What to See and Do in Salem, Massachusetts

Autumn is the perfect time to head to this New England city, where you can learn about the Salem Witch Trials and other local history amidst some of the finest fall color around.

By: Ryan Reed and Felicia Feaster

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Photo By: Kate Fox

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Photo By: Courtesy of Destination Salem

Photo By: Kate Fox

Photo By: Courtesy of Destination Salem

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A Town Steeped in Scary History

“Nobody uses their Halloween costumes as much as we do in Salem,” says Kate Fox, executive director of Destination Salem. On Haunted Happenings, a guide to all things Halloween-related in Salem, Massachusetts, there are more than 1,000 events in the month of October and people from all around the world flock to the city in the fall to experience the spooky celebrations.

Located just 45 minutes north of Boston, Salem is best known for the witch trials of 1692 where mass hysteria led to more than 200 people being accused of practicing witchcraft, and ultimately 20 innocent people were executed. The tragedy has led to Salem becoming synonymous with witches. The city has embraced their history by preserving artifacts in museums and offering tours to educate visitors.

If you’re thinking about heading to New England's famous Halloween haunt, start making your reservations now. Approximately 500,000 people visit Salem in October and hotels fill up a year in advance. If you’re lucky to secure a room, here are a few hot spots for your to-do list.

Old Town Hall

Erected in 1816, Salem's beautiful Old Town Hall is the earliest surviving municipal structure in the city and is still used as a cultural destination for events, fundraisers and a farmers' market.

Salem Foliage

New England is famous for having stunning fall foliage, and while you’re in Salem you’ll be surrounded by the colors of autumn. According to Fox, the waterfront and Salem common (greenspace downtown) are the best places to do some leaf peeping but you’ll be surrounded by red, orange and yellow hues pretty much everywhere you go.

Take in the local beauty and enjoy some fascinating local history with the Bewitched After Dark walking tours. To be clear though, this isn’t a ghost tour. Bewitched After Dark sticks to the facts and shows visitors some of Salem’s must-see sites.

Peabody Essex Museum

With roots dating back to 1799, the Peabody Essex Museum is the oldest continuously operating collecting museum in the United States. In the fall the museum features a pop-up Halloween shop and a number of seasonal Eerie Events.

Nathaniel Hawthorne Statue

A three-minute walk from the Peabody Essex museum, this sculpture designed by American sculptor Bela Lyon Pratt honors the Salem native and author of The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables. The statue was unveiled in 1925 in a ceremony attended by Hawthorne's great-granddaughter.

The Witch House

This 17th-century home is the only structure still standing in Salem with direct ties to the witch trials. It was the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, who served on the court that sent 19 people to the gallows. Today, visitors can tour the home and view the architecture and furnishings up close as well as learn about what life was like for Salem residents in 1692.

Old Burying Point

The oldest cemetery in Salem and one of the oldest in all of Massachusetts, the Burying Point on Charter Street contains the graves of a Mayflower passenger and witch trial judge John Hathorne. Hathorne’s ancestor, author Nathaniel Hawthorne, used several names from gravestones in his novels, including John Swinnerton, who is featured in The House of the Seven Gables.

The House of the Seven Gables

Built in 1668, The House of the Seven Gables is New England’s oldest wooden mansion and is the setting for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel by the same name. The Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, as it is also known, is a one-of-a-kind historical experience for guests. Tours cover the home's distinctive architecture, as well as the maritime and literary history of Salem.

Salem Witch Trials Memorial

The Salem Witch Trials Memorial is a somber reminder of the 20 men and women who lost their lives unjustly in 1692.

A Sobering History Lesson

The Salem Witch Trials Memorial features 20 benches inscribed with the names of the accused, the date of their execution and the method. Nineteen victims were hung and one man was pressed to death under heavy stones.

Salem Witch Museum

The main presentation at the Salem Witch Museum is the best way to experience what the witch trials of 1692 were like. Using actual trial documents, life-size stage sets, figures and narration, the museum guides visitors through the dramatic events of the time. A second exhibit features live guides as they explain the perceptions of witches, stereotypes and how the phenomenon of witch hunting continues today.

Bewitched Statue

If you grew up in the '60s and '70s you’ll likely remember the TV show Bewitched starring Elizabeth Montgomery, who played the witch Samantha Stephens. During the sixth season, the show ventured from its Hollywood backlot and filmed several episodes in Salem, which Fox calls the beginning of “witch tourism.” In 2005, TV Land marked the 40th anniversary of the sitcom with a statue of Montgomery in Salem’s Lappin Park. Today, the statue is one of the most photographed attractions in the entire city.

Witch Dungeon Museum

Professional actresses at the Witch Dungeon Museum act out scenes from historical records and the 1692 witch trials that erupted in Salem.

Cruise Aboard the Hannah Glover

The seafaring owners of Mahi Cruises operate cruises May through November, but there are special Haunted Happenings Harbor Cruises each year from September to October on the double decker Hannah Glover boat. Enjoy spiked cider, hot drinks, a tour of local landmarks and some spooky revelry onboard. The Hannah Glover is named after the first armed naval vessel in the American Revolution.

Local Eats to Try in Salem

You’re going to work up an appetite with all this sightseeing. Here are some of Fox's go-to recommendations:

Breakfast: "Gulu-Gulu Cafe. It’s a European-style cafe where you can order a crepe, egg sandwich and delicious coffee.”

Lunch: “Head to the waterfront and go to Sea Level Oyster Bar. Sit and overlook the harbor while eating delicious seafood.”

Dinner: "Adriatic Restaurant & Bar for locally sourced Mediterranean and Italian cuisine.”

Fox made sure to add that while these were her choices, the food scene in Salem is incredible and there are a lot of options depending on what you’re looking for. There’s even a food tour that will take visitors to different restaurants, and every destination has to source ingredients locally in order to be included.