A visit to Salem in the fall, with the Halloween festivities and the beautiful autumn scenery, is what Hocus Pocus fans live for: the New England town and its history will truly put a spell on you. However, you must do some expert planning to enjoy your peak-season trip fully.
Here are tips and tricks for visiting Salem from late September through October.
Updated Sept. 5, 2024
Respect the Past
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Salem is known as Witch City due to the Salem Witch Trials that took place between 1692 and 1693, and the local tourism industry has fully embraced it. A visit to Salem is fun for Halloween fans and history buffs alike. In recent years, the season has been celebrated in style with festivals every October weekend. Still, it is important to remember the significance of what occurred here and to respect that many of Salem’s residents are practicing Wiccans. Two hundred people were accused of witchcraft during the trials, with 20 executed, and eventually, the colonies admitted it was a mistake. This shame is one of the reasons there are few artifacts from the trials in Salem, but you can pay your respects at the Witch Trials Memorial.
Getting Around
If you are lucky enough to stay in downtown Salem, you won’t need a car. Boston and Logan Airport are a quick train or taxi ride away. If you are staying in Marblehead or even Boston, I suggest taking an Uber, Lyft, or taxi, especially if it is a weekend, to save on time and parking. In October, Salem restricts street parking to residents only, to help alleviate traffic in the area.
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Check The Events Calendar
No matter which weekend you visit in late September or October, there is something going on in Salem. From special exhibits at the Peabody Essex Museum, to Horror Fest, it’s wise to check the calendar before you book. If you prefer to wing your visit, you’ll still probably find yourself happening upon an event: Salem is all about walking and exploring, especially down Essex Street, which is full of street performers, food, and shopping (watch out for the Sanderson Sisters!).
Here are a few events happening this season we recommend checking out:
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The Conjuring the Spirit World: Art, Magic, and Mediums special exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum takes an in-depth look into the world of magic, seances, and beyond. You can see a pair of Harry Houdini’s handcuffs in this otherworldly experience.
The Salem Witch Trials 1692 is an ongoing exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum that tells this story through court documents and authentic historic objects presented as tangible fragments directly tied to people in Salem and nearby communities in the late 17th century. A handwritten petition, a carved loom, and a walking stick illuminate an aspect of individuals who lived through Salem’s witch trials and serve as a reminder of the real people impacted by these harrowing events.
Halloween on the Hill is a seasonal-themed trail featuring over 1,000 jack-o’-lanterns, hundreds of mums and pumpkins, elaborate Halloween sets, light displays, and more (all October).
Salem Horror Fest, featuring new movie premieres, parties and programs in partnership with the George A. Romero Foundation.
Learn More About Salem’s History and Support Local Nonprofit Museums
There are plenty of witch-themed museums and attractions in Salem. We did the research for you and think these are worth the trip. Just make sure to book your reservations in advance!
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The 1692 Salem Witch Museum: The gift shop at this popular museum is amazing. Show up first thing to grab your tickets, as they sell out quickly!
NowAge Travel: A rarity among the various Salem tours, NowAge offers intimate walking tours with feminist-focused topics such as “Witches: 1692—Today” and “Talking to Spirits.”
Peabody Essex Museum: This beautiful museum in the heart of Salem has an impressive collection of Asian art.
The Witch House: Jonathan Corwin, one of the Salem Witch Trial judges, lived here, and you can take a peek inside to see how a wealthy family lived in the late 1600s. Make sure you check out the Ropes Mansion down the street, where scenes for the film Hocus Pocus were filmed (find other locations here).
The House of Seven Gables: Visit this national landmark that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel of the same name.
Bewitched Statue: Say hi to Samantha, the famous witch who is loosely attributed to the mainstream witch resurgence (and who has her fair share of controversy, too).
The “Hocus Pocus” House: The iconic home from the movie is a drive from downtown, but it is worth it if you love the movie.
Shopping
There is no shortage of shopping in Salem. With hundreds of stores to browse, you’ll be wise to pack an extra suitcase. Our favorites are HausWitch Home + Healing, and Emporium 32, which is a delight to browse for its tinctures and oddities. If you are a “Harry Potter” fan, several stores transport you straight to Hogwarts, including a wand shop.
Food and Drink
I had no trouble sitting down to eat during our weekend in Salem, but I can imagine late October could be a bit bananas.
Don’t miss Ledger, a restaurant in an old bank with tented patios. Hotel Salem‘s Counter restaurant has great drinks and sandwiches and is a great pitstop while exploring downtown Salem. Hotel Salem also has one of the few rooftop bars in town, so come early to grab a spot there. If you are looking for sweets, Kakawa Chocolate House has treats that I dream about.
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Other popular spots are Turner’s Seafood, which is known for its seafood and ghosts, and Bit Bar, which is in the old Salem jail (and probably haunted too).
If you need to take a break and are looking for local brews, head to Notch Brewing, which has great riverside seating. Outside of downtown, but worth the trip, is Far from the Tree Cider House, which features classic and experiential ciders.
Book Early
I cannot stress this enough: plan your trip early! Some visitors book their Salem trips eight to 12 months in advance. Hotels and Airbnb stays in downtown Salem fill up fast (and you should also expect inflated prices). The Hawthorne Hotel, one of Salem’s oldest hotels and reportedly haunted, is particularly hard to book.
If you only have a few months to plan, you’re not out of luck. I booked a late-September stay three months out and lucked out on a perfect Airbnb in neighboring Marblehead — more to come on that later. And if you are looking for a quick day trip, Salem is easily accessible from Boston, where hotels are aplenty.
Exploring Outside of Salem
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Dozens of cute towns outside of Salem are worth a stop. Only a 10-15 minute drive from Salem, Marblehead is a picturesque New England town worthy of its own visit.
I recommend grabbing a bite to eat at The Muffin Shop, a coffee at Mookie’s at Mugford, and then strolling around the shops along the historic streets. Afterward, take a scenic drive down Ocean Avenue, viewing the waterfront and Marblehead’s islands. Stop at Castle Rock Park for a stunning vista (and wave hello to Boston!).
More from Better:
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- How a Trip to Celebrate Día De Los Muertos Changed My Outlook on Grief
Macaire Douglas lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband and two sons. She proudly supports Save Abandoned Babies Foundation, a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that works tirelessly to prevent the illegal abandonment of newborns nationwide. Since its inception in 2000, more than 3,600 newborns have been safely surrendered and adopted into loving homes.
