One-Day Itinerary for Salem in October

If you love the spooky season, visiting Salem, Massachusetts in the month of October is a must! This is the busiest time of the year for Salem. However, it’s worth it if you want to maximize all of the events and special Halloween activities happening throughout the city. 

If you have only one day in Salem this  October, don’t worry!  This itinerary is designed to fit everything into one day. Alternatively, it can be spread across two days if you are spending a weekend there. You are likely to have a busy day fitting in all the important highlights. However, experiencing the magic and whimsical charm of this Massachusetts city is a unique experience.

I used to go to school near Salem and so I gathered some tips and tricks on how to make the most of the city during the October month . Let’s talk about how to spend a spooky October day in Salem, Massachusetts. We’ll cover everything from where to eat, haunted history, magical shops and more!

Before we get into the one-day itinerary let’s talk about accommodations or how to get to Salem. Since October is the busiest month of the year in Salem, I also included some accommodations in nearby cities that have easy access to Salem via Commuter Rail.

Accommodations: 

In Salem:

Hawthorne Hotel — $$ (around $170 / night)

The Hotel Salem — $$ (starting ~ $159+)

Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites — $$

The Cove at Salem — $$ (rates from $221)

Hampton Inn Salem Boston — $$ (mid-range)

**Note: These prices may be higher during this season and it may be more difficult to book these accommodations given high demand.

In Boston:

DoubleTree by Hilton Boston North Shore – $

Boston Marriott Peabody– $$

Getting to Salem from Boston: The most convenient option is the MBTA Commuter Rail—take the Newburyport/Rockport Line from Boston’s North Station, and you’ll arrive in Salem in about 30 minutes. If you prefer to drive, it’s roughly a 40-minute journey (about 16 miles) via Route 1A or I-95, though parking in downtown Salem is difficult in October. You can also try out the Boston Harbor Cruises ferry from Long Wharf, which takes about an hour and offers beautiful coastal views along the way.

In Beverly:

The Beverly – $

Getting to Salem from Beverly: The simplest way to get there is by MBTA Commuter Rail on the Newburyport/Rockport Line, which takes only 4–5 minutes from Beverly Station to Salem Station. Trains run frequently throughout the day, and a one-way ticket costs around $2.50–$3.50.

Morning: Breakfast, Witches, & History

Tip: Salem in October is extremely busy. If you’re not a morning person like me, waking up early may be the scariest part of this whole day, but trust me it is worth it if you want to make the most out of this trip.

Breakfast: Here are a couple of breakfast options to choose from :

• Red’s Sandwich Shop: This historic London Coffee House has been serving Salem since 1945 and has almost 5 stars on Google. They serve American-style breakfast and open at 7 am daily.  Tip: They don’t take reservations 
• Odd Meter Coffee Co.:  If you want more of a cafe vibe or a grab-and-go, this place is worth a try! They have lots of different coffee flavors to choose from and pastries. 
• Dotty & Ray’s: This is Salem’s older dinner. With amazing reviews on Google, it is definitely worth a try. They have diner style breakfast food.

Post- Breakfast Activity: The Witch House Salem (Corwin House)

Ready for your first spooky-themed activity in Salem? Visit the Witch House Salem Corwin House. This building is the only one still standing with direct ties to the Salem Witch Trials. It has rooms and artifacts that depict this era of Salem’s history. 

You can book your ticket for this HERE: Some things to note are that the tours are self-guided. They go on sale at 8 am each day at the link provided. For adults the price of the tickets are $12.

Must-do: The Salem Witch Museum 

Not too far away from The Witch House is the Salem Witch Museum which in my opinion is  a must-see if you have any interest in the Salem Witch Trials. Here, you can find artifacts and information about the Trials. 

You can book your ticket for this HERE:  Just click submit at the bottom of the page. It will then bring you to the page where you can purchase tickets. Tip: In October, tickets become available to purchase at 10 pm the night before your visit and they are $19.00 for adults.

Late Morning: Witchy Shopping

Shopping time: At this point in the day, it’s time to take a little break from history and do a little shopping. Head over to the Essex Street area where you can find the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall.

Here are some shops you can visit in this area: 

• Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie- America’s very first candy store located on Derby Street
• Wynott’s Wands– Great store for Harry Potter lovers. They specialize in handcrafted wands 
• The Coven’s Cottage– Sells WitchCraft supplies 
• Crow Haven Corner– Crystals, candles, books, etc.. 

If you need some coffee at this point, consider trying out Gulu Gulu Cafe.

Tip: If you want to check out some of the Hocus Pocus filming locations, now would be a good time in the day to do the Hocus Pocus Walking Tour or simply visit a few of the movies sites. At the bottom of this article, I’ll include a list of the areas of Salem that Hocus Pocus was filmed at and their addresses.

Early Afternoon: Lunch & Salem’s Haunted Happenings

By early afternoon, you’ll be right in the middle of Salem Haunted Happenings, the month-long Halloween festival that takes over the city every October. Check out the website HERE for more information. 

Expect:

• Street vendors selling witchy art and handmade potions
  
• Costumed performers and live music
  
• Psychic readings on every corner
  
• Photo ops!
  

 Lunch Idea: Stop at Turner’s Seafood  which is  known for its delicious chowder and haunted reputation. Locals claim ghostly figures sometimes appear in mirrors,. If you’d rather rest your feet, hop on a Salem Trolley Tour to see the city’s main landmarks while hearing about its eerie past.

Evening: Ghost Tours, Psychic Readings, and Nighttime Magic

Take a Ghost Tour: I am not brave enough for this but if you would enjoy a ghost tour, Salem is the place to do it! Some options are Haunted Footsteps or Black Cat Tours. You’ll hear tales of witch trials, restless spirits, and cursed corners.

Get a Psychic Reading: After your tour, stop for a tarot or palm reading . Try OMEN Psychic Parlor for an authentic experience.

Dinner & Drinks: Here is a list of some dinner places you could try out while in Salem:

• Rockafellas– American Cuisine in historic building
• Flying Saucer Pizza- Pizza & craft beer
• Ledger- A bit pricer but the setting is a converted bank and the food is amazing

Optional: If you still have time after dinner, consider visiting the Salem Harbor to see some glowing jack-o-lanterns near the water.

Hocus Pocus Filming Locations

If you are a lover of the classic Halloween movie Hocus Pocus, here are some of the filming locations in Salem with Google Maps links.

Ropes Mansion (Allison’s House) – 318 Essex Street, Salem, MA

Old Town Hall (Halloween Party Scene) – 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA

Salem Common (Max Meets Allison Scene) – Washington Square N, Salem, MA

️ Pioneer Village (Thackery Binx’s 1600s Village) – 98 West Avenue, Salem, MA

Max and Dani’s House – 4 Ocean Avenue, Salem, MA

Phillips Elementary School (Exterior of Max’s School) – 56 Washington Square, Salem, MA

Getting Around

Salem is a walkable city with most attractions being near each other or roughly 10-15 minute walk away. Uber is also accessible in Salem, however, in October you may have to wait a little bit before one is available.

If you plan on bringing a car, you may benefit from purchasing a parking ticket online prior to arriving. Parking is difficult during this busy season and there is a lot of traffic. Another option may be to park in Beverly, MA or Boston, MA and then take a quick commuter rail trip into Salem. While parking in Salem isn’t impossible during this month, it does have its difficulties.

Tips

• Salem has an app for your phone called ‘The Destination Salem’ App
• Wear comfortable shoes as Salem has some cobblestone streets and you are likely to do a lot of walking
• New England weather is not the most predictable. Make sure to check the weather before you go and I always recommend layers during this time of year.

Salem during an October is a unique experience. For someone like me who doesn’t love haunted experiences, I still love the magical charm and history of this city. Every corner in Salem tells a story. I hope this itinerary helped you plan your perfect October day in Salem, Massachusetts.

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