One of the non-witchy highlights of a visit to Salem is Nathaniel Hawthorne’s House of Seven Gables.
The House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association was created to assist immigrant families who were settling in Salem. Philanthropist and preservationist Caroline Emmerton purchased “the Old Turner Mansion” in 1908, and eventually restored the mansion to its original splendor — and its seven gables. The building became known as The House of the Seven Gables, after Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel of the same name.
Additional structures were eventually acquired, all dating back to the 17th, 18th, and 19th century, and were moved to the site, creating The House of the Seven Gables campus. It is listed as a historic district on The National Register of Historic Places. The Association continues to focus on education, preservation, and community service
The House of the Seven Gables is located at 115 Derby Street in Salem (map it). Parking is free while visiting. You may also want to consider public transportation.
I’ve only been to The House of the Seven Gables during the spring time, when it looks much like it does in the photo above, with beautiful gardens and landscaping. Like much of Salem, The House of the Seven Gables offers special Halloween events, and I can imagine, however, how spooky it must look in the dark and dreariness of Halloween.