This article was updated in September 2024
This guide to Salem, Massachusetts offers everything you need to explore one of the best fall destinations! Visiting The Witch City is a must-do for me every year. I’ve pulled from my years of visits to bring you this complete guide to Salem, Massachusetts.
If you’re looking for more New England fall travel inspiration, check out my other articles: Perfect 7 Day New England Fall Road Trip, Gilmore Girls Fall Trip in Connecticut and Travel Guide to Woodstock, Vermont. My comprehensive Instagram Reel travel guide to Salem is also a great resource if you’re planning a trip to The Witch City.
If you’re a lover of fall or Halloween, I bet Salem is on your travel bucket list. Salem’s nickname is “The Witch City” and it’s the setting of the iconic Halloween movie Hocus Pocus. While most of Hocus Pocus was filmed in California, some scenes really were filmed right in downtown Salem. Visitors can easily check out many of the iconic filming locations and step right into the shoes of Max and Dani.
This complete travel guide to Salem, Massachusetts covers the best things to do, where to stay, and restaurants to eat at in The Witch City.
History of Salem, Massachusetts
Known as the Witch City, Salem is an ideal destination for Halloween fans. However, there’s so much more to it than its macabre past. Whether you visit in October or another time of year, this Salem travel guide has you covered with the best things to do in The Witch City.
Salem, Mass, is most famous for the 1692 Witch Trials which claimed the lives of over twenty innocent victims. The town really embraces its witch heritage. Witchcraft shops line the streets and witch mascots are used all over, from the local high school to even the police department. Despite the witchy vibes, Salem oozes New England charm.
The town is over 400-years-old and is situated on the Atlantic Ocean, about 30 miles north of Boston. This strategic coastal location makes it one of the most important seaports in America. Salem’s rich maritime history can be felt to this day, and the harbor is a beautiful part of this historic city.
Salem is lined with cobblestone streets and grand colonial mansions. It’s a beautiful and quaint town. Like all of New England, Salem’s foliage lights up in reds, oranges and yellows each autumn, which adds a little extra magic if you visit during the fall. This travel guide to Salem, Massachusetts covers historical highlights as well as modern day spooky fun.
Should I visit Salem in October?
Beware that October is a popular time to visit Salem. If you have your heart set on an October visit you need to book hotels and experiences early and expect crowds.
The last few years, the city has asked people not to drive in Salem if possible during the busy weekends to help with overcrowding and difficulty finding parking. The beautiful fall leaves and over-the-top Halloween decorations still make it worth the visit though.
If you are wary of the October crowds but still want to visit Salem in October, I recommend going one of the last few weeks of September. There will be fewer crowds but the city will still feel vibrant and bustling. You will see shops and restaurants getting ready for the busy month of October, but all of the town’s festivities likely won’t be happening. If you follow this travel guide to Salem during months outside of October, you will still have a great time!
How to get to Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is about 30 miles north of Boston in the state of Massachusetts. If you’re located in the north east it’s a pretty easy drive, just plan ahead for Boston traffic which can be heavy.
If you’re flying, book a flight into Boston Logan airport and rent a car or take a reasonably priced Uber into Salem. Once you’re in Salem, you won’t need a car as it’s a very walkable city.
The best hotels to stay at in Salem, Massachusetts
Salem has many great hotels and there’s something for every type of traveler, from grand historic properties to hotels with a modern twist. When you’re traveling to Salem, Massachusetts, I do recommend staying for at least one night. While you can explore Salem in one day, you will get a better experience and not feel as rushed if you spend the night.
The Hawthorne Hotel– This is Salem’s largest and most iconic hotel that sits right in the center of town. The hotel first opened in 1925 and is on the list of Historic Hotels of America. The hotel has a storied past and was used as a filming location for the television show Bewitched and was the setting of a famous 1990 seance to communicate with Harry Houdini.
The Hawthorn Hotel is also the location of Salem’s annual Halloween Ball. I love this hotel for its rich history, pet friendly policy and great location. It’s also said to be haunted!
The Coach House – This luxury boutique hotel is set slightly outside of downtown Salem. It’s still very walkable, but not in the center of the action. I like this property for a more relaxed and upscale visit.
The Merchant – This is a boutique hotel located right in Salem’s central historic district. The Merchant is a design-driven hotel that takes a more stylish approach to accommodations in Salem.
But The Merchant is more than just a beautifully decorated hotel, it has an absolutely fascinating history! The Merchant was built in 1784 as the private residence of a prominent Salem merchant, Joshua Ward, who worked in the rum and pepper trade. George Washington stayed at Ward’s house during his visit to Salem in 1789. The room he stayed in has been turned into a suite!
The Merchant has some darker parts to its history too. The land The Merchant sits on is where George Corwin, Salem’s sheriff during the Witch Trials (1692), lived and maintained his jail. Corwin wasn’t a nice guy. He was responsible for interrogating, arresting and sentencing to death anyone accused of witchcraft. Many innocent people were held in Corwin’s jail and died at his hands. And that’s right where The Merchant sits! Needless to say The Merchant is said to be extremely haunted. (I dare you to google image search ‘Joshua Ward House ghost’).
The Hotel Salem – This is a fun, hip hotel that’s owned by the same company as The Merchant. Hotel Salem is located on Essex Street, which is a pedestrian only commercial street in the center of town that’s filled with shops, restaurants and museums. The hotel is home to a lively rooftop bar that’s a great respite for a tasty cocktail.
Things to do in Salem, Massachusetts
Whether you want to get spooked, check out whimsical shops or learn about the Salem’s rich history, there’s something for everyone in The Witch City. Here are my favorite things to do in Salem.
Walking tours
Walking tours are incredibly popular in Salem, and there are tours that cover all areas of interests. There are tours dedicated to Hocus Pocus locations, witch tours that focus on scary stories and more educational tours.
I’ve taken Salem witch history tours with both Witch City Walking Tours and Bewitched After Dark and I enjoyed both of them. I recommend checking out all tour options and reviews on TripAdvisor to find one that fits your interests.
Whether you do an official tour or not, I highly recommend just wandering around Salem. Chestnut Street and the Historic District are a gorgeous neighborhoods filled with drool worthy real estate and fun Halloween decor (if you visit in October).
Visit the Hocus Pocus filming locations
Some scenes from the classic Halloween movie, Hocus Pocus, were actually filmed in Salem. Visitors to Salem can easily walk to many of these movie landmarks right in downtown. Some of the most popular Hocus Pocus filming locations in Salem are The Ropes Mansion, Pioneer Village, Salem Commons, Old Town Hall and Max and Dani’s House. My Instagram Reel guide to Salem’s Hocus Pocus filming locations outlines the addresses and tips for visiting these spots.
Museum hop
Salem is home to The Peabody Essex Museum, one of the largest museums in America in terms of gallery space and endowment. The museum holds some of the country’s most important collections of American and Asian art and design.
If you’re looking for something a bit more spooky, check out The Salem Witch Museum which is dedicated to the history of the Witch Trials of 1692. Tickets to enter the museum tend to sell out on busy fall weekends, so plan ahead.
The House of the Seven Gables is a seaside mansion made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne and his gothic novel of the same name. The historic home and its gardens are open for visitors to tour. It’s one of the most popular photo spots in the city too.
The Witch House is a must-visit. This is another beautiful gothic house, and this historic site is the former home of Witch Trial judge Jonathan Corwin. It’s the only building left standing in Salem with direct ties to the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. You can buy tickets to tour the original house, or its gothic exterior is perfect for a Halloween Instagram shot.
Shop around Salem
Salem is home to some great shopping and whether you believe or not, a visit to one of Salem’s many witch shops is a must. Essex Street is the main commercial thoroughfare. It’s a pedestrian only street lined with stores selling crystals and other witchy goodies.
Crow Haven Corner is Salem’s oldest witch shop that also offers psychic readings. Off of Essex, you’ll find many boutiques selling seasonal clothing and home goods.
If you’re looking for something a bit more modern a visit to HausWitch is a must. The aesthetic store sells a beautiful assortment of spell kits, home goods and jewelry – think if Anthropologie was a witch store! HausWitch has also been offering aura readings for the past couple years. You can make an appointment ahead of time or grab a walk in spot. You’ll get an in-depth analysis of your aura photo and get to take the image home as a keepsake.
I also love Oak + Moss (right across the street from Settler) for its wide variety of houseplants, pots and other home decor goodies.
Where to eat in Salem, Massachusetts
Salem has some great dining experiences. Despite having a fun, kitschy, tourist vibe, it really has some delicious restaurants and bars. These restaurants are my favorite places to eat in Salem.
Settler – This is a new restaurant in town and it’s amazing! Highly recommend for its A+ service and delicious New American cuisine.
Bambolina – This Italian restaurant is my favorite in Salem. It’s a cool rustic spot that serves delicious wood-fired pizzas, small plates and wine.
Adriatic – Wine is the center of the menu at Adriatic. Along with an expensive wine menu this restaurant also serves a variety of small plates, pizza and pasta.
Ledger – This is a former bank turned restaurant that’s the perfect option for a more luxe meal in Salem.
Goodnight Fatty – If sweets are your thing, this is your place. Goodnight Fatty sells delicious cookies and other desserts for a late night treat.
Notch Brewing – This local brewery has a beer garden right in the center of Salem. It’s a great spot to spend a few hours in between sightseeing.
Flying Saucer Pizza Company – This pizza restaurant and bar is located right in downtown Salem. They have fun cocktails with a spooky twist. I tried the Sanderson Sister shots as well as The Skin of a Killer cocktail, which is named after Edward Cullen.
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