A Spooky Season Guide to Salem: What to See, Do and Eat!
If you’re planning a trip to Salem during spooky season, you’re in for a magical mix of history, hauntings, and Halloween fun. (We went here last year for our annual girls’ trip and it was a frightfully good time!)
From witchy museums to Hocus Pocus filming spots, haunted walking tours, and plenty of great restaurants, Salem has something for every type of traveler. Here’s a guide to help you make the most of your trip.
👻 Things to See & Do in Salem
Visit Hocus Pocus Filming Locations
Fans of Disney’s cult classic Hocus Pocus will love spotting real-life filming locations around town. Most are exterior shots, but it’s still fun to see them in person:
Max and Dani’s House – A private residence (so be respectful when visiting!). We just snapped a quick photo from across the street so we didn’t bother the owners.
Allison’s House – Better known as the Ropes Mansion, this historic home is open for tours. You can walk through the gardens out back for free!
Salem Town Hall – Where the iconic Halloween party was filmed. (only the outside - the inside wasn’t used in the movie)
Pioneer Village – The living history museum where the film’s 1600s opening scenes were shot. There is a small entry fee to get in, but I think it’s worth it because it was a cool experience. Bonus, you can pay to park here and do the Pioneer Village and walk to Max and Dani’s house in one trip!
Museums & Attractions
Salem is packed with quirky and spooky museums—ranging from history-focused to purely Halloween fun. You don’t need to visit them all, but a few popular options include:
Salem Witch Museum – The classic Salem stop, giving context to the infamous 1692 witch trials. This was the only one we visited, but I have heard great things about the rest of the museums I’ve included on this list.
Witch Dungeon Museum – Reenactments and recreated jail cells.
Halloween Museum – A colorful, pop-culture spin on all things spooky.
Torture Museum – Not for the faint of heart, but a unique experience.
Haunted Walking Tours
One of the best ways to experience Salem is through a walking tour. We loved the Mysteries and Murders Tour with Witch City Walking Tours, which was spooky, fascinating, and full of history. They offer several themed options, so you can pick what interests you most. And there are several different walking tour companies as well!
Hop on the Trolley
If you’d rather sit back and enjoy the ride, the Salem Trolley Tour is a great option. You’ll get a narrated overview of the city and its history. That said, Salem is very walkable—you can easily spend a day wandering the cobblestone streets, popping into shops, and soaking in the festive atmosphere. We routinely walked from our AirBNB and felt very safe the whole time we were in Salem.
🍴 Food & Drink in Salem
Salem has a great mix of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. A tip: many don’t take reservations, so plan ahead if you’re visiting during busy season. Here are some of the places we loved (and a few with vegan-friendly options, too).
Spots We Tried & Loved
Gulu Gulu Café – A funky café perfect for brunch. No reservations, but worth the wait.
Hallowed Ground Speakeasy / Dire Wolf Tavern – The upstairs tavern was packed, so we headed downstairs to the speakeasy and loved it—great food and drinks.
Ledger Salem – Brunch here was delicious (and they have a great dinner menu, too). They take reservations, which helps a lot.
Sea Level Oyster Bar – Dinner by the water with a spacious outdoor deck. Reservations recommended.
The Roof Salem – Food was fine, but the rooftop atmosphere in the middle of downtown makes it a fun spot for drinks.
Vegan-Friendly Options
If you’re looking for vegan eats in Salem, you’ll have some good choices:
Flying Saucer Pizza Company – Creative pies with vegan options.
Life Alive Café Salem – Healthy, plant-based bowls and smoothies.
Gulu Gulu Café and Hallowed Ground Speakeasy – Both have vegan-friendly menu items as well.
🎃 Final Tips for Visiting Salem
Plan ahead for crowds. October is peak spooky season, so reservations (where possible) are your friend. We actually went in September and found the crowds very manageable.
Wear comfy shoes. Salem is best explored on foot.
Mix history with fun. Do a blend of historical tours and quirky attractions—it’s the best way to get a full Salem experience.
Whether you’re a history buff, a Halloween lover, or a die-hard Hocus Pocus fan, Salem in spooky season is a trip you won’t forget.
About Kim: Kim is a Travel Planner with Goldgell Getaways. She specializes in helping moms and families book less stressful vacations to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, cruises, all-inclusive resorts and other destinations. Kim walks clients through the planning process step by step and takes the guesswork (and stress) out of travel! From research to booking and recommendations to reservations, Kim is your one stop shop for a fabulous family vacation! Kim was previously a health and mindset coach for moms who specialized in stress management. She decided to pivot to travel planning so that she could focus on reducing stress and increasing fun in one specific area for moms - travel and vacation planning! Looking to go to on a cruise or another type of vacation? Kim can help with that! Just fill out this form! 🏝️🎡