The best things to do in Salem, MA are the 1692 witch-trial sites, the Peabody Essex Museum, the House of the Seven Gables, and the historic waterfront at Salem Maritime National Historical Park. In October, add Haunted Happenings, the city’s month-long Halloween festival of parades, markets, and nightly events.
Below are 25 picks grouped by interest, a 2026 October event table, getting-there advice, and sample itineraries.
Things to Do in Salem MA: Witch Trial Sites
1. Salem Witch Museum
Housed in a former church facing Salem Common, the museum tells the 1692 story through a narrated presentation with life-size staged scenes. It’s the fastest overview for first-timers, so make it your first stop. In October, buy timed tickets online well ahead.
2. Salem Witch Trials Memorial
Dedicated in 1992 for the trials’ 300th anniversary, the memorial has stone benches inscribed with the names and execution dates of the 20 people put to death. It’s free and open-air. Go before 9 a.m. in October if you want it quiet.
3. Old Burying Point (Charter Street Cemetery)
Right beside the memorial, this cemetery dates to 1637. It holds the grave of Judge John Hathorne, a trial magistrate and ancestor of Nathaniel Hawthorne. The city now manages October access with set hours, so check before you go.
4. The Witch House
Judge Jonathan Corwin’s home is the only building still standing in Salem with direct ties to the trials. The self-guided rooms cover 17th-century daily life and the Corwin family’s role in 1692. October reservations may be required.
5. Proctor’s Ledge Memorial
Researchers confirmed in 2016 that this rocky ledge near Pope Street was the actual execution site, and a small memorial opened in 2017. Most visitors never find it, which makes it one of the most moving and least crowded stops in town.
Best Museums and Historic Houses in Salem
6. Peabody Essex Museum (PEM)
Founded in 1799, PEM is one of the oldest continuously operating museums in the country. Give it at least two hours for maritime art, Asian export art, fashion, and contemporary shows. The highlight for many is Yin Yu Tang, a 200-year-old Chinese merchant’s house moved from China and rebuilt on the museum campus (separate timed ticket).
7. Ropes Mansion and Garden
This Georgian house on Essex Street belongs to PEM and played Allison’s house in Hocus Pocus. The formal garden behind it is free to wander in season, and it’s a calm break from the October crowds a block away.
8. The House of the Seven Gables
Built in 1668, this waterfront mansion inspired Hawthorne’s 1851 novel. The guided tour includes a narrow secret staircase hidden beside a chimney, and Hawthorne’s birthplace was moved onto the same grounds. October tickets are released on a schedule and sell out, so book online.
Salem’s Waterfront and Maritime History
9. Salem Maritime National Historical Park
Designated in 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the park system, this area preserves the wharves and buildings of Salem’s global trading era. Start at the Custom House, where Hawthorne worked as surveyor before writing The Scarlet Letter. The grounds are free.
10. Derby Wharf and Lighthouse
The wharf stretches about half a mile into Salem Harbor and ends at the small 1871 Derby Wharf Light. It’s the best free sunset spot in the city, and the walk out is flat and easy.
11. Friendship of Salem
This full-size replica of a 1797 East Indiaman is docked at the park. Deck access and tours depend on season and staffing, so check the National Park Service page before you go.
12. Pickering Wharf
Just past the maritime park, this cluster of restaurants and shops makes an easy lunch stop. Seasonal harbor cruises also leave from the area.
13. Salem Willows Park
About two miles from downtown, the Willows has been a seaside park since the 1800s. Expect an old-school arcade, snack stands, and wide harbor views. Drive or bike here; it’s too far to fold into a downtown walking day.
Walking Downtown Salem
14. Follow the Salem Heritage Trail
A red line painted on the sidewalks links many of the major downtown sites. It’s free, self-paced, and the easiest way to get your bearings without a guide.
15. Take the Salem Trolley
The narrated trolley loop takes about an hour. Ride it early on your first day, then decide which stops deserve more time.
16. Stroll Chestnut Street
This leafy street in the McIntire Historic District is lined with Federal-style mansions built for wealthy merchants and sea captains in the early 1800s. It shows a side of Salem most October visitors miss, and it’s quiet even on busy weekends.
17. Essex Street and the Bewitched Statue
The pedestrian stretch of Essex Street is Salem’s main strip of shops, cafés, and street performers. At one end, in Lappin Park, stands a bronze statue of Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha from Bewitched, a favorite photo stop since 2005.
18. Old Town Hall and Artists’ Row
Old Town Hall dates to 1816 and hosts seasonal markets during Haunted Happenings. Next door, Artists’ Row is a short strip of small studios where you can buy work straight from local makers.
19. Salem Common
This large green sits steps from the Witch Museum. Grab a coffee and use it as a reset between museums, especially when Essex Street gets packed.
Spooky, Halloween, and Pop Culture Stops
20. Hocus Pocus Filming Locations
You can see most of the 1993 film’s Salem spots in one loop: Old Town Hall (the Halloween dance), Ropes Mansion (Allison’s house), and Pioneer Village (the Sanderson sisters’ cottage). The old Phillips School building is now private housing, so view it from the sidewalk.
21. Pioneer Village
Built in 1930 for the colony’s 300th anniversary, this living-history site recreates 1630 Salem with thatched cottages and gardens. It keeps limited seasonal hours, so confirm before making the trip.
22. Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery
If classic movie monsters appeal more than colonial history, this gallery of life-size horror film figures is a fun hour. It’s a good pick for teens who’ve had enough museums.
23. A History or Ghost Walking Tour
Salem has dozens of evening walking tours, and they differ a lot. Some stick to court records and documented history, while others are pure ghost stories. Read the description before booking so you get the tour you actually want.
24. Witch and Occult Shops
Downtown has an unusual concentration of shops selling books, tarot, crystals, candles, and local art. Crow Haven Corner, long billed as Salem’s first witch shop, is worth a look even if you’re only browsing.
25. Salem Haunted Happenings
Haunted Happenings is the city’s official month-long Halloween celebration, and it’s the reason Salem draws its biggest crowds in October. It isn’t one event but dozens spread across the month, so plan around specific dates.
Salem Halloween Events: October 2026 Calendar
These are the headline Haunted Happenings events currently listed for 2026. Dates can shift, so confirm on the official calendar the week of your trip.
| Event | Date (2026) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Haunted Happenings Grand Parade | Thu, Oct 1 | Official kickoff; claim a curb spot early |
| Zombie Walk | Sat, Oct 3 | Anyone can join in costume |
| Halloween Boat Parade | Sat, Oct 10 | Watch from the waterfront |
| Kids’ Fun Fest | Sat, Oct 24 | Best pick for families with young kids |
| Halloween night and drone show | Sat, Oct 31 | Peak crowds; expect road closures |
| Haunted Happenings markets | All month | Vendors and food near Old Town Hall |
What to Do in Salem on Halloween
October 31 is the most crowded day of the year, and in 2026 it falls on a Saturday. Treat it as a street-party day: do museums in the morning, watch the costumes downtown in the afternoon, and book dinner weeks ahead. If you want the atmosphere without the crush, come on a weekday in the first half of October instead.
How to Get to Salem From Boston in October
Skip the car if you can. Downtown garages fill by midmorning on October weekends, and traffic into the city crawls.
- Commuter rail: The MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Line runs from Boston’s North Station to Salem in about 30 minutes. Extra trains are often added on October weekends.
- Ferry: The seasonal Salem Ferry runs from Boston’s Long Wharf in about an hour, and the harbor views are a bonus.
- Driving: If you must drive, reserve parking in advance or use the city’s park-and-ride shuttle lots when offered.
How Many Days Do You Need in Salem?
| Trip length | What fits | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Half day | Witch Museum, Memorial, Old Burying Point, Essex Street | Day trips from Boston |
| One day | Add the Witch House, PEM or Seven Gables, and Derby Wharf at sunset | First-time visitors |
| Two days | Add Salem Maritime, Chestnut Street, Salem Willows, and an evening tour | October trips with events |
A sample one-day route: Salem Witch Museum at opening, then the Memorial and Old Burying Point, the Witch House, and lunch on Essex Street. Spend the afternoon at PEM or the House of the Seven Gables, walk Derby Wharf at sunset, and finish with a walking tour.
Practical Tips for Visiting Salem
- Go on a weekday. October weekends can feel like a stadium letting out; Tuesday through Thursday is noticeably calmer.
- Book the big three first. Timed tickets for the Witch Museum, Seven Gables, and PEM go fast in October.
- Reserve dinner. Walk-in waits at popular spots can run well over an hour on Saturday nights.
- Dress in layers. Typical October highs are around 60°F with lows in the mid-40s, and the waterfront wind makes it feel colder.
- Budget extra walking time. Downtown is compact, but crowds can double how long a few blocks take.
- Separate history from legend. Nobody was burned at the stake in Salem; those convicted were hanged, and Giles Corey was pressed to death. Tours that get this right usually get the rest right too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Salem, MA worth visiting in October?
Yes, if you want Halloween atmosphere, since October has the most events and the liveliest streets of the year. The trade-off is crowds, higher hotel prices, and sold-out tickets. Book early and aim for weekdays.
What is Salem, MA best known for?
Salem is best known for the 1692 witch trials, in which 20 people were executed. It was also one of America’s richest ports in the late 1700s and early 1800s, which explains its museums, mansions, and wharves.
Can you do Salem as a day trip from Boston?
Yes. The commuter rail takes about 30 minutes, and one full day covers the main witch-trial sites plus one major museum. Stay overnight if you want evening tours or events without rushing for the last train.
Is Salem walkable?
Very. Most attractions sit within a compact downtown and waterfront area. Salem Willows and Proctor’s Ledge are the main exceptions, so plan a short drive or rideshare for those.
Is Salem good for kids?
Yes, with some planning. Kids usually enjoy the trolley, Pioneer Village, Salem Willows, and Kids’ Fun Fest. Some walking tours and horror attractions are too intense for young children, so check age guidance first.
Plan Your Salem Trip
The best things to do in Salem, MA go well beyond witches: pair one witch-trial site with PEM or the House of the Seven Gables, then end at Derby Wharf for sunset. Visiting in October? Take the train, book timed tickets and dinner early, and pick one or two Haunted Happenings events instead of trying to see them all. Leave an hour free to simply wander, because Salem’s streets are half the fun.