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 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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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 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.
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.
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!
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!
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!