My guy and I love Salem, that famously witchy town a bit north of Boston. We spent a few weekends there in 2019, but hadn’t been back since March 2020, for the obvious pandemic and life reasons. But a couple of weeks ago, we decided to just go for the day – hopping on the commuter rail in the morning and coming back in time for dinner. It was, in a word, fabulous.
We started the day with iced chai and treats from Caffe Ducali (see above) and then hopped on the train. When we arrived, we did some browsing of favorites old and new: the bike shop, the comic-book shop, the fabulous consignment shop Re-find (where I always find the best stuff). We ran into an old friend of G’s and chatted a minute, then headed down the street for hot dogs. I almost never eat hot dogs unless I’m at a ballpark, but I made an exception for these:
Thus fortified, we wandered some more (stopping at Front Street Coffee for iced tea – it was hot!), then headed out on a bike ride. I love exploring new parts of familiar places with G, and we adore a good long bike ride. We ended up at Winter Island, which has campgrounds, a beach and ocean views.
We rode back to town and headed to Far From the Tree, Salem’s wonderful local cider house, for some sampling (G) and an old favorite (me). We have a cider-focused Instagram account these days, and it’s so fun to taste different ciders and compare notes.
After a ride back on the commuter rail, we ended the day where we began it: at Ducali for a delicious dinner. It was so lovely to revisit one of our favorite towns together. I want to go back (again).
cakes, tea and dreams 
Thanks for triggering a lovely memory of a day a few years ago I spent with my husband in Salem. We watched a flash mob of kids of all ages do a dance to Thriller on the green near the waterfront and went to see the incomparable style icon Iris Apfel’s wardrobe at the Peabody museum, in between which we ate lobster mac ‘n cheese for lunch.
You look so happy with your guy. So glad you found someone to be having wonderful experiences with. You deserve all good things in life!
Thank you! And your day in Salem sounds wonderful, too.
So glad you and your guy had such a wonderful day together!
Thank you, Mary! xo
I’ve never really considered ciders. A good friend of mine used to drink them exclusively because they were supposed to be Paleo diet-friendly, and I’ve had a few with her but I usually go for fruity beers. Now I feel like I’m missing out on a whole world of fun drinks!
I’ve really been enjoying them! I just discovered them a few years ago and we are (obviously) having a lot of fun trying new ones.