Ride the Ferry!

I love this time of year because it seems like every week there is something fantastic starting its new season. The weather is getting warmer (well, it's not warm today, but it will be beautiful this weekend), and there are lots of people visiting and exploring Salem.

Today I say, "Hooray for The Salem Ferry!" It is the best ride between Salem and Boston (the train is a close second, of course, but it's tough to compete with open water, coastal views, and a snack bar). Beginning Friday, May 23, the Nathaniel Bowditch is a high-speed catamaran that will carry you between Blaney Street Pier in Salem and Central Wharf in Boston in 45 minutes. Blaney Street is two blocks east of The House of the Seven Gables, and Central Wharf is adjacent to the New England Aquarium in Boston. More centrally located you can not be!

The Salem Ferry has a special spring fare of $9.00 per ticket until June 10, and there are cruise-and-dine promotions with Boston and Salem restaurants. For more information, visit http://www.salemferry.com/.

A Great Night Out

I love this - Cinema Salem is offering an Economic Recovery Special of $6 for films before 6pm. If you cut out the circular decal and present it when you purchase your tickets, you'll get a free Cinema Salem bumper sticker!

(And, in truth, you'll get the special and the free bumper sticker without the circular decal, so if you want to save the paper, that's okay, too...)

I think Cinema Salem is one of those "best kept secrets" in the downtown, and I know it won't be for long because they have delicious popcorn, and they get the latest films, and they have $6 movies before 6pm. These things are a recipe for great success and popularity.

Harrison Ford doesn't hurt, either.

Plan your night out in Salem now - have dinner (Thai, Japanese, and Pizza are a stone's throw from the theater... walk slightly further for American, Italian, seafood, Indian), see the movie, and then rehash the best and worst scenes over cocktails and desserts at another restaurant (Rockafellas, Finz, and Capt.'s are all very good for this end-of-night respite). Now that's a date.

Some of your favorite spots

Thanks for the photo submissions! It's great to hear about what people cherish most about Salem - whether it is the views of the water, the open space, the historic cemeteries, the architecture. You all have great, unique perspectives. Thank you for sharing!

Here is a favorite spot sent it by Cuyle Carvin in New York. I think Salem Willows is a favorite spot for many, many people.

If you have a photo of a favorite spot in Salem, send it to me! Email it to destinationsalem@gmail.com.

What's your favorite spot in Salem?

This picture was taken from the roof of the Museum Place Garage. The garage is, in addition to the most practical and centrally located place to park in town, my favorite spot for gazing down on the Salem Visitor Center, Essex Street, Liberty Street, the Trolleys passing by, visitors wandering into the Peabody Essex Museum, and impromptu picnics happening in Armory Park. You can see the masts of the Friendship, the unique roof line of the PEM, the top of the Salem Witch Museum. It's a peaceful spot to get a new perspective on Salem.

What's your favorite spot in Salem? Send a picture to destinationsalem@gmail.com and I just may post it on this blog!

Spring in Salem Fashion Show

Today, Saturday, May 17, at 12:00 pm Signatures and the Peabody Essex Museum present the Spring in Salem Fashion Show at Old Town Hall in Salem. The show will feature fashion from the Peabody Essex Museum Shop and Signatures, an "Art in Bloom" inspired exhibit by the Salem Garden Club, and much more. Refreshments will be served starting at noon and the fashion show will start at 1 pm. Price: $5; Age Suitability: 21 and up.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Salem Main Streets and the Salem Garden Club. Following the show, receive a 20% off discount on all spring clothing at Signatures and the Peabody Essex Museum Shop. Seating is limited. R.S.V.P. by calling Signatures at (978) 825-0015.

Location, Location, Location

Isn't it hard to choose a place to stay from far away? So many questions, so many options... I am hoping to help you make informed decisions by highlighting some of Salem's historic, comfortable, unique inns with short (very short) video spotlights.

Today we are at the Stepping Stone Inn. Innkeeper John Brick welcomes guests to his home, which features 8 uniquely decorated rooms. The house was built in 1846 for Naval officer Benjamin True. It features a living/sitting room, breakfast room, and private baths in the heart of downtown Salem. The Inn is adjacent to the Salem Witch Museum, across the street from Salem Common (perfect for a stroll to walk off the delicious dinner you have at one of Salem's fabulous restaurants!), and a short walk from everything you would want to do in Salem.

Two Shows at the Griffen Theatre

Salem is so lucky to have the Griffen Theatre - it is a venue for local theater companies, for local productions, for comedy, and for The Witches Cottage, which is a live stage show with thrilling, haunted stories from Salem's past.

The Griffen Theatre is pleased to present two new shows this month. The first one, The Big Show: A Staged Reading of a New Comedy, by Frank Hauser, will run this weekend - May 16 & 17 at 8pm. The Big Show takes place on the set of a late-night talk show hosted by Teddy Leeds. In addition to the challenges of making his mediocre show seem interesting, he’s dealing with the bizarre gambling habits of his driver, the increasingly explosive nature of his investments in South America and his blossoming, albeit ill-advised, romance with a mobster’s niece. And the death threats, one can’t forget about the death threats. Tickets are $12.00, general admission. Doors open at 7:30pm. Reservations: 978-825-0222, More info: frankpresentsthebigshow@gmail.com

The second show looks to be an amazing opportunity for those of us who have read and studied Hawthorne - We will be able to meet Nathaniel Hawthorne in Inspired on May 23rd and 24th at 8pm. which will be an hour-long journey through the famed Salem author’s triumphant and sometimes tragic life. With wit and candor Mr. Hawthorne will discuss his influences and friends, including such notable writers as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Herman Melville. He will also speak of his deep love and extraordinary marriage to Salem’s daughter Sophia Peabody. By turns humorous and deeply touching, this performance promises to capture the heart of one of America’s most important writers.

Starring Norman Jones, who founded History Alive and directed Cry Innocent for seven years. He has been performing the role of Nathaniel Hawthorne for fifteen years. He is an associate professor of theatre at Gordon College in Wenham, MA. Doors for these performances open at 7:15pm. Tickets $15.00. Reservations: 978 825 0222.

Talk back with the Actor following the show."Norm Jones takes you beyond history and into the heart, mind, and soul of Nathaniel Hawthorne himself, a seamless performance, which merges the past into the present, bringing Hawthorne into our own time and space and allowing us to meet him firsthand." -- M. Lynda Robinson, Producing Director, West End Theater, Gloucester

Complimentary beverages will be served for both performances, which is an awfully nice touch!