Salem, Massachusetts

Salem is a port city located in northeastern Massachusetts, 16 miles (26 kilometers) northeast of Boston. It is the county seat of Essex County, and home to 40,407 residents.

Salem is best known for a series of witch trials that took place in 1692. Enterprising citizens have turned this dark chapter in the city's history into a major tourist draw, and local witch-related attractions include the Salem Witch Museum, the Witch History museums, the Salem Wax Museum of Witches and Seafarers and many others. Griffen Theatre offers a multimedia presentation entitled "Legends of Salem," and History Alive invites visitors to play the role of a jury member during the witch trial of Bridget Bishop. Halloween festivities in Salem are unmatched by any other city in America, and Haunted Happenings and the Festival of the Dead are just some of the special events that take place each October.

After getting your fill of Salem's spooky delights, be sure to visit some of the city's other excellent historical attractions. The Salem Maritime National Historic Site works to preserve the rich maritime heritage of New England, and features 12 historic waterfront structures. Another great site is the House of the Seven Gables, Salem's oldest mansion and the inspiration behind Nathanial Hawthorne's famous novel. For some light-hearted fun, check out the New England Pirate Museum.

A must-see cultural attraction is the Peabody Essex Museum, whose phenomenal collections include 2.4 million works of art, architecture, and culture from around the world. On the local performing arts scene, there's the Paul Madore Chorale, the Salem Theatre Company, and the Salem State College Center for the Arts.

In addition to history and culture, Salem also offers numerous recreational activities on land and sea. Many boat and whale-watching tours are available, and sailing enthusiasts will find ideal conditions and great facilities at Salem Harbor. On land, you can learn about the history of this lovely city by joining a guided walking tour, or pick up some more chilling tales and legends on a cemetery or ghost tour. For a day of family fun, head to Salem Willows, a seaside amusement park that offers children's rides, a fishing pier, arcade games, and many eateries.

Historic, lively, and utterly bewitching, Salem is a great choice for your next home!

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