10+ Things to Do in Salem Massachusetts for Halloween

By Casey Makovich
Published: July 18, 2024
pumpkin patch halloween event

October is one of the best times to visit Salem, Massachusetts, the “witch town” known for its sinister past and spooky aura. For the entire month of October, haunted happenings take over Salem to celebrate Halloween and fall in the area.

Haunted Happenings features a calendar full of events, special programs, and live shows. These distinctive seasonal events complement the attractions, museums, and tours that Salem offers year-round. If you’re looking for things to do in Salem on Halloween and October and nearby Boston, check out our list of the best local activities and attractions, including:

  • Salem Witch Museum
  • House of Seven Gables
  • Peabody Essex Museum
  • Halloween Cruises
  • Bewitched After Dark Salem Walking Tours
  • The People vs Bridget Bishop
  • Gallows Hill
  • Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour
  • Guided Tour of Salem & Marblehead
  • Boston Attractions
Salem

When is the best time to visit Salem, MA?

Salem is busiest on weekends when it fills up with tourists, but it's arguably at its most festive when thronged with people. However, if you're in search of a less hectic experience, you can head to Salem any weekday in October or during one of the first weekends in the month. You’ll still find plenty of seasonal things to do.

Dedicate at least one full day to seeing the sights in Salem and consider an overnight stay to join in on some of the spooky night-time walking tours and ghost tours offered. Some of the top hotels in the area recommended by Haunted Happenings include the Clipper Ship Inn (budget-friendly), Hawthorne Hotel (a historic hotel), and Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites (award-winning lodging).

Salem sign

Do remember that October dates will book up fast, so make your reservations in advance. The closer to Halloween it is, the more difficult it will be to get to Salem in heavy traffic and find reasonably priced parking. If you're coming from the Boston area, we recommend you take either the commuter rail (Newburyport/Rockport Line) or a bus to avoid the hassle of parking.

That said, there’s nothing quite like spending Halloween weekend in Salem as it is always jam-packed with fun and spooky things to do.

Salem Witch Museum

Do you believe in witchcraft? At the Salem Witch Museum, get an insight into the complex and evolving perception of witches 'from midwives and healers to witch hunts and Wiccans.' Salem’s most visited museum presents the witch hysteria of 1692 in a way that is educational, thought-provoking, and a bit spooky.

You'll learn all about the infamous witch trials, the events leading up to them, and what life was like in Salem at the time. They also offer a fun and eclectic gift shop that sells everything from artisan wares to the most inspired Halloween costumes you'll ever see. It's a nice place to pick a unique fall souvenir.

Salem Witch Museum

House of the Seven Gables

The House of Seven Gables is New England’s oldest wooden mansion. Built in 1668, it was made famous through the fiction of Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The Scarlet Letter. A must-visit attraction for book lovers and American Literature fans.

In October, add to the experience with their program of specialized audio tours. Experience a more personal history of Salem from the perspectives of the people who didn't make it into the history books with the Passages of the Past Audio Tour, or try out their Immersive 360 Tour where you'll join senior historical interpreter David Moffat for a unique and online venture through over 350 years of history.

House of the Seven Gables

Peabody Essex Museum

Home to a collection of one million artifacts and natural treasures dating back to 1799, when sea captains would bring home treasures from their travels overseas, the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) offers Salem visitors a unique examination of world history.

See fascinating exhibitions of African, American, Asian, Native American, Oceanic, and Indian art, including photographs from 1840 (the year photography was invented!).

The PEM regularly features exhibitions on The Salem Witch Trials, where visitors can learn more about factors that fueled the much-storied crisis, including individuals who rose to defend those accused.

Halloween cruises

A cruise around the storied waters of Salem is a fun and different way to get in some prime leaf-peeping during peak season and take in the history of the area.

The 2-hour narrated Lighthouse & Foliage tour goes on a 14-mile loop of the scenic Salem Sound. The Haunted Happenings Harbor Cruise features a 90-minute entertainment cruise. It's complete with face painting, fortune telling, spooky photo ops, scary stories, and more.

A full bar and grill are available on every cruise. They also offer a Halloween Boo!s Cruise, which is ideal for adults and groups of friends. These offerings from Mahi Cruises are seasonal and are available during the fall or the month of October, depending upon the selected cruise.

Boston in fall

Salem Haunted Happenings

There's no shortage of things to do in Salem Massachusetts. Just check out the Haunted Happenings events calendar for the complete lineup of activities and fun things to do in Salem during this popular time of year.

There's everything from face painting and farmers' markets to cruises and hayrides to haunted houses and witch hunts. Some of our popular picks include:

  • Salem Psychic Fair and Witches Market
  • Salem Common Family Movie Night
  • Salem Haunted Magic Show Presents: Hysteria!
  • Hollowed Harvest: Wicked Labyrinth
  • and much, much more!

Bewitched After Dark Salem walking tours

These engaging tours are led by local historians who can't wait to share Salem's eerie history with you. They warn, however, that "history is more frightening than fiction," something easily spooked visitors would do well to remember!

Look out for the Salem Witch House, one of the few structures directly linked to the witch trials of 1692. 

Salem Witch House

Cry Innocent: The People Versus Bridget Bishop

Head back to 1692 when Bridget Bishop was accused of witchcraft and is up for trial. At Cry Innocent, you'll be immersed in the experience by serving on the Puritan jury. You’ll hear her testimony, cross-examine the witnesses, and decide the verdict in this critically acclaimed interactive theatrical performance. We promise you won't leave the theater without thinking differently about the infamous Salem witch trials!

Gallows Hill

This multifaceted attraction has it all - a haunted museum filled with lost objects and abandoned exhibits, an exhilarating, 4-D experience show, and a fascinating Ghosts & Legends Trolley Tour. Gallows Hill is one of the most popular attractions in all of Salem and is great for Halloween explorations. Keep in mind that some attractions might not be suitable for small children.

Salem statue

Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour

The Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour is one of Salem's most haunting attractions. Experience Salem's longest-running ghostly tour with the city's 'spirited' tour leader! The knowledgeable ghostly guides combine captivating storytelling, macabre humor, and stellar presentation to convey Salem's authentic haunted history.

Delve into the Witch City's intriguing and often sordid past on their highly recommended 90-minute nightly strolls. Costumed narrators recount by lantern light true tales of documented paranormal activity, chilling cemeteries, Colonial witchcraft, Victorian murder, and more! This tour is leisurely paced; the tour distance covered is approximately a half mile.

Guided tour of Salem and Marblehead

Join a full-day guided tour of historic Salem and Marblehead. It's an especially perfect tour to take during October, as they highlight many of the Haunted Happenings events. This tour covers lots of North Shore highlights, including Marblehead, Abbott Hall, Salem Harbor, and more. Keep in mind the tour lasts about seven hours altogether, so this will be your main attraction for the entire day.

Marblehead

Add Boston to Your Itinerary

Fall is one of the best times to visit the Boston area; the air is crisp and cool, while the vibrant orange and yellow leaves provide the perfect backdrop. Want some more fun? Skip almost 100 years in time from the era of witch hysteria to the era of the American Revolution. Explore historic attractions such as:

Then, stop by the Samuel Adams Brewery to sneak a sample of their special Oktoberfest beers. Looking for more info on Boston? Be sure to check out our guides for things to do in Boston for Halloween or things to do in Boston in fall. 

Enjoy your seasonal activities this year, and Happy Halloween! And while you're at it, go grab a Boston attraction pass and see all the city's best bits - spooky or otherwise!

Boston in fall

Planning to visit lots of Boston attractions?

Discover our full line-up of Boston attractions including USS Constitution attractions and the Salem Witch Museum. With Go City® you won't miss a thing, plus with a pass, you can save up to 50% compared to buying individual entry to everything you want to do - winning!

☀️Compare Boston passes☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy a pass ✈️

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

Continue reading

Concord Massachusetts
Blog

10+ Things to Do in Lexington & Concord, MA

If you’re interested in American history, you know Boston is the place to be for historical landmarks and attractions related to the colonial era, the American Revolution, and the birth of the country. However, visitors often overlook the two sites with some of the most significance for this time: Lexington and Concord.  Attractions go beyond Lexington Battle Green to include museums, 18th-century houses inhabited by famous early Americans, and even immaculately restored taverns. If you're looking for things to do in Lexington and Concord during your trip to Boston, check out this list of the best local activities and attractions, including: The Liberty Ride Buckman Tavern Concord Museum Louisa May Alcott House and more! Lexington Attractions Liberty Ride Though it starts in Lexington, the Liberty Ride is a Lexington and Concord tour along the historic Battle Road. On your air-conditioned trolley, a knowledgeable costumed tour guide will recount the exciting events of the American Revolution as you pass the Lexington Battle Green, the Old North Bridge, Minuteman National Historic Park, and the Lexington and Concord visitor centers. Buckman Tavern Buckman Tavern served as a gathering spot for militiamen awaiting the arrival of the “Red Coats” on April 19, 1775. When the alarm bell ran to signal the enemy’s approach, the men left the tavern for Lexington Common, where the first Revolutionary War conflict would occur. Buckman Tavern was restored in 1920 and today the original taproom fireplace remains next to a reinstalled bar. Munroe Tavern On the day before the Battle of Lexington, Munroe Tavern served as a meeting spot for colonials and minutemen. The next day, retreating British troops overtook the tavern and turned it into a field hospital for the wounded. Today, the preserved Munroe Tavern is run by the Lexington Historical Society. Hancock Clarke House You know about Paul Revere’s famous ride, right? Well, the Hancock Clarke House, home of Reverends John Hancock and Jonas Clarke, was Paul Revere’s destination that night. John Hancock and Samuel Adams were visiting Reverend Clarke, and Paul Revere and William Dawes were sent to warn these legendary Patriots of the arrival of the British troops. Lexington Battle Green Visit the place where the first shots of the battle of Lexington and Concord were fired in 1775, in an event that would start the Revolutionary War. Today Lexington Battle Green is a public park and a National Historic Landmark. A quick must-visit stop for history buffs. Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library Like many of the attractions in Lexington and Concord, this is one for the history buffs. This free-entry American history museum has a particular focus on Masonic history, but it also contains artifacts and documents of more general interest. The museum hosts an ever-changing roster of special exhibits that tell the story of Lexington's history. Concord Attractions Concord Museum Housing many authentic artifacts and important documents of the Colonial era and the American Revolution, the Concord Museum was founded in 1886—making it one of the oldest and most well-documented historical collections in the country. It is most famous for its extensive collection of artifacts belonging to Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Other relics are just as impressive, such as lanterns hung in the Old North Church on the eve of the Revolution. Louisa May Alcott Orchard House Speaking of literary legacies, the Louisa May Alcott House—where the classic novel Little Women was written—is also located in Concord. Real-life family members who resided in the house inspired the story, and guided tours offer insights into their lives. Though over 300 years old, the house has genuine architectural integrity and still contains original family artifacts. Old Manse House With a location right next to the Old North Bridge, the Old Manse House has an important place in Revolutionary History. The house was built by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s grandfather in 1770, and Emerson watched the battle at North Bridge in 1775 from his farm fields. The Old Manse House has a renowned literary legacy: it is here where Ralph Waldo Emerson drafted “Nature,” Nathaniel Hawthorne established his literary career, Henry David Thoreau tended the land, and Horace Mann, Margaret Fuller, and John Brown paid regular visits. Minute Man National Historic Park This immensely popular historic site has plenty to offer exploring families and couples. A park commemorating the beginning of the Revolutionary War, this venue offers several distinct attractions. You'll be able to see: the North Bridge, where the militia fired back at the British troops; the Battle Road Trail, featuring a monument to Paul Revere and a restored 18th century home and inn. Visit the Wayside, a house that was once occupied by Bronson and Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Margaret Sidney. Save on Lexington & Concord Attraction Admission with a Go City® Boston pass Discover our full line-up of Boston attractions including the USS Constitution, Museum, Salem Witch Museum, Paul Revere House, and more. 🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you. 😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option.
Katie Sagal
Blog

Boston MFA Discount Tickets & Tips for Visiting

Boston's Museum of Fine Arts is truely a premier museum of art, featuring global and timeless collections, from Egyptian statues and tombs, to fine Benin Kingdom sculptures, to European masters like Renoir, and modern legends like Van Gogh and Picasso. The Museum’s diverse, extensive, and eclectic artwork is presented inside a magnificent, stone palatial building on Huntington Avenue. Here, the Museum of Fine Arts not only curates and cares for the works, but through their many programs, tours, and activities, they help people of all ages understand, engage, and create art. Check out our helpful guide for visiting Boston's Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), packed full of ways to save on admission, tips for visiting, other nearby attractions, and much more. Looking for Boston MFA Discount Tickets? We’ve got you covered – Museum of Fine Arts admission is available with the below money saving options, so you can choose the attraction pass that’s right for you: 1. All-Inclusive Pass – All you can do. Includes admission to dozens of attractions. 2. Explorer Pass – Choose as you go. Includes admission of up to 5 attractions. 3. Build Your Own Pass – Select the attractions you want to visit prior to visiting. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more. Tips for Visiting the Museum of Fine Arts Before visiting the Museum of Fine Arts, look through the list of activities and tours, all free with admission. The tours can be as general as “Highlights of the Museum,” to tours that focus on a single tradition like “Art of the Ancient World,” to something even more specific like “Gaugain’s Lush Colors and Island Landscapes.” Each tours is led by friendly and wildly knowledgeable guides. Activities are a great way to get closer to the art and its creation. The Artist Toolbox Cart series, for example, gives you the great opportunity of handling artists' tools and view the results of their use on step-by-step demonstration pieces. Even more exciting, every Wednesday, there’s a free opportunity to sketch live models, and/or objects in the Museum of Fine Arts collection. A drawing instructor there will provide insights on technique and artist-model relationships. If you want to go off on your own, but still enjoy the depth and auditory nature of a guide, you can rent the MFA Guide audio tour for six dollars for adults, and four dollars for kids seventeen and under. The Museum of Fine Arts offers these tours in English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese languages. Additionally, Museum of Fine Arts accommodates visitors who are blind, low vision, deaf, or hard of hearing, with a free mobile MFA Guide, providing touch screens with a reading option, text transcripts, neckloops for hearing aids with T-switches as well as headsets. Furthermore, the Museum of Fine Arts supplies ASL videos for many starred stops, and its own mini tour as well. If you read every word in an art museum, you’re apt to spend more time reading blurbs from gray plaques than actually experiencing art. On the other hand, according to a study conducted by the Louvre, the museum attendee spends a mere 15 seconds on the Mona Lisa on average. That’s right, a five-Mississippi on da Vinci’s masterpiece. The tip for solving this “study versus breeze by” paradox is this: begin each gallery at the large plaque that reads, “In this gallery...” It’s not always by the opening you enter through, given the wandering nature of the halls, rooms, and side-rooms. It is, however, always worth it. The Museum of Fine Arts does an excellent job at providing just enough context, whether political, historical, or rooted in an artistic trend, without ever imposing a rigid structure on the collection. Then, as you walk through the room, you can’t help but note an inherent logic that threads the pieces of art together, putting them in conversation with each other, and importantly, with you. If you read the gallery plaques, you’ll find yourself noting the story element of the priest in the background of Steen’s “The Sacrifice of Iphigenia,” for instance. While you may not find yourself drawn to every piece, you’ll likely spend quality time with the ones that do, making for a much more meaningful experience of art. Avoid the stern, yet fair admonishment of the museum staff by ensuring your camera’s flash is not on. Luckily, you can take non-flash pictures throughout the museum. If you’re the artistic type, don’t forget to bring your sketchpad or drawing board (no bigger than 18” by 24”) and your pencils. Charcoal, watercolors, crayons, and pastels are not allowed. With its abundance of styles, from Japanese ink strokes to ornate Iranian design, there are endless hours of learning and emulating to do within the halls. If Boston is in the throes of the notoriously harsh winter, don’t be afraid to bundle up in a bulky, warm jacket. The museum offers a complimentary coat and bag check service. If you’re bringing children, view the available kids’ programs and activities. Schedule your visit around one of the MFA playdates, or let the MFA Kids’ Tour’s group of animated characters help bring art to life. You can also download the Art Connections activity cards to give the visit a game component. Furthermore, the Museum of Fine Arts has kid-friendly meal options in their Garden Cafeteria, baby-changing stations in bathrooms, and an area designated for nursing. Best Times to Visit Weekday afternoons, and evenings (open until 9:30 on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) will give you the most space and quiet to enjoy the museum. What to See There are so many collections and exhibitions (always adding new ones) that we couldn't do the MFA justice by listing them all. Instead, below is just a taste of some of the things we recommend you take some time to see during your visit. John Singer Sargent Thanks to Sargent’s ties to Boston, where he received his first solo show and multiple commissions, there is a uniquely extensive collection of his work that provides a sense of his artwork as a whole. In the atrium, you can see his preliminary sketches, and then look up and see their realized paintings and friezes on the domed ceiling. Furthermore, his large collection in the Art of the Americas is highlighted by “The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit,” and framed by the tall and elegant vases featured in the painting. Kingdom of Benin Recently, the Museum of Fine Arts accepted 34 pieces of rare West African works of art. Like the long-standing Egyptian collection, these pieces allow the Museum of Fine Arts and the viewer to reconstruct the characteristics of their civilization, and imagine the use of their recovered everyday objects and the meaning of palace artwork in their culture. These intricately detailed, expertly carved wooden statues and high relief plaques not only reflect their way of life, they demonstrate the civilizations sophisticated artistic style. Art of Europe The Art of Europe is the largest collection in the Museum of Fine Arts, likely taking an entire day and you still won’t have really seen it. The collection works its way through 14th and 15th century iconography, the Italian Renaissance, to the rococo of the 18th century, through the Flemish masters, to French Impressionism, and arrives at modernity, as depicted by Munch, Picasso and Gauguin. Simply walking through the collection will give you a sense of the arc of European history as a whole. Nearby Attractions James P. Kelleher Rose Garden might be the perfect place to see art outside the walls of the museum. A five minute stroll will take you from the Museum of Fine Arts into the Back Bay Fen where a profusion of petaled blossoms, white, red and pink, circle around a fountain, tumble off a trellis, or float suspended from an archway. Round out the day’s cultural experience with a trip to the sports icon--Fenway Park, home of the Green Monster. Even if the Socks aren’t playing, you can sign up for a one hour walking tour of Fenway. Just don’t call it a stadium. Even the security guards will correct you: “You mean the ballpahk?” The Boston Symphony Orchestra is world renowned, and the hall’s interior is stunning. You may forget which century you’re in. Now in 132 season, The Boston Symphony Orchestra performs excellent shows of a variety of styles. Places to Eat Nearby The Museum of Fine Arts offers multiple dining options. Bravo's couples a dark and classy ambience with a excellent cuisine for a sophisticated experience. The New American Cafe puts you in the center of the museum's excitement and grandeur of the vast Shapiro Courtyard, while delivering amazing seasonal dishes. Fittingly located near the contemporary art, The Taste Cafe and Wine Bar features fine coffee, as well as a bite to eat-- sandwiches, salads, desserts and gelato. Last but not least, The Garden Cafeteria, satisfies your favorites. It's the perfect place for families to get burgers, pizza, sandwiches and more. In walking distance of the Museum of Fine Arts, El Pelon Taqueria cooks up delicious Mexican favorites. Their fresh guacamole is a must try. Less than a mile away, the highly-esteemed Island Creek Oyster Bar upholds the tradition of excellent Boston seafood, with mid-atlantic tilefish, grilled Maine salmon, lobster, and land-based dishes like New York strip steak, and roasted chicken that’s just as good. Re-living the collegiate experience? Or just plain living it? Boston students flock to Chicken Joe’s Inc. for cheap, but tasty subs and sandwiches. Need to Know Hours Saturday-Tuesday, 10:00 am-4:45 pm Wednesday-Friday, 10:00am-9:45pm Closings: New Year's Day, Patriot's Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day All holiday hours are subject to change without notice. Directions & Address 465 Huntington Avenue Boston, MA 02115 Public Transportation: Take the T: Green Line E train to Museum of Fine Arts stop. Orange Line to Ruggles Street stop. Save on Tickets with a Go Boston Card Remember, the Go Boston® Card is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility, which includes Boston Museum of Fine Arts tickets, plus admission to your choice of other top attractions. Save up to 55% on top museums, tours, and activities vs. paying at the gate. Visit multiple attractions for one low price.
Lindsay Eagan
Family Celebrating Thanksgiving
Blog

Thanksgiving in Boston: Unforgettable Traditions and Tasty Treats

From feasting in Little Italy to walking historic trails, Thanksgiving in Boston brings big flavor and even bigger fun.

Have a 5% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.