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Salem
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July 17, 2020

Salem, MA: An Awesome Guide To The City Of Witches

Salem, Massachusetts
Salem MA aerial viw

When it comes to quaint and spooky destinations in the United States, few can beat Salem.

Being the place where the Salem Witch Trials happened in the late 1690s, the small town in Massachusetts has a history-rich past and has become one of the most popular Halloween destinations in the world.

In this travel guide, you will find every piece of information that you need to know to start planning your trip to Salem.

You might also enjoy:

30 Exciting things to do in Salem

The 12 Best Tours To Take In Salem

15 Reasons why Salem is worth visiting

What to pack for Salem

10 Tips for spending Halloween in Salem


Plan your trip to Salem:

šŸØ Find the perfect hotel on Booking.com

šŸŽ« If you’d like to go on a tour, check out the best tours to take in Salem

šŸŽ’ Pack a universal travel adapter, your favorite travel camera (I love this one!), and a good portable solar phone charger

Center of Salem, Massachusetts

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning, get a commission if you purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

The History Of Salem

The town of Salem, as charming as it is, actually has a very dark past.

Salem is known for The Salem Witch Trials that happened in the late 1690s, when 20 people were executed in an actual witch hunt.

You can read more about the Witch Trials here.

Today, Salem thrives as a popular destination for Halloween, and its major font of income comes from tourism. Witchy-themed shops and attractions can be found all over town.


Salem Trial clothes

The Weather In Salem

Since it is located in New England, the seasons in Salem are very well defined, which means pretty hot summers and pretty cold winters.

The warm season lasts for around 3 months, from June 6 to September 14, with an average daily high temperature above 72°F.

On the other side, the cold season lasts for around 3 months and a half, from December 2 to March 15, with an average daily high temperature below 45°F.


Best time to visit

Salem MA Town Hall

October is the best time to visit Salem if you are looking to attend all the Halloween celebrations, but it does get super busy!

If you are looking for a more peaceful stay, September and May are months where the temperature is enjoyable, and you get to enjoy all the most popular attractions with no lines.


Witch House in Salem, Massachusetts

How many days do you need in Salem

I would say two days is more than enough to do all the main activities the town has to offer and try a few of the restaurants.

I visited in one day and left longing for more!


Arquitecture detail in Salem, Massachusetts

Finding a place to stay

Salem has many great options of places to stay. These are some of our favorites:

  • The Hotel Salem:

The Hotel Salem is a lovely option for those looking to stay in a great location for a fair price.

It’s modern and colorful decor, high ceiling and spacious rooms make the hotel very pleasant. There is also a restaurant and roof top on site.

  • Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites:

The Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites is walking distance to historical sites, dining, and shopping.

With eighty six rooms, the hotel is pretty big and has an amazing structure, with facilities such as a restaurant, bar, indoor pool and gym.

  • Hawthorne Hotel:

Hawthorne Hotel is for sure the most iconic historic hotel in Salem. Years ago, some pepople even used to claim it was haunted… Guess we will have to stay ther eto know for sure!

  • The Salem Inn:

Set in America’s oldest seaport, only steps from famous sites, The Salem Inn provides cozy rooms with some of them even feautiring a fireplace, a whirlpool bath and kitchenette.

Also, the hotel offers a lovely free continental breakfast.

  • The Merchant:

Last but not least, another great choice of accomodation is the exceptional Merchant Hotel.

This absolutely stunning and classic property has a rich history and offers great rooms in the heart of Salem.


How to get to Salem from Boston

Salem Train Station

There are five main ways to get to Salem from Boston: commuter rail, car, bus, tour, and ferry.

By train

Boston and Salem are connected via the “T” commuter rail. You can take the commuter at Borton’s North Station for around 7 dollars and get down at Salem Station 35 minutes later. Easy peasy.

By bus

A usually more affordable way to get to the city of witches is by bus.

The trip takes about 55 minutes with the #450 bus, which departs from Boston’s Haymarket Station on weekdays and Wonderland West Busway on weekends and holidays.

By car

The town of Salem, MA, is a 30-minute drive from Boston via Route 114 East. Make sure to use a GPS for guidance.

By ferry

The Salem ferry is not available year-round, only in the busy season. It departs from Central Wharf in Boston and gets you to Salem in around 50 minutes.

Book a ferry trip to Salem

What to see and do in Salem

Salem is a spectacular place to visit because there are just so many fun things to do!

Here are some of the best activities and attractions in town. For a more complete list, you can read this post about the best things to do in Salem.

1- Visit the Witch House

The Witch House

The Witch House is one of the only structures standing since the Salem Witch Trials. It was the home of Jonathan Corwin, the judge responsible for the trials.

It is possible to go inside the house for a fee, but I don’t think it is that necessary.

2- See a psychic

This is going to sound very weird to more skeptical people, seeing a psychic in Salem was one of the most interesting things I have ever done!

I saw Leanne at Hex Old World Witchery, and I can tell you: she is a “witch” in the best connotation possible!

You just can feel the energy shifting when you talk to her. Everything she told me was very specific and interesting.

3- Visit the Salem Witch Museum

Witch Museum

The Salem Witch Museum is a very informative museum that presents two historical presentations about the tragic events of the Salem witch trials of 1692 and the witches’ image over the years.

I highly recommend starting your day here so you can better understand the history of the city you are about to explore.

4- Watch live reenactments at the Witch Dungeon Museum

In the Witch Dungeon Museum, you will get to see award-winning live reenactments of the Salem Witch Trials adapted from the 1692 historical transcripts.

Also, you can take a tour of the recreated dungeon and see for yourself the conditions where the accused were kept waiting for the day of their trial.

5- Take a look at Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery

Count Orlok Nightmare Museum

Count Orlok is undoubtedly one of the most unique museums I have ever seen! The whole museum is dedicated to horror movies and their history.

The sad part is that no photos are allowed, which is truly a bummer because the museum would make for truly amazing picture opportunities.

6- Go on a Tour

Going on a tour is one of my favorite things to do in Salem. It is always a good idea to see a new place with the help of a local.

Keep reading: The 12 Best Tours To Take In Salem.

7- See the oldest cemetery in the United states

Old Burying Point

The Old Burying Point Cemetery is no less than the oldest cemetery in all of the United States. Crazy, right?

One of the principal witchcraft trials magistrates, Judge John Hathorne, is buried there (he is actually the great grandfather of the great writer Nathaniel Hawthorne).

Visiting a cemetery is kind of a morbid thing to do, I know. But we are talking about Salem, after all!

8- Search for the best food in Salem

If you are a food and wine enthusiast, going on a Salem food tour might just be your thing.

9- Pay your respects at The Salem Witch Trial Memorial

Salem Witch Trials Memorial

Right next to the Old Point Burying Cemetery, you will find the Salem Witch Trials Memorial. This stone memorial was created in 1992 to honor the victims of the trials and their families.

The memorial was dedicated by Nobel Laureate Holocaust survivor who noted, ā€œIf I can’t stop all of the hate all over the world in all of the people, I can stop it in one place within me. We still have our Salems.ā€

In the memorial, there are 20 stone benches carved with each of the victim’s names.

10- See art at the Peabody Essex Museum

The Peabody Essex Museum is one of Massachusetts’s biggest museums! The notorious art museum showcases art and photography from all over the world.

11- Visit the House of the Seven Gables

Nathaniel Hawthorne based the novel ā€œThe House of the Seven Gablesā€ in a real house in Salem, the author’s hometown.

A visit to the house is a very exciting activity for those that admire Hawthorne’s work.

12- Explore the Witchy Shops

Salem Witchy shops

Salem is full of amazing quaint shops with all of the magic souvenirs you can possibly imagine. Voodoo Dolls, Halloween costumes, wands… You name it!

And visiting them is one of the most fun things to do in Salem, MA.

13- Check out the beach

If you have some extra time, you can check out Salem Willows. It is a public park right on the beach that has been around since 1858.

Head to Salem Willows for some fresh popcorn, amusing rides, and a carnival atmosphere.

14- Take a picture with the bewitched Statue of Elizabeth Montgomery

Bewitched statue of Elizabeth Montgomery

The Bewitched tv series was a big responsibility for Salem’s recognition all over the world.

The Bewitched Statue of Elizabeth Montgomery portraits the actress who interpreted Samantha The Witch on the show and was donated to the city by TV Land.

15 – Stay in a Haunted Hotel in Salem

The Hawthorne Hotel is known as one of the ten most haunted hotels in the United States.

The hotel was even studied in the popular paranormal show, Ghost Hunters and many guests report spotting paranormal activity in their stay.

16- Spend Halloween in Salem

As I mentioned before, Halloween in Salem is always extremely popular! If you visit during fall, you will find all kinds of Halloween-themed attractions to visit.

Halloween celebrations in Salem start in early October. Come prepared to face big crowds, and make sure to book your hotel in advance.

Where to eat

Brownie at Gulu Gulu CafƩ

Choosing where to eat in Salem is no easy task! The city is known for its amazing restaurants and these are our suggestions:

  • Seafood: The Lobster Shanty
  • Breakfast and brunch: Ugly Mug Diner
  • Pizza: Bambolina
  • Italian food: Firenze Trattoria
  • Coffee: Gulu Gulu CafĆ©
  • Quick bite: The Boston Hot Dog Company

That’s a wrap! I hope this travel guide to Salem was useful to you.

I am absolutely sure you will fall in love with this special place as much as I did and go home with amazing memories.

For more travel tips, you can follow me on Instagram.

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Camila Neves

Cami is a 22-year-old passionate traveler and author of the blog. Her favorite things include yoga, reading, and all things travel.

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20 Comments
  • Karen
    July 19, 2020

    I like in Western Mass and I’ve never stopped in Salem on my travels but this post makes me want to spend Halloween there. Great overview.

    Reply
    • Camila Neves
      Karen
      July 19, 2020

      You absolutely should!! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  • Emma
    July 19, 2020

    I loved Salem. I’ve been a couple of times now, and for me it’s just because of the unique history that I find just fascinating. I learned about the witch trials in school, but actually visiting the place was really interesting. I wasn’t a fan of the witch museum, it felt a bit outdated to me, but I did go in the witch house and liked looking around. It was kind of spooky. So easy to get to from Boston, I just took the train for a day trip each time.

    Reply
    • Camila Neves
      Emma
      July 19, 2020

      I am so glad you loved it too, Emma!

      Reply
  • kmf
    July 20, 2020

    My family and I visited Salem last year and fell in love with the area! We took a very tasteful history tour which took us around to all the areas you mentioned. Although we did not go into the horror movie museum…maybe that’s a good thing. We did spend a couple of nights at the Hawthorne Hotel – not knowing that it was one of the top haunted hotels. While we didn’t experience any paranormal activity, there were some strange orbs on my photos (which I decided are reflections from the lights…a girl has got to sleep). And I loved The House of The Seven Gables.

    Reply
    • Camila Neves
      kmf
      July 21, 2020

      Omg that’s so interesting (and creepy!) about the Hawthorne Hotel! Glad you loved Salem as much as I did šŸ™‚

      Reply
  • Keri | Bon Voyage With Kids
    July 21, 2020

    Salem is an awesome place to visit! Historic, fascinating, beautiful, and so cool. And just a short 45ish minutes from Boston. Definitely should be on everyone’s bucket list. Great post!

    Reply
    • Camila Neves
      Keri | Bon Voyage With Kids
      July 22, 2020

      Thank you so much Keri!

      Reply
  • Boston in Winter 2020: two day itinerary + things to do | Travel Cami
    July 28, 2020

    […] Salem, Ma: the ultimate travel guide to The City of Witches […]

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  • How to visit Harvard: taking a free tour of the university | Travel Cami
    July 28, 2020

    […] Salem, Ma: the ultimate travel guide to The City of Witches […]

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  • Anna
    July 30, 2020

    Super interesting + useful! Thanks for sharing 😊

    Reply
  • Katie
    July 30, 2020

    This place is awesome and interesting because of the way you have written the post. Thank you for such an enjoyable read!

    Reply
  • The 10 Best Places To Go for Halloween | Travel Cami
    August 26, 2020

    […] if you purchase through my links, at no cost to you.Ā ā €You might also enjoy the following:ā €Salem, MA: Ultimate Travel Guide to The City of Witches […]

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  • Kathryn
    February 23, 2021

    Love Salem!! Have been a couple times and you nailed it with your suggestions. Looking forward to going back someday.

    Reply
  • Shafinah
    February 24, 2021

    THIS IS SO SUPER FUN!!! i mean ive heard of Salem in context but I NEVER KNEW THE REAL PLACE HAD THIS MUCH GOING ON! Halloween must be SPECTACULAR here!

    Reply
  • Nicole
    February 24, 2021

    I used to live in the Lower Hudson Valley in NY and Sleepy Hollow was the Halloween destination. I would like to visit Salem as well, as I have heard and read so much about it.

    Reply
  • Liz
    February 24, 2021

    I’ve always been interested in visiting Salem over Halloween or in October and this post has officially made it land on my bucket list!

    Reply
    • Camila Neves
      Liz
      March 1, 2021

      Yay! So glad to hear it šŸ™‚

      Reply
  • Harold Cook
    September 4, 2021

    Thank you for an awesome guide to the city of witches. Salem is a waterfront city that offers harbor cruises and boat rides through multiple local vendors.

    Reply
  • Holly
    October 25, 2021

    Growing up in MA I was always thankful for living near Salem. I have been a few times but sometimes you still miss some good spots. Thank you very much for your recommendations!

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Cami!

Hi, I’m Cami!

I'm a full-time traveler based in the South of France.

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