What You Need to Know About Visiting Salem in October
*UPDATED October 2020*
Salem, Massachusetts is a town shrouded in mystery and lore. If you went to school in America, you probably grew up learning about the Salem Witch Trials. But visiting the town as an adult is a unique and very eye-opening experience.
I actually first visited Salem when I was in middle school. I remember feeling a bit spooked as I walked past witch shops and attended a trial reenactment. When I went back to Salem in October 2019 and 2020, I had very different experiences than when I visited as a kid.
During my recent trips, I learned even more about the 1692 Witch Trials (way more than I ever covered in school). The tone of the tours I took this time was very cautionary. The message of Salem today seemed to be “let’s not repeat history.” I really enjoyed my time in Salem and think it’s a place that should be on every curious traveler’s list.
If you are thinking about visiting Salem in October, or any other time of the year, read on. There is extra energy in the air during the Halloween season, but this historic city is worth a visit any chance you get.
What You Need to Know About Visiting Salem in October (or really any time of the year!)
Getting Here
Salem is only 25-miles from Boston and it is easy to combine these cities into the same trip. Salem doesn’t have its own airport, so if you plan to fly, you will need to fly into the Boston Logan Airport and then make your way to Salem.
From Boston, you can easily take a train or ferry to Salem. The MBTA Commuter Rail. The train to Salem from Boston’s North Station costs $8 one way and takes 30 minutes.
In addition to the train, you can also take a ferry from Boston to Salem. Boston Harbor Cruise runs the ferry during the summer and fall. This is a scenic option that costs $25 one way. *This ferry has ended its season 2020, but check the website for information about 2021 trips*
You can also easily drive to Salem from some nearby cities:
- 40-minute drive from Boston, Massachusetts
- 1 hour and 45-minute drive from Portland, Maine
- 4.5-hour drive from New York City
Once you get to the historic district of Salem, you will likely want to find a place to stayed parked as you explore the city. Salem is very walkable and most of the major sights are very close to each other.
Getting Around
Walking is the best way to get around Salem. Most of the main attractions are within walking distance. Find a place to park and leave your car there while you explore.
Another option is to take the Salem Trolley. From April-November, a trolly tour takes visitors to 14 of Salem’s most popular sites. Tickets cost $20 for adults and can be purchased online.
2020 Changes
As you would expect, there have been some major changes to daily life in Salem in 2020. Visitors are welcome, but check Salem’s official website for up-to-date information before making plans. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Everyone in Massachusetts must wear a mask when physical distancing isn’t possible AND everyone must wear a mask over their mouth and nose in public in Salem’s downtown B-5 District and in city parks and playgrounds. Salem had tons of signs about mask zones which I really appreciated!
- Unless you are traveling from a low-risk state (check the website for updated sates), you must complete the Massachusetts Travel Form prior to arrival to the state and quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test.
- Many of Salem’s October 2020 events have been canceled or modified. For a complete list check the website here.
Basic History
When you think of Salem’s history, you likely think about the 17th-century witch trials. Colonists first arrived in Salem in 1626. The town struggled at first but eventually, it became a prominent port city.
The Salem Witch Trials stretched from February 1692 to May 1693. During this period, more than 200 people in Salem were accused of witchcraft. Basically, a group of young women who had no other ways to act out or to gain attention started accusing community members of being witches. But, this got out of their control and was soon taken over by the judges and men of power in Salem. Of the 200 accused, 19 innocent people were found guilty and executed. The Salem Witch Trials are considered one of the first instances of mass hysteria in the United States. The history is complicated, interesting, and sad and would take way too long to go into depth here. But, if you are interested, this topic is extremely fascinating and well worth a deep dive.
What about the Crowds?
You might be thinking that Salem in October will be extra-crowded. After all, the town is known as Witch City, so visiting in October is a popular idea. But, don’t let the crowds keep you away. I visited in mid-October (on a Thursday, so that might have had some impact) but the crowds were very manageable. We were able to find street parking with no issues. Our tour guide did mention that Halloween is an extremely crowded day in Salem, so you will need to prepare yourself for extra crowds if you want to visit on October 31. Overall, expect it to be a bit busy but don’t let that keep you from going.
*2020 note: parking is more limited as outdoor dining has taken over many street parking spots. We were still able to find a spot, but it might be more difficult than normal. There were still crowds, but social distancing is strongly encouraged and gathering sizes are limited*
My Top 5 Can’t-Miss Experiences:
Salem Witch Museum
The Salem Witch Museum tops my list not because it is the best museum I’ve ever visited, but because it was the most surprising place I visited in Salem.
The word “museum” should be taken with a grain of salt. I expected to walk through exhibits and see artifacts like I would at any other museum. Instead, this “museum” is more of a guided presentation with outdated statues telling part of the story.
When it is time to visit the museum, you will enter a dark room filled with benches. Find a seat and get ready for an interesting presentation of the history of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. During the half-hour presentation, you will see various statues around the room light up and “tell” their story. Once you get over how outdated the statues/dolls are, you will realize that this is a pretty good presentation of the history.
After this presentation, you will make your way to the second part of the “museum.” A guide will take your group through this room and discuss how the witch trials hysteria started. My favorite part of the entire museum was in this final room. The guide talked about modern witch hunts and discussed how fear can cause humans to turn to scapegoats. It was the first place I understood just how hard Salem is trying to prevent history from repeating itself.
2020 Updates: Tickets MUST be purchased online in advance. Tickets are only available for same-day sales. Tickets do sell out and there are no refunds or exchanges. Also, a guide is available to answer questions in the last room but face-to-face interactions have been reduced.
Bewitched After Dark Walking Tours
I love walking tours. This is one of my favorite things to do when I travel. These tours are a great way to dive into the history and culture of a place. I also love taking ghost tours so, in Salem, I decided to take a Bewitched After Dark walking tour.
When the tour started, however, our guide made a point to explain that this wouldn’t be a ghost tour. Instead, it would strictly be a history tour, since Salem’s history was scary enough.
The 2-hour tour was fantastic. Our guide (Jeff) grew up in Salem and was very knowledgeable about the detailed history of the city. He took us to many different locations around the city that played a role in the Witch Trials. Unfortunately (although understandably) many of the original buildings in Salem were torn down following the trials. So, Jeff took us to the spots and explained what used to be in that place. The tour ended at the Salem Witch Trials Memorial (which I recommended visiting even if you don’t take this tour). This memorial is another great example of Salem’s modern approach to preventing history from repeating itself.
2020 Updates: Masks MUST be worn during the tour. Most of the remaining tours are sold out for October 2020. If you’d like to take a self-guided walking tour I highly recommend following the Heritage Trail. You will see a red line on the city’s sidewalks and can follow along with this guide.
Dinner at Turner’s Seafood
When in New England, you should try some fresh, local seafood. Turner’s Seafood is one of the best spots in Salem for a nice seafood meal. If you visit in October, you can also enjoy an autumn-inspired cocktail. I started my dinner with a delicious Apple Cider Sangria.
Besides the great food, Turner’s is interesting for its historical connection. This restaurant is located in the 19th-century Lyceum Hall. On February 12, 1877, Alexander Graham Bell made the first public long-distance telephone call from Lyceum Hall. In front of an audience, Bell made a call to the Boston Globe.
2020 Updates: Reservations can be made for outdoor patio dining or you can order carry-out.
Visit Hocus Pocus Locations
If you are like me, October is synonymous with Hocus Pocus. This 1993-cult classic is set in Salem and many of the scenes were filmed here. There are a few locations that you can still visit today (just remember to be respectful if you decide to visit private property).
- Pioneer Village– (98 West Ave) This living history museum was originally built in the 1930s and was used in the opening scene as the historic town of Salem where Thackery and Emily Binx live. During certain times of the year, you can take tours of this village.
- Old Town Hall– (161 Essex Street) Old Town Hall was used for the exterior shots of the adult Halloween party where the famous “I Put A Spell on You” song was performed.
- Dennison House– (8 Ocean Avenue)- This beautiful Victorian-style home is the easily-recognizable Dennison house.
Salem Witch Trials Memorial
I briefly mentioned this earlier, but the Salem Witch Trials Memorial deserves its own spot on this list.
This is a simple, but powerful memorial, dedicated to the 20 victims of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. The memorial features 20 benches, which each list the victim’s name, execution date, and method of execution. On the ground, you can see quotes from the victims including, “God knows I am innocent.” These quotes are cut off mid-sentence showing that the victims were not listened to during the trials.
The memorial is located near the Old Burying Point, where many of the Witch Trial judges are buried. This is one of the oldest burial points in the country.
Other Options
In addition the my top 5 experiences listed above, there are some other great things to do in Salem in October.
Special Events
Salem offers many special events leading up to Halloween. Check out the Salem Events Calendar for more details. Haunted houses, spooky trolley tours, psychic festivals, and Halloween-themed trivia are just some of the events offered in Salem in October.
If you plan to visit Salem on Halloween, you are in for a treat! The city puts on a huge festival complete with fireworks, live music, trick-or-treating, and the annual Salem Witches’ Magic Circle. Of course, be ready for crowds and traffic, but I imagine its worth it!
2020 Updates: Most events were canceled for Salem in October 2020. Check the website for additional information.
Witch Shops
As you wander the streets of Salem, you will likely notice the city’s many witch shops. Each shop offers a slightly different experience. Step inside a shop to search for vintage clothes, crystals, candles, or treats. If you are looking for a psychic or tarot card reading, you can also find these in many of the witch shops.
Salem’s Other Museums
Besides the Salem Witch Museum I mentioned earlier, there are a few other museums you can check out in the city.
- The Witch House– The Witch House, which was the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, is the only building still standing in Salem that has direct ties to the 1692 Witch Trials. You can buy tickets online to take a self-guided tour of the house.
- Witch Dungeon Museum– In this museum, you can experience a live-reenactment of the Witch Trial of Sarah Good (using the original transcript of the 1692 trial).
- Salem Maritime National Historic Site– This is a National Parks Site where you can learn more about Salem’s history as a port city.
- The House of the Seven Gables– This 17th-century colonial home was built for Captain John Turner and his family. The house was made famous by the author Nathaniel Hawthorne (who was born in Salem) who used this house for the setting of his novel, The House of the Seven Gables. A general guided tour includes a tour of the John Turner home and a visit to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s birthplace.
- Peabody Essex Museum– The PEM is one of the top art museums in the country. This museum is the continuation of a collection that started in 1799 and today includes more than 1.3 million pieces. The exhibit showcases international art and includes an impressive collection of Asian art.
Salem’s Best Eats
Looking for something to eat? Here are my picks (in addition to Turner’s Seafood which we discussed earlier!)
- Brew Box Coffee– This is a cute cafe with seasonal espresso drinks and plenty of pastries.
- The Roof– Who knew Salem had a rooftop bar? Enjoy fall cocktails, a Mexican-inspired menu and views over the city.
- Village Tavern– I haven’t eaten here yet but they had tons of outdoor seating and a classic pub menu.
I hope you enjoyed this guide to visiting Salem in October. Do you have any plans to visit the Witch City?
If you plan to combine your trip to Salem with a trip to Boston, check out my Boston guides:
Everything You HAVE To Eat in Boston
25 Cheap and Free Things to do in Boston
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