1. Frolic in the Common – The Salem Common is 9.5 acres of open space park in central Salem.  The park which dates back to the 17th century has been used for a variety of things over the past 300+ years. Take a peek at the plaque under the flagpole for some history you might not know about.  Today people play sports, listen to music or just catch some rays in this convenient Washington Square location.
2. Forest River Park – A short ride away from down town Salem, Forest River Park boasts walking and bike riding trails, a public pool, shoreline, swimming, and the occasionally open Pioneer Village America’s first living history museum.
3. Ropes Mansion Garden – Nestled behind the Ropes Mansion (318 Essex Street), a 1727 Georgian style home renovated in 1894 in the Colonial Revival style is one of the most beautiful gardens open to the public on the North Shore.  The Ropes Garden  was designed and laid out in 1912 by John Robinson. It is a Colonial Revival garden—open to the public free of charge.
4. Trolley Tours – We’ve talked at length about the great trolley tours available in Salem. Rain or shine its a fun way to see Salem.  It’s especially fun in the nice weather because you can jump on or off all day and walk from stop to stop if you wish.
5. Salem Willows Park -  Back in 1858 the peninsula at the tip of Salem harbor became a municipal park known as Salem Willows.  It had a wooden horse carousel, the Charleshurst Ballroom and beautiful weeping willow trees.  Today the ballroom is long gone but in its place is an arcade, plenty of food options and that same 175 year old carousel.
6. Walking Tours – Readers of this site know that Salem scored a 98 for “walkability” so it just makes sense that there are some great walking tours of our fair city.  You can download 4 different tours free from the National Park Service or walk over to the Visitors Center and pick them up.  You can also just follow the red line on Salem’s sidewalks.  This red line goes through many of the historical and retail districts in town eventually looping back to where you started.
7. Ride a Bike – Over the past few years Salem has become quite bike friendly adding bike parking racks at a few bars/restaurants and a series of single racks through out town.  With Salem Cycle leading the charge bike paths have been instituted with discussions in the works for a cohesive  multi-town path.  If you don’t have a bike of  your own rentals are available by the hour, day, weekend or week.
8. Take a Schooner ride – One of the best ways to see Salem and it’s islands is from the water.  Luckily the Schooner Fame operates from late May to Halloween offering daily sails.  The Fame of Salem, is a replica of the successful privateer from the War of 1812. Tickets may be purchased at their ticket booth outside the Victoria Station restaurant on Wharf Street with sails  lasting approximately one hour and forty-five minutes.
9. Discover a Fort and Lighthouse – Winter Island Marine Park is home to Fort Pickering and the Fort Pickering Light.  The park is easily accessible via trolley and offers self guided walking tours where you can discover the remnants of Fort Pickering built in Execution Hill the scene of several hangings in the 1800′s and Fort Pickering Light erected in 1871.  Looking for someplace to camp in Salem, Winter Island Park offers RV and tent camping from late April till Halloween.
10. People Watch – Dean Martin used to like to stand on the corner but in Salem sitting on the corner of Washington and Essex is one of the best ways to spend your good weather time.  Many of the restaurants offer great out door seating.  This activity shouldn’t be limited to just the center of town, watching the people and boats over at the wharf or taking in a band at Spirits or the Shanty are some of the best things to do in Salem when the weather rules.

Do you have a favorite good weather activity we didn’t list here?  If so, tell us about it.

(c) Speakerscorner

1. Take a trolley ride - It might be a rainy spring or fall day, but the trolleys are still up and running. You can kick back in the enclosed vehicle and still get a great tour and history lesson.
2. Check out the Salem Visitors Center – with free literature, mini-movies, exhibits and a staff of knowledgeable people to help you on your Salem quest. The Visitors Center at 2 New Liberty Street should be one of your first stops regardless of the weather.
3. House of Seven Gables – This historical favorite is open practically year ’round and while you might not want to hit the gardens if the weather is bad, the house tour is well worth the price of admission.
4. Peabody Essex Museum - One of the finest museums in Massachusetts is centrally located right in down town Salem. They usually have temporary exhibits that cover a broad spectrum of interest and their permanent collections are equally intriguing.
5. Salem Maritime National Historic Sites – The National Park Service runs many of the historic sites at the wharf. While some of the sites are outside, 8 are inside-including one of Salem’s hidden treasures the West India Goods Store where all the Salem Insiders come to get great prices on spices. The above link will also take you to a series of free audio tours you can download and put on your ipod.
6. Visit the Witch Museum – Many visitors come to Salem for the witch attractions. The Witch Museum is probably the best place in town to get the full picture of what happened leading up to, during and beyond the fables Salem Witch Trials.
7. Visit the New England Pirate Museum- If witches don’t float your boat or you just prefer sea-men, come here to get the real story of pirates and privateers who swash-buckled their way off the shores of New England in the golden age of sail.
8. Take in a movie at Cinema Salem – You can easily miss their small marquee on the back side of the Museum Place Mall but this movie house is one of the best deals going in Salem. Three screens with recent movies and great prices.
9. Get lost in a read at Cornerstone Books – With plenty of literary events scheduled, it seems that there is always something happening at Cornerstone. You can always escape the bad weather blues in a big comfy chair with a book in hand and maybe run into and author or two.
10. While away the hours in a coffee shop – Salem has a few outstanding coffee shops most with free wi-fi. Bust out your computer and blog about your rainy day or read up on the latest post from TheSalemInsider.com. If you look around you’ll probably see me typing away drinking a half double decaffeinated half-caf, with a twist of lemon writing tomorrows post.

Bonus

• Witch History Museum – If you decided to check out the Witch Museum or the Pirate Museum you can get a combo pass also visit this museum. As a bonus the trolleys stop in front of each location so you can stay out of the weather.
• Shop – Whether you’ve already done the majority of things on this list or they just don’t speak to you,  you can always patronize many of Salem’s fine shops. When all else fails, go shopping!

Special Events

Runway Fashion Show
The Woman’s Friend Society is hosting their biggest fund raiser of the year, their Runway Fashion Show at the Salem Waterfront Hotel, Friday, Feb. 22. A cash bar with hot and cold hors d’oeuvres opens at 6:30 p.m., and the show on the runway begins at 7:30 p.m. Reservations are Required and cost $45.00. You may pick up reservation cards at the participating shops or you may contact: womansfriend@verizon.net for reservations.

This is a great organization that has been helping women in Salem for over one hundred years. If you have the time and the money attending this Fashion Show is a great way to help out our community.

Music

Friday February 22nd

• Moonglow @ Rockafellas
• Autumn Above (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Karen Cameron (jazz 6:30-9:30) AJ Edwards (rock 10) @ Bangkok Paradise
• CentripitalForce (Electronica / Drum & Bass / Breakbeat 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu

Saturday February 23rd

• Wildfire @ Rockafellas
• Demon’s Alley, Crash Midnight & Switchblade Suicide (rock) @ Dodge Street
• Matt Dorko and Larry Kukers (jazz 6:30-9:30) Mamadou (rock 10) @ Bangkok Paradise
• Bring Back Pluto (funk / jazz 8pm) @ Gulu Gulu

Movies

Cinema Salem will be showing:

Vantage Point (PG-13)
Fri & Sat: (11:20 AM), (1:30), (4:00), 7:30, 9:50
Sun: (11:20 AM), (1:30), (4:00), 6:00

Spiderwick (PG)
Friday and Saturday at (12:15), (2:30), (4:45), 7:15 and 9:30;
Sunday – Thursday at (12:15), (2:30), (4:45) and 7:15.

Fools Gold (PG-13)
Friday and Saturday at (11:30 AM), (2:00), (4:30), 7:00 and 9:40;
Sunday-Thursday at (11:30 AM), (2:00), (4:30) and 7:00.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (R)
Fri: 11:30 PM

Salem Film Fest 2008 - Although not this weekend plan some serious time at the movies from February 28th to March 6th

Art

Samuel McIntire, Carving an American Style @ PEM
This exhibit is a must-see for Salem residents (who get in for FREE) and comes to an end on February 24th, SEE IT NOW!

Insider Picks

With the snow already falling and the weatherman telling us it will last most of the weekend our picks are easy. First stop after work is off to get a snow storm beverage. Do you know what to do in Salem when there is a snow storm? Our Friday pic has to be Gulu-Gulu the sweet beats that Centripitalforce lays down is a perfect mix for the chill vibe of this urban oasis. Saturday Dodge Street is a must if you want some good old ass kickin’ rock-n-roll. Switchblade Suicide is a relatively new band but we saw them a while back in Somerville and they busted out.

As always have a blast, don’t drive and tell us about it.

This sculpture in front of the PEM was by far the best

due to the weather many sculputures like this one in front of New Civilitea met an untimely demise

We photographed all the sculptures and will get them up on our flickr page shortly.

His and hers park bench 

A month ago I wrote about how to deal with your snow day in Salem. Since its a little too early to head out for a pint I think I’ll head over to the Army Barracks and pick up a snow hat.

photo from the February ’06 blizzard

So there’s a snow emergency, I know what your thinking – “I need to run to the grocery and get some bread, milk and eggs.” Why? Are you planning on eating French toast for the duration? Calm down and I’ll talk you through this harrowing time.

First, look up. Do you see those street lights with the flashing blue lights on them? If you do, you are seeing a reminder that all vehicles must be totally removed from the street. So if you live in any of the areas within a walking radius of down town and your parking situation is at all questionable, get over to one of the municipal lots and park your car for free. When the blue lights are on any resident can park in any municipal lot for up to 24 hours after the emergency is over.

Okay, now that your car is safely nestled in one of the garages it’s time to enjoy what mother nature has thrown at you. Instead of being all miserable and complaining as you trudge through the muck and slip through the slush on your way home, make a pit stop.

Best places to go in Salem during a storm:

• Rockafellas – You get a great view of downtown and there will always be a bunch of people hanging out watching the weather whip down the street.
• O’Neils – Warm yourself by the fire with a hot toddie and a bowl of shepards pie.
• The Old Spot – Super cozy (now that they have their heavy winter drapes up) grab a pint and some toad in the hole, there’s no better place to be than in an Irish pub when the snow is pounding.
• Witches Brew – If you’re down by the wharf this neighborhood melting pot is always welcoming and serving when the flakes are flying.

After a few pints, a full belly and some good Christmas cheer with your neighbors, walking home in the snow becomes a treat. That snow that falls down the back of your neck no longer irks you, but makes you laugh and remember that time you went sledding as a kid. Take the time to enjoy the sparkle that those crisp snowflakes make as they dance across the air back lit by street lamps.

Remember, it’s going to stink getting up for work tomorrow morning so have fun tonight!