Salem and Toronto

[Mithrea]

I'm going on a driving trip next week to Canada via New Haven CT and Boston, MA. I am stopping in Salem, MA and staying for a few days in Toronto. Does anyone have any suggestions for interesting stuff to do? I'm interested in Witchy type shops and stores and herbal supply shops and stuff like that. But I would be open to other cool suggestions.

Thanks!

[Danustouch]

Well..ALL of Salem is really cool...so my advice to you is try EVERYTHING. They used to have something called the Duck Tour, don't know if they still have it..look into it though.

Anyway..Boston was my old stomping ground. I'd highly suggest Harvard Square, Faneuil Hall, the New England Aquariam (right near Faneuil Hall), walking the freedom trail, and Park Square (where the Church that was used to signal two if by sea...etc..) is located. Oh..the New England Aquarium also hosts Whale Watches. Might be a great thing to check out.

Have fun...both Salem and Boston are AWESOME towns!

[Lavender]

I'm way over on the other side of Canada so I have no idea how far or close to Toronto it may be. Richter's Herb Farms is in Ontario. 357 Highway 47, Goodwood, Ontario. Their website is www.Richters.com

If you're close enough, it's probably worthwhile checking them out. If I ever make it over that way, this is one place I would definitely make a stop at. :)

[Mithrea]

Danu--fabulous! I am going to go find the Aquarium and see Harvard for sure! Oh! and I just looked that Aquarium has an IMAX theater. I've never seen one before!

Wildchild! You never ever cease to amaze me with your brilliance! I forgot about them being there and it looks like it is right where I am going. Ooooh, I will have to tell you all about it when I get back!


I am even more psyched about my trip now! Thank you! :D

[Lavender]

I can't wait to hear about everything when you get back! :D If I ever go there, I'm sure I'll never leave. ;)

[Garnet]

I haven't been in Toronto for a long time, but you have to check out the underground city. It has the train station on one end & a major department store on the other (or maybe it's been developed farther than that...it's been 12 years or more). There are shops, banks, places to eat, subway stops...I bet there are people living in Toronto that never go outdoors at all in winter.
I can't remember specifically about the kind of shops you mentioned (I was mascarading as a good Jewish girl back then) but you'll have a good time if you like to shop, eat, or people-watch. There were very few places where smoking was allowed, though. I went with a smoking (non-shopping) boyfriend who only let me linger in shops if there was a 'smoking place' in the mall near it. When he left Toronto, I stayed an extra day to shop.
BTW, the same $400 dollar limit as to what you can bring back into the US applies to Canada as to other foreign countries.
Have a great time...we're waiting to hear about your trip.

[Wyrdsister]

Hello Mithrea! I hope you have a wonderful time on your trip!

I came across this link on an email list I'm on: http://www.cfrq.net/~laneth/shops.html It's a list of Ontario witchy shops. They list the stores by city and by alphabetical order. Now, not all of the information is up-to-date, so you'll probably want to call the stores to confirm their addresses (and possibly their existance!) before you go.

I personally have only been to The Occult Shop on Vaughn St. Very nice, especially if you want any kind of oils or incense! As for herbal stores in TO, I'm sure there are some but I don't know where they are.

Enjoy the trip!! Post back here when you return home and let us know how it went!! (and what you bought!! :D )

BB,
Wyrdsister

[Bridgid Flame]

Yup, there is an underground city there (you can go virtually anywhere in toronto that way)........i usually start at Union Station, then go down to the "eaton centre" (although there is no longer Eaton's in it)........

Try wandering down Queen street as well...and toronto is full of goths and witches, you should have no problem finding witchcraft stores there......

and, if you feel so inclined......stop by Hamilton......there is "Ways to Wisdom" and "Mystasia" here for witch shops.......mystasia is under "the enchanted forest"........

Here's a couple shops i found on witchvox:

http://www.kalupe.com/

http://www.witchvox.com/wotw/shop_detail.html?id=3306

And interesting services:

http://dreamwater.net/biz/pranadevi/

http://go.to/PaganTario

http://www.erithan.net/glainneidre/frames.htm

[Danustouch]

Mithrea,

Harvard Square is great, mainly because you get an evenings entertainment for the cost of a cup of coffee, and parking. Why? First off, there are tons of little bohemian type shops to visit. And second, Street performers line the streets in the evening, playing guitars, violins, juggling, miming...it's awesome. Be sure to grab a coffee and Croissant from Au Bon Pain while you are there :)

Faneuil Hall is in Quincy Market, which also has a great deal of New England Cultural flavor. Tons of little shops, outdoor flower stands, street performers..and GREAT food! And since it's right near the aquarium, you really should add it to your list of places to stop.

I can't WAIT to hear what you think of Boston. I've wanted to go back ever since my college days, but haven't been able to make the trip. Perhaps I will make a day trip with my husband this summer. I miss it so much. Boston get's into your blood..believe me!

Take Care.

[shnen]

OOOHHHH!!! *raises hand!!!!*

I live in Toronto!!! :thumbsup:

In Toronto go to Queens Street West, in Between University and just west of Bathurst there is a huge amount of great stores...:)

You can also look on Yonge Street between King and Bloor. It's a huge stretch of street, but there are MANY stores along the stretch.

The underground city is a good way to get out of the rain, but also takes about 3x the time it wuld above ground, so by no means is it a shortcut!
If it's nice, try to go to the Island, you can catch a ferry down at Queens Quay and stay over there for the day, its really a beautiful place to gt away from the city if you need to! :)

For info you can go to http://www.toronto.com
or you can always PM me too! maybe we can meet for coffee! :)

Have fun.

[Bridgid Flame]

http://www.toronto-goth.com/shops/misc.shtml

[Loon]

I was in Ontario last summer. We did the Grayline Niagara Falls tour. We were only overnight in Toronto and we went to the CN Tower. The views were really great, but the line to get up there took forever!

Have fun on your trip. :)

[WtchyChick13]

Since my ultimate goal (hopefully this year) is to move to Salem--I'm so jealous that you are going!!!

Two great site for you to visit for the local info is:

The Salem City Guide (http://salemweb.com)

Salem Chamber of Commerce (http://www.salem-chamber.org/index.html)

One more for you (from salemweb.com):
List of online stores in Salem. (http://salemweb.com/bin/salem/bizdir.pl?category=all&match=&Search=Search)


Laurie Cabot's daughter Jody has a new store called Practical Magic and I was just on her site last nite--looks pretty good! Laurie herself sold Crow Haven Corner the oldest and most well known witch store in Salem. She has another store though on Derby St. called "The Bell The Book and The Crow" (I believe).

There is so much to see but the best part is, you can walk it all! Take the trolley ride as well--it's a lot of fun and you get a guided tour through the city.

One more tip: Bring a lot of money with you--the shopping there can get really addictive!!!! LOL :D


Have a really fun and safe trip!!!!

~~Blessings~~

[Danustouch]

Witchy! I love you!!!!!!!!! I've only been to Salem once, so didn't know there was a campground near it! YAY!!!!!!!! Just what I've been looking for! Maybe John and I will go camping there this summer (if it ever warms up enough!)

[Mithrea]

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. I will be doing as much as I can cram in! And, hopefully, I will be seeing a couple of you. :) I leave in less than 12 hours! :boing:

I should be packing . . . :D

[WtchyChick13]

Witchy! I love you!!!!!!!!! I've only been to Salem once, so didn't know there was a campground near it! YAY!!!!!!!! Just what I've been looking for! Maybe John and I will go camping there this summer (if it ever warms up enough!)

Aww shucks... :loveduv:

Warm? What's that? I think we had all the warmth we are going to get--that heatwave in April? LOL


I've got tons of links for the Salem area. I had first gone in '93 and felt immediately at home. When I got my first 'puter in '98, some of the first links I looked up were from Salem!

I go and visit the online stuff whenever I feel "homesick" and keep looking for jobs and rentals up there whenever I can. As soon as I hit the lottery (LOL) I'm outta here and going North!

If you want to check out what's happening now, you can go here:
Salem Evening News (http://www.salemnews.com/)

Maybe you can find a good deal on the campsite!