Tell Me The Best Places in Salem MA - (Boston, Peabody: apartment, loft)

[restoguy]

I just moved to Salem MA yesterday from the west coast. Can anyone give me a few suggestions on the best of Salem? Anything from restaurants, book stores, parks, bars etc... Thank you.

[Bostonian08]

Originally Posted by restoguy

I just moved to Salem MA yesterday from the west coast. Can anyone give me a few suggestions on the best of Salem? Anything from restaurants, book stores, parks, bars etc... Thank you.

Question should be "what isn't cool in Salem?"

Coolest thing about Salem is the witches. The witch museums, the witch trials memorial - all between the waterfront and the Peabody Essex Museum. Check out the 17th century burial ground right next to the memorial. Nathaniel Hawthorne's House of the Seven Gables is down on the waterfront. There's a replica pilgrim ship near there too. There's a decent little kiddie park with rides and a closed down 17th century village called Salem Willows.

The Halloween Ball is coming, so all the witches from all the world will gather. The Children's Halloween parade is fun. Everything on Essex St rock in October -it's just awesome. Salem is debateably the best place in the world to be in October! This will be my second Halloween in God's favorite state - oh I think I'm going to cry!

[sue629]

Nice pictures of Salem Bostonian!!!
Restoguy welcome to the Northshore. You will find many things to keep you busy and occupied. It will take time to find the best of the best and alot depends on your personal interests and your age.
Salem I believe is trying to reinvent itself. It capitalizes on being known as the "witch city" ( wait until October arrives to see it in full bloom). Halloween night is unlike anything you have ever seen and I would liken it to what I imagine Mardi Gras is to New Orleans. However, there was talk awhile back about Salem trying to attract people all year and not just October. They have made an effort to develop a vibrant downtown and become a destination where people would want to live. Thus you will see alot of new apartment and condos being developed, loft style units, outdoor cafes, open air restaurants, etnic restaurants, festivals in the commons etc. For things happening check out Salemweb.com and Salem.org
For starters however, you may want to check out the ymca to see what kind of programs offered. Could be a good way to meet people. I read somewhere they do open court basketball, if you are into that. Salem State offers programs, courses and theatre.
Restaurants on the wharf are usually busy and the bars are loaded with young professionals- check out Finz or Captains or the hotel at Pickering "Wharf and the new Tavern on Washington. For younger crowd check out O'Neils bar. The cafe on Derby Street is a nice place to camp out with a coffee concoction and a laptop or book. There are "party" boats that go our of Pickering Wharf.
There is a movie theatre in the India Street Mall(not sure if they still call it that) and there used to be a book store in there but it may have closed. Closest large bookstore would be in Peabody on RT 114. Borders and also one in back of the mall. I hear the library in Salem is a good one(Essex St) and if you have a card from Salem you can use the other town libraries. Danvers has a great library as does Marblehead, cozy and has chairs and a fireplace where you can camp out on a cold day and read.
There is usually some festival or music happening in the Salem Commons, a park in the middle of the city. Other parks are Salem Willows and Forest River Park. In the summer months there are usually games going on in these parks and I think Salem Willows has mens softball leagues, but these are usually sponsored by restaurants, bars, they just play at the Willows, used to anyway. Not sure about now. Too late for now but you may want to ask around how to get involved for next season.
good Indian food at the place on Washington, and Mexican at Cilantro(New Derby). Next door the Salem Beer Works place on New Derby Street for brewed beer and decent food. Food at the Hawthorne Hotel is good and you can get light fare in their bar area. Lots of restaurants to choose from, some good, some ok.
They just did restaurant week in Salem, maybe you had a chance to sample.
You will see right now an increase in tourism and the city gearing up for Halloween, lots of haunted houses opening up and the stores will be stocked with Halloween stuff. Get in the spirit, dress up and walk the streets on Halloween or the night before. You will see the most amazing costumes.
If you have a car drive up, through Beverly, pick up rt A1A, scenic route through Beverly Farms, Manchester, into Gloucester and Rockport.

[LeavingMA]

The House of 7 Gables is definitely worth it and some of the witch stuff is also. Just beware there are lots of "witch" things that are basically tourist stuff and isn't worth the money and time. Their were witch trials in many parts of MA, but Salem is the only one that has tried to make $ off of it, so you get quite a bit of tourist trap things. If you don't know the history of Salem and witch trials then some of the tours are worth it. I knew some of the info and found it quite boring after about an hour because it becomes repetitive.

[capecodcathy]

I envy you! I loved living in Salem. My recommendation is to just get out an walk around. There are so many nooks and crannies to discover beyond the usual Witch/Touristy stuff. Don't miss the side streets and architecture on almost any lovely tree-lined street.
This is the best time of year to enjoy Salem. After all the summer traffic is finished and before Halloween really kicks in.
Love the pics! Brought back a lot of memories. Thanks.

[Coolhand68]

For parks I like "The Willows" in Salem. It get's crowded in the summer though, but it's a nice place to spend the day or evening.

[fourkorz]

You should consider joining 2 institutions: the Peabody Essex Museum and the Salem Athenaeum. The PEM is a major museum and has an active calendar of interesting events. The Salem Athenaeum is a private lending library with many interesting activities and a lovely place to relax and read a paper. These are old-time Salem places that can connect you with the history of the area and with families that have lived there for generations. Both are welcoming.

[scanz]

The Old Spot and Strega are my favorite night time hangouts.

[SatomiRoberts]

Hey everyone,

My boyfriend and I are looking to relocate possibly out of Virginia and I've been doing research on a few places that I'm most interested it. So far I've looked into places like Dover, DE, Southgate, MI, York/Harrisburg, PA and now Salem. I've always wanted to at least visit Salem, as it has always facscinated me since I was little. Not to mention I'd love to be there during October and Halloween, which happens to be my favorite month and holiday. In fact, my boyfriend have decided that when we get married within the nect 3 years, the wedding will be in October and it will be outdoors. If we were to get married in Salem? I think I'd die of joy.

I'm also interested in MA in general because of the general history and beauty of the state that I've seen in pictures. Not to mention my boyfriend is a die-hard Red Sox fan. Not Pats fans here though. Love my Giants and my Mets. Though I love the Red Sox as well.

Anyways, I'm feeling slightly hesitant though as I will be far away from my family (Richmond, VA), and I'm worried about how badly my boyfriend's dad would take it since his parents live in VA 30 minutes from the VA/NC border. But I have a lot of family in New York and Pennsylvania. I'm also hesitant due to the cold weather. I love winter and all, but I was born in the dead of the summer in the south. Needless to say I get cold easily. However I do agree with my boyfriend and I'm willing to go a bit beyond my comfort zone to experience something new. Who knows, I may end up wanting to stay up north permanently.

I wanted to know what the general cost of living is, whether it's relatively high or low and what the job opportunities are like at the moment. I'm still researching other places, but if anyone has any information that could help it would be greatly appreciated.

thanks!

~Amanda~

[restoguy]

Thank you guys - your have been very helpful!