If you’re reading this, the chances are you’re thinking about visiting Salem this Halloween. And it makes sense. Salem – famous for its stories of witchcraft and paranormal activity – is the perfect place to visit for those eerie autumnal vibes. But you can also expect something scarier during the fall: crowds. Fortunately, there are four seasons in the year, and all of them offer plenty to do and see.
Salem, Massachusetts is known for its well-documented witchcraft trials and haunted history. Just an hour away from the buzz of Boston, the small New England town draws thrill-seeking crowds from all over the world who want to delve into its fascinating and tragic past.
The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 are the town’s most famous – and most haunting – moment in history. It started when one local doctor’s diagnosis of ‘bewitchment’ led to the hanging of 19 innocent men and women. Fast-forward more than 330 years and Salem is now one of the world’s most popular Halloween destinations.
Travellers flock to Witch City to visit the Salem Witch Museum, trail along haunted ghost tours (download Destination Salem’s handy app for on-the-go walking tours and festival updates) and take part in some of the many spooky festivals which transform the streets each October.
Fun fact: many scenes from cult classic Hocus Pocus (Disney Plus) were filmed around Salem, including at the Salem Common and the Old Town Hall. So, if you’re planning a Halloween trip to this spooky town, make sure you prepare with some essential viewing. And for something a little more up-to-date, make sure to get in the witchy spirit with Agatha All Along (Disney Plus).
But this historic town is not just for Halloween – there’s something to do all year round. Below, we break down the best time to visit Salem and what to do in each season.
What’s the best time to visit Salem?
There's so much happening (in late September and October in particular), the fall is the best time to visit Salem, but the crowds are getting worse every year. The other seasons have lots to offer, too. And smaller crowds.
Autumn
Ideal for: Halloween enthusiasts, nature lovers and history buffs
The weather is perfect come autumn, with average highs of 17°C (62.6°F) and lows of 7°C (44.6°F). Autumn, and October specifically, is undoubtedly the prime time to visit Salem, when the town is packed with the spookiest things to do, to celebrate all things Halloween.
Come here for the famous Haunted Happenings festival and Grand Parade, ghost tours, witch trial re-enactments, psychic readings and seances, costume balls and the Howl-o-ween Pet Parade. Feeling extra brave? Try a haunted house tour at the Haunted Witch Village of The Salem Wax Museum, open weekends in October. Or find spirits of a different kind at the Deacon Giles Distillery, which runs tasting tours from late May until the end of October, and settle in for a unique cocktail at The Speakeasy Lab.
Beyond the Halloween buzz, the New England town turns striking shades of orange when its autumn leaves are in full force, from mid-late September till late October. Make it a full New England foliage road trip by adding on scenic stops nearby, like Portland and Ogunquit in Maine, with leaf peepers keeping tabs on the changing colours using the Weather Channel’s fall foliage tracker.
Just know you won’t be alone if you’re visiting Salem in autumn. The town gets very crowded each spooky season, with about 1 million visitors expected to visit. More people also means prices tend to be higher for hotels and restaurants during peak season, so you’ll want to book accommodation early – ideally a year before, to get the best deals.
Other times to visit Salem
If you want to avoid the crowds, there are three other seasons, and lots of other reasons, to visit Salem.
Salem in the spring
The House Of The Seven GablesIdeal for: Garden enthusiasts, film buffs and fewer crowds
Spring is a beautiful time to see Salem in full bloom. It’s also one of the quietest and most peaceful times to visit – just double check opening times for attractions, which may be closed in this quieter off-peak season.
Purchase a grounds pass for the House of Seven Gables, right on the harbour, which inspired American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel of the same name. It’s now a museum that shows off the house’s storied past. And don’t skip picking up a treat at the charming Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie across the street, America’s oldest candy company, that's been using the same recipe since 1806, before walking along the harbour to Salem Willows Park and its seaside promenade.
Spring can also mean unpredictable weather around the east coast, so you could find yourself with April showers. Thankfully there’s plenty of weather-proof sightseeing to add to your itinerary. For a dose of art that thinks outside of the box, there’s the Peabody Essex Museum, a historic museum filled with a range of exhibitions, including special collections of American, Asian, and Oceanic art.
Documentary fans should make a beeline for the annual Salem Film Fest in March, for a showcase of the latest independent documentaries – complete with screenings and Q&A sessions with filmmakers.
Salem during the summer
Derby Wharf is where the Friendship of Salem is dockedIdeal for: Families, festival-goers and beach-lovers
Long daylight hours and warm weather means summer is the time to take to the water and make the most of the coastal town’s seafaring history. Kick off your waterfront adventures at Salem Maritime National Historic Site, which sits on nine acres of land; featuring trails, gardens, wharfs and twelve historic structures along the waterfront.
Its biggest draw is Derby Wharf, where the tall ship Friendship of Salem is docked. It’s a two-decked, three-masted vessel replica of an East Indiaman that was built in Salem in 1797 and is open to hop aboard each weekend from late May to October.
Time your visit with the Salem Maritime Festival which kicks off with The Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta, where local teams race their homemade cardboard boats in Salem Harbor. The family-friendly fun continues with musicians, magicians and historic craft demonstrators on the boardwalk and visiting vessels along the water.
If you’re here in June, the Salem Arts Festival is a free and community-led event celebrating the arts in all its forms, with immersive art displays, live music, interactive art sessions in Derby Square – where you’ll also find the historic Salem Farmers’ Market outside each Thursday from June to October.
Book your hotel stay early in summer, as accommodation prices can rise during the school summer holidays.
Winter (and Christmas) in Salem
Ideal for: Travellers seeking a cosy and festive getaway
As the Halloween decorations come down, the festive charm in this seaside town continues with Christmas tree lighting, holiday markets and a Salem twist on traditional festivities.
The town’s Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol production is nearly forty years in – and happens aboard a historic Salem Trolley. Ride along with Scrooge, as the classic tale is told in an interactive way and the trolley takes you through the streets of Salem.
There are other trolley-based experiences too, like the Gingerbread Holiday Trolley ride with the Good Witch of Salem. December is also host to the Frozen Fire Festival, a mesmerising showcase of fire performers and live ice-sculpting demonstrations, music, curling and an artisan market.
Just because Halloween has passed, that doesn’t mean the doors are closed on Salem’s most historic houses. Each year, Christmas in Salem opens the doors to some of Salem’s most storied homes, as they’re decked out for the holidays. Similarly, the House of the Seven Gables offers special candlelit tours in December for an enchanting look at the historic mansion.
Finally, don’t skip the festive craft fairs popping up each holiday season, either. The arty town puts on its best homemade holiday wares at events like Girl Gang Craft Holiday Market and the Holiday Marketplace At Sea Level Oyster Bar.
Tip: Remember to bring a good coat. East coast winters can get chilly, with January being the coldest month of the year and winter temperatures ranging from -3°C (26.6°F) to 6°C (42.8°F).
Booking accommodations
If you are travelling to Salem in autumn, or around Halloween, you’ll want to book your accommodation as early as possible – even a year in advance. During the other seasons, things are a little easier and a few months ahead of your trip is just fine.
Where to stay
The Salem Inn and Hawthorne Hotel is located close to The Witch HouseStaying downtown is ideal, if you’re looking for somewhere that’s walkable to some of Salem’s most notable attractions and best bars and restaurants.
The town has a great pick of historic hotels turned into boutique hotels, like The Daniels House, Salem’s oldest inn which dates back to 1667 Salem Inn, which is right next to The Witch House or the Hawthorne Hotel, named after the novelist who lived nearby. Built in 1784, The Merchant offers a historic stay with a decidedly contemporary feel.
Transportation
Getting to Salem
Boston’s Logan International Airport is the closest city to fly into for your Salem trip. From Boston, it’s an easy 30-minute drive or a 50-minute ferry ride over. The MBTA Commuter Rail connects Salem to Boston's North Station via both the Newburyport and Rockport Line, for those wanting to get in by train.
Getting around Salem
Salem is a walkable city. You can easily take some public transportation or hail a cab with the Salem Skipper app and walk the rest while you’re here. This is especially advised during the peak Halloween season, when the parking situation can get tricky. Want to cycle around? Download the Bluebikes app for affordable day passes on the town’s shared biking system.
Staying connected
We've suggested downloading a few apps throughout this article, so if you're flying into the United States to visit Salem, don't forget to download a travel eSIM from Sim Local. Much more convenient than unreliable Wi-Fi and cheaper than international roaming, with an eSIM plan you get all the mobile data, calls, and texts you need to navigate the walkable city of Salem, stay in touch with friends, and manage travel admin tasks on the go!
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