Salem, Massachusetts in October: Ultimate Guide to Experiencing Halloween in Salem
Planning a trip to Salem Massachusetts in October? Discover the best things to do during Halloween in Salem, including top attractions, ghost tours, historic sites, and insider travel tips for the Halloween season.
Visiting Salem, Massachusetts in October had been on my bucket list for years. So when my best friend suggested we take a fall girls’ trip to Boston, we immediately carved out a full day for a Salem adventure.
And let me tell you: if you love spooky season, history, beautiful fall foliage, and charming New England small towns, Salem in the fall is the perfect place.
This guide is everything I wish someone had told me before my first visit—how to get there, what to do, what to skip, and the best way to make the most of your day trip during the busiest and most magical time of the year.
Whether you’re a Hocus Pocus fan, a history buff curious about the Salem Witch Trials, or you just want to enjoy one of the best things to do in New England in October, this guide will help you plan an unforgettable trip.
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Why Visit Salem, Massachusetts in the Fall?
There’s something special about Salem in October. The combination of crisp air, fall foliage, historic streets, and thousands of visitors dressed in everything from movie-quality costumes to casual witch hats creates an energy that’s hard to describe.
This is when the City of Salem fully embraces its spooky season identity with Salem Haunted Happenings, month-long special events, live performances, street performers, ghost tours, and themed museum exhibits. For adults, it’s the perfect time of year to explore historic buildings, sample seasonal drinks, and dive deep into the haunting history and maritime history that shaped Salem.
Just be prepared: October weekends are extremely busy, especially Halloween weekend and Halloween night. The city often shares ongoing updates about road closures, safety measures, visitor trends, and restrictions like public drinking, private property reminders, or disorderly behavior crackdowns.
If you’re visiting Salem Massachusetts in October, flexibility and patience are key to enjoying your time in this fun place.
How to Get to Salem from Boston
One of the reasons Salem is such a great thing to do during a Boston trip is how easy it is to get there using public transportation.
We took the MBTA Commuter Rail from Boston’s North Station (Salem is on the Newburyport/Rockport line), and it was the smoothest option by far. The ride is about 30–35 minutes, and you avoid the stress of traffic, expensive parking, and the near-impossible task of finding free parking in Salem during October.
Once you arrive, downtown Salem is extremely walkable. Most of the top Salem attractions, including the Bewitched statue, the Witch House, Salem Witch Museum, Old Burying Point Cemetery, and Essex Street, are all in walking distance from the station.
For a first-time visitor, the train is the best way to have a relaxing and fun Halloween season day trip. It took us less than 10 minutes to walk from the station to the heart of Salem!
Travel tip: If you plan on taking the train I highly recommend downloading the MBTA mTicket app. It’s so much easier to figure out than the in-person ticketing kiosks and gives you a ticket on your phone instantly.
Our Real Itinerary: A Perfect Day Trip to Salem in October
We wanted a mix of history, spooky fun and great food on a budget, so we created our own self-guided walking tour of Salem. This is one of my biggest Salem travel tips: don’t feel pressured to book every special event or guided tour. You can easily enjoy the best places in Salem at your own pace.
Below is exactly what we did, including the addresses, walking routes, and timing.
Coffee First: Odd Meter Coffee
We hopped off the train and headed straight down Washington Street to caffeine at Odd Meter Coffee. It’s on the walk from the station to Essex Street, and perfect for grabbing a warm drink on a chilly New England morning. The shop is bright and colorful and the line moves quickly.
The Bewitched Statue
A quick 10-minute walk brought us into the heart of downtown and the Bewitched statue of Elizabeth Montgomery on Washington Street. It’s the perfect photo opp spot!
Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery
This was one of our favorite things we did all day. Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery is a horror film museum filled with incredibly detailed, life-sized recreations of iconic movie monsters and characters. Think special effects, live actors during peak weekends, and beautifully crafted displays.
You’re not allowed to take photos in the museum, but trust me when I say this is a must if you love old horror movies! It’s really affordable and the monsters are really high quality. We loved wandering around in there. If you’re a horror fan, this belongs at the top of your list.
A helpful Salem travel tip: Tickets often sell out in October, and walk-ins can mean a long line. We booked 11:30 a.m. tickets before heading to Boston and were in and out quickly.
Essex Street Shopping
Essex Street is the heartbeat of downtown Salem. This pedestrian-only walkway is filled with:
- Local shops
- Street performers
- Psychic reading booths
- Pop-up stands
- Live music
- Seasonal vendors
There were so many shops to check out, filled with all kinds of amazing trinkets and spooky season accessories. This is also where you’ll feel the largest crowds and longest lines, especially in early October and Halloween weekend.
Don’t miss Kakawa Chocolate House! They have “sipping chocolate” which is incredible, and was exactly what we needed when unexpected icy rain started.
Salem Common
Salem Common is a beautiful green space surrounded by historic buildings, and in October it often hosts special events, street performers, and themed pop-ups. It’s one of the best places to ease into the Halloween spirit without jumping straight into long lines and crowds, and during October there are also tons of food trucks.
It’s also a great option to add to your Salem day trip if you’re traveling with kids. The park provides lots of room to run, and there’s even a playground.
DIY Hocus Pocus Filming Locations Walking Tour
If you’re a Hocus Pocus fan, Salem is the perfect place to explore iconic filming locations from the movie… which is exactly what we did next. Several of the most recognizable spots are all within easy walking distance, including Phillips Elementary School (used as Max and Allison’s school in the film)
We also stopped by two of the most photographed Hocus Pocus backdrops, the Salem Witch House and the Ropes Mansion. The Witch House, once home to Judge Jonathan Corwin, is the only remaining building in Salem with direct ties to the Witch Trials and makes a dramatic backdrop for spooky-season photos.
A short walk from the Witch House, you’ll find the Ropes Mansion (better known as Allison’s house) set along the stunning historic stretch of Chestnut Street. The garden behind the mansion is free to explore and especially beautiful during peak fall foliage.
Old Burying Point Cemetery and the Salem Witch Trial Memorial
One of the oldest cemeteries in the United States, the Old Burying Point Cemetery is hauntingly beautiful. It was incredible to see gravestones of individuals who came on the Mayflower, as well.
This historic site sits next to the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, a powerful tribute honoring the innocent people executed in 1692. It’s a must-see stop even if you’re not chasing filming locations, but be sure to stay within marked areas, as some surrounding buildings are private property.
More Warm Drinks + Shopping
When a reservation opened up at Blackcraft Coffee the morning of our visit, we knew we couldn’t miss out! It’s absolutely worth the hype, and was right on the way after the Witch House. Not only is Blackcraft the shop the perfect stop if you love all things spooky, the coffee was my favorite of our entire trip to New England.
We also spent time in The Black Cat Curiosity Shoppe (filled with treasures and the nicest shop staff!), Witch City Broom and checked out Moon Base One and artist’s row.
Early Dinner at Gulu-Gulu Café
While not part of our original plan, we’re so glad we were able to get a table at Gulu-Gulu Café. I’m gluten and dairy free, and their menu had a huge number of options that fit my dietary needs. Everything was delicious, and the staff were really kind as well.
Other Great Things to Do in Salem in October
If you have more time (or you’re planning a full weekend) here are more of the best things to do in Salem during Halloween season.
Take a Ghost Tour or Walking Tour
Guided tours led by local historians are one of the best ways to learn about:
- The history of the Salem Witch Trials
- Witch hysteria
- Maritime history
- Ghost stories
- Filming locations
- Historic buildings
Some of the most popular ghost tours and walking tours include Witch City Walking Tours, Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour, Hocus Pocus filming location tours and Salem’s History & Hauntings Walking Tour. A nighttime ghost tour is a perfect way to end your day during spooky season!
Visit the Peabody Essex Museum
The Peabody Essex Museum is one of the oldest continually operating museums in the United States and a beautiful mix of art, culture, history, and rotating special events. If you’re visiting Salem Massachusetts in the fall but want a break from the crowds, this museum is a safe downtown environment with fewer crowds than Essex Street. We had hoped to visit, but it was closed the day we were in Salem.
Check Out Salem Pioneer Village
A unique living history museum and another Hocus Pocus filming location, Salem Pioneer Village recreates 1630s colonial life through reconstructed homes and costumed interpreters. Another spot that we had hoped to visit but was closed on our day.
The House of the Seven Gables
If you have extra time, the House of the Seven Gables is a great addition to a Salem self-guided tour. This famous home inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel by the same name and features stunning coastal views, maritime history exhibits, and beautiful grounds.
It’s a bit farther from the downtown crowds, but still in easy walking distance.
Salem Witch Museum
The Salem Witch Museum is one of the most popular attractions in the city, and easily one of the busiest. The museum uses life-sized scenes, lighting, narration, and special effects to walk visitors through the history of the Salem Witch Trials and the origins of the spiritualist movement.
This museum is controversial among historians for dramatizing certain details, but for first-time visitors, it’s still worth doing once. If your time is limited or you want to save money, consider skipping the long line and doing the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and Old Burying Point Cemetery instead. We personally didn’t make it because of our limited time.
Lunch or Dinner at Turner’s Seafood
We had planned on ending our day at Turner’s Seafood, located inside the historic Lyceum Hall, which some say is haunted. It’s known as one of the best restaurants in Salem. However, the weather had other plans, and the icy rain ended our trip a little sooner than we had planned.
Reservations aren’t taken in October, but you can do an advanced table hold online (like call ahead seating). This place fills up fast thanks to their fresh seafood, excellent cocktails, cozy atmosphere and its reputation as a haunted house setting.
If you want a Salem dining recommendation that never disappoints, this is it.
Attend Salem Haunted Happenings Events
The month of October includes the Grand Parade, costume balls, pop-up markets, live performances, special events at historic hotel venues like the Hawthorne Hotel and other events hosted by the Salem Chamber of Commerce.
The Destination Salem app and city’s website provide ongoing updates, informational resources, and visitor information, including safety measures during high-volume weekends and the most up to date train schedule as well.
Tips for Visiting Salem, Massachusetts in October
After our trip, these were the biggest takeaways.
- Go Early and Use Public Transportation
Salem is small, and October brings massive crowds. The MBTA Commuter Rail is the best way to avoid road closures and parking issues. It also gives you flexibility to leave whenever you’re ready and is much more affordable than driving and parking (especially as the nearby parking lots and parking decks fill up quickly during October).
- Expect Long Lines
Popular attractions like the Salem Witch Museum, Witch House, and haunted houses can have wait times of over an hour during peak weekends. Go early, or prioritize your top things first.
- Book Tickets When You Can (but be prepared to not be able to)
Count Orlok’s, specialty tours, and some special events require advance tickets during the month of October. Many sell out by the beginning of August. Other places don’t open up tickets until the night before or day of your visit.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes and Bring Layers
You’ll walk more than you expect. A map of downtown Salem is handy, but everything is close.
Be sure to also bring layers. New England fall weather can swing from warm sun to chilly wind in a single afternoon.
Don’t forget rain gear. The day we visited had zero rain in the forecast, and we were grateful we had thrown our rain jackets in our bag just in case.
- Explore Beyond Essex Street and Enjoy the Small Moments
Our favorite things weren’t always the big attractions—it was wandering through local shops, listening to live music, admiring costumes, and discovering hidden corners of this small city.
Some of the most beautiful spots, like Chestnut Street, the McIntire Historic District, and the waterfront, are quieter and stunning in the fall. Don’t get caught up in the fun on Essex Street that you miss out on the other sights!
Is Salem Worth Visiting in October?
Absolutely. It’s busy, chaotic in the best way, and full of history, costumes, and magic. If you’re looking for a fun Halloween experience filled with ghost stories, live entertainment, and iconic historic sites, you are in the right place.
For adults, Salem Massachusetts in the fall feels like stepping straight into a movie: equal parts haunting, beautiful and unforgettable.
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