Bucket List Dreams- Bewitched in Salem

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem has been on my bucket list for years, so it was a given when I made my fall bucket list that this year I had to visit finally. Salem is known as being the historic site of the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Salem is known as Witch City and the Halloween capital of the world. During October Salem comes alive. Salem is even sensationalized for it’s ties to Hocus Pocus. Hocus Pocus lovers flock to Salem every Halloween to visit sites from the cult-classic film.

“I was born on the night of Samhain, when the barrier between the worlds is whisper-thin and when magic, old magic, sings its heady and sweet song to anyone who cares to hear it.”

Downtown Salem

Salem Visitors Center

The visitors center is a great starting point for your Salem trip. The visitors center has a great deal of information on the history of the witch trials and Salem as a seaport town. They feature some thought-provoking paintings depicting the evolution of witches and their ties to the greatest fallen angel, Lucifer.

 

Salem Old Burying Point Cemetery

The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 are known as the most infamous witch trials in history. The witch trials were a series of hearings, prosecutions, and executions. During the witch-hunt, Colonists accused 200 townspeople of communing with the devil and practicing witchcraft. 20 women, men, and children were taken to the Gallows and were hanged.

“We see witchcraft, finally, as a deeply ambivalent but violent struggle /within/ women as well as an equally ambivalent but violent struggle /against/ women.”

Salem Witch Trial Memorial

The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 will forever be remembered as a time of widespread panic and hysteria This, in turn, resulted in the executions of the 20 innocent townspeople in the quiet and sleepy village of Salem. Many of the accused were thrown into the dungeons of the jails awaiting their sorrowful fate.

 “I was interested in what was really going on in Salem at that time, and I resolved to investigate this seemingly unorthodox treatment of the people and the period.”

Salem Witch Museum 

The Salem Witch Museum has tons of information on American and European witchcraft. We did the nighttime tour, and our guide was very informative and engaging. We also sat through the audio tour which has stages of reenacted scenes from the witch trials. This is an excellent tour for history lovers too. I learned so much more about the Salem Witch Trials.

“Witch. The word drifted across his mind. We call such women so, because we have no other name.”

The Witch House

The Witch House, Corwin House, is one of the last remaining structures with direct ties to the Salem witch trials of 1692. The home belonged to Jonathan Corwin who was one of the judges during the infamous witch trials.

“Perhaps I am the only person who, asked whether she were a witch or not, could truthfully say, “I do not know. I do know some very strange things have happened to me, or through me.”

Ropes Mansion

It’s all just a bunch of Hocus Pocus! The Ropes Mansion is a Colonial-style home and features a botanical backyard wonderland. This is every Hocus Pocus fangirl’s dream! It’s surreal to celebrate the 25th anniversary of my favorite Halloween Disney movie at this iconic place.

“When a small group of people come together to relive the Salem witch hunts, God cries. For if anything is sorrowful to God, it is evil done in his name. When you find out you were not given the truth, how will you live with yourself?”

Bewitched Statue

Fans of the beloved TV Land show Bewitched love to visit the site of the Elizabeth Montgomery, Bewitched Statue. The bronzed statue of Elizabeth sits atop a crescent moon. Several episodes of Bewitched were filmed in Salem.

“We are quicksilver, a fleeting shadow, a distant sound…our home has no boundaries beyond which we cannot pass. We live in music, in a flash of color…we live on the wind and in the sparkle of a star!”

Salem Common

It’s the 25th anniversary of Hocus Pocus, and I’m visiting where scenes from the movie were filmed. Tonight Hocus Pocus is playing out on the lawn, and I get to watch one of my favorite childhood movies in Salem! It’s just a bunch of ‪Hocus Pocus‬! I’ll Put a Spell on You. Run amok amok amok.

“Come, little children, I’ll take thee away, Into a land of enchantment. Come little children; the time’s come to play, Here in my garden of magic.“

Hex Old World Witchery

I’ve visited the Hex sister store on numerous occasions in New Orleans, so I just had to visit the Hex store in Salem. This is the original Hex store and has all of the same witchy goodness and magick. Hex has many herbs and oils, tarot and oracle cards, spell and magic books, and more. The altar table is filled with photos, prayers, and offerings.

“The sky grew orange and pink, a pale ghost of the full moon appeared above Salem, waiting to glow brilliant in the velvet black hiding just beyond the twilight.”

Essex Street Pedestrian Mall

Historic Essex Street is the life source of Salem. There are numerous new age shops, divey eateries and cafes, and specialty boutiques lined up alongside the brick and cobblestone streets. Essex Street is all things horror and Halloween from witches to vampires and beyond. I love all of the eclectic storefronts which feature unique gifts and merchandise. Essex Street is so lively and inviting.

“You hold a lioness in your arms, little witch. Someone’s sky; another’s earth; and a third’s star. Blood, skin, and breath in one.”

Salem Haunted Happenings

 Visiting Salem, MA the site of the Salem Witch Trials has been on my bucket list for years. During our visit, many festivals were going on including Salem Haunted Happenings, The Psychic and Witch Fair, and the Bizarre Bazaar. October is a month-long celebration for #SalemHauntedHappenings 🔮🕯⚰️🦇🕷🕸✨🕯

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”

Salem Haunted Bizarre Bazaar

The Bizarre Bazaar is packed with locals, tourists, and vendors shopping, eating, and taking in all of the sights and sounds. This is the festival for entertaining all Halloween lovers. This is a family event, and there are games and activities, plus trick-or-treating for the kids.

“They called her witch because she knew how to heal herself.”

Salem Psychic and Witch Fair

Calling all Halloween Lovers to the Psychic and Witch Fair, also known as The Festival of the Dead. There are celebrated mediums and psychics holding seminars and relaying messages from the spirit world through tarot cards, crystal balls, and palm readings. The fair features an emporium of magickal gifts.

“I address you all tonight for who you truly are: wizards, mermaids, travelers, adventurers, and magicians. You are the true dreamers.”

Other things to do:

Salem Maritime National Historic Site
Peabody Essex Museum
Pickering Wharf
The Custom House
The House of Seven Gables
Salem Witch Village
Witch Dungeon Museum
Witch History Museum
New England Pirate Museum
Salem 1630: Pioneer Village
Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery
Salem Wax Museum of Witches & Seafarers

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There’s just something about you, Salem. Happy Halloween, little witches! Happy All Hallows’ Day! Happy Hocus Pocus Day! Happy Haunting! Happy Samhain!🎃👻

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Sending all my love from Salem! xoxo

“When change cometh, she will bring peace at her back. She will not bend to your will; you must bend to hers.”