Halloween Haunts – Salem, Massachusetts

With Halloween right around the corner, let’s visit a few attractions in America’s most bewitching town – Salem, Massachusetts.

The Salem Witch Museum:

In 1692, witchcraft hysteria swept through this part of the country. Over 400 people were accused of witchcraft, 19 people were hung, and one person was pressed to death. In the end, none of the accused was involved in witchcraft. Hysteria and fear led people to accuse friends, neighbors, enemies, and even a dog of unspeakable acts.
This museum takes you back in time and gives you a front row seat at the witch trials. A combination of special effects, life size figures, and narration gives you a chilling view of the events that unfolded here. You will witness Tituba, a West Indian housekeeper tell Salem Village children stories of the Devil. This was the main cause for all the hysteria. You will see the hanging of George Burroughs. And you will be extremely happy you did not live during that time period!!



See their website for more details and hours of operation: www.salemwitchmuseum.com

The House of the Seven Gables:

Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote “The House of the Seven Gables” back in 1851. This fictional story begins with a distinguished colonel accusing a local man of witchcraft just to get his land.



Well, the real House of the Seven Gables may not have quite that rich a history, but you can visit it today. The real Seven Gables was built in 1668 and the Turner Family called it home for over a century. You can tour six rooms and see the secret staircase. You will have to visit to see where the stairway is located!!

You can also visit Nathaniel Hawthorne’s home which was moved onto the property back in 1958. You can see where this famous American author was born and where he penned some of his most famous works. Three other 17th century homes are located on the property along with the beautiful Seaside Gardens. Guided tours are available. www.7gables.org

Tail of the Dragon

Germany may have the Autobahn, but America has the Tail of the Dragon. North Carolina’s US 129 has been billed as “America’s number one motorcycle and sports car road.” It’s easy to see why. The road is only 11 miles long, but has 318 curves. Sports car enthusiasts love to bring their rides up here to test their driving prowess. You may not actually be a professional race car driver, but you sure can feel like one!! But, keep in mind the speed limit is only 30 miles per hour.

Now, this road is not for everyone. If you are a person who constantly rides his (or her) brakes driving down a mountain, perhaps you should skip The Dragon. If you decide to conquer the drive, make sure to keep your eyes on the road, and not the scenery. With all those curves, you would hate to miss one and end up on the side of the mountain. For those who love to drive and want to test their skills, the Tail of the Dragon is a must. And, you don’t have to have a Ferrari or Porsche to enjoy it. (But those would be nice!!)



The Cherohala Skyway is another popular drive in the area. It only cost $100,000,000 to build, so you might consider giving it a try!! This road isn’t quite as treacherous as Tail of the Dragon. You will climb 5,400 feet in about 15 miles and are rewarded with spectacular views. Views of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Tellico River are worth the drive. If you are looking for a beautiful waterfall that requires no hiking, take the small detour to Bald River Falls.

Both of these drives hug the Tennessee and North Carolina state lines. Fall is a perfect time to visit. The air is crisp and the leaves are beginning to change. If you are visiting Great Smoky Mountain National Park, consider taking these two drives.

For more information and detailed directions, check out this website: www.tailofthedragon.com

The Blue Ridge Parkway

Fall has finally arrived. Temperatures are turning cooler and Mother Nature has begun putting on one of her most spectacular shows. Forests across the nation are being transformed. Trees are now filled with gorgeous red, orange, yellow, and golden leaves. People are gearing up to take driving tours to look at beautiful fall foliage. And, one of the nation’s best drives offers some spectacular views.

The Blue Ridge Parkway runs from Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountain National Park. For 489 miles, drivers will travel through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery east of the Mississippi River. Fall provides an extra incentive to visit. Fall foliage is spectacular here. Forests line the parkway which means ample leaf peeping opportunities. Overlooks provide picture perfect views and great picnic areas.



Many attractions and natural landmarks are close to the Parkway. Easy on and off access allows the traveler to visit one of the many close by cozy mountain towns. Towns like Boone, Hendersonville, Asheville, and Cherokee are located just a few miles from the main road. Some of the more popular attractions and sites include:

• Natural Bridge of Virginia
• Shenandoah Caverns in Virginia
• Chimney Rock Park, NC
• Grandfather Mountain, NC
• Mount Mitchell State Park – the highest mountain peak east of the Mississippi River
• Linville Falls, NC
• Linn Cove Viaduct – a 1,234 foot curve with gorgeous views
• Mount Pisgah
• The Biltmore Estate, NC

The Parkway’s speed limit is 45 mph. Take your time enjoying the sights. Be on the lookout for wildlife. Deer love to graze by the side of the road and an occasional black bear comes out hunting for fruits and berries. The drive is open year round, but inclement weather does force closures. Expect extreme temperatures changes. Last October, we were caught in a snowstorm!!

For more information about The Blue Ridge Parkway, check out their website: www.blueridgeparkway.org.