Esplanade Travel

The Salem Witch Museum recreates and examines a dark part of early American history. The Salem witch trials sound like a tale of fiction, merely folklore, but over 180 people were accused and imprisoned for practicing witchcraft with some convictions leading to death by hanging. If you were a witch or were accused of being one in 1692, Salem, Massachusetts was the last place you'd want to be and this museum is the best place to learn why.

Follow the red-brick road, otherwise known as Freedom Trail. The trail stretches 2.5 miles and leads the way to 16 historical sites that are significant to American history. Some of the sites and attractions include the Boston Common, the Old State House, the Bunker Hill Monument, the Paul Revere house and the site of the Boston Massacre.

Like many of the buildings in Boston, the Massachusetts State House serves as an embodiment of the city's important history. The state's capitol building, built in 1798, resides on land that once belonged to John Hancock. You'll recognize the building easily because of its 23-karat gold dome roof. You can see the State House while you're strolling down Freedom Trail, or you can opt for an in-depth tour of it's interior attractions.

Explore the historic neighborhood of Beacon Hill. This area of town is beautiful, with narrow streets, brick sidewalks lit by gas lights, row houses with beautiful doors and brass knockers, hidden gardens, decorative ironwork throughout, colonial revival homes from the early 20th century and other elements that harken from neighborhoods of the past. Beacon Hill draws plenty of attention for its looks but the neighborhood also offers unique shops and some of the city's best restaurants, along with other businesses and attractions.