As a self-proclaimed witch and a lover of all things Halloween (my favorite holiday), Salem, Massachusetts has been on my bucket list for years. Given how relatively close it is, I’m surprised we haven’t visited sooner! Salem is most well-known for its dark history—the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. For centuries, this part of its past was largely hidden, until the 1960s when the hit TV show Bewitched brought it back into the spotlight. Since then, Salem has recognized the wrongs of the past, memorialized the victims, and now celebrates its the once-shunned traditions and culture of witchcraft and the occult.
Today, Salem has become a modern witch’s ultimate destination and the perfect place for Halloween enthusiasts to get into the spirit of the season. With so much to see and do, you could easily spend 2-3 days exploring this spooky city. From mystical shopping and psychic readings to ghost tours and indulging in festive food and drinks, Salem is the ideal place to kick off your Halloween season. You won’t regret it!
Getting There & Staying There
Thinking about visiting Salem in October? Let me give you a big piece of advice: plan WAY ahead! We booked our flights and hotels in June, and even then, hotels were nearly sold out. We were there the first weekend of October (2-4), and it was absolutely PACKED. We flew in on a Wednesday and left by Friday, and by the time Friday rolled around, the streets were swarming with people, and every shop had a line out the door. If you can swing it, try to visit during the middle of the week—trust me, it’ll give you the freedom to wander the stores at your own pace and actually enjoy some elbow room in the streets!
We flew into Boston (Logan International Airport) on Wednesday evening and took an Uber to Salem, which took about 50 minutes in rush hour traffic. Unless you're road-tripping around New England (hello, leaf-peeping season!), you really don’t need to rent a car. Everything in Salem is within walking distance, and parking? Absolute nightmare. Skip the car, save yourself the headache.
We stayed at Hampton Inn Salem and honestly, it couldn’t have been a better choice. It’s just a quick 5-minute walk to the heart of town, but far enough from the chaos to give you a little breathing room. Clean rooms, super friendly staff, and—bonus—no cobblestone streets to drag your suitcase over! The beds were comfy, the vibe was chill, and it was the perfect home base for a magical (and slightly spooky) trip.
What We Did
Walking tours are a great way to get a crash course in the history of a city. Normally, we skip these because we like the freedom to explore on our own and do a little pre-trip reading, but in Salem? A walking tour is an absolute must! Whether you're into straight-up history or want something with a bit more thrill—like ghost tales or gruesome murders—there's a tour for every kind of vibe. On night one, we did the History & Hauntings of Salem tour (shoutout to Witchy City Walking Tours!), and on night two, we cranked it up a notch with the Late-night Ultimate Ghost Tour (by Salem Ghosts). Our personal fave? History & Hauntings, hands down! It gave us a bit of everything—history, ghost stories, and top-notch storytelling. It was the perfect way to kick off our Salem adventure and set the spooky tone for the rest of the trip!
Salem Witch Museum - if walking tours aren't your thing or you're interested in hearing the history in a fun and entertaining way, head to the Witch Museum. Not your typical museum, don't expect walking through and looking at artifacts or displays, instead be prepared for a unique storytelling experience with life-sized displays and voice-acting to hear about the Salem Witch Trials and witchcraft through the years. Tickets go on sale at midnight each day - make sure to set your alarm to ensure you get your preferred time.
Psychic Reading - Are you ready for a fun and maybe even life-changing experience? Then make time to visit one of the many psychic parlors around Salem. Each parlor has a number of gifted psychics and practicing witches ready to guide you through the different forms of mystical arts like tarot cards, past life reading, mediumship, palm readings, and angel/spirit guide connection.
Rey, feeling adventurous, decided to try a past life reading, and let’s just say... it was both hilarious and entertaining (seriously, ask him!). I, on the other hand, had booked a session in advance with one of Salem’s top-rated psychic—and wow, I can’t even begin to describe how incredible the experience was. This amazing psychic used both mediumship and tarot cards to deliver some of the most meaningful messages I’ve ever heard. Things I didn’t even know I needed to hear. They connected with loved ones and described them in such a beautiful, heartfelt way. They shared details about specific memories and events that no one else knows about. It gave me so much comfort and clarity, especially around the challenges I’ve been dealing with lately. From advice about my future to suggestions on how to handle things now, the reading was everything I didn’t know I needed. By the time I left, I was in tears—happy tears, sad tears, all the emotions. I walked out feeling lighter, more hopeful, and totally validated. To the psychic who left such a lasting impression on my heart—thank you.
So, whether you’re looking for a deep, meaningful reading or just want a fun way to connect with a psychic or witchy soul in Salem, I say go for it. You never know what kind of magic you’ll walk away with!
Shopping - We spent much of our time going in and out of stores, browsing, and buying the most unique things. The main street called Essex, is where you'll find the most concentration of shops. Start here and explore the surrounding streets to locate some interesting finds. Here are some of our favorites:
Got tattoos! Ever since I convinced Rey to get his first tattoo, he's been absolutely hooked! And honestly, I’m not complaining—now his favorite travel souvenir is a new tattoo from every trip! Salem was no different - with its magical charm and the thrill of adventure calling to Rey, it made perfect sense that we’d leave with a permanent reminder of this unforgettable place.
Witchy City Tattoo is the go-to spot in town, and you’ll find plenty of people lining up for their iconic flash tattoos. The deal? You pick from a selection of pre-designed artwork—no edits, no changes, just pick and stick. Rey found the cutest little ghost (totally his art style) that spoke to him, and he was sold. My indecisive Pisces soul, however, couldn’t handle the lack of control with a flash tattoo, so I ventured off the main street and found Acorn Tattoo studio, where they were taking custom requests—nothing too complicated, though. I ended up getting a black cat and moon from a visiting artist from Brazil, and we bonded over our mutual love for black cats and travel. I walked away with my heart (and skin) full, completely satisfied with my new ink!
Note: Be prepared to wait either way. You can add your name to the waitlist and they'll call you when it's your turn. A $20 deposit and 2-hour wait in line were required at Witch City.
Where We Ate
Coffee - exploring unique and different coffee shops is one of my favorite things to do when I travel. Forget the free hotel coffee or the coffee from Starbucks - I'm looking for something I can't find at home. Luckily for me, all of the coffee shops in Salem are serving up my seasonal favorite - Pumpkin Spice Lattes! None of them disappoint.
Blackcraft Coffee - this place is inside the main store. While we were there you needed reservations which you could only make by going to the storefront and scanning the QR code. We didn't get to try it but have heard the pumpkin spice lattes are the best you'll ever have.
The Derby Restaurant & Bar - we love asking locals for their recommendations on where to eat or drink. We heard this spot, The Derby, from more than one person. It was a great first stop in Salem - the place is decorated to match the spooky vibes of the town with flickering lights, jack-o-lanterns lining the walls, and haunted frames watching over their patrons. Classic American food can be paired with a Halloween cocktail - my personal fave was the "You put the 'boo' in booty" pumpkin martini.
Settler - the BEST restaurant you're going to find in Salem - hands down. A full culinary experience for an upscale Mediterranean meal. During the month of October, they were serving a pre-fixe menu for $70/person - every penny was worth it! Your 3 course meal includes a chef-choice mezze platter for the table, your choice of appetizer, and main entree. Trust me, you can't go wrong with whatever you choose. Everything is AMAZING. Reservations are preferred but if you're lucky, you can get a spot at the bar (like we did) and make friends with the bartender.
All Souls Lounge - this was another local favorite - There's a good mix of locals and out-of-town visitors adding to the fun, eclectic vibes of this place. Come here for a cocktail or draft beer. You'll be welcomed with open arms.
Rockafellas Restaurant - you can't miss this famous restaurant in the center of town. A historic building with a ghost story, serving American food and spooky delicious cocktails. You'll have to wait in line unless you're willing to pay $50 for a reservation in their "VIP vault". We opted to wait so went right after the lunch rush (around 1pm) and got seated pretty quickly. Sit on the patio and people watch as crowds of people walk by or sit inside and enjoy the modern vintage decor.
Salem is a witch’s paradise!
Not into all the witchy vibes? No worries! You’ll still be in great company with Halloween fanatics and history buffs who love a good haunted tale. If you’re searching for a unique, fun spot to fully embrace the spooky season, Salem is the place. Plus, you can totally customize your trip based on your crew—there’s no shortage of family-friendly fun or adults-only thrills. Also, worth mentioning, there was so much we didn't get to see and do - attractions, tours, museums, and shows. Needless to say, we will definitely be back next spooky season!
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