Arrive today in beautiful Cape Ann and the historic fishing port of Gloucester, MA.  Check into your hotel for a three-night stay.  Dinner is on your own this evening.

After breakfast, depart for Salem, MA for a day of touring and sightseeing filled with peak Halloween energy.  Start with a visit to the Salem Witch Museum, which explores the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 through an immersive presentation featuring life-size sets, figures, lighting and narration.

The exhibit, “Witches: Evolving Perceptions,” traces the changing image of the witch, from European witch trials and the events leading to Salem to enduring stereotypes and the phenomenon of witch-hunting.

Enjoy free time for lunch on your own. Walk the festive, brick-lined Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, browse local occult shops, explore historic architecture, and pick your perfect spot for a sit-down New England lunch.

This afternoon, see a theatrical performance of Cry Innocent: The People vs Bridget Bishop.  It’s 1692.  Bridget Bishop is accused of witchcraft, and YOU are the jury. Hear the evidence, cross-examine the witnesses and determine the outcome.  The actors respond as Puritans, revealing much about the Puritan mind. Is Bridget Bishop capable of witchcraft?  You decide.

Return to Gloucester, MA late this afternoon where you will have time to freshen up before dinner at a local restaurant.

Tonight, enjoy the Gloucester Haunted HarborWalk. Discover Gloucester’s darker side on the Haunted Harborwalk, a guided evening tour blending local legends, maritime history, and spine-tingling tales along the historic waterfront.  Wander old streets and hidden alleys as you uncover true tales of tragedy, mystery, and the supernatural.  Hear chilling accounts of the witches of Dogtown, ghostly soldiers who still march these very streets, and the restless spirits that linger in America’s oldest seaport. (B,D)

Start the morning with a brief photo-stop at the Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial.  This iconic waterfront statue honors the thousands of local fishermen lost at sea.

Next, tour the Hammond Castle Museum, a breathtaking medieval-style castle built right onto the rugged ocean cliffs.  With nearly 100 years of history, this medieval castle was the creation of famed inventor John Hays Hammond Jr. and now serves as an exciting STEAM-inspired museum that blends history, science, and art. Explore gothic stone arches, heavy towers, and the fascinating inventions of its eccentric builder.

Following the tour, enjoy free time on your own on Main Street.  Main Street runs through the heart of the historic downtown waterfront. It features independent bookstores like The Bookstore of Gloucester and Dogtown Books, local boutiques, art galleries, and seafood restaurants.

The afternoon also includes a visit to the Cape Ann Museum where you will learn the true, rugged history of New England’s fishing fleets and explore stunning collections of historic artifacts and American art.

Return to the hotel to freshen up (or dress up) for a Halloween Dinner Cruise.  The ship decks will be decorated in festive Halloween decor with a themed music soundtrack playing.  Enjoy an autumn harvest buffet and custom cocktails while gliding past glowing lighthouses under the fall moon. (B,D)

After breakfast, depart for home with wonderful memories of a spooky New England autumn adventure!  (B)