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USA - MASSACHUSETTS : FROM HISTORIC SALEM TO LOVELY CAPE ANN
 The 45-mile excursion along the coast north of Boston , from historic Salem – famous for its witch trials and full of fascinating history – to lovely Cape Ann and finishing in charming Newburyport, is perfect for a long weekend any time of year.
Start your visit in elegant Marblehead, a short drive north of Boston. After a stop at Fort Sewall for a panoramic view of the harbor, choose one of the town’s many historic homes – the Jeremiah Lee Mansion or the King Hooper Mansion, for example – and admire the beautiful architecture and gardens that distinguish Marblehead.
Drive a few miles inland to the heart of Salem, park the car and head to the Salem Visitor Center for a superb multimedia exhibit. Next, stroll along the downtown Heritage Trail to see other Salem high spots: Salem Witch Museum, The Burying Point and Witch Trials Memorial and the New England Pirate Museum, to name a few.
The House of Seven Gables Historic Site draws visitors to its seaside gardens and complex of resorted houses, including Nathaniel Hawthorne’s birthplace and the house made famous by his novel.
Have a picnic lunch at the waterfront park and then tour the Salem Maritime National Historic Site to see the Custom House, Derby House (home of the country’s first millionaire) and the wharves that made Salem a bustling port centuries ago.
Heading north out of Salem, pick up Route 127A which will lead you through many charming “off-the-beaten-path” towns such as Manchester-by-the-Sea with its romantic Singing Beach. Along the way, watch for the many lighthouses, some dating from the 18th-century, that mark the boulder-strewn coast.
Be sure to stop in Gloucester, America’s oldest seaport. Walking tours to suit every visitor are available in this rugged, active fishing city, made famous in the movie “The Perfect Storm". A small detour to Rocky Neck on the outskirts of the city brings you to a working art colony where you can chat with the artists and browse their galleries.
At Rockport enjoy fresh-caught seafood delicacies for dinner. Later, walk to Rockport’s town wharf – so picturesque that it is the most painted seascape in the world.
Drive north from Rockport to Essex to explore what many refer to as “America’s Antique Capital". There you can browse through over thirty-five unique antique shops that line both sides of the main road.
Pick up Route 133 in Essex and head over to Woodsman’s, a Yankee seafood tradition since 1914, where you can enjoy some down’ East hospitality and sumptuous fried clams or continue down the road to the equally delightful and appetizing offerings at the Clam Box in Ipswich.
At Rowley, yet another mecca for antique-lovers, head north on Route 1A to Newburyport, a beautiful Federalist city adorned with overflowing flowerboxes. Grab an ice cream cone at Fowle’s, a classic soda fountain, and then meander through the many tempting boutiques and galleries.
Plum Island, just off the coast, is a haven for birdwatchers. The Parker River Wildlife Refuge has numerous trails along the beach that offer birders and other nature buffs perfect vantage points for observing species rarely seen elsewhere.
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