Halloween weekend (Plymouth, Salem, Andover: to live, shops, train)

[Raven1976]

I was thinking of going to Salem for the Halloween weekend? What should I check out? I really love cemeteries and anything "dark"

[blehman]

Salem has a unique piece of history in our country's fabric. The fact of the matter though is that between June to September of 1692, 19 people were put to death for not confessing to something they were innocent of. I have always felt in part Salem has exploited this tragedy for it's own gain. It is also strange that as a town it has drawn in various parties to set up shop because of the vibe, that seemingly is self induced. Look at the history of the witch trials that also extended into Andover, Ipswich, and other towns. The celebratory, almost grotesque, nature that occurs in specifically in Salem seems at the very least disingenuous. Again, put into the forefront of your head the amount of people that were executed due to nothing more than hysteria.

On the other side the cool thing about New England is it's spooky nature. Every town has old revolutionary cemeteries to explore. Take any of them, but don't single out one town because of it's unfortunate and now exploited history.

[LeavingMA]

Originally Posted by blehman

Salem has a unique piece of history in our country's fabric. The fact of the matter though is that between June to September of 1692, 19 people were put to death for not confessing to something they were innocent of. I have always felt in part Salem has exploited this tragedy for it's own gain. It is also strange that as a town it has drawn in various parties to set up shop because of the vibe, that seemingly is self induced. Look at the history of the witch trials that also extended into Andover, Ipswich, and other towns. The celebratory, almost grotesque, nature that occurs in specifically in Salem seems at the very least disingenuous. Again, put into the forefront of your head the amount of people that were executed due to nothing more than hysteria.

On the other side the cool thing about New England is it's spooky nature. Every town has old revolutionary cemeteries to explore. Take any of them, but don't single out one town because of it's unfortunate and now exploited history.

I agree with your statement and would like to add a lot of the "talk" and tours in Salem regarding the witch trial and other similar things they tell you are not always true. Many are a lot of myths. A lot of the witch shops and tours take advantage of Salem's past and many of them are not worth the money.

If your going to go to Salem for Halloween just be advised it is there busiest time of year and the traffic and parking will be brutal.

[nate14ri]

fyi lots of traffic

[Raven1976]

hmm maybe I'll leave that for another weekend when it's not Halloween

[Mary Lynn Wulc]

go to the salem haunted happenings website for a schedule. Best to take the train as parking is very limited and congested.

[capecodcathy]

This may be a little late but you may want to consider Plymouth instead of Salem. I love Salem and used to live there. But Plymouth in the fall is wonderful. Lots of historical stuff, Lantern tours through the old Cemetaries, etc.