17 Spooky Things to Do in Salem MA in October

Looking for spooky things to do in Salem MA in October? Look no further!

October is the perfect time to visit Salem, Massachusetts – a city known for its rich history and infamous witch trials. With the fall foliage in full bloom and Halloween just around the corner, there’s no better place to experience all things spooky than in Salem during this time of year.

Visiting Salem for Halloween was on my bucket list for ages, and I finally got the chance to do it as part of our New England fall road trip and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! From witch museums to haunted houses, the city is filled with eerie experiences that will send shivers down your spine.

So if you’re ready to embrace the spooky season and explore all that Salem has to offer, here are the must-do activities and events for a truly haunted experience.

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Best Things to Do in Salem MA in October

1. Experience the Salem Haunted Happenings

Salem Haunted Happenings is an annual celebration of Halloween and it’s said to be the largest Halloween festival in the world!

It has taken place since 1982 and gets bigger and more creative every year. Getting involved with the festivities is hands down one of the best things to do in Salem Massachusetts on Halloween!

The program runs throughout the entirety of October with such events as a Grand Parade and the Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair spearheading the festivities.

Besides these, you can expect movie screenings, costume balls, special ghost tours, haunted house activities, live music acts, and spine-tingling theatrical performances.

News of the events and activities is released throughout the year. You can find out what’s on via the Haunted Happenings website or by downloading their free app.

2. Join a Salem Walking Tour

Salem has a deep history dating back to the 1600s, making it a prime location for ghost tours and walking tours that delve into its darker past.

Joining a walking tour is not only an entertaining way to learn about the town’s history, but it also allows you to explore some of its most haunted locations.

There are loads of tours to choose from, especially if you’re visiting Salem, Massachusetts in October. Here are some of our favorite picks:

• History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour: This is the top-rated tour on Viator, so you know it’s going to be good! This 2-hour walking tour will take you to some of the most haunted locations in Salem while also sharing fascinating stories and history about the town.
• Bewitched Walking Tour of Salem: Focusing more on the Witch Trials and the real history of Salem, this tour is perfect if you’re looking to learn more about the events that took place in 1692. It’s also led by a local historian, so you know you’ll be getting accurate information.
• Salem 1692 Witchcraft Trials Walk: If the previous tour is all booked out (it happens very frequently in October), then this is a great alternative. It’s a 90-minute tour that takes you through the town and to some of the most significant sites connected to the Witch Trials.
• Salem Witch Trials Self-Guided Audio Tour: If for any reason you cannot take a guided tour (most likely because they’re all sold out), then consider this self-guided audio tour. You’ll be able to explore Salem at your own pace while listening to an expert guide you through the town’s history.

3. Tour the Witch House at Salem

Located a short walk west of the main downtown area, the Witch House at Salem was the house of Judge Jonathan Corwin. It was built in 1675 and hosted some of the preliminary questioning for the Sale Witch Trials.

Nowadays it has been converted into a museum and contains objects and artifacts from the time of the Witch Trials. 

As you’ll discover, Judge Corwin himself was notoriously harsh. There are rumors that he – or his family – continues to haunt the building. So if you’re hoping to have a ghostly encounter, add this attraction to your list of things to do in Salem Massachusetts in October.

In addition to sharing insight into the trials, the house gives you a sense of how the wealthy lived during the 17th century. 

The Witch House at Salem is open to the public all year-round and you can explore the insides on a self-guided tour.

Photos aren’t permitted inside the museum and they are quite salty about taking photos outside too. Which is quite understandable because people blocking the entrance is not so good for business.

So if you want to have a picture with the house, I would recommend going early when most of the town is still asleep.

4. Photograph the House of Seven Gables

Besides the Witch Trials and its spooky past, Salem was the home of the esteemed novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne. His 1851 novel The House of the Seven Gables was inspired by this Salem residence.

The seaside house and landscaped garden were built in 1669 by the merchant John Turner. Nowadays it is a designated National Historic Landmark District.

You can visit the House of Seven Gables as part of a guided tour only. Alternatively, you can just explore the gardens with a ground pass. It’s one of the most photogenic things to do in Salem Massachusetts in October.

5. Visit the Salem Witch Museum

Perhaps the most popular attraction in town, the Salem Witch Museum gets incredibly busy during the Halloween season. The museum offers an interactive exhibit that tells the story of the Witch Trials through stage sets and life-size figures. 

A voiceover explains the story and recounts the key events. Equally interesting is the presentation of modern-day witchcraft. The museum is open year-round with extended hours in October.

6. Attend the Salem Night Ghost Tour

If you’re looking for a scary and entertaining night out, then the Salem Night Ghost Tour is the perfect choice. This after-dark walking tour takes you to some of the most haunted locations in town, including cemeteries, churches, and memorials.

Led by an experienced guide, this 90-minute tour will have you jumping at every sound and shadow. So if you’re brave enough, add this to your list of things to do in Salem Massachusetts on Halloween night!

7. Tick off the Hocus Pocus filming locations

Released in 1993, Hocus Pocus has become a Halloween classic and is set in Salem. It follows the story of three witches who are resurrected on Halloween night and wreak havoc on the town. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, I can only recommend watching it before visiting Salem MA in October!

If you’re a fan of the movie, then make sure to visit some of the filming locations while in Salem. The most famous one is Ropes Mansion, which served as Allison’s house in the movie. You can also visit Old Town Hall and Pioneer Village, both of which were used as sets for the film.

For an even more fun experience, consider taking a Hocus Pocus Tour which will take you to all the filming locations and share behind-the-scenes stories.

8. Explore Ropes Mansion and Garden

Even if you’re not a Hocus Pocus fan, visiting Ropes Mansion and Garden is still one of the best things to do in Salem in October. This stunning Georgian-style mansion was built in 1727 and is surrounded by picturesque gardens.

The mansion is now owned by the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) and unfortunately, you can’t go inside, but you can explore the gardens for free. I absolutely loved strolling around the gardens and taking photos of the different plants.

9. Take the kids to the Halloween Museum of Salem

If you’re visiting Salem with kids, then the Halloween Museum of Salem is a must-visit. This interactive museum is dedicated to all things Halloween and offers an immersive experience for kids of all ages.

This museum is adorned with Day Glow paint and lit with black lights. 3D glasses are provided as a complement to the experience. You will then walk through the exhibition at leisure and see lots of ghoulish memorabilia and Halloween-themed gimmicks!

It’s a lot of fun for younger kids although teens and adults will probably take away a little less from the experience.

10. Check out the spooky Halloween decorations

When it comes to Halloween decorations, Salem truly goes all out. One of my favorite things to do in Salem was simply walk around the town and admire the spooky decorations on houses, shops, and restaurants.

From giant spiders to creepy pumpkins to elaborate haunted house displays, Salem is truly a Halloween lover’s paradise. I took way too many photos of the decorations, but it was just so much fun to see how creative and dedicated the locals were in decorating their homes.

11. Browse art at the Peabody Essex Museum

If you want to take a break from all the Halloween-themed activities, head over to the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM). This impressive museum showcases a variety of art and cultural artifacts from around the world, with a focus on American and Asian art.

PEM is artistically curated and features an atrium and garden. In addition to the permanent galleries, the museum hosts fascinating special exhibitions that change frequently. 

12. Wander through the Salem Witch Village

The Salem Witch Village is the epicenter of the spooky action in Salem and marks the heart of the annual Haunted Happenings events. This is where you’ll find the Salem Wax Museum and Salem Witch Trials Memorial.

The Salem Witch Trials Memorial is sobering as the accused targets of the witch hunt hysteria were not permitted burial on consecrated ground.

It is believed that their bodies were discarded in one shared pit. The memorial – consisting of inscribed granite stones – was erected as recently as 1992 to honor those lives lost.  

There are also a handful of shops where you can pick up themed souvenirs and cafes that serve as an atmospheric lunch spot. 

Although the Witch Village is a year-round hub of activity, the face gets a drastic makeover during October.

13. Step into history at the Burying Point Cemetery

The Burying Point Cemetery (also known as the Charter Street Cemetery) was established in 1637.

Situated right to the Salem Witch Village, it contains the gravestones of the judges involved in the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s as well as Revolutionary War victims. Judge Jonathan Corwin is just one of those whose graves you will see here. 

You can visit the cemetery for free and have a stroll around to read the various tombs.

14. Visit the immersive Witch Dungeon Museum

The Witch Dungeon Museum is an alternative to the Salem Witch Museum (or both if you’re super keen to know all the history!).

Rather than wax figures, the concept at the Witch Dungeon Museum is a short play based on historical transcripts from the Witch Trials performed by actors. 

You will then explore the artifacts and documentation exhibited in the dungeon space. The dungeon is suitably creepy and will send a shiver down your spine. It’s one of the best things to do in Salem MA on Halloween if you want a fully immersive experience. 

15. Stroll around Salem Common

Located right in front of the Salem Witch Museum, Salem Common is a lovely little park that’s perfect for a fall stroll.

The park first opened back in the 1600s and was used as a pasture for cattle. These days, it’s a popular spot for picnicking, people-watching, and taking a break from all the witch-themed activities.

During October, the park is decorated with pumpkins and other Halloween-themed decorations.

16. Roam the Salem Maritime National Historic Site

Salem’s strategic setting on the coast of Massachusetts means that the city also has a flourishing maritime history.

Established on 17 March 1938, the Salem Maritime National Historic Site is the first of its kind. Located on the Salem waterfront, this 9-acre park consists of naval buildings, ships, monuments, and a visitor’s center.

You can walk as far as the Derby Wharf Light Station which sits at the far end of the promenade. 

17. Explore Pioneer Village

Pioneer Village is America’s first living history museum that gives visitors a taste of what life was like in Salem back in the 1630s.

Set on 3 acres of land, the village has several historic buildings including a schoolhouse, print shop, blacksmith forge, and more. The structures were either relocated to the site or built using traditional methods and materials.

Unfortunately, it has a very limited opening time as it’s only open on the weekends from 12 pm to 4 pm. So if you’re lucky enough to be in Salem on a weekend, this is definitely worth checking out.

Useful Info for Visiting Salem in October

Where to stay in Salem MA in October

Salem MA is quite a small town, so there aren’t a ton of options for accommodation. It goes without saying that it gets incredibly busy during October, so be sure to book your accommodation well in advance.

Here are my top recommendations for different budgets:

• Luxury: The Merchant
• Mid-range: The Hotel Salem
• Budget: Hawthorne Hotel

How to get to Salem MA

Boston is the closest major city to Salem and it also has a big international airport so most likely this will be your starting point. From Boston, here are a few different options to get to Salem:

• Day trip from Boston to Salem: This is a great option if you don’t have too much time and just want to make the most of your day.
• High-speed ferry: Another option is to book a high-speed ferry from Boston to Salem. It takes around 50 minutes each way and provides scenic views of the coast.
• Train: The MBTA Commuter Rail runs from Boston’s North Station to Salem. It takes around 30 minutes each way.
• Driving: If you are planning to rent a car, it’s an easy and scenic drive from Boston to Salem. Just be warned that finding parking in Salem during October can be challenging, so plan accordingly.