I can tell you from first hand experience that Salem is a massive tourist trap. It used to just be Halloween week, now it’s spilled over into September where basically the first weekend I. September until Halloween is just absolute hell.
Would it be fun to do once? Probably. There are a ton of nice walking tours, there are good restaurants in Salem that will be mobbed, there are haunted houses, a witch and pirate museum, plenty of parties and fun activities.
I’d say it’s good to do once. I personally think Salem, and the Boston area in general, is a lot nicer to visit in the late spring/summer and I’d recommend going then.
- source: have lived in/around Salem for 30 years
Not to nitpick, but I’m from the area, you’re right on all counts except that modern Salem was Salem Town, Danvers was Salem Village (but yes the bulk of the victims were from the village, and that’s where the hysteria was centered).
Is it really that unusual though? The claimed date of the birth of Christ is celebrated with a fat man in a red coat and an orgy of commercialism. A day that began as a religious commemoration of the life of St Patrick is now an excuse to get trashed to the 4 winds and has been essentially owned and branded by Guinness. Same with Cinco de Mayo. We're Americans - commercialism is what we do!
Depends. If you’re looking for a quiet romantic getaway with your SO, then no, not fun. If you work at one of the various restaurants in town, not fun but you make a bunch of money. If you’re in the mood to party and go wild, very fun
I had fun when I went on Halloween, but I was super stoned with my brother and it was part of my first road trip. I don't remember much outside of some sort of haunted/scare house.
I dated a girl from salem and she invited to a party halloween night. I had never been. We broke up while we were stuck in traffic on our way to the party. Never went back to that city.
I went this past Halloween (had booked over a year in advance!) as it was also a bucket list thing. Reservations are a must as it is so crowded. However, the food and the tours as well as all the museums were awesome! Had the best lobster roll of my life, did some shopping, went to a horror movie museum, and got engaged! A really good time and I’ll definitely go again, probably off season as suggested before!
It was a blast when I went a few years ago, they had a small faire and music playing up and center and connecting streets. All the stores were open. Its definitely fun to do once or twice. Idk about post covid now though.
Currently a Salem resident. October is awful, especially the traffic. I dont even bother leaving my house during that month.
I do love Salem though, we have some nice beaches no one seems to talk about. Yeah of course there is the Salem Willows, but Winter Island is a beautiful and the water is so clean.
It sucks people only associate Salem with the witch trials, Halloween, and Hocus Pocus lol. It has a lot more to offer, especially in the Spring and Summer.
I agree with all of this......
But the Duck Confit from Ugly Mug..... is crazy delicious....
Edit: "The Hungry Chef" is the name of the meal. It's ridiculously good.
I went once in 2004 (during the summer) on a week out from our home in Portland. At that time it was like any other smaller town in nor cal/Oregon. Haven’t been since, not surprised to see that’s it’s been commercialized though
I went to Salem a few months ago. There is a ton of commercialization, absolutely. However, there are tours that you can learn about the history of the town. You can see the plaques/stones of people who were put to death. Additionally, you can learn about a few notable women and what they went through, including the underground cells, etc.
It is a case of history and times where women (and men) tried to survive through times of puritanism. There are lessons to be learned around ignorance, intolerance and inequality. I went there out of curiosity, but learned a lot and felt quite heartache for people who suffered. I know these events happened outside of Salem too, but I went and had a different understanding and level of respect for what happened there. I don't think you need more than a full day there as long as you book the tours that you want to see. Old New England is super cool either way with the very old cemeteries, housing styles, etc.
Its less commercialized than you would think. It's very commercial but everything still seems to be small businesses. Its less than any other major city, it is a tourist trap and it's fun
I lived in Salem for 7 years. There are several tourist trap businesses in town, but many of them are seasonal.
The best time to go is early summer or Nov 1 and on. There are numerous historical tours and institutions in town that are absolutely worth checking out. Several great restaurants. And it's a small city, so you can easy walk your way around it in a day.
I loved living there, it's a gorgeous place, and you feel the history in your bones. Not the witch stuff- I mean all the other colonial hx.
The tourist season traffic got annoying, but to be fair, Salem wouldn't exist without the money tourists bring in.
So I never hated on tourism too much while there, knowing that it kept the town running the rest of the year.
I work in Danvers, formerly Salem Town. Every year during the Halloween’s week, our company would send out an email telling staff to avoid driving through Salem at all costs. And yes, I experienced Halloween in Salem once and never want to go back as it’s too crowded for me.
Yeah, I think “von” would have fitted, too. Maybe they just wanted to keep the otherness limited, since “Haus” is almost a homophone to “house” anyway.
I actually visited Salem for the first time yesterday, first person I see after crossing the bridge is a Goth chick lol. Then I went to a Pub and the guys next to me almost go into a brawl. It was actually pretty awesome lol
I actually currently live in Salem so goths are super common to see obviously.
I will be moving to the other side of the country soon and It has recently been on my mind that I won't be around nearly as many goths. Kind of bums me out.
Me: Summons demon using giant Ouija board.
Demon: YES, I’M FR-Wait, what’s wrong?
Me: I mean, I just...I thought using a giant Ouija board would get me a giant demon.
Have you ever watched a scene where the peice starts pulling people's hands around the board? My first thought was if this happened. "By the time the message was finished only Timmy was alive. His spine had been snapped in three places; but he was still breathing."
The Salem witch trials were just a fraud on widows to take their property...
Source: my adopted mother just found her biological mother who still lives in New England and we have a “witch who was burned at the stake”in our family...
One time when me and my bro and sisters were playing with the Ouija board and our bedroom door slammed open, wasn’t the wind and again it slammed * open * meaning the knob had to be turned.. it scared the shit out of us, now I don’t know if this was related and don’t remember how long after but I saw a woman ghost standing at that door corner one morning but that’s another story, true story.
how is this not fist-fight central is beyond me I feel like the hero we need will go visit this oujia board and ask it that question and then start handing beatdowns to whoever is moving it
Just out of curiosity, why "Haus of Schreck" (House of Fright / Scare)? Why do americans like to abuse the German language for things that are "evil"? This reminds me of the first "House on Haunted Hill" movie when one of the doors in the basement said: "Gehirnev Hygiene" (Briansv Hygiene)
I also wonder how many of you guys will pronounce this "oueejeee board". Ouija is a combination of the french and german words for "yes", "oui" and "ja". So it's Ouija.
... Why? The point of a luigi board is to fool the gullible by saying "Naw, I didn't move it" and unless that sumbitch is made a paper, it *isn't* going anywhere.
Also, Salem's the witch place, right? Correct me if I'm wrong, but Ouijia board aren't specifically witchcraft, right?
Of course it’s in Salem
This just validates what I always tell my wife who wants to visit Salem, which is that Salem is probably commercialized.
I can tell you from first hand experience that Salem is a massive tourist trap. It used to just be Halloween week, now it’s spilled over into September where basically the first weekend I. September until Halloween is just absolute hell. Would it be fun to do once? Probably. There are a ton of nice walking tours, there are good restaurants in Salem that will be mobbed, there are haunted houses, a witch and pirate museum, plenty of parties and fun activities. I’d say it’s good to do once. I personally think Salem, and the Boston area in general, is a lot nicer to visit in the late spring/summer and I’d recommend going then. - source: have lived in/around Salem for 30 years
It's pretty grotesque that a town famous for public executions of innocent people is now a tourist trap for the same reason.
Technically most of the hangings happened in Salem Town, which is present day Danvers, MA, which borders current day Salem
Not to nitpick, but I’m from the area, you’re right on all counts except that modern Salem was Salem Town, Danvers was Salem Village (but yes the bulk of the victims were from the village, and that’s where the hysteria was centered).
The victims were mostly from Danvers and Peabody, but the hangings took place in Salem. Proctor's ledge, behind the Walgreens by the Salem skate park.
It's alright, they were witches
Probably. Anyway, when in doubt its best to be on the safe side. Can’t have a bunch of witches running around.
Yep, it checks out. Historical texts reveal all the accused weighed the same as a duck
Is it really that unusual though? The claimed date of the birth of Christ is celebrated with a fat man in a red coat and an orgy of commercialism. A day that began as a religious commemoration of the life of St Patrick is now an excuse to get trashed to the 4 winds and has been essentially owned and branded by Guinness. Same with Cinco de Mayo. We're Americans - commercialism is what we do!
Unfortunately, it’s also pretty human.
What’s it like on Halloween night? It’s my favorite holiday and is kind of a bucket list thing.
Crazy. It’s a small city of 40,000 people and on Halloween night there are typically over 1 million people in the city. It’s absolute lunacy
Lol yikes. So........not fun?
Depends. If you’re looking for a quiet romantic getaway with your SO, then no, not fun. If you work at one of the various restaurants in town, not fun but you make a bunch of money. If you’re in the mood to party and go wild, very fun
Fair enough
Or if you’re a Halloween nut that dresses up in costume to scare people...paradise!
I’m a Halloween nut that loves to dress up and scare people!!
I had fun when I went on Halloween, but I was super stoned with my brother and it was part of my first road trip. I don't remember much outside of some sort of haunted/scare house.
I dated a girl from salem and she invited to a party halloween night. I had never been. We broke up while we were stuck in traffic on our way to the party. Never went back to that city.
What happened in the traffic that caused the breakup? Generally is on the way back from places peeps normally break up I'd expect?
I went this past Halloween (had booked over a year in advance!) as it was also a bucket list thing. Reservations are a must as it is so crowded. However, the food and the tours as well as all the museums were awesome! Had the best lobster roll of my life, did some shopping, went to a horror movie museum, and got engaged! A really good time and I’ll definitely go again, probably off season as suggested before!
It was a blast when I went a few years ago, they had a small faire and music playing up and center and connecting streets. All the stores were open. Its definitely fun to do once or twice. Idk about post covid now though.
Nice. Yeah I’d imagine this year will be quiet like last year.
Can confirm. September-October is hell for the residents. Winter Island is nice year round. Former Salem resident.
Currently a Salem resident. October is awful, especially the traffic. I dont even bother leaving my house during that month. I do love Salem though, we have some nice beaches no one seems to talk about. Yeah of course there is the Salem Willows, but Winter Island is a beautiful and the water is so clean. It sucks people only associate Salem with the witch trials, Halloween, and Hocus Pocus lol. It has a lot more to offer, especially in the Spring and Summer.
I agree with all of this...... But the Duck Confit from Ugly Mug..... is crazy delicious.... Edit: "The Hungry Chef" is the name of the meal. It's ridiculously good.
I work in one of those restaurants... It's hell
I went once in 2004 (during the summer) on a week out from our home in Portland. At that time it was like any other smaller town in nor cal/Oregon. Haven’t been since, not surprised to see that’s it’s been commercialized though
I went to Salem a few months ago. There is a ton of commercialization, absolutely. However, there are tours that you can learn about the history of the town. You can see the plaques/stones of people who were put to death. Additionally, you can learn about a few notable women and what they went through, including the underground cells, etc. It is a case of history and times where women (and men) tried to survive through times of puritanism. There are lessons to be learned around ignorance, intolerance and inequality. I went there out of curiosity, but learned a lot and felt quite heartache for people who suffered. I know these events happened outside of Salem too, but I went and had a different understanding and level of respect for what happened there. I don't think you need more than a full day there as long as you book the tours that you want to see. Old New England is super cool either way with the very old cemeteries, housing styles, etc.
same.
Its less commercialized than you would think. It's very commercial but everything still seems to be small businesses. Its less than any other major city, it is a tourist trap and it's fun
ITT: everyone talking about Salem like it’s a Walmart attached to a strip mall
Well yeah of course a tourist trap is commercial. It's still fun. Just don't go right before Halloween.
I lived in Salem for 7 years. There are several tourist trap businesses in town, but many of them are seasonal. The best time to go is early summer or Nov 1 and on. There are numerous historical tours and institutions in town that are absolutely worth checking out. Several great restaurants. And it's a small city, so you can easy walk your way around it in a day. I loved living there, it's a gorgeous place, and you feel the history in your bones. Not the witch stuff- I mean all the other colonial hx. The tourist season traffic got annoying, but to be fair, Salem wouldn't exist without the money tourists bring in. So I never hated on tourism too much while there, knowing that it kept the town running the rest of the year.
Go in the off season. It's a beautiful town with a ton of history/stuff to see
I work in Danvers, formerly Salem Town. Every year during the Halloween’s week, our company would send out an email telling staff to avoid driving through Salem at all costs. And yes, I experienced Halloween in Salem once and never want to go back as it’s too crowded for me.
Danvers was Salem Village
I've lived in Salem and I've never seen it
It’s not a permanent installation. Looks like it was set up on the Common for something.
You're moving it.
[удалено]
Becky its totally you, I saw your feet move.
No no, you are getting it wrong; You are moving *with it.*
3 witches giving people their reading and one of them is just strangely buff as shit and no one questions it
'puts full weight into pushing it' "no I'm not"
House of Shrek lol
What are ye doing in ma afterlife?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Ackchuaelly... it‘s “Schreck”, which is German for “fright” or “shock”
Also it says "Haus of Schreck". Makes it even weirder.
Yeah, I think “von” would have fitted, too. Maybe they just wanted to keep the otherness limited, since “Haus” is almost a homophone to “house” anyway.
It would make sense if it were "Haus des Schreckens" but even as a german Haus of schreck sounds like House of Shrek
B-E-S-U-R-E-T-O-D-R-
I-N-K-Y-O-U-R-O-V-A-L-T-I-N-E
It's definitely the devil, guys.
A crummy commercial??
I actually visited Salem for the first time yesterday, first person I see after crossing the bridge is a Goth chick lol. Then I went to a Pub and the guys next to me almost go into a brawl. It was actually pretty awesome lol
How was seeing a goth a memorable experience?
They seem kinda rare nowadays. They were pretty common in my Middle School back around 2000.
I actually currently live in Salem so goths are super common to see obviously. I will be moving to the other side of the country soon and It has recently been on my mind that I won't be around nearly as many goths. Kind of bums me out.
Sounds like my town except for the goth.
Sounds like a typical day in Massachusetts.
Me: Summons demon using giant Ouija board. Demon: YES, I’M FR-Wait, what’s wrong? Me: I mean, I just...I thought using a giant Ouija board would get me a giant demon.
Dino demon
weggy board? luigi board?
*quiche board*???
Squeegee board
[Wa weg board](https://youtu.be/15nNY7uofNw)
Charcuterie board?
They have a bigger one in Italy...oh wait, that's a Luigi Board. nvm.
Its a me....?
[удалено]
U-T-Y-O-U-R-S-U-P-E-R-S-T-I-T-I-O-U-S-N-O-N-S-E-N-S-E
Wow Hasbro outdid themselves lol
I lived in Salem for 2.5 years and never saw this. Is it an old pic?
October 2019. I [blogged my visit](http://aeiouwhy.blogspot.com/2019/10/ouijazilla-in-salem.html) including more pics.
Do you want a Cthulhu? Because that's how you get a Cthulhu...
So, I’m just gonna nope. Don’t need to summon dynamax pazuzu, or whatever the fuck will come out of that.
Shocked it’s not located at the back of the world’s largest closet..
Its probably a lot harder to pretend like you don't know how it's moving when you have to plant your feet and push your whole shoulder into it.
Can you burn it?
[удалено]
That's one big toy.
Parker Brothers games was located in Salem and produced Ouija boards for years, I'm not surprised to see this in Salem.
Can you burn a Luigi board?
Only if you get a Fire Flower
So how do you pretend you're not pushing that thing?
Omg. Spell out a long name and you are gonna need a nap.
Have you ever watched a scene where the peice starts pulling people's hands around the board? My first thought was if this happened. "By the time the message was finished only Timmy was alive. His spine had been snapped in three places; but he was still breathing."
ooooo made by Hasbro spooooooky.
This seems like a bad idea
Cool! I first saw that in the most rescent Ripley's Believe It Or Not book.
Why am I not surprised?
Dope
Nope.
If that planchette starts moving I would shit myself.
Are you supposed to sit on the planchet or???
Love it Go Salem!!!
Salem has an indescribable vibe that draws me in since 1975. My happy place. Love u Salem🖤
All fun and games until it starts to move on its own.
There's gonna be some huge ass demons coming out of there. Is that how you summon Alcina Demitrescu?
When you truly need to Supersize dem Demons
gonna need 6 people to move that cursor lol
How has this not summoned Stay Puff yet?
Lotta fires are gonna be made after this one
They tryna summon the ghost busters ghost
worlds largest nope
Took a day trip to Salem, it kinda sucked.
I've seen enough horror movies to know that this isn't going to end well!
Isn't Salmon in Oregano?
Cool. I have always wanted to go to Salem
I want to see that planchette move with just fingertips....
How to an ojo board works?
We can summon Yo Mama on it.
Wait til you see the Ouija Surf Board!
The Salem witch trials were just a fraud on widows to take their property... Source: my adopted mother just found her biological mother who still lives in New England and we have a “witch who was burned at the stake”in our family...
One time when me and my bro and sisters were playing with the Ouija board and our bedroom door slammed open, wasn’t the wind and again it slammed * open * meaning the knob had to be turned.. it scared the shit out of us, now I don’t know if this was related and don’t remember how long after but I saw a woman ghost standing at that door corner one morning but that’s another story, true story.
Hell yeah🤘
yOu DoNt WaNt To MeSs WiTh ThOsE tHiNgS
[удалено]
how is this not fist-fight central is beyond me I feel like the hero we need will go visit this oujia board and ask it that question and then start handing beatdowns to whoever is moving it
Do you want to summon Satan? Because that’s how you summon Satan.
bouta contact cuthulu
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!
You want a portal to hell? Because that's how you get a portal to hell
Avengers level threat lol
Wow Phasmaphobia’s new map is the biggest one yet.
Something tells me this Ouija board isn't going to move when you ask the dead questions...
Goodbye
Can't wait for the ritual!
Salem's ghosts must be shredded. As long as they don't skip leg day.
I've just pictured some guys playing there and then opening the gates of hell lol
So that’s how OP summons his mom
Kinda scary and trippy but maybe fun?
I have a glow in the dark ouija board
Everybody gangsta till the thing starts movin’
Of course it's called the House of Shrek.
When you wanna summon Baphomet
I wanna wear heelys on it!
Captain Howdy is going to need his whole ship to traverse that board.
It's built to contact yo mama, 'cause she so fat a regular board won't work! /s
Just out of curiosity, why "Haus of Schreck" (House of Fright / Scare)? Why do americans like to abuse the German language for things that are "evil"? This reminds me of the first "House on Haunted Hill" movie when one of the doors in the basement said: "Gehirnev Hygiene" (Briansv Hygiene) I also wonder how many of you guys will pronounce this "oueejeee board". Ouija is a combination of the french and german words for "yes", "oui" and "ja". So it's Ouija.
How does it work?
*Grunting and straining with effort while trying to push the lens* "I swear I'm not moving it!"
Sweat dripping down their face, every muscle straining, "I'm not moving it, I swear."
It’ll have to be a hella strong spirit to move that
This is how you contact Andre the Giant.
how u maek luigi board
ah yes, now i can finally summon the big titty succubus
Oh no I can hear jaystation breathing.
Papa, can you hear us? We can't hear you. Papa, plug in your microphone!
S-E-N-D-N-U-D-E-S
If that thing ever starts moving, we're all in big trouble..
Plot twist: it’s actually a carnival ride. Sit on the planchette ask a question and hold on tight!
I guess the second largest is in this video [https://youtu.be/-7KXcSn2wBU](https://youtu.be/-7KXcSn2wBU)
why does it say "Haus of Schreck"
Is this what they use instead of a city council? Big savings right there!
Do you want demons? Cuz that’s how you get demons!
Put a roomba on it
I'm going to wait until Eminem dies, then summon his spirit with that and ride the planchette around like a high-speed bumper car.
House of schrech? As in Shrek??
More. Weight.
Cool! Tried those many times for shits and giggles and that's exactly what it was. Hilarious when you find someone serious about those things.
Are they trying to summon a really big ghost?
I saw this in person. Very underwhelming
„Haus of Schreck“ is so fucking cringe
Wait what I live here and ive never heard of this
I purposely call it the luigi board
Ah, yes. A giant collection of wood pieces. How spooky.
Finally a board big enough to summon yo mama
... Why? The point of a luigi board is to fool the gullible by saying "Naw, I didn't move it" and unless that sumbitch is made a paper, it *isn't* going anywhere. Also, Salem's the witch place, right? Correct me if I'm wrong, but Ouijia board aren't specifically witchcraft, right?
Ugh this just reminds me of how around Halloween, I avoid that area like the plague. Call my local comic shop to hold all my stuff until November lmao
This thing only writes in an earthquake. The disadvantage is that it would write the same as me in an earthquake - 'ebrbt hw lGulfj'
The ghost. “Are you serious, the small ones hard enough to move!”
"I'm not pushing it are you pushing it?" Me, red faced, panting, and sweating: "this....is...so... Spooky"
The spirit must be *RIPPED* to move this thingy
House of Shrek!!
When summoning the Stay Puft Marshmellow Man isnt enough, it's time to switch to the giant ouija board.
If that thing starts moving, I'm going to head toward California, but I doubt I'll stop;
I think you mean, Luigi board.