and Senior tickets will be $5 (usually $14). 

The Salem Trolley tours run daily from 9:40 AM – 5:00 PM with our last full tour departing the National Park Service Visitors Center at 4:00 PM.  Tickets are good all day and include a free shuttle service to 13 Salem sites and attractions.

Salem residents can help feed their neighbors by generously donating such items as Peanut Butter, Tuna, and other high-protein foods that require little to no preparation to consume.  Donations will be accepted at the Salem Trolley office as well as the trolleys themselves.  Bring your food item and hop on for a one hour tour and 8 miles of beautiful and historic Salem.

It’s been a long hard winter for many and the Salem Food Pantry, located at the First Universalist Church on Bridge Street in Salem is in desperate need of our help.  With so many in need, the pantry has been hard-pressed to provide more than its usual bounty.

Let’s fill it up to the brim and show that Salem is not only a historic soul – but a big-hearted one as well.

Holidays = Scrooge = Salem Trolley

One of my friends pointed out this week that the weekend shows of the Salem Trolley Christmas Carol seem to be selling out, so "we should buy tickets quickly," she said! 

"That sounds like a good blog post," I said.

Erik Rodenheiser as Scrooge

 

So, here it is. Your annual reminder to buy tickets for the Salem Trolley's production of the Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol.  I've seen this show four times in twelve years, and it just keeps getting better.  The concept of traveling between Christmases past, present, and future via red trolley is a clever one, and the acting uses improvisation, comedy, and drama to not only involve the audience in the show, but to ensure that you leave at the end of the night with the story's moral grasped tightly in the palm of your hand.

Tickets cost $22 each, and shows begin on November 27 and run through December 23. They will sell out, so pick a date and don't miss this unique Salem holiday tradition. Visit SalemTrolley.com or call (978) 744-5469 for complete information.

How Trolley Guide Ron Olson Sees Salem

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:

1. Place to Eat: Bella Verona
2. Place to Shop: Trolley Depot
   
3. Special Event: Halloween in Salem
   
4. Museum or Attraction: Peabody Essex Museum
5. 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:

SHOP
Trolley Depot

DINE
Bella Verona

EXPLORE
Halloween in Salem (Haunted Happenings)
Peabody Essex Museum
Winter Island Maritime Park
The Salem Trolley

A great way to connect Salem and Boston

Salem Trolley and the Salem Ferry have partnered with Old Town Trolley in Boston to provide a great package option for visitors looking to explore both Beantown and the Bewitching Seaport.

This combination ticket includes round-trip travel between Salem and Boston aboard the Salem Ferry, an all-day pass for Salem Trolley, and an a pass for Old Town Trolley in Boston.

This package costs $70 adults / $64 seniors / $35 children and can be purchased in Boston through Old Town Trolley or Boston's Best Cruises, which is the operator of the Salem Ferry.

Salem Trolley to run this weekend

Thanks to the great forecast for the weekend, The Salem Trolley is going to be running tours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday this weekend.

The Salem Trolley will run from 10am-5pm each day this weekend, last tour leaving the visitor center 4pm.
Tickets are available on board the trolley or at the Trolley Depot at 191 Essex Street and Salemdipity on Pickering Wharf at 86 Wharf Street.

Landscapes, Literature, and a Lace Reader Tour

I had the pleasure of spending the morning with a group of travel writers from Germany,Austria, and Switzerland. They are in New England researching trips inspired by Landscapes

They will experience landmarks and landscapes that influenced the literature of Hawthorne, Mellville, Thoreau, Twain, Stowe, Longfellow and Fitgerald. They started in Salem, and then will travel to Concord (Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott), Hartford, CT (Twain), New Bedford (Melville), Boston and Cambridge (Longfellow).

While in Salem the group stayed in the Hawthorne Hotel and visited The House of the Seven Gables. We took a new Lace Reader tour aboard the Salem Trolley, with a guide from the House of the Seven Gables. The tour blends Salem history and the fiction of Brunonia Barry's bestselling novel, The Lace Reader. It was a great opportunity to see how Salem has inspired American fiction throughout history.

After our contemporary literature experience, the group saw the mansion that inspired

Hawthorne's The House of the Seven

Gables, and we talked briefly aboard the

Trolley about The Custom House where Hawthorne worked prior to writing The Scarlet Letter. You can see Hawthorne's office in the Custom House on guided tours with the National Park Service.

If you have a group that is interested in The Lace Reader Tour, contact The House of the Seven Gables. The full tour is 2 1/2 hours long, and includes recorded passages read by author

Brunonia Barry.

The pictures include: our trolley tour's starting point at the Hawthorne Hotel, our tour guide,

Scott, with Pickering Light behind him, taking pictures of Salem Harbor and Pickering Light on Winter Island, and the group at the House of the Seven Gables.

The Salem Trolley Christmas Carol

You're probably expecting more information about October in bewitching Salem, Massachusetts. Nope. Not today. Today I'm planting Christmas seeds.

The holiday season is a mere 11 weeks away. That's it! (Haunted Happenings starts in 3 weeks if you need something to focus on in the near future.) And one of the best holiday shows in Salem starts selling tickets on Monday, September 14th.

The Salem Trolley & Griffen Theatre will present the 23rd season of "A Christmas Carol" from November 28 through December 23.

If you have never participated in the Trolley Christmas Carol, get tickets (which are $22 per person, purchase via phone at 978-744-5469 or at the Salem Trolley office at 8 Central Street in Salem). It's great fun for all ages.

The premise is this: you ride the trolley with good ol' Ebeneezer Scrooge between Christmas Past, Christmas Future, Christmas Present, and Scrooge's redemption. The acting is great, the script is comedic, and the experience is interactive.

The show has a degree or two (or twenty) of improvisation, so everyone feels included in the production. It's a great girls' night out or date night.

Last year, the trolley started and ended at Pickering Wharf (so you can start or end at Capt.'s, Victoria Station, Finz, or Sixty2 on Wharf without moving your car).

The trolley is a great movable theatre, but it's seats are limited, and tickets are limited. So, check your calendar this weekend. Talk to your friends. Book your tickets and be ready to laugh and cry with Scrooge in Salem this December.

Bah-hum-bug!

Photos provided courtesy of The Salem Trolley.

One of Salem's FAM Tours

Destination Salem hosts dozens of familiarization (FAM) tours a year. Here's a picture of our new friends from the UK, who were in Salem last week.

Left to right, we have Gemma from Bon Voyage, Laura from America as You Like It, Julie from MOTT (the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, the people you want to talk to when you want to explore the rest of Massaachusetts - after you're quite done in Salem, of course), Tim from Thomas Cook, and Nan from New England Vacations. On the far right is our Trolley driver and guide extraordinaire, Ron.

This group was on a whirlwind tour of Massachusetts, stopping in Salem as part of a 10-day journey that took them to Boston, Plymouth, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and to the outlets in Wrentham.

I have it on good authority that visitors from the UK love to shop for jeans and shoes when they come to Massachuestts.

We made the most of their 14 hours in Salem - they stayed in The Salem Inn, had dinner at Capt.'s, explore the nightlife on Washington Street at Rockafellas and Gulu Gulu Cafe, saw the city from the Salem Trolley, and visited the Salem Witch Museum.

They were most disappointed to have to leave at about the time the shops were open, because a couple of our guests really wanted to have their Tarot read at one of the witch shops. Next time, ladies!!

I hope Tim, Nan, Gemma, Laura, and Julie left with a better understanding of Salem as a destination for their clients and guests. And if you are in the UK looking to book a trip to Massachusetts, I hope you will look for these companies and their itineraries that include Salem!

Tourism Day in Salem - A Great Success!!

Destination Salem hosted Tourism Industry Day in Salem yesterday, and we had a blast! Here's a snapshot of our day -

9:00 AM, the Salem Ferry departed Long Wharf North in Boston. Note the new location of the Ferry, because we were all at Central Wharf next to the Aquarium wondering, "where's the boat?!" - it was on the other side of the Marriott Long Wharf, adjacent to the lovely Christopher Columbus Park. The new dock in Boston is really easy and convenient. Just don't look for the ferry at Central Wharf!

10:00 AM, arrival in Salem and a warm welcome from Representative John Keenan. Everyone hopped on trolleys, and we were off!

We visited the Salem Witch Museum, Witch Dungeon Museum, Peabody Essex Museum, and House of the Seven Gables - using the trolleys to connect to each site, and taking in highlights of Salem along the way... Chestnut Street, Salem Common, Salem Willows, Pickering Wharf... all places to return to later, on foot, when there is time for exploration!

We had snacks and water on the trolleys, which was a good thing because lunch wasn't until nearly 2pm!

BUT, lunch was served on the lawn at the House of the Seven Gables. Can you say stunning? Salem native and author Brunonia Barry spoke to the group, and a delicious lunch was provided by the following restaurants:

- Brother's

- Caffe Graziani
- Capt's
- Cilantro
- Coffee Time Bake Shop
- Finz
- Nathaniel's at the Hawthorne Hotel
- Rockafellas
- Sixty2 on Wharf
- Upper Crust

We called lunch "Salem Bites!" and it was appropriate! The nibbles were delicious.

After lunch, the group was set loose on Salem for a scavenger hunt that encouraged them to run around the streets and see just how walkable Salem is! For anyone who isn't being driven by the tourism day schedule, I would call after lunch "time to shop!"

The group visited...

- Bewtiched in Salem

- Crafter's Market

- Hex

- Life & Death Tours

- Maria's Sweet Somethings

- National Park Service Regional Visitor Center

- Quint Essentials

- Remember Salem

- Rita's Water & Ice

- Rouge Cosmetics

- Sophia's

- Treasures Over Time

- Trolley Depot

- Witch City Consignment

- Witch House

- Witches Cottage at the Griffen Theatre

And they did all of this in about 60 minutes (impressive, right?!). One of the concierge on the tour commented that they didn't realize the diversity of shops in Salem, and the scavenger hunt was a great way to get them in and out... and now they want to come back again and again.

And don't think I didn't notice the concierge who wasn't the scavenger hunt type - he had a lovely afternoon respite in one of Salem's watering holes! (This goes to show that there's something for everyone in Salem!)

Salem Trolley and CityView Trolley provided excellent transportation and tours throughout the City. Including a last minute double-back for a scavenger hunt team

We took the 4pm Ferry back to Boston, arriving just after 5pm... exhausted and delighted by a lovely day in Salem!

To see more pictures of Tourism Day in Salem, visit the Destination Salem page on Facebook!

Spring Springs with Attraction Openings in Salem!

Ahhhhh.... spring has sprung! The attractions that have been sleepy and, well, closed all winter are dusting themselves off, taking a big stretch, and opening for the 2009 season. Huzzah!


Here are four that are looking forward to welcoming you beginning April 1:


THE SALEM TROLLEY
8 Central Street (Tickets available on board and at the Trolley Depot, 191 Essex St.)
978-744-5469
http://www.salemtrolley.com/
Enjoy a historically accurate one-hour journey through five fascinating centuries. Free same day shuttle. 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (The last full tour departs the National Park Service Visitors Center at 4:00 pm.)



You can get a combination ticket to the next three attractions and save $5.00 per person...


WITCH DUNGEON MUSEUM
CELEBRATING OUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY
16 Lynde St.
978-741-3570
http://www.witchdungeon.com/
Award winning live re-enactment of a Witch trial followed by guided tour of the Dungeon. Open daily 10:00am to last performance at 5:00pm, April through November.

WITCH HISTORY MUSEUM
197-201 Essex St.
978-741-7770
http://www.witchhistorymuseum.com/
The stories of 1692 are told through a live presentation followed by a guided tour downstairs where you will see 15 life size scenes depicting these stories. Open daily 10:00am to last tour at 5:00pm, April through November.

NEW ENGLAND PIRATE MUSEUM
274 Derby Street
978-741-2800
http://www.piratemuseum.com/
A guided tour through the Museum where you will view historical artifacts, experience the adventures of New England sea-robbers, board a pirate ship and explore an 80ft cave. Open daily 10:00am to last tour at 5:00pm, April 20 through October, weekends in April and November.

Amelia Payson & Salem Trolley Celebrate 25 Years Together

This just in from Don and Ada at The Amelia Payson House:

The Amelia Payson House B&B and The Salem Trolley are partnering to offer guests at the Amelia Payson House a special promotion. Book your April reservation before March 25th, and you will receive a complimentary Salem Trolley tour!

Get inspired by this video of the Amelia Payson House, and then call Don and Ada (at (520) 744-2365) for more information and details!

Salem Trolley to run during vacation week!

The Salem Trolley will be running tours and offering discounted rates during school vacation week next week.

From Sunday, February 15 through Saturday, February 21 The Salem Trolley will run from 10am - 5pm, weather permitting. Ticket prices for this week will be $10/adults, $10/seniors, $5/children.

Salem Trolley Stops include the Salem Regional Visitor Center (2 New Liberty Street), Salem Witch Museum, Pickering Wharf, House of the Seven Gables, Salem Wax Museum, and The Phillips House/Chestnut Street. Trolley tickets are good all day for on-and-off travel and for the one-hour narrated historical tour of Salem.

Salem Trolley Christmas Carol is Great Family Fun

The Salem Trolley Christmas Carol is the best ticket in town right now! This contemporary adaptation of A Christmas Carol has been done by Eric Rodenheiser of The Griffen Theatre, and it is wonderfully scripted to appeal to all ages.

It's a movable production - the audience travels via trolley with Ebeneezer Scrooge between today, Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future. Jacob Marley comes aboard, and the famed ghosts ensure nobody is left behind on this journey of self-realization and holiday cheer.

Bring your hats and gloves, and appropriate footwear, if you go - traveling between scenes does involve walking on snow and ice right now, and it is chilly at night.

The Trolley Christmas Carol runs through Monday, December 22nd, and tickets are $22 per person. It's great for all ages (last night the youngest audience members were 7 and 8 and laughing hysterically), and the production is less than 90 minutes, so attention spans can stay in tact!

Call the Salem Trolley at 978-744-5469 for tickets.