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Contact: Glenn M. Faria
(Salem, MA Spring 00 -) Tourism is the
buzz word these days, so it seems. But, in a world of clones
and look-alikes, Salem, Massachusetts, stands out above the rest.
This maritime city, with "a little history in every step,"
has been hosting guests for nearly four centuries. (Admittedly,
19 of Salem's 17th century guests were not particularly happy
about their stays in Salem; in fact, they ended up "staying"
permanently.) The Salem Inn, Make It Your Home "Pawt": With a week's worth of sights and attractions in the city itself and in greater Salem, The Salem Inn is the perfect lodging choice for active families and groups. And there's no need to be concerned about canine or feline friends either (even though at least two canines were hung as witches in 1692), because the Inn knows how much these four-footed friends mean to the little ones - they, too, are welcome. In addition to well-equipped apartments in the Captain West House, the newly-renovated Peabody House features four wonderfully equipped and oversized family suites and two luxury suites. Even families traveling on a budget will find stays at the Inn affordable - with its well-equipped kitchenettes, there's no need for expensive dinners out every night. Given its central location and bevy of family attractions, Salem rivals any destination for creating the perfect family holiday. And, in Salem, there really is only one choice for families wishing to have a lodging property reflective of Salem's historic past right in the midst of it all - and that choice is The Salem Inn. The Salem Inn: A Great Alternative to High-Price Boston Lodging: Boston's great, no question. But, particularly when traveling with a family, Beantown can get pricey. For families traveling together and wanting to see all the many sights and attractions, something's gotta give. Enter The Salem Inn. Located a mere 18 miles north of Boston, The Salem Inn is a great alternate to the city's high priced lodging options. And families can travel to Boston in a half hour by train! Given the surfeit of interesting and exciting things to see and do in Salem, active families can spend several days taking in Salem's many sights and attractions first - and then head into Boston or north to Rockport and Gloucester, also available by train. And these are ideal walking towns, too. Through late September, a four- or six-person family suite with kitchenette, TV, telephone and ample bedding ranges from $179 to $249 per night. And considering that the family can cook for itself, that will leave a lot more in the budget for admissions and fun things to do, like Salem's whale watch and The Salem Trolley (plus a little left over for souvenirs). Salem: A Little History In Every Step: Salem, the "bewitching seaport," a short 18 miles from Boston, rivals any New England city. Salem was the first capital of Massachusetts Bay Colony and was a hotbed of activity starting as early as 1626. Contemporary Salem's sidewalks are like so many rivers, wending visitors past its world-class museums, diverse restaurants and fun activities, too - such as Moby Duck, the amphibious tour, or visits to Friendship, a replica of the 1797 East Indiaman merchant ship. Start with Chestnut Street, considered one of America's architecturally beautiful streets, with several houses built by Samuel McIntire. Peabody Essex Museum contains the finest maritime art in the country with renowned collections of fine and decorative art and architecture. The House of Seven Gables is the stuff of novels. See for yourself the 17th century building which so inspired author Nathaniel Hawthorne (including the hidden staircase). These and its dozens of other sights and attractions provide insights into the city's turbulent and beguiling history. The Salem Heritage Trail, replete with red sidewalk guide lines, takes visitors past 1.7 miles of the city's most historic sight. Bring your sneakers! Salem - Not Just For Witches Anymore: It's true that Salem allegedly has more witches - individuals who practice the religion wicca - than any other American city. And, yes it's true that 19 alleged witches were hung in Salem in 1692, at the height of the witch hysteria. It is also a fact that people can purchase the ingredients for potions, crystal balls, Tarot cards at Essex Street's Crow Haven Corner, owned by Laurie Cabot, the "official witch" of Salem. Visitors can have their palms or tea leaves read or even have a "psychic reading" at one of several specialty shops. But don't be surprised if you see a soul all dressed in black with a staff walking around the seaside city as cool, calm and collected as can be. This is every day Salem traffic. But aside from reminders of Salem's dark past, there are dozens of historical, cultural and recreational sights and attractions for visitors of every age. The Salem Trolley is an ideal way to get around the city and the professionally narrated tour provides a succinct background to enhance visitors' appreciation of Salem. So, back in the 17th century, witchcraft was the buzz-word, but, today, there is much more than witches to Salem than you could shake, well, a broomstick at. Salem - An Ideal Venue For Business Travelers: Skyscrapers, elevators, waiting lines, pedestrian and expressway traffic jams, on and off the subway, red lights and honking horns are enough to wear down even the most intrepid business traveler. But, business must go on. Up early, back to the hotel late and hours of stressful business in between. Sound like your last business trip? How about a short, 30-minute train ride to the city - Salem, the very civilized seaside city just 18 miles north of Boston? This eminently walkable city offers a refreshing respite from the hustle and bustle of Beantown. After all, Boston will still be there in the morning! In between, you can make a late afternoon museum visit or a city-wide trolley tour, select from dozens of diverse restaurants or take in the sights at Essex Street Pedestrian Mall or Pickering Wharf. And business travelers will be surprised at just how affordable a stay in Salem can be versus Boston. The Salem Inn, with 39 distinctive and comfortable guest rooms and suites with TV, telephone and private bath, is a great alternate to the cookie cutter rooms in a city hotel. Rates start at low as $129 per night including continental breakfast and, unlike the city, parking is free. And, considering that Boston is a short drive or train ride from Boston, business travelers will arrive there feeling decidedly refreshed. This safe and convenient city also offers many evening entertainment options, too. So, when you next travel to the Boston area for business, consider Salem as a hub instead of an urban hotel. Romantic Salem - Whirlpools & Whimsy: Why not get away for a romantic getaway? Make Salem, Massachusetts, the "bewitching seaport," your romantic "home port?" The Salem Inn, with 39 comfortable and distinctive guest rooms and suites, has just the right accommodation for your birthday, anniversary, honeymoon or "any old time" romantic getaway. The Curwen House, the Inn's romantic 19th century Italianate building replete with whimsical trompe l'oeil murals and stenciling, comprises eleven delightful rooms including three stellar honeymoon suites, replete with canopied bed, fireplace and double Jacuzzi. Add to your getaway a delightful dinner and bottle of wine at Cuvee, the Inn's on-site restaurant, and you have all the ingredients for a super romantic getaway to this delightful maritime city. During the day, you can thrill to its many sights and attractions and, when you've seen them all, nearby you'll find historic Newburyport, Beverly, "the garden city," birthplace of the American navy, Gloucester and the many wonderful villages of Cape Ann, Massachusetts' "other" Cape - all just a short drive or day trip away. The Inn staff will be happy to help enhance your romantic getaway with special touches, such as flowers and champagne upon arrival and a horse-drawn carriage ride from the waterfront to beautiful classic Chestnut Street. So, make Salem your romantic "home port" - at The Salem Inn, of course. Salem & The Salem Inn: The Three Cs, Comfort, Culture & Cuisine, are at the heart of every vacation. The Salem Inn, in the very heart of historic Salem, offers history-making hospitality and the comfort of a home away from home. Culturally, Salem features world-class museums, art galleries and architectural and historical icons of a proud seafaring past - and memorials to a tragic and chilling era in its history during the witchcraft hysteria of 1692. Chestnut Street, architectural exemplar of classic fashionable homes, stands as a testament to Salem's halcyon days when it was the Colonies' - then the new nation's -premier seaport and the Massachusetts Bay Colony's first capital. Now let's talk about food. The Inn's on-site restaurant, Cuvee, is a great place to start a Salem culinary odyssey. Featuring New American "fusion" cuisine, entrees here range from Mediterranean to Asian, with new combinations of unusual ingredients. The Lyceum Bar & Grill, is perhaps Salem's most popular restaurant. Familiar food flavored for the 90s is stylish yet affordable and is served in a historic atmosphere. If it's Italian night, head to Caffe Graziani for homemade Italian specialties. There are enough dining options in Salem to sustain even the hungriest cultural comfort seeker for at least a month. As the foodies say, Bon appetit! Pick A Peck of Packages: Trust the ones who know Salem best, namely the folks at The Salem Inn, to put together a great collection of creative travel packages, which can be purchased directly or as gift certificates. Select from the "summer sizzlers" - History & Heritage, Voyage in Time, Salem Sampler or Kid 'n Kaboodle packages, among others. Several include dinner at Cuvee, the Inn's on-site restaurant as well as museum admissions, Salem Trolley passes and admissions to some of Salem's most popular museums. Some say they take the guess work out of which to visit. But then, you can always come back to Salem (and you will!). Otherwise, you can always design your own - with so many museums and sights and attractions, there is no shortage of components - only a shortage of time to see them all. Now all you have to do is pick a package, pack and prime your pumps for a plenitude of popular pastimes. |
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