I had mentioned last week that during an afternoon we’d both had off from our respective jobs, my dear friend/neighbor/photographer extraordinaire Dan and I headed out to Salem, Massachusetts for a proper “SummerWeen” celebration. In that post from Friday, where I’d written exclusively about Blackcraft Salem, I’d also given a brief summary into what SummerWeen is (and it’s since become my favorite made up holidays!)
But Dan and I did so much more than just drink refreshing beverages and try not to buy everything we came across at Blackcraft. We also strolled the streets of Salem to visit some of it’s most infamous/famous and historical locations and attractions (which are significantly less crowded but just as beautiful and fascinating as they are in the Fall!) like The Witch House, the Ropes Mansion and Garden, the Salem Witch Trials Memorial near the Peabody Essex Museum, and The Witch Museum.
The weather was absolutely gorgeous – which made the walk around town all the more easy and comfortable. While I fully understand why people flock to Salem by the thousands in October, it’s absolutely worth seeing in the Summertime, too! Especially with the amount of beautiful flowers that seemed to be in full bloom with every turn we made or corner we took!
When it came time to grab dinner, Dan and I stopped by the Tavern at Hawthorne Hotel – rumored to be one of the most haunted hotels in America. Although I didn’t experience anything paranormal during our meal, I was fortunate enough to experience a delicious grilled cheese with blackberry jam and garlic butter, and it was phenomenal.
But Dan and I had also come to town to check out the Salem Ghosts Tour via US Ghost Adventures. Some of you may remember when we last teamed up with them in February for a rainy night tour through Boston. We’d had such a fun time, and were absolutely thrilled when they’d asked us to come check out the Witch City Edition – just in time for SummerWeen!
Our guide, Sam, was a delight. He took us to spots around Salem that I’d never known existed, and certainly didn’t know the history behind – and he’d also shared new tales, tragedies and trivia within placed I’d visited or stayed in many times and had no idea were a hotspot for the unexplainable (like the Salem Inn, for example! I’m going to have to ask Troy if he’d ever seen a ghost any of the times we’d slept there!)
Our tour took us down one of the oldest (and prettiest!) streets in America, still lined with gas lamps – and stops along the way at places like The Merchant Bed & Breakfast, The Salem Athenaeum, and a conclusion at the building that now houses Turner’s Seafood on Church Street.
Our group, which included visitors from San Francisco, Ipswich, and Tennessee – all had such a great time, and I definitely suggest checking out Salem Ghosts if you’re planning your own SummerWeen celebration. They’ll be sure to help make it memorable for you! I’ve linked to their respective websites above, but you can also find more ticketing/tour information HERE.
Thank you to Sam for being such a great guide, to Salem Ghosts for having us, and to Dan Little for both joining me with no hesitation and for snapping such wonderful shots during the tour!
Stay spooky!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 