An Autumn Day in Salem: Holiday Shopping & History

For Women Seeking Enchantment, Heritage & Festive Connection

This day invites you to savor the many pleasures of Salem—its rich history, its quiet beauty, and its vibrant community—woven gently with moments of remembrance for the women and lives that shaped this place.

We begin by grounding ourselves in Salem’s complex past at the Salem Witch Museum, honoring the strength and resilience of women whose stories still echo through time.

Lunch awaits us in the warm, historic setting of Lyceum Hall, where history and hospitality come together in a space alive with voices from the past.

In the afternoon, you can explore at your leisure or join us for a guided tour of the House of the Seven Gables, where history and tradition come to life. Alternatively, stroll through Salem’s peaceful streets, linger by the harbor, reflect beneath centuries-old trees, or wander through the historic stones of the Old Burying Point Cemetery.

As daylight softens, we gather at the Salem Witch Trials Memorial—a place of quiet remembrance—to share a thoughtful blessing, reflect in silence, and offer gratitude for the lives honored here and the stories we carry forward.

This is a day of gentle discovery and connection—where history, sisterhood, and the season’s quiet magic come together to create a space for both joy and reflection.

Itinerary

8:00 AM – Depart from the Essex Fire House Commuter Lot, (*Exit 3 off Route 9) 11 Saybrook Rd, Essex, CT, 06426

• We begin our journey in the quiet light of late November, with warm drinks in hand and hearts open to a day of story, beauty, and seasonal magic.

• Each guest will receive a Witchlight Welcome Basket—a small bundle of candlelight, charm, and intention to carry into Salem.

10:15 AM – Visit to the Salem Witch Museum

• Our day begins with a visit to the Salem Witch Museum—offering grounding in the powerful, complex history of the women accused, and the resonance their stories still hold. This experience invites us to reflect on justice, truth, and the enduring power of women's voices.

11:15 AM – Free Time: Historic District Exploration & Holiday Shopping

• The rest of the morning and early afternoon opens into spacious wandering.

• Explore the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, HausWitch, The Witchery, or Pickering Wharf.

• Pause for coffee or cider, visit an independent bookstore, or discover handcrafted treasures with meaning.

• This is soulful holiday shopping—rooted in connection, not consumption.

1:00 PM – Group Lunch at Turner's Seafood at Lyceum Hall, 43 Church St.

Nestled in one of Salem’s most cherished—and storied—historic buildings, Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall offers more than a delicious meal; it offers atmosphere, legacy, and a touch of the otherworldly.

Originally home to Lyceum Hall, this landmark has hosted some of America’s greatest thinkers—Emerson, Thoreau, Frederick Douglass, and even Alexander Graham Bell, who introduced the telephone here. Today, its old-world charm remains: exposed brick walls, wood floors, tin ceilings, and glowing fireplaces, all echoing with the voices of the past.

But the story goes even deeper.

This very spot was once the apple orchard of Bridget Bishop, the first woman executed during the Salem Witch Trials. Her spirit is said to linger—watching over guests and staff alike with a mischievous, protective presence. Mediums, ghost hunters, and curious travelers have all felt the stirrings of her energy.

As we gather here for lunch, enjoy the freshest New England seafood, warm hospitality, and the layered stories—historic and haunted—that make this place a uniquely Salem experience.

2:30 PM – Guided visit to the House of the Seven Gables or Continued Self-Exploration

You’re invited to follow whatever rhythm feels right for you in this spacious part of the day. For those who wish, we’ll gather for a guided visit to the House of the Seven Gables—an experience that invites both reflection and discovery.

On this quiet winter afternoon, we’ll explore the mansion and its surrounding grounds, learning about Salem Harbor’s maritime past, the life and legacy of Nathaniel Hawthorne, the lingering presence of witchcraft in Salem’s cultural memory, and the quiet labor of historic preservation.

This historic home, standing since 1668, inspired Hawthorne’s timeless novel and holds within its walls not only the architecture of another era, but centuries of Christmas traditions and seasonal memory. Walking through its rooms offers more than information—it offers a moment to pause, to reflect, and to feel the layered presence of hearth, history, and imagination that continues to shape this place.

If you prefer solitude or smaller wanderings, you might choose to:

• Sit by the harbor and let the sea air steady your breath

• Find a peaceful bench beneath a bare-limbed tree and journal for a while

• Sip mulled wine or tea as the light shifts across the old streets

• Wander the tranquil paths of the Old Burying Point Cemetery where quiet stones and crooked paths offer stillness and time

This is unhurried time—to wonder, to notice, and to simply be.

4:00 PM - A Pause in Sacred Space: A Moment to Remember, A Moment to Carry Forward

As our time in Salem draws to a close, we will gather at the Salem Witch Trials Memorial—a quiet space of reckoning, memory, and resilience. Here, where granite benches bear the names and final words of the twenty people executed during the 1692 trials, we’ll take time to honor them with presence and intention.

In the center, locust trees rise over a patch of grass—trees believed to be of the same kind once used in the hangings. A dirt path runs alongside the memorial, offering space for a silent, personal walk of reflection.

We will offer a simple spoken group blessing, holding space for the women whose voices were silenced, and for the deeper truths the day has stirred in each of us. You’ll receive a small herbal bundle or flower—a symbol of healing, remembrance, and offering.

You may choose to:

– Walk the path in silence

– Sit quietly with the names

– Leave your bundle as a gesture of gratitude

– Or simply stand and breathe in stillness

This closing is not about summing up or letting go. It is about honoring what was, noticing what is, and carrying forward what matters.

5:00 PM – Depart for Essex, CT

You’ll receive your Winter Witch’s Blessing Scroll and Tea—a small, final gift of warmth and reflection. May it carry the spirit of Salem with you into the quiet of winter: the stories, the stillness, the threads of magic and meaning you’ve gathered throughout the day.

As we settle in for the ride home, you’re welcome to rest in shared silence, journal quietly, or share a story from the day.

We’ll serve a warm cup of herbal tea and scone as you reflect on the hours just lived—a simple gesture to help hold the day close, even as we gently begin to return.

Trip Details: This experience is curated for depth, wonder, and ease

You’ll be supported in traveling together, moving gently through Salem’s rich history, and choosing gifts and moments with meaning.

• This exclusive experience is open to just eleven women.

• All-Inclusive Package: $240.00

• Once you’ve purchased your ticket, you’ll receive a detailed email with all the information you’ll need for the day.

• Enjoy a Seamless Journey With:

  • Round-trip transportation from Essex, CT in a comfortable private vehicle

  • Literary Listening: A gentle collection of readings and music inspired by Salem’s heritage and tales accompanies our ride, creating a reflective, mysterious atmosphere for the day ahead.

  • Entry to the Salem Witch Museum and House of Seven Gables

  • Witchlight Welcome Basket at departure

  • Winter Witch’s Blessing Scroll + Tea at day's end

  • Optional reflection prompts and journal pages

  • Gentle support and optional group connection

    NOTE: Lunch is not included in the package; you will be responsible for your individual meal cost at the restaurant. This gathering is part of the heart of our time together—while it’s not mandatory that you join us, it is an opportunity to connect, reflect, and rest in community. Thank you for honoring this shared rhythm.

• Recommendations

  • To ensure a comfortable trip, we suggest bringing water, your favorite snacks, and dressing in warm, layered clothing for flexibility.

• Important Details

  • Keep in mind that the commuter lot and van do not have restroom facilities. The drive is approximately two hours and 18 minutes each way.