One of the best fall trips I've taken has been to Salem, MA in October. Move over snowy little Christmas towns because I have found a little Halloween town! A lot of what Salem has to offer is year round but the October festivities make it the best time the go.
Things to Do
Salem Witch Museum
The Salem Witch Museum covers everything from the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Admission covers reenactments and information on anything you wanted to know about the history of witches.salemwitchmuseum.com
19 1/2 Washington Square North
Witch Dungeon Museum
Even if you decide not to go in the museum allows for some great photo ops with the stocks in front of the building. The Witch Dungeon Museum provides a live reenactment and tour of the dungeon. (Check website for coupons)witchdungeon.com
16 Lynde Street
House of the Seven Gables
Visit the historical house that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The House of the Seven Gables." It has been turned into a museum and the house where Hawthorne was born moved to the property.7gables.org
115 Derby Street
Salem Witch Trials Memorial
The memorial consists of granite benches marked with names of those executed during the Salem Witch Trials.43 Charter Street
Witch House
The house is the only remaining structure in Salem that stood during the Witch Trials. The resident was Witchcraft Trials Judge Jonathan Corwin.310 1/2 Essex Street
Essex Street Pedestrian Mall
Great place to walk around and find souvenirs. There are halloween themed street performers and musicians.
John Ward House
The house is a National Historic Landmark and it now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum. If you are interested in first period architecture make sure to stop by.
Annual Psychic Fair and Witchcraft Expo
We walked around to see what all the fuss was about and although I didn't get my fortune told, you can get your cards or palm read at this annual fair.festivalofthedead.com/psychicfair.html
176 Essex Street
Free Admission
Salem's Vintage Photography
This isn't your normal vintage photography studio...it's HALLOWEEN themed! They offer many halloween backgrounds and for $50 you walk away with a CD full of all the photos and 3 magnets. We couldn't resist...salemsvintagephotography.com
172 Essex Street
*Paid tours of Salem are available but we were able to navigate the area on our own. There is also a carnival, haunted houses, wax museum and different events in the park.
Where to Eat
Anchor Pub & Grill
If you are looking for an amazing lobster meal without paying an arm and a leg make the 5 minute drive to Beverly, MA (just over the water). There is nothing fancy about this place but if you want good food this is where the locals go.The best place to sit for service is the bar but there is a room with tables if you are a large group or with kids. The specials are listed on a white board and I would stick with what's on that board...you won't regret it!
20 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA
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Salem Tips
*The streets downtown are lined with great little restaurants if you want to stay local. During the October festivities there are long wait times so be sure to put your name in before you are hungry.
*There is a lot of street parking and some paid lots around the small town. Downtown Salem is very walkable. We parked and walked everywhere except for the lobster trip to Beverly.
*Dogs are welcome in most places except the museums. We took our little guy all over town without a problem. The Halloween themed photographers even helped us dress him up!
