Day Trip Guide to Salem in October
No one does Spooky Season like Salem! Whether you’re visiting for the witchy history, the Halloween festivities, or because you’re a lifelong Hocus Pocus fan (or all of the above), October in Salem is a bucket list experience. It also makes for the perfect day trip from Boston! This guide will cover when to visit, how to get there, and all the best things to do on a day trip to Salem in October.
Trick or Treat! This is your guide to a day trip to Salem in October.
Getting to Salem from Boston
TRAIN
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to get to Salem from Boston is by train. Head to North Station to purchase your roundtrip MBTA ticket (around $16 per person), and take the Newburyport/Rockport Line to Salem. Trains depart every 30 minutes from North Station, and it’s a quick 30-minute ride to Salem.
Once you arrive in Salem, it’s a short walk to get downtown. Salem is very walkable, so renting a car is absolutely not necessary. Uber and Lyft are available should you need to get anywhere you can’t reach on foot. Trains from Salem back to Boston leave every 30 minutes, and the last train typically leaves around 10:00 pm. You can view the current schedule here.
CAR
A car isn’t necessary for a day trip to Salem (and can actually be a bit of a hassle). If you do choose to drive, know that parking in downtown Salem in October will be extremely limited. Arrive early to find a place to park and then spend the rest of the day on foot.
Listen: Halloween Fall Road Trip Playlist
HEAD’S UP: When chatting with a local from Boston, we learned that Salem sometimes gets so crowded on Halloween weekend that train service into Salem is shut down. If you’re planning your trip around Halloween by train, get to Salem as early as possible to avoid getting left behind.
Best Time to Visit Salem in October
There’s no getting around it – October is a very busy time to visit Salem. This is, by far, the most popular time to travel to Salem, and the town hosts Haunted Happenings events throughout the entire month. No matter when you visit in October, you’ll definitely battle some crowds. Although it will always be busy, a good rule of thumb is that Salem tends to be less crowded on weekdays and early in the month. The closer it gets to Halloween, the more people there will be flocking to Salem.
Things to Do on a Day Trip to Salem in October
The Witch House
This is the former home of Judge Jonathan Corwin – one of the judges who interrogated and convicted those accused of witchcraft. Today, it’s known locally as The Witch House, and it’s the last remaining structure with direct ties to the Salem Witch Trials. Snap a few pics outside, or purchase tickets at the door to tour the museum in the home.
Explore Essex Street
Throughout the month of October, Essex Street is the center of the action in Salem. The bustling, pedestrian-only road is lined with shops (Harry Potter fans will definitely want to make a stop at Wynott’s Wands), restaurants, museums, and seasonal vendors. Take some time to peruse and maybe buy a few souvenirs or sign up for a spooky tour. There’s so much to see and do here!
Grab a Drink
With all that walking around, refuel with some caffeine or relax with your libation of choice. These are a few favorite spots to wet your whistle:
- Odd Meter Coffee Co.: A cool little coffee shop conveniently located in downtown Salem.
- Jaho Coffee: Another great coffee shop that’s slightly more off the beaten path.
- Jolie Tea Company: The most adorable tea shop with delicious fresh brews and perfect macarons (try the pumpkin cinnamon ones if they have them!). You can even order from a tea & macaron tasting menu or make reservations for High Tea.
- Notch Brewery & Taproom: An awesome brewery near the waterfront that focuses mostly on Czech and German-style beers.
- The Roof: The name really gives this one away – The Roof is a rooftop bar atop The Salem Hotel. They also have a full restaurant serving Mexican fare.
DINING TIP: Don’t wait until you’re hungry to find a place to eat. Restaurants is Salem stay pretty consistently busy in October, and wait times can be up to an hour or more. To avoid getting hangry, scope out a spot ahead of time and put your name on the list. This way, your table will be ready by the time your stomach starts to grumble.
Salem Witch Museum
This castle-like structure near Washington Square is hard to miss. The Salem Witch Museum uses life-size stage sets and exhibits to tell the story of the 1692 witch trials and the history of witchcraft in America. Tickets often sell out in October, so be sure to purchase yours ahead of time. Plan to spend at least an hour touring the museum.
The Old Burying Point
The Old Burying Point is the oldest cemetery in Salem and is amongst the oldest cemeteries in the country. Several of Salem’s most notable residents are buried here, including Revolutionary War heroine Sarah Bradlee Fulton and one of the most influential judges of the Salem Witch Trials, John Hawthorne.
Salem Witch Trials Memorial
Next to The Old Burying Point is a solemn memorial to the 20 individuals that were killed in the Salem Witch Trials. The inscribed stones are simple, yet impactful. Each is detailed with the name of the victim, means of execution, and execution date. As you enter the memorial, you’ll also see the ground etched with words of the accused, taken directly from court transcripts.
Visitors will note that the words – among them, “God knows I am innocent” – are cut off in mid-sentence, representing lives cut short and indifference to the protestations of innocence.
Salem witch museum
Hocus Pocus Filming Locations
It’s just a bunch of hocus pocus! If you’re a big fan of the Halloween classic, Hocus Pocus, you know that many of the most iconic exterior shots were filmed right here in Salem. Pay a visit to these spots to invoke all the ’90s childhood nostalgia.
- Old Town Hall: Site of Bette Midler’s epic rendition of “I Put a Spell on You”.
- Phillip’s Elementary & Salem Commons: Max & Allison’s high school.
- 4 Ocean Ave: The Dennison house (please be extremely respectful when visiting as this is someone’s home).
- Salem Pioneer Village: Home of Thackery Binx in the opening scenes.
- The Ropes Mansion: Allison’s house.
Read More: Hocus Pocus Filming Locations in Salem
If you’re looking for the perfect Halloween season destination, this is it! A day trip to Salem in October just can’t be beaten for setting the tone for Spooky Season.
Have any questions about your autumn trip to Salem that I didn’t answer here? Let me know in the comments below.
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