If you’ve ever seen Hocus Pocus or Hubie Halloween or if you read The Crucible in high school like I did, then you’re familiar with Salem, Massachusetts. Because of its history with the witch trials of the late 1600s, it is a popular tourist destination for anyone who is interested in witches, Halloween, and spooky stuff. The small town usually gets more than half a million visitors during October! And with it being just a 30 minute drive from Boston, it makes a great day trip for anyone visiting the area.
I’ve been twice — once with a couple friends while we were staying in Boston and another time just a few months ago to visit my cousin who lives there. The town is definitely unique and has a lot of spooky vibes… I literally walked passed a man on stilts dressed as a killer clown… and it was not Halloween time. But that’s what makes it a cool bucket list destination. There’s a ton of historic sites, shops, and great seafood to enjoy. Even if you’re not big into Halloween, I think you’d be surprised at how much there is to do and see!
Things To Do In Salem
1. Visit The Witch Museum
The Salem Witch Museum is probably the most popular thing to do when you visit Salem. Tickets go on sale at midnight the day of and it usually sells out, especially around October. So be sure to have your phone or computer ready to go so you can secure your spot! The museum has two sections. The first is a narrated “show” that walks you through the history of the Salem witch trials. The second is more of a regular exhibit that teaches you about the evolution and different portrayals of witches and witchcraft.
Location: 19 1/2 N Washington Square
2. Visit The Halloween Museum
The Halloween Museum was super cool. It wasn’t busy at all when I went, but you can make reservations online. Although the museum is not very big, there is a ton of stuff to look at. They have various Halloween props, movie posters, toys, collectibles, costumes, and more that are weaved together to teach you about the history of Halloween. The entire exhibit is done in blacklight and glowing neon paint. Plus, you get 3D glasses when you enter, which truly makes everything POP. It was a really fun and unique experience.
Location: 131 Essex St.
3. Eat at Sea Level Oyster Bar
I ate at Sea Level Oyster Bar both times I went to Salem. It is a fantastic option if you enjoy seafood. Both times I went I was with a group of people and although you should definitely make a reservation, they were very accommodating. They have a wide selection of oysters, yummy clam chowder, fresh seafood towers, lobster rolls, and so much more. It’s also right off the water, so it has a pretty nice view.
Location: 94 Wharf St.
4. Take A Harbor Cruise
The second time I was in Salem was with a large group of family and friends and the harbor cruise is something my cousin organized, which we all really enjoyed. She booked it through Mahi Cruises and because our group was so big, we had a private boat with a full bar and bartender on board. We listened to music, drank, danced, and watched the sunset on the water. It was a really great time and I would definitely recommend looking into it. Even if you don’t have a big group, they have different cruise options on their website!
Location: Mahi Mahi Harbor Cruises & Events Office: 24 Congress Street
Ticket Booth: 23 Congress Street
5. Check Out Seagrass Dispensary
For those of you who smoke or consume cannabis, you’ll definitely want to check out Seagrass Salem Dispensary. It’s honestly the nicest dispensary I’ve ever been. It’s very organized and aesthetically pleasing. They had a huge selection. And the murals on the outside of the building are definitely Instagram-worthy.
Note: Adult recreational use of cannabis is legal in the state of Connecticut.
Location: 3 Dodge St.
6. Visit The Witch House
Another popular spooky activity to do in Salem is visit The Witch House. This large, creepy black house was the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin (1640–1718). It is the only structure you can visit in Salem with direct ties to the witch trials that took place in 1692. I didn’t get a chance to go inside, we just drove by it at night.. eeek! But you can also buy tickets for a tour.
Location: 310 Essex St.
7. Take A Picture With The Bewitched Statue
This cute 6-foot-tall statue in Lappin Park is of actress Elizabeth Montgomery, who starred as a witch in the popular ’60s sitcom Bewitched. In 1970, the show filmed a series of episodes in Salem, which helped increase tourism. The statue was sponsored by TV Land and was unveiled in 2005.
Location: Lappin Park at the corner of Essex and Washington St.
8. Visit The Peabody Essex Museum
I was very impressed by how huge this museum is! The museum has three floors and tons of different exhibits to explore. It houses art from all over the world, allowing you to learn about beautiful and interesting pieces from China, Japan, India, and more. They also do special exhibits about witches and the witch trials and I was able to catch one during my first trip to Salem.
Location: 161 Essex St.
9. Grab A Drink Downtown
There are tons of bars to choose from and since the city is so quaint and walkable, I definitely suggest doing some bar hopping if that’s your kinda thing. My cousin and I checked out some of the bars and we had a good time! My favorite spot was The Roof because I’m a sucker for a rooftop bar with cute scenery and yummy frosé.
10. Check Out The Local Crystal Shops
If you walk around Downtown Salem, you’ll see plenty of touristy souvenir shops and the Witch City Mall. But what I think was the most interesting was all of the crystal shops. If you’re someone who loves to collect stones and place them around your house for good vibes, then you would love the huge selection at the local shops. And all of the workers I encountered were very knowledgeable. Personally, I don’t get into crystals much, but I loved looking through them and I did find some really pretty jewelry.
Have you ever been to Salem?
What are your favorite things to do in Salem?
Don’t forget witch pix
Author
Omg I haven’t done that! I will have to go next visit 🙂