Welcome to Salem!
Pirates, ghosts, and witches, oh my! Salem, Massachusetts, is an interesting place with all kinds of history, quirky museums, and odd shops. This place thrives during spooky season, as it’s best known for its infamous role in the Salem Witch Trials in the 1600s.
Wander the streets to find occult and mysticism-themed shops and small museums on topics from pirates to the witch trials themselves. Grab a bite to eat at some of the delicious restaurants in the city and grab a night tour downtown. Whether you are in Salem for just the day or visiting for a little longer, there are plenty of fun and interesting things to do in October!
My husband and I recently visited Salem. Even though I’m born and raised in Massachusetts, this was my first time visiting. We didn’t have a plan for the day, we drove about an hour away in the afternoon and let the adventure begin! Here are some of the things we did that you might enjoy during your Salem stay!
Visit the new Pirate Museum
Recently opened in April 2022, this newer museum has captured the attention of visitors and locals alike. This museum follows the story of Captain Sam Bellemy, a fortune-seeking English pirate. He never returned home, as his ship sunk off the coast of Cape Cod in 1717 after a terrible Nor’Easter swept through. All but two members of the crew aboard the Whydah survived.
In 1984, Barry Clifford led a dive exploration to find the wreckage and was successful. Many artifacts have been retrieved from the ship, including actual pirate treasure and the bell with the ship’s namesake inscribed. Around 200,000 artifacts have been recovered since its discovery, and some of them are on display in this neat little museum. Stop by if you have time to spare- it’s worth it! There is a small video that plays before you enter the actual museum, which might be loud for some kids (you can probably skip this if it’s a concern-just ask the staff!). It sets the scene of our Captain, and thunder plays with flashing lighting. Then, you enter the first room of the museum. Book your ticket here!
Located at: 285 Derby Street
Get a treat at Lulu’s bakery
After learning all about Captain Bellamy’s adventure, go to Lulu’s Bakery for a treat right around the corner! Lots of pastries, cupcakes, cookies, and more to try. Consider a coffee to go to walk with you while you explore the streets of Salem, or warm tea to sit inside and people-watch. They even have snacks for your pooch if you want to bring your pet home as a souvenir!
My husband tried the lemon square and I got the coconut cream tart. For drinks, he got an americano and I had an unsweetened iced tea, as it was a bit warm the day we were there. It was a refreshing and much-needed sweet treat before we headed on our way to explore more of the town!
Located at: 285 Derby Street
Visit the Salem Witch Trial Memorial and Cemetery
Just a little down the street from Lulu’s is the Salem Witch Trial Memorial, a simple yet powerful memorial to the twenty victims that died as a direct result of the witch trials in Salem. A green rectangle is in the middle of the memorial, with locust trees, thought to be the same type of trees used for hangings. Twenty granite benches surround the outside with the victim’s name and way of execution. Wander the dirt path and reflect on the mass hysteria that claimed the lives of many innocent people. Right next to the memorial is the Old Burying Point Cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Salem and one of the oldest in the country.
If you are interested, another cool thing to do in Salem is a guided walking tour like this one. A tour guide can bring you around Salem, and walk you through the importance and history of this landmark and others.
Located at: 24 Liberty St
Visit the Salem Witch Museum
Another fun thing to do in October is the Salem Witch Museum. Through 2 twilight-zone-ish presentations, you learn about the actual cause of the Salem Witch trials and those that were involved. The first presentation has you sit in a very dark room while a disembodied narrator sets the scene for the trials in 1600. Life-size diorama scenes bring to life the story (and are most definitely a little creepy).
The second presentation is another disembodied narrator that discusses how dramatically the witch is seen today and throughout history. This exhibit is lit and patrons can move freely about the circular room. In the end, you are met with a surprisingly bright gift shop with apparel, books, and souvenirs about witches. Overall, this museum should take you about an hour or so.
I don’t recommend bringing kids for this one— there is not much to look at and the first presentation can be a bit scary and loud. It also depicts some graphic scenes that may not be suitable for all audiences, so make sure you research the website before you come.
This is quite a popular museum in Salem, and they have some tips on their website that I’ll share with you:
- Tickets MUST be purchased online, same-day only. In busy October, they recommend you buy them before you come to the town. Choose the time carefully, as they cannot accommodate those that miss their time, and traffic can be quite brutal in October.
- You will most likely be waiting outside before your time starts, so make sure you are prepared for the weather.
- Arrive 5 mins before your time to check-in.
- Your ticket, once checked in, grants you some discounts at participating businesses so make sure you save them!
Located at: 19 1/2 Washington Square North
Wander the Salem Commons
The Salem Commons, right outside the Salem Witch Museum, is an 8-acre public park with cement paths around for walking. Take a stroll in between activities and enjoy the fall weather. Bring snacks for a picnic or snap some photos. Check the town website as you just might walk into a fun public event!
For example, The Biz Baz Street Fair happens in October, and you can browse crafts and other items made by local vendors and artists on the town common. Check this out on October 8th & 9th!
Throughout October, the town celebrates Haunted Happenings, where half a million people come to check out the local events and parties. It has its own dedicated website, so definitely check it out before you make your way to Salem. Enjoy events like movie nights, food festivals, a haunted magic show, and so much more! Check it out here.
Located at: N Washington Square
Stop by the Witch House
The Corwin House, also known as the Witch House, is the only surviving building with direct ties to the Salem Witch Trials. Judge Jonathan Corwin was one of the judges called in during the trials and also owned this house. Corwin oversaw the hearings of the first three women accused of being witches.
Today, you can take a self-guided tour of the house to explore more about the trials and those involved. Tickets must be purchased at the door.
Located at: 310 1/2 Essex Street
Take a ghost tour downtown
By this point, you know how Salem is famous for its witches. But did you know it’s also famous for its ghosts? If you love a good ghost story, what better way to spend your time in Salem than with a highly-rated ghost tour like this one? During this two-hour experience, tour Salem and travel back through 400 years of history while your guide takes you through the streets of the city. Admire Salem’s beautiful architecture while learning about local legends like “the Lady in Blue”. You can book a candle-lit night tour if you want to add to the spookiness of the tour!
If you are traveling with kids who want to get in on the fun, a kid-friendly tour is available here.
Located at: Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square
Get Dinner at the Derby
This steampunk-themed restaurant has some delicious bites to try during your day in Salem! The pork belly tacos were absolutely to die for. We also tried the sesame chicken salad which was really good, and my husband gave the pork belly burger 8/10. This place has something for everyone and it is a great way to end your exciting day in Salem!
Located at: 189 Washington St
While we were visiting, we grabbed a couple of fun history books to read on the car ride home to finish off the day. We had a great time exploring some of what Salem has to offer, and I’m sure you will too!
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of all the cool and fun things to do in Salem in October. What would you add to this list? Have you done any of the things I listed? Let me know in the comments!
*Note- this blog post contains affiliate links so I may earn a small commission when you purchase at no additional cost to you.*