It will be just two of us with a rental car. We are physically fit and free to go anywhere in the surrounding areas in these 5 days. We are quite adventurous; enjoy cultural events, sites and !good food! We like bargains, but don’t mind splurging a little for a "must have" experience.

Your suggestions will be truly appreciated.

You can drive from Boston, but there's lots of traffic during Haunted Happenings. You might want to take the train from North Station (the Salem train station is right downtown, so it's easy to walk everywhere) or the Salem Ferry (it lets you out near the House of the Seven Gables, also within walking distance of everything).

I'm giving you the site for Haunted Happenings, but a few things that are especially fun are ghost stories on the Friendship (a tall ship anchored in Salem Harbor), a tour of the House of the Seven Gables, and "Cry Innocent" at Old Town Hall (it's a play version of a witch trial, and the audience plays the jury). I'd recommend Strega as an excellent place to eat. (It's on the website.)

Feel free to email me privately if you're interested. I can give you directions and other ideas, if you like. Hope you have a great time!

Here's the website for the Salem Ferry: http://www.salemferry.com/directions.shtml