Yes, Salem is very enjoyable. However, for those wanting to go into Boston and not be beholden to train schedules, is there a T station relatively convenient?

I kind of like the idea of Salem, not the least for the possibility of taunting overearnest wannagothybes.

The T subway line doesn't come up here. So it's either the commuter line/train or there are a few buses that go into town. The bus will take longer. By train, Salem-Boston is about a half hour. By car, at best (i.e. no traffic), Salem-Boston is 45-60.

But the furthest north the subway comes up is North Cambridge/Alewife on the red line, Oak Grove in Malden on the orange line, and Wonderland in Revere/Lynn area on the blue line. Which are all still pretty far away from Salem. Probably the blue line is closest, and by closest I mean, a half hour away by car or bus.

May could be OK, because it doesn't have as much of the graduation thing happening here, but June is HIGH TOURIST SEASON.

OTOH, them's can be GOOD EATING. Ahem.

However, for those wanting to go into Boston and not be beholden to train schedules, is there a T station relatively convenient?

That is the single biggest drawback to Salem. IOW no. There are commuter trains and buses only. Also, on the weekend, the buses now only get you as far as Wonderland Station in Revere (which is a subway stop, but it's the end of the line).

I kind of like the idea of Salem, not the least for the possibility of taunting overearnest wannagothybes.

I love the idea of getting Jilli there where she'll be asked where she works more than she'll get strange looks.

There's a pirate museum.

'Nuff said.

puts down $50 bill

Fifty says that a large group of (other) tourists start following Jilli around Salem asking about this, that and the other.

Double or nothing that she answers questions.

puts down $50 bill

Fifty says that a large group of (other) tourists start following Jilli around Salem asking about this, that and the other.

Double or nothing that she answers questions.

Please, that's a sucker bet if I ever heard one.

I so want to follow Jilli around Salem. I want it as badly as I want to ride through the Haunted Mansion with her again.

Oh, though I have to say that riding next to Jilli in the Haunted Mansion was a little bit like sitting next to Miracleman at Superman Returns: Made of Awesome.

That being said, I can already predict I'll have one or two Buffistas in my guest room, 45 minutes away or no ...

If the F2F is in Boston or Salem, Dave and I are planning to stay at the hotel for a least a couple of nights, but we can put a couple of people before or after the event if they want to lengthen their stay and see more of the area. We have no guest room, but we do have a futon and couches.

That being said, I can already predict I'll have one or two Buffistas in my guest room, 45 minutes away or no ...

I'm afraid you're going to have to stop with the whole being wonderful hosts thing if you want to avoid that.