Salem Travel Guide
Here is the Ultimate Guide to things to do in Salem MA in October. We went to Salem and adored the charming and spooky witch town.Looking for a spooky destination to celebrate Halloween in style? Head to a town shaped from the famous Witch Trials, Salem Massachusetts. Salem is a little sinister, intriguing, and just the right amount of ghoulish fun! You’ll find museums, shops, and even tours centered around all things scary and mystic.
How to get to Salem?
First you need to fly into Boston airport and I would recommend staying in Boston either before or after you go to Salem.
From Boston take the North Station, take the Rockport/Ipswich Line (a 30 minute ride). At the Salem Depot, exit up the stairs. It’s a 5* minute walk to the Visitor Center. It is a very walkable time and easy to navigate.
If you are driving check out the Roadtrippers site to help you plan your trip and all the best stops along your way. If you are needing to rent a car to make it to Salem, Turo is a great option for an affordable rental car option. Turo is an app that is basically the airbnb for cars, you are renting a car from someone. You can still have insurance to feel protected and ready to go.
Where to stay in Salem?
There are so many great accommodation located in Salem that are close to the heart of the town! Check out my Salem Accommodation Guide for all the best places to stay!
Things to do in Salem
Salem Witch Museum
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The Salem Witch Museum is a self guided tour that is a bit cheesy but so fun at the same time. There are robot versions of the people from the Salem Witch Trials telling the story and history of the Witch Trials.
Another part of the museum goes into the history of the Wicca which is the modern pagan religion or modern witchcraft. There is also a gift shop which is a great stop for a souvenir to take home! We got a postcard we framed for our Halloween decor at home.
Be sure to buy tickets online the day of your visit.
The tickets are 16.50 for adults, 15.00 for seniors, and 13.50 for kids under 13.
Open: 10:00-5:00 with extended hours in October and in July and August
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The Witch House at Salem
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The Witch House also known as the Jonathon Corwin House. This has the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin and is the only surviving building from the time of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The house is now a museum you can tour that teaches you about daily life of 1692 as well as the events of the Salem Witch Trials.
Open: 10:00-5:00 Daily
Admission: Adults (9.00), Seniors (7.00), children (5.00)
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Bewitched Sculpture
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Adorable Bewitched Statue inspired by the famous Bewitched show of the 60's and the best witch Samantha! This is a perfect photo op and is located in the heart of Salem and an easy stop.
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Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery
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A cinematic monster museum where you can see all kinds of monsters from movies with information about each figurine! What a fun place to explore for the horror movie lover!
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Gallows Hill Museum/Theatre
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Gallow Hills tells the story of the Salem Witch Trial and of Salem's haunted places using 4D effects, live actions, and ghostly projections. It is an interactive and unique experience for all!
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Salem Heritage Trail
Salem Heritage Trail is the red line that goes through the town and it is a great guide to all the best spots in Salem. You will hear it being called,“The Red Line” for obvious reasons. The trail is meant to be a self guided tour through all of Salem historic sites and navigate to the downtown district. It will cover over 400 years of Salem’s history including Indigenous Peoples, Colonial Salem, Witch Trials, Abolitionist and African American Stories, Immigrant Experiences, Religion, and so much more. Download the app to learn as you walk the trail.
Cry Innocent Play
Cry Innocent Play is a local theater production of the Salem Witch Trials and one of the top things to do while in Salem.
Phillips House
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This historic mansion will let you experience over 200 years of Salem history through a tour of a beautiful historic home, antique cars, and carriages. This is a great stop for the history buffs out there.
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Halloween Museum of Salem
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Come to the Halloween Museum and experience all things Halloween and view exhibits in ten different rooms where you can wear 3D glasses. With fun vintage halloween decor galore while also learning about Salem’s history.
Costs: Adults are 10.00 and kids are 5.00.
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The Burying Point
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What is more spooky than walking through a cemetery with the fall leaves crunching beneath your feet. The Charter Street Cemetery Welcome Center is now open in the 17th century Pickman House right next to the witch memorial. The cemetery is founded in 1637 and is Salem’s oldest museum.
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The House of the Seven Gables
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The House of Seven Gables is famous from the novel, “The House of the Seven Gables: A Romance”. This seems so straightforward but I had only vaguely heard of this book but it is one of the famous houses in the world. So if you are like me or are a huge fan of the novel, be sure to make this stop. The House of Seven Gables is available for mansion tours and grounds tours (up to 45 min.) either led by a tour guide or (30 min.) self guided through headphones if that’s more your thing. Tickets are non refundable so be sure of your date before buying.
Cost: The Mansion tour is 25.00 for adults, 20 for seniors, and 17 for kids. The grounds pass is an additional 6-12.00 depending on when you are visiting. Tickets here.
Hours: Daily from 10 AM- 6 PM
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Allison's House (Hocus Pocus)
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Allison’s House is also a great stop. It is located close to the famous witch house. Allison’s house is known at the Ropes Mansion is owned by the Pea Essex Museum, you can walk through the garden which is open to the public and free.
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Max And Dani’s House (Hocus Pocus)
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The Famous Hocus Pocus movie was filmed in Salem with lots of Hocus Pocus Filming locations. Max and Dani’s House is located on 10 Ocean Avenue and looks just like it does in the movie. Be sure to snap a quick photo but be respectful as it is someone’s home.
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Peabody Essex Museum
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One of the regions best art and culture museum!
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Salem Trolley
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Salem has an adorable trolley that does an hour guided tour teaching you about Salem’s history including the witch trials as well as the maritime history and more. This is one of the best things to do in Salem MA in October.
The Red Trolley is a great way to get a lay of the land of Salem and see where all the main attractions are located while learning about them.
Night time trolley tour Tales and Tombstones Tour is available July & August and of course in October. The tour includes visiting scenes of murders, executions, ghost stories, stories of curses, haunted houses, ghost ships, haunted islands, and more spooky fun.
Book your tour today! Tickets become available in June.
Location: Essex Street Side of the National Park Service Visitors Center, 2 New Liberty Street, near the bell
In October the trolley isn’t guaranteed to be hop on or hop off because of the large number of visitors in Salem. Tickets can only be bought on the day of. Purchase tickets from the seller outside the Visitors Center.
Hours: 10 AM- 5 PM for the day tours. 6:00-8:30 PM for night tours in October (Check site for exact dates of tours)
Cost:
Day Trolley Tour: Adults 22.00, Seniors 21.00, Children 12.00
Night Haunted Tour: Adults 25.00, Children 10.00
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Shopping
Visiting the witch shops in Salem is an absolute must! There are so many one of a kind shops, along with modern witch shops, and even shops for kids with magic glitter potions. It is such a blast to walk in and out of the shops, and the shop owners are happy to welcome you and answer any questions you may have. There is a shop for everyone! And there are so many great local goods to take home with you as a momento from your trip to Salem.
Essex Street Pedestrian Mall
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Essex Street is the perfect place to go for all your shopping needs! You will find tons of local and witch shops to shop til you drop.
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Wynott's Wands
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Release your inner Harry Potter and let the wand chose the wizard! There are beautifully handcrafted wands that make for the perfect souvenir!
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The Coven's Cottage
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Coven Cottage is the oldest witch shop in Salem and your spot for all your spell making needs. Or if you want some herbs, crystals, ritual tools, balms, handcrafted items, decor, and so much more. It is such a fun place to walk around and explore.
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Crow Haven Corner
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Crow Haven Corner is another great pick for a witch store, complete with crystals, spell kits, voodoo dolls, candles, jewelry, gifts, and even psychic readings.
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Hex Old World Witchery
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Hex Old World Witchery- A witch shop with crystals, voodoo dolls, candles, and other unique items that make it the perfect witch shop.
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Witch City Wicks
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If you are a candle lover this is the shop for you! They have a great variety of soy candles that each smell better than the last. And who doesn’t love candles? This will make for the perfect souvenir to take home.
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Enchanted Shop
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Enchanted- a beautiful store located by the Marina with crystals, goddess candles, gifts, books and more. They also offer tarot readings if you are interested.
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The Cauldron Black
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The Cauldron Black- A large selection of jewelry and books, among other finds you will see in a witch shop such as voodoo dolls, crystals, among other
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The Good Witch of Salem
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The Good Witch- Calling all parents of little ones! This is a gem! The good witch is geared at children but looks like a blast for the whole family! It sells adorable witch outfits and hats (mostly bright pink) with the option to create potions, brooms or stuffed animals. It looks like a dream and it's getting nothing but rave reviews! We will for sure be coming here when we have kids. Obsessed!
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HausWitch Home + Healing
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HausWitch Home and Healing- a modern witch store with self care items, crystals, tarot cards, home goods, souvenirs and cute little gifts with a very welcoming staff. It is just so pretty and cute!
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The Marble Faun Books & Gifts
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Cute bookstore with local gifts and goods! Such a variety from soy candles, salem souvenirs, books, cards, and more.
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Coffee
There are lots of unique and cute local shops in Salem! They are all worth a stop to fuel you up for a day of exploring in Salem!
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Spells Coffee Shop & Market
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Great stop for delicious breakfast and coffee with fun witch decor!
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On the Grind Cafe
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On the Grind Cafe is such a cute place! It has modern cute decor and even has an orange couch that looks so much like the coach from Central Perk in Friends. It also has fun coffee drinks, pastries, cinnamon rolls, acai bowls, great bagel sandwiches, and other delicious options.
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Crave
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Crave is an adorable cafe with the most amazing breakfast sandwiches and of course wonderful lattes and other coffee drinks. The pastries are also a wonderful pick.
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Brew Box on Essex
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Fun decor and mural with great unique coffee drinks and delcious food! It is also located in the main shopping area in Essex.
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Food
There are so many great local places to try in Salem! Be sure to try sea food when you are here, it is amazing here!
Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall
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GREAT seafood! It is a bit pricey but soo worth it!
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Flying Saucer Pizza Company
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Great pizza with fresh ingredients and lots of options with a fun sci fi theme!
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The Lobster Shanty
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Lobster Shanty is another great choice for seafood in a coastal town in Massachusetts.
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Best Salem Fall Events
If you are visiting in Salem, Massachusetts in October you will find tons of things to do in Salem MA in October and tours such as a Jack O Lantern festival, food festivals, ghost tours, haunted houses, and Halloween themed markets.
Haunted Happenings
Haunted Happenings is one of the main events in Salem in October. There will be venders, live music, performances and so much more! It is located in Salem Commons every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM- 6 PM.
Halloween on the Hill
Halloween on the Hill is located on Long Hill which is a fun event to celebrate the fall and Halloween season. Halloween on the Hill is occurring from September 29th- October 29th from 5:30-9:30 with Sensory Friendly Hour on Fridays 4-5.
Hollowed Harvest
Hollowed Harvest: Wicked Labyrinth is Salem’s Jack-O-Lantern festival. The festival goes from Thursday (5-9:00), Friday (3-10:00), Saturday (3-9:00), Sunday (3-9:00) in October. Check out their page for more information and September dates. It is located at 1 Sewall Street, Salem, MA.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show
The Pumpkin show is a festival with over 1,500 Jack- O- Lanterns in the gardens, cider and hot cocoa, and enjoy all the fall festivities. Expect to spend about an hour walking around.The Pumpkin Show runs September 29 – October 29Wednesday – Sunday, 5-8:30pmEarly Hours 4-5pmTickets: 27.00 for adults and 10.00 for kids. grab your tickets here!
Biz Baz Street FairEnjoy a craft fair where venders will be selling handmade art, crafts, gifts, apparel, and more! The fair will be going on October 7th, 8th from 10 am- 7 pm. Address: N Washington Square, Salem MATickets are on sale for most events starting September 11th this year.
Haunted Happenings Market Place
Haunted Happenings Grand Parade
The theme is yet to be announced this year but there will be a parade going right through downtown. The parade starts at Shetland Parade and ends at Salem Common. The parade is on October 5th from 6:30-8:00.For more events check out Salem's Special Events page.
Tip- Follow the red line that runs through the town of Salem. This will lead you to all the must do places to visit in Salem.
You will love the charming historic town of Salem and all the fun spooky and unique things to do in Salem!
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