Overview
Salem has long been on my bucket list. As a Halloween lover and a history nerd, Salem was at the top of my travel list. Learn about the historical and Halloween attractions, where to stay, and where to eat in this detailed travel guide.
What to Do
While Salem is not a large city, there are plenty of things to do to fill your stay. From psychic readings, farmer's markets, walking tours, and more, I'll tell you what activities you should do to maximize your time in Salem.
Where to Stay
If you want to stay in Salem, you'll need to plan your trip in advance. Learn about the hotels, B&Bs, and where I recommend to stay in this section.
What to Eat
I was pleasantly surprised with the food in Salem. Fresh seafood, massive burgers, coffee shops, and delicious desserts fill this section.
Haunted Happenings
Spooky season is the best time to visit Salem. Learn about the witchy attractions and the October long Haunted Happenings in this section.
What to Do
Before I visited Salem, I wondered if there would be enough activities and sites to fill more than one day. My stay in Salem lasted two and a half days, and I didn’t even feel like that was enough. There are plenty of museums, restaurants, shops, and attractions to see and experience. I wanted to see the iconic Hocus Pocus locations, the Witch House, The House of the Seven Gables, and several other witch sites and memorials, which takes at least an entire day to complete.
If you only have a day in Salem, it is definitely still worth the visit! You’ll be able to see the sites related to the witch trials and explore the museums. You might have time to do some shopping and grab a bite to eat, as well.
But if you have more time to visit Salem, there are many activities, shops, attractions, and experiences that will make your time worthwhile. Listed below are all the things I did while visiting Salem, and some that I wish I’d had the time to do too!
Psychic Readings
As you can imagine, psychic readings are not hard to come by. You can walk into most shops, and psychic and tarot card readings are offered. These range widely in price based on your reader and the duration, even by the shop itself. Some of the psychics wear “regular” clothes in bright shops with colorful crystals, while others lean into the darker ambience that accompanies the occult. Whichever style suits you, expect to pay between $40-$100 for a psychic or tarot card reading. Past life regressions tend to be at the higher end of the spectrum, some priced at $200. Quick birth chart and palm readings tend to be the cheapest offered, which cost closer to the $30 range.
Psychic readings are just one more facet of the witchy city, so you can expect to pay premium prices for a Salem reading. Still, I’d say it is worth it to have your fortune read in such a mystic setting.
I had my reading close to The Hotel Salem, right in downtown, at Ascend. They even offer Aura photographs with a detailed interpretation of the photo. Check them out on Facebook or Instagram to learn more.
The Witch House
The Witch House is a must see if you’re visiting Salem because it is the only building still standing with ties to the 1692 witch trials. Formally known as the Jonathan Corwin House, this was the home of judge Jonathan Corwin. Corwin was one of the magistrates who began initial inquiries into the witch reports, and held hearings with prominent figures such as Tituba and Sarah Osborne.
This house allows tourists to be transported back into colonial New England and learn about what life was like for the Puritans. Tickets are $9 for the self-guided tour and can either be purchased through Eventbrite on the day of the tour or at the door. The house is small, so twenty or less tourists visit at a time, but the line moved quickly.
Shops/Witch City Mall
Shopping at the local, eclectic, stores was probably my favorite part of the trip. It is clear that some stores appeal more to tourists, with cheap $10 Salem T-shirts, while others focus on lore and the actual practice of witchcraft. Downtown Salem and Salem Commons are lined with shops to visit. I’d personally recommend Wicked Good Books and The Coven’s Cottage for quality Salem themed products.
The Witch City Mall is located in downtown Salem as well and houses additional stores. Check out Salem.org to see if any events are happening at the mall during your visit. Through the month of October, Witch City Mall offers events like the annual Psychic Fair.
My favorite shop in the mall essentially marketed witch-themed glamor shots. Pick out a broom, cape, and full witch costume. Have your hair and make-up done and pose in front of a background of your choice. If I could have convinced my Mom and sister to join me, I would have certainly bought a picture package. While they don’t come cheap, most packages starting in the $200 range, this would certainly be an experience not found in many other places, and it is perfectly suited for Salem. Do make note that many shops close by 5PM, especially in the off season, so plan to hit the stores early for the best experience.
Peabody Essex Museum
The Peabody Essex Museum, located right in downtown Salem, houses over 840,000 works of art from around the world. Tracing its roots to the establishment of the 1799 East India Marine Society, the Peabody Essex museum is considered the oldest continuously operating museum in the United States.
The museum is perfect for the visitor not only interested in the history of Salem, but in art and history as a whole. Browse the gardens, numerous collections, and the Salem Stories exhibit for insight into the multi-faceted and cultural history of Salem. While this is likely an attraction to suit an older crowd, children will enjoy the interactive exhibits featuring animals and nature. This was my fifteen year old sister's favorite part of the museum.
With a plethora of artwork, Maritime, and fashion exhibits, there is truly something to interest everyone at the Peabody Essex museum. Visit Thursday-Monday from 10AM to 5PM. Tickets can be purchased in advance at PEM.org.
Local Events
To find out what events were happening during my stay, I browsed the calendar of events at Salem.org.Haunted Happenings takes place throughout the entire month of October, which means there’s a variety of Halloween-themed events that occur every weekend.
From the comfort of heated hotel seats, my family and I watched the Halloween Grand Parade, which made its way right through downtown Salem. Many local Salem groups dressed in their best Halloween attire and made their way through the city advertising businesses or simply celebrating the best time of year. My favorite group was a local dance studio who were dressed as Wednesday Adams and performed flash-mob style in the middle of the parade.
Salem also hosts a Farmer’s Market in the downtown area every Thursday. We browsed the local vendors selling baked goods, honey, and flowers, as well as local artists who sold their personalized Salem merch. I purchased my Salem souvenir shirt from a ten-year-old Salem artist who draws her own designs, and her Dad makes them into T-shirts.
Whenever you decide to visit Salem, make sure to check out the calendar of events and add some into your itinerary.
Hocus Pocus
While my family and I did not fit a tour into a trip, there are many highly rated tours to consider. If they hadn’t been sold out, we would have taken the Hocus Pocus tour with Witch City Walking Tours. They are a highly rated, experienced, tour-guide company that can take you through all the Salem hot-spots and provide quality information. Especially in October, tours do book up quickly, so plan in advance if you’re interested in a particular tour.
Even without a tour guide, you can visit some of the locations where Hocus Pocus was filmed. While most of the movie was filmed in L.A., there were some shots taken in Salem itself. This includes Alison’s house, which is the Ropes Mansion pictured above. The Town Hall also appears in the Hocus Pocus film, which was right in downtown Salem.
Where to Stay
It was quite literally a miracle that I was able to book a stay in Salem during the month of October a mere month before our trip. I knew October was Salem’s peak season, but I didn’t realize how far in advance all the hotels and B&Bs book out.
Salem is a compact, easily walkable city, with less commercialization than I was expecting. Sure, they appeal to tourists with their witchy history and Halloween haunts, but there aren’t many hotels or Airbnbs in Salem. If you’re planning a trip in October, or even in the surrounding months of September or November, book your trip six months to a year in advance! This is important if you want a low-stress experience booking and to have your pick of places to stay.
Thankfully, I found availability at The Hotel Salem, located right in downtown Salem. There truly could not have been a better location for us to stay. The Hotel Salem was a quick eight minute walk from the train station, as we took the train from Boston into Salem.
We did not rent a car for this trip, which actually suited us well. There is not much parking anywhere in Salem, not even at our hotel. If you fly into Boston or stay in a nearby town, it is extremely easy to take the train or bus into Salem. As it is a walkable city, with cobblestone streets where many cars cannot travel, I think a car actually would have been a hindrance, not to mention an extra expense.
The Hotel Salem had some negative reviews, particularly regarding air conditioning in the summer and the size of the Micro King room. While I cannot attest to either of those issues as we stayed in the King with a Loft and during the month of October, we had a truly wonderful stay. The front desk staff were very helpful and offered many recommendations for food and shopping.
The building itself is older, like much of Salem, but the room and lobby were modernized. The lobby was spacious with many couches and seats should you need to work on anything there or relax before your room is ready.
The King bed with a loft was the perfect size for my Mom, sister, and me. My sister and Mom shared the king bed while I slept on the pull-out sofa in the loft. The beds were the most comfortable I’d ever slept in at the hotel. The space itself was stylish and provided all the necessary amenities.
The Hotel Salem also has a restaurant open during the weekend and a rooftop bar. Make sure to make a reservation if you’d like to experience the rooftop bar, as it can get very busy. Also, don’t be confused when you walk into the front doors of the hotel and enter the restaurant. The front desk is over to the right of the restaurant, just a few steps away.
As soon as you walk out of the hotel Salem, there are rows and rows of shops and restaurants. We were a five minute walk to the Peabody Essex museum, a three minute walk to the Witch City Mall, a seven minute walk to The Witch House, and a ten minute walk to Salem Commons.
I saw several of the other hotels including the Hawthorne and the Salem Waterfront Hotel (both of which are popular with travelers). The Hawthorne is a historic, beautiful hotel, but I would still prefer The Hotel Salem’s location. The Hawthorne hotel is about a fifteen minute walk from the train station, near Salem Commons.
While there aren’t many Airbnbs or Vrbos in Salem, there are several bed and breakfasts. I researched several of these when looking for a place to stay, and I would have chosen The Amelia Payson House if they had availability. This B&B has great reviews, it is a beautiful facility, and they even offer afternoon teas to its guests.
Keep in mind, a bed and breakfast may be more economical due to the fact that breakfast is included in the price of the stay. Many of these only have a few rooms, however, so be sure to book your trip in advance if you’d like to stay in a B&B.
Prices do soar around peak season, especially in October. Expect to spend $500 or more per night if you wish to stay in Salem itself during October. If you travel in the off-season, rates are much more reasonable and availability is flexible.
Where to Eat
Although Salem isn’t a particularly large city, there are plenty of restaurants and diners worth visiting. My Blog Post, “The Best Coffee In Salem” details coffee shops worth trying. Check it out, here!
Aside from coffee shops, these are the Salem restaurants I’d recommend.
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Turner’s Seafood
Turner’s is the place that tops every list of where to eat in Salem, and it’s easy to see why. Turner’s operates out of the Salem Harbor, using their own fishing boat to catch fresh seafood. The fish is caught in local waters and prepared in house, which makes for the freshest seafood possible. The quality fish shines through in each of the dishes; it’s easy to tell the difference between a typical chain seafood restaurant and Turner’s, which prepares wild caught fish.
While I was there, I tried a seafood pasta special, with roasted vegetables, smoked sausage, and scallops tossed in a garlic butter sauce. My Mom tried the fresh halibut, neither of which disappointed. The service is also top notch, making for an overall five star experience at Turner’s.
Beware that Turner’s gets busy, especially on the weekends. I’d recommend making a reservation to minimize wait times.
2. Boston Burger Company
This is a chain restaurant with a location right in downtown Salem. Guy Fieri visited this restaurant in his show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, and featured Boston Burger Company’s famous burgers. These sandwiches are massive, piled high with all the toppings you can think of, plus some you’d be surprised to see. My sister ordered the mac’n’cheese burger, which she highly recommends. Try the creamy ranch burger or the PB&J burger if youre looking for an eclectic taste. If you’re not in the mood for a burger, try their wings or their loaded fries. Boston Burger company has a full menu of fries loaded with all kinds of toppings. These fries are worth sharing, as they come in a pound portion size.
My favorite part about this restaurant was their dessert. There is a full menu of large, photo-worthy, frappes. These frappes are essentially milkshakes, loaded with ice cream, whipped cream, and topped with cookies, marshmallows, sprinkles, etc. I ordered the Halloween themed Creepin’ It Real Frappe. This featured vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, orange and black sprinkles, and pumpkin and ghost marshmallows atop a bed of whipped cream.
These frappes are certainly large enough to share, but I won’t blame you if you want one all to yourself.
3. Howling Wolf Taqueria
This Mexican restaurant is closer to the bay area of Salem, approximately a ten minute walk from downtown. The walk was worth it to experience their large drink menu and generous portions of Mexican fare.
Beware! The drinks are strong here, so plan accordingly. I ordered the Wolf Limeade and it was stout. Ask for extra strawberry puree if you prefer your drinks sweet. There are plenty of margaritas, supernatural themed cocktails, and beers to choose from.
My family and I stopped in for drinks and appetizers, which really were large enough to serve as a full meal. We ate chips and guacamole, queso, and a half order of nachos. The half order of nachos were massive, so I can’t even imagine what the full order looked like. I’d recommend the half order unless you have more than five people sharing at your table. The nachos were piled high with ample toppings. The guacamole was made fresh and the queso was creamy and paired with salty, crisp tortilla chips.
Howling Wolf Taqueria has both indoor and outdoor seating available to cater to your Mexican cuisine cravings.
4. Fountain Place Restaurant
This spot is an ideal location for breakfast and lunch, located just steps away from The Hotel Salem, right in downtown. Fountain Place is decked out in spiders, cobwebs, ghosts, and witches, giving it the perfect Halloween atmosphere. I tried their special, Nutella French toast, which tasted as good as it looked. I generally like a savary breakfast, but I couldn’t let this special pass up. This restaurant cooks traditional diner fare, full of greasy comfort foods. The service was great and they have a large menu to suit a variety of patrons.
For Dessert…
Caramel French Patisserie
When I walked through the door and looked into the bakery case, I wasn’t sure if the dessert was actually edible. Not because it didn't look delicious, but because it literally looked like artwork. The French bakers put just as much time into the presentation as they do the preparation, both of which shine. Caramel Patissierie concocts Frech desserts that rival the bakeries in Paris. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself. Caramel has a full case of bright, baked desserts, macarons, and even freshed baked baguettes. There is plenty of room inside if you want to take a break from touring and enjoy a sweet treat. Caramel does not have a website, but you can check them out on Facebook.
Goodnight Fatty
I can tell you that this was the best cookie I’ve ever had, that it’s the best dessert in Salem, that the flavors are rich and the cookies are gooey, but you should just quit reading and go try Goodnight Fatty. There is a reason the cookies are called fatties; they are thick and chalk full of ingredients like peanut butter, chocolate, marshmallow creme, etc. Each weekend, Goodnight Fatty has a new line up of cookies, so there is always something new available. The flavors aren’t released in advance, so Goodnight Fatty keeps you on your toes. Only open on the weekends, this is a great late night stop after browsing the streets of Salem. Goodnight Fatty is open until 11PM on Fridays and Saturdays and until 10PM on Sundays. If you even remotely enjoy dessert, Goodnight Fatty is a must.
Haunted Happenings
It’s true that it is Halloween in Salem all year-around. There will always be supernatural shops and witch-themed memorabilia no matter when you go. You can always take a ghost tour through Salem, explore the museums in relation to the infamous witch trials, and get a psychic reading. But I will say, there is a certain magic to visiting Salem during October.
Parades, festivals, vendors, and decorations are in full swing. The leaves begin to change in early October, giving Salem a particularly fallish feel.
During the month of October, Salem’s Haunted Happenings takes place. You can visit Salem.org to view the list of events that happen during October. During my stay, we were able to watch the Grand Halloween parade, in which all sorts of Salem citizens and businesses partook. Even the dogs were dressed up. Children and adults alike are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes.
The Hollowed Harvest takes place, which is a jack-o-lantern festival featuring intricately carved pumpkins.
The Psychic fair begins at Witch City Mall. You can easily book a psychic, tarot cart, past life, or birth chart reading during this festival. The opportunities are endless to connect with the supernatural.
On the weekends, vendors line the streets with fair foods, classic clam chowder, halloween decorated desserts, and souvenirs. Actors decorated as the Sanderson sisters, Jack Skellington, werewolves, and more pose for photo ops with passing tourists.
October is truly a time to embrace Halloween and all Salem has to offer. The traditional historical sites and witch-themed shops are there, in addition to a fall chill in the air and an added emphasis on all things spooky.
If you’re interested in the history of Salem without the commercialization of Halloween, then you might be better off to visit Salem during the less busy off season. If you do want to visit Salem in October but don’t want to deal with the hassle of the crowds, consider traveling during the middle of the week. We spent Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday in Salem and Friday was significantly busier than the other two days.
If you are a Halloween enthusiast like me, there is no better time to visit Salem than October.