Salem, MASSACHUSETTS - Witch city usa

In honor of the most “witchiest” time of the year, I felt a post about the most “witchiest” city in the country was a must. I can honestly say that Salem is one of the coolest places I have ever visited. While Salem is primarily known for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, it has so much more to offer visitors. History, coastal charm and great dining (hello New England seafood, I’m looking at you)! That said, I am dedicating my first Salem post to those of you who hold a special place in their hearts for all things “spooky”!

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The Salem Witch Museum

why visit salem (And why you should consider doing it in october)

I have had the opportunity to take two trips to Salem. Both times I found “Witch City” to be a delight, but nothing could beat my first trip which took place in the month of October. Let me start by saying that yes, it was crowded. And let me also say that yes, it was totally worth dealing with the crowds to have the chance to experience Salem in its most enchanting month. I have to admit that I am kind of a sucker for spooky season and in the month of October, Salem doubles down on all things spooky.

Just a typical October day in Salem!

Names of the 20 victims of the Salem witch hunt (Salem Witch Museum)

top attractions in october (and beyond)

• Haunted Happenings Festival

  This month long celebration mainly takes place in the central downtown area of Salem and includes a variety of events including parades, haunted houses, street fairs, costume balls and live street performances. It runs annually from October 1-31. https://www.hauntedhappenings.org/

• Historical Attractions

  The Witch House (the only building still standing from 1692 with a connection to the Salem Witch Trials) and The Salem Witch Museum (where you can watch a historical reenactment of the events leading to the accusations and trials of 1692 using animatronic figures - https://salemwitchmuseum.com/) are just two associated specifically with the Salem Witch Trials.

  But Salem is much more than just witches. Salem has an amazing waterfront with many historic buildings and ships that showcase its maritime past. Additionally, one of the most famous historical sites in Salem is The House of the Seven Gables (yes, the very one that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel). Built in 1668, it’s one of the oldest surviving wooden homes in New England. It is open year-round for tours.

• Witchcraft & The Paranormal Community

  There are no shortage of modern-day witchcraft shops, apothecary stores, psychics and tarot card readers throughout Salem (I even stumbled into a vampire supply store - I kid you not). It may not surprise you to know that many people believe Salem to have a special spiritual energy. It’s also not hard to find many practicing witches in town. I actually sat at the bar of a local seafood restaurant and shared a lobster roll with a local Wiccan who invited me to meet the other members of her Coven. I have to admit I was a bit intrigued, but politely had to decline!

• One word: FALL

  I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that Salem has got to be one of the most incredibly beautiful places in North America in the autumn. Fall foliage in New England can be breathtaking. The architecture, historic buildings and cobblestone streets surrounded by vibrant red, orange and yellow trees is spectacular.

• Haunted tours, ghost walks, and other creepy crawls

  If you didn’t gather from my last blog about Charleston, I love me a good ghost tour. I actually took two on my first trip to Salem. The first was a walking tour of the city during the day that was more informational about the sites related to the Salem Witch Trials. The second was a nighttime candlelit walking ghost tour. Both were awesome for very different reasons. The daytime tour was very informative and really touched on the historical aspects of Salem.

Photographic evidence of the lobster role I shared with my new witch friend

The House of the Seven Gables

night tours of all things that go bump in the night

Led by local guides who are well-versed in Salem’s storied past, the nighttime tour was every bit as spine-tingling as you would expect from one of the country’s most haunted cities.

My tour started at the Old Burying Point Cemetery. Not only is it one of the oldest cemeteries in the country, but it is also where some of Salem’s most notable residents are laid to rest. Including John Hathorne - one of the most infamous and hated judges from the Salem Witch Trials. Because it was considered “unlawful and unlucky” to touch a witch’s body, none of the convicted witches are actually buried here, but there is a simple, yet poignant memorial dedicated to the 20 victims adjacent to the cemetery. This is a spot that I visited several times (day and night) but it really takes on a surreal feeling under the cloud of darkness. Ghostly apparitions, strange noises, and inexplicable happenings have all been reported here for generations, adding to it’s chilling allure. https://www.charterstreetcemetery.com/cemetery

There are many options of night tours spanning the spectrum of the supernatural including ghosts, witches, vampires, and even voodoo! I seriously debated the haunted pub crawl too! Maybe next time…

final thoughts

Whether you are a Halloween enthusiast, a Hocus Pocus fanatic, a history buff, or just a fan of fall in general, Salem in October is sure to enchant you - or should I say “cast its spell on you” (sorry couldn’t resist!)