5 Best Labor Day Mini-Vacation Destinations in (or near) Salem

How do you save gas and still get that much-needed R&R?

Vacation closer to home.

The price of gas is down, but it isn’t good, and I’m still thinking really hard about building a biodiesel reactor and getting an old VW —I have my eye on one of the tiny little pickup trucks. And what’s the point of riding your bike to work when you burn a dinosaur driving — or, worse, it turns out, flying — somewhere?

1. Stay at the Hawthorne in Salem, or find a B&B in Magnolia (Gloucester). The Hawthorne will put you right near Derby Wharf and the Common, and directly across the street from…
2. The Old Spot. Think Matt Murphy’s in Brookline, except they let you sit down to drink, and you don’t have to sell a kidney to get an order of pate. And there is no greater force for good on this earth than the artisan chocolate cake at The Old Spot.
3. Derby Wharf is as nice a slice of touristy-historic New England as you’re going to get anywhere else, only Salem is a 25 minute train ride from North Station. I’m including the House of the Seven Gables and the ship Liberty anchored there. Look at the little streets of tightly-packed homes and pricey condos with bad parking while you’re there, and try not to get homesick for Boston.
4. The Willows. I have to admit, we haven’t made it over there in the summer. We’re the kind of artsy weirdos who prefer the stark emptiness of a little seaside amusement park in winter, Icelandic murder mysteries, and black t-shirts. But many of our friends who grew up around here are a little bit in love with the Willows. So buy the kid an ice cream cone and walk around for a while.
5. Gloucester and Newburryport. One of the great things about doing Salem is that Manchester’s Singing Beach—and upscale downtown shopping area— is right near the depot, and Gloucester is a 30 minute ride. At the Beverly Depot, the Newburyport/Rockport lines diverge, and while they are less frequent than trains to the city, you can easily get to both places. And both places have amazing beaches and restaurants and plenty to do if you’re up for some aimless wandering.

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