“I speak my own sins; I cannot judge another. I have no tongue for it.”
-Arthur Miller [The Crucible]
If you grew up in America, you most likely: a) learned about the Salem Witch Trials in school, b) watched Disney’s ‘Hocus Pocus’ as a kid, or c) both. If you’re like me and your answer is “c” then you probably have had the desire to visit and do things in Salem, MA.
Affectionately known as Witch City, this small town in Massachusetts has fully embraced its mysterious past. Salem both honors the innocent lives lost hundreds of years ago and is also a hub for a new generation of those interested in Wicca, witches, magic, ‘Hocus Pocus’, and Halloween in general.
Although similar to many New England towns, Salem is also full of unique museums, shops, and restaurants. You won’t need more than a couple of days to explore, so it makes a fun day or weekend trip, especially from Boston.
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A brief Salem history lesson:
English colonists first arrived on Naumkeag land in 1626, where they continued to build and expand over the years. There were many complex factors that led up to the Salem Witch Trials, including religious extremism (and the gender inequality that came with it) and property disputes between Salem Village and Salem Town.
In 1692 what started out as two young girls having epileptic-like fits turned into an infamous case of mass hysteria. Over the next year neighbors accused each other of witchcraft, children complained of physical abuse from invisible hands, and now-obsolete measures were used to determine “guilt”.
Ultimately more than 200 people were accused of witchcraft. Fourteen women and five men were executed by hanging, and one man was infamously crushed to death by stones.
The physical ailments of the “afflicted” children of Salem are still debated. While we may never know exactly what happened, in 2001 Massachusetts passed a legislative act exonerating those accused.
One of the best things to do in Salem is to visit the Salem Witch Trials Memorial near the Old Burying Point Cemetary.
Getting There
- By car: Salem is about an hour’s drive from Boston, and five hours from New York City.
- By train: Salem is about a half-hour ride from Boston on the MBTA commuter rail. Take the Newbury/Rockport line.
- By ferry: For a different kind of commute, take the Salem Ferry from Long Wharf in Boston. The boat ride is about an hour. Be sure to check the schedule here, as it only runs seasonally.
Getting Around
The town of Salem was very easy to get around on foot! Most of the places to see in Salem are right in the downtown area, with sidewalks and brick walkways.
However, a car would come in handy to reach some Hocus Pocus filming locations that aren’t downtown, like Salem Pioneer Village.
Where to Stay in Salem
We had a lovely time staying at the Salem Inn. It was conveniently centrally located, and literally a block away from the Witch House. We enjoyed made-to-order breakfast in the quaint breakfast room and we put the hot tub to good use. And we slept very well as we did not stay in the haunted room (Room W17)!
Other notable bed & breakfasts in Salem include The Daniels House and The Stepping Stone Inn.
If you’re visiting Salem in the fall, be sure to book well in advance as it’s the most popular time of year and places fill up quickly!
Things to do in Salem, MA
Visit the Salem Witch Museum
Located inside an old church, the Salem Witch Museum is one of the most visited museums in Salem, and one of the best things to do in Salem as an introduction to the Salem Witch Trials.
The Salem Witch Museum has two “exhibits”. During the first, you are led into an auditorium and listen to a narrating voice while viewing tableaus depicting the timeline of the Salem Witch Trials. The second is a more recent exhibit that explores how the idea of “witches” has changed throughout the years.
When you exit, take a stroll through Salem Common just across the street.
Wander Essex Street
One of the best things to do in Salem is to just walk up down the street! There’s a whole section of Essex Street that is for pedestrians only. Grab a hot chocolate or cider as you walk the cobbled street and peruse shop windows.
You can find anything from books and t-shirts to magic wands to herbs and crystals. If you’re feeling brave, go for a tarot card reading! Favorite shops in Salem include The Coven’s Cottage and Crow Haven Corner.
Explore the Witch House
The Witch House was never actually owned or inhabited by any of the people accused of witchcraft. In fact, it belonged to one of the judges of the trials. However, it is one of the few remaining buildings from the years of the trials.
As you wander through the rooms of the house, you can read up on the Puritan ways of life, from what they ate to how they made their clothing…and what they thought was first-aid. (One guy suggested drinking fresh blood for its vitality?!)
Walking through the house takes about half an hour to 45 minutes, depending on how fast you read the displays.
Pay your respects at the Witch Trials Memorial
Located next to the Old Burying Point Cemetery is the Witch Trials Memorial. While the cemetery isn’t currently open (as it is very old), you can walk around the memorial, where there is a stone for each of the people killed during the trials.
This was a particularly personal moment for me, as I was finally able to see my 9th great-grandfather’s stone. Thanks to the genealogy work of my great uncle, he was able to trace our family back to Samuel Wardwell, who was one of the last people to be executed during the Salem Witch Trials.
Hunt for ‘Hocus Pocus’ Filming Locations
“Sisters!!” If you’re a fan of the cult classic Disney movie ‘Hocus Pocus’, one of the most fun things to do in Salem is find the different locations that were used for external shots. There are various locations spread out in the downtown area within walking distance. These include:
- The Old Town Hall: In ‘Hocus Pocus’, Max and Dani’s parents go to the town hall for one of the best-dressed Halloween parties I’ve ever seen, where Winifred and her sisters perform “I’ll Put a Spell on You”. Today, the building, which is a National Historic Site, is used as a culture and event space.
- Salem Common: In the movie, you can see Max chatting up Allison as they walk through the Salem Common, which is still a public park.
- Ropes Mansion: The house used as Allison’s house in ‘Hocus Pocus’ is actually a 17th century mansion. Today, it is part of the Essex Peabody museum and you can tour the inside or visit the gardens at the rear of the house.
Other locations that require a bit more travel include:
- Salem Pioneer Village: (98 West Ave, Salem) Salem Village, as seen in the opening scenes of Hocus Pocus, is indeed a living history museum. Located near the water and built in 1930 for Massachusett’s 300th anniversary, the thatched roofed buildings can be toured on weekends during warmer months.
- Max and Dani’s House: (4 Ocean Avenue, Salem) The house used as the Dennison’s house is now a private residence (so please be respectful if taking photos outside). (Anyone else just love the perfectly New England tower on top of the house?)
Snap a Bewitched Statue Photo
While the Sanderson Sisters are perhaps the most famous witches of Salem in popular culture, they come from a long line of magical movie witches. From the Wicked Witch of the West in ‘The Wizard of Oz’ to ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’ to Marvel’s Agatha Harkness, witches have played important roles in American tv and film.
The Bewitched Statue in Salem honors the beloved tv show ‘Bewitched’, featuring actress Elizabeth Montgomery in her role as Samantha. The seventh season of the show was filmed in Salem in 1970.
Grab a Bite at a Local Salem Restaurant
As tourism has now become one of Salem’s biggest industries, you’ll find lots of fun places to grab a bite to eat. Some of our favorites included:
- All Souls Lounge: A fun little bar with slight vintage vibes serving excellent snacks like hot dogs and pretzels.
- Ledger Restaurant: Located inside an old bank, Ledger is the place to go for a fancy (and delicious) night out.
- Old Main Street Pub: A cozy place to stop for lunch after visiting the Salem Witch Museum, they have lots of beer on tap and belly-filling pub food.
Honorable Mentions
I could have used just one more afternoon to explore just a few more places in Salem. I guess I’ll just have to visit again next year to visit the following:
- Peabody Essex Museum: One of the oldest continuously operating museums in America, this art museum contains works from around the world, including Africa, Korea, China, and India.
- Salem Pioneer Village: To complete my ‘Hocus Pocus’ filming location bingo card, I still want to visit the afore mentioned Salem Pioneer Village (and just see if I can find Thackery Binx).
- The House of Seven Gables: Made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel of the same name, the House of Seven Gables is a colonial mansion available for tours.
- The Witch Dungeon Museum: For a more in-depth witch trial experience, visiting the Witch Dungeon allows you to watch a reenactment of one of the Salem Witch Trials followed by a tour of the dungeons.
Visiting Salem, MA had been on my bucket list for so long that I was thrilled to finally explore it myself! It’s a fun place to see, whether it’s around Halloween or not. (In fact, I think going just post-Halloween might be the best time to go! It’s still in its fall glory, but not as packed.)
Have you been to Witch City? What are your favorite things to do in Salem?
Save this post for future Salem trips!
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