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To Be or Not to Be a Tourist
Is it worth your money to partake in traditional touristy activities?
Here’s a little guide for the cynics.
By: Kayla Bishop
“Do we haaaaaave to?” I all but begged on my hands and knees for us not to go. I loathe tourists; everything from their cameras to their irritating lack of driving skills and their cheesy souvenirs. I could not become one of them.
But for an evening, I did.
I walked for two hours through the streets of Salem (my own city -- where I grew up) with a bunch of awe-struck, naïve, picture-snapping tourists, and my boyfriend. Every time he visited he’d ask to do something “witchy.” He lives in Maine and didn’t believe me when I said it was a waste of time and money. But he insisted, so I figured we might as well get it over with, at least before Halloween season rolled around.
I did my internet research and tried to find the most creditable Salem attraction out there. Spellbound Tours popped up as the only tour company in Massachusetts to be on the list of Top 10 Ghost Tours in America since September 2007. Mollie Stewart, of Spellbound Tours, explained to me that this distinction was chosen “by votes from real customers who have been on our tours over the years.” Let me tell you, the customer is not always right.
I embarked on this little Salem adventure with said boyfriend back in the middle of August. Did you think that tourists only come to Salem for Halloween? Well, think again. I was the only Massachusetts native. My fellow groupies were from New York, Ohio, and Illinois.
Our tour guide was a nice enough guy. Maybe it’s just the cynic in me, but the tour was not worth the $23.00 we paid. On the right side, a portion of the tour did have some interesting historical facts, but a lot of it was embellished descriptions of “sensing the spirits.” A passerby might think that the demonstration of our guide was an epileptic fit. To this day, we laugh about the serious, entranced faces of the other tourists and the earnestness with which our guide told his stories. Ironically enough, the website warns to “Beware of bogus ghost tours.” Conclusion, Red Skies readers: Spellbound Tours’ “Vampire and Ghost Hunt Tour” is not for the skeptic.
There is a lot out there when it comes to tours and attractions in Salem. I cannot claim to have even seen a fraction of it all. I’m sure there are some very entertaining activities, but I have yet to find one. My words of wisdom when it comes to choosing your venue…go for the historically based.
Other Options to Consider:
Admission: $12.00
You’ve probably seen them at night. They’re the group holding the candles.
According to one of the tour guide and owner Jim McAllister, “The Witch Trial Tour is now in its 27th year and is considered the ‘standard of quality for walking tours’ in the area by many in the industry. It is different in that it focuses on the sites and events of the Salem Witch Trials, not ghosts and the bizarre. Our Terror Trail is probably not unlike many (although not all) other ‘spooky’ tours in Salem in content but I like our guides: all have been in the tour business for a decade or much longer. One is a former teacher, one a former stand-up comic, and one still works as a professional storyteller. I'd match them up against anyone!”
Shipwrecks of Salem Sound Boat Tour
Admission: $30.00 with student ID
According to Tina Rhodes, “Why wouldn’t a college student want a change of pace and experience something as thrilling as an adventure ride on Flagship Adventures’ RIB (rigid inflatable boat)? How often do students get to learn about the rich maritime history of Salem Sound while taking in the picturesque coastline of the North Shore at a speed of 40 knots? This area is scattered with ships and sailors lost to nature’s wrath and human folly…hop onboard for a spooky good time!”
Kayla Bishop is a Salem native and is counting down the days until November 1st. Despite her cynicism, she doesn’t think she’ll ever be too old to dress up for Halloween.