Nearby: Historic Salem

Salem is a place of many histories. The witch hysteria of 1692 is undoubtedly the most significant in our collective memory, but Salem was much more than Puritanical paranoia. At one point, Salem was the 6th largest city in the country, something of a shock when you actually visit the area today. As a once crucial center for the maritime trade, the city was like a younger sibling of Boston. That part of Salem history is preserved through the efforts of the Salem Maritime National Historic Site along with the Friendship, a replica of an East India trading ship which is available to tour. 

Naturally we also know Salem through Nathaniel Hawthorne's writings, and a visit to the the House of Seven Gables (pictured above) was a highlight of my excursion, so much so, that I have begun re-reading Hawthorne's novels with a newfound appreciation. To commune with the writings of Hawthorne is to grasp an indelible mood of our American past. 

But there is also Historic New England's Phillips House to visit and Pioneer Village, along with perhaps an over excessive amount of witch-related sites, not to mention the Peabody Essex Museum. 

There's comfort in Salem's expected gothic tone and even more pleasure by the surprise of colorful homes that you believe would be gray; and the visitor is reassured to find not only the reflected beginnings of New England in its streets, but also reminders of her subsequent development through the ages. 

Nearby: The Houses of Salem

 I was not fully prepared for the beauty of Salem. 

 When I left for Salem this past Saturday from North Station, I anticipated a typical exhibition of New England charm combined with an exceptional amount of paranormal kitsch. Without a doubt, there was quite a display of the latter (it is October, after all), but to my delight, I found such elegance in the streets that promised only a predictable quaintness. I found a wide range of early American architecture scattered throughout Salem's well-kept avenues, enough to keep any student of architecture satisfied. Perhaps my love for early America has me biased, but I left smitten with Salem, a place that felt even more impressive than nearby Concord or Lexington in terms of reflecting the early days of our country.  Even beyond Chestnut Street, affectionately described as "New England's Prettiest Street," I found style and significance.

 

Nearby: Macaron Sweeterie

On the way home from my Concord outing, I stopped in Lexington for the sole purpose of visiting this place: Macaron Sweeterie. Over the past two years, I have developed an unhealthy, overly indulgent attachment to these delightful french pastries.  I shamelessly make weekly purchases of these little nuggets of joy at the Thinking Cup cafe downtown, my go to cafe during the week. But I wanted to come here, a place that is distinctly devoted to the macaron. And of course, they didn't disappoint. I picked a medley of them-from lemon (my favorite) to salted caramel to honey lavender to a mint chocolate. All were delicious. Eating macarons is an expensive habit-one alone can cost around 3 dollars, depending on where you purchase them. But they are just oh so good! And I'm afraid I don't have the patience to perfect their creation at home-my mother and I tried in earnest last year to make them-after two rounds, we grew a bit tired of the effort. Luckily, I am not the only one in this area with a macaron obsession. But for my wallet's sake, I should probably give them another shot in the kitchen.