Kay's Guide to Salem

I've always dreamed of visiting Salem, Massachusetts in October for the Halloween season. Despite many people claiming it's not worth it due to the crowds, we discovered that this didn't prevent us from enjoying the best fall weekend in Salem.

With proper planning and a flexible approach, you can easily explore Salem during this time in just a few days.

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WHEN TO GO:

I would recommend planning your trip from Thursday to Sunday. We used Thursday for the drive to Massachusetts and began our activities on Friday. Starting on Friday was ideal because we could do almost everything we wanted without facing large crowds and long lines. Saturday is usually the busiest day, so try to stay patient and savor the experience.

PLACES TO STAY:

Staying just outside Salem is the best option, as it is more affordable while still providing easy access to the town. We chose to stay in Peabody, Massachusetts, and found it to be an ideal location.

PARKING:

Before our visit, I read numerous posts advising against driving into Salem due to parking difficulties. However, we chose to drive into town and had no trouble finding parking. It's best to arrive very early to secure a spot in a parking deck. We parked at 1 New Liberty Street, leaving our hotel around 7:30 AM and arriving by 8 AM. Remember, parking decks tend to fill up by 10-11 AM.

PLACES TO EAT:

We absolutely loved Red's for breakfast and would have eaten there both days if we had known. The food was fantastic, and the prices were reasonable. The next day, we tried Fountain Place, and I wouldn't recommend it. Our experience with the waiter was terrible, and the food wasn't great either.

For lunch and dinner, I often read that reservations are necessary everywhere, but we didn't make any and had no issues. The top spots for lunch and dinner are Turner's Seafood, which is a bit pricey but definitely worth it, and Rockafellas, where the food was also excellent and the prices were quite reasonable.

THINGS TO DO:

Please be patient with me, as I could endlessly discuss what to do in Salem—there's just so much to explore!

Most of the shops and events are located along Essex St. and Washington St., so make sure to visit these streets to see the majority of attractions!

If you're a fan of Hocus Pocus like I am, you'll want to visit all the filming locations.

• Max's house: 4 Ocean Ave. Salem, MA - Remember, it's a private residence, so be respectful and considerate. It's quite a distance from everything else, so plan accordingly! We walked there, but I recommend using Uber.

• Rope's Mansion (also known as Allison's house): 318 Essex St. Salem, MA - You can tour the mansion's interior for free, but keep in mind that the movie only featured the exterior, and the inside looks different from the film.

• The Old Town Hall: 32 Derby Sq. Salem, MA - This is where the iconic "I Put a Spell on You" song was filmed.

• Salem Commons: 30 Washington Sq. Salem, MA - Seen when Allison is walking home from school. In October, it's filled with vendors throughout the commons, so be sure to check it out!

• The Pioneer Village (also known as Thackery Binx's house): 98 West Ave, Salem, MA 01970 - This location appears at the beginning of the movie when Thackery Binx wakes up. It's quite a distance from everything else, so plan accordingly! We opted for an Uber!

The Witch House is another essential stop at 310 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970. This was the residence of Judge Jonathan Corwin, who presided over the Salem Witch Trials. It is the only remaining building directly connected to the trials.

• It's worth noting that this house is right next to the Rope's Mansion, allowing you to visit both at once!

One of the highlights of our trip was a nighttime trolley tour. On a whim, we decided to take this tour on Friday night. The tour, titled "Ghosts, Murder, and Mayhem," guided us around the town while sharing ghost stories of actual events.

Cry Innocent was a reenactment of an actual witch trial where participants served as the "jury" to determine her guilt. This experience was fantastic and exactly the kind of thing I enjoy!

DON'TS:

Absolutely avoid spending your time at the Salem Witch Museum—there's not much to see, and it was incredibly dull.

I regret not choosing the Witch Dungeon instead, so I highly recommend trying that!

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Overall, our trip was fantastic, and I think it's definitely worth visiting if you're into that kind of experience!

I hope this is helpful if you're planning a trip to Salem, Massachusetts in October.

xoxo

Keeping up with Kay