Plan A Spooky Road Trip to Salem, Massachusetts

Oct 24, 2025

Today we’re headed to Salem on our next road trip guide! You may know Salem, Massachusetts thanks to its appearances in movies like Hocus Pocus and The Crucible, but it was also once a great port hub for travel and trade in the Colonia era of New England’s history. The city is always bustling with visitors thanks to its unique ties to the infamous Salem Witch Trials, but there’s so much more to see and do! The town welcomes more than 1 million visitors for the season, and hosts a slew of parades, parties, vendor events, craft shows, special events and performances, and a costume-friendly atmosphere. If you do choose to visit during Halloween season, be sure to check out the Salem Haunted Happenings calendar online.

From historic house tours to fine dining to unique shopping and boutiques, you simply must add this town to your road trip bucket list. While it’s most popular during Autumn thanks to its ingrained Halloween vibes, it welcomes visitors all year round and is actually much nicer to visit in the “off-season” if you don’t want to deal with lines and crowds. But seeing as it’s officially Halloween month, we thought we’d share some of our favorite spooky destinations and historic sites, in case you’d like to make a weekend getaway at the last minute.

Must-See Attractions and Activities to Enjoy in Salem Massachusetts All Year Long

The Witch House is the only remaining structure with direct ties to the historic 1692 Witch Trials. It’s the former home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, and offers visitors the chance to view life in the 17th century first hand. It’s a short stop on your tour through town, as you can see most of the artifacts and creepy rooms in about 30 minutes. There are numerous physical artifacts and antiques on display, and lots of plaques and educational materials to explain the significance. Only 10 people are allowed in at a time, making it a very calm and relaxing experience.

Peabody Essex Museum is a cultural history and art museum combining the Essex Institute and the East Indian Marine Society. In particular, the facility has a world-class Asian Art Collection, one of the most well-renowned in the world, in fact. With more than 1 million pieces and 22 historic buildings to explore, this is a must-see during your visit. Other collections include 3,600+ pieces of African Art, a large collection of American Art including 1,000+ portraits, over 6.000 Chinese Artworks, a collection of historic fashion and textiles, more than 5,000 objects in their Indian Art Collection, 18,000+ Japanese artworks and collectibles, 1,800+ pieces of Korean Art, 20,000 pieces of Native American art and sculptures, and a large selection of Maritime Artworks! The museum’s Photography Collection originated in 1840 and is the largest single collection by number of objects, with more than 850,000 images! And of course, you have to stop by the Phillips Library, with an expansive collection of rare books and manuscripts.

Ropes Mansion is lovingly referred to by movie fans as “Allison’s House” in Hocus Pocus! This 18th century mansion is a historic home with a sprawling, expertly curated garden out back. The grounds are just begging for a peaceful stroll admiring the flowers, butterflies, and the charming songbirds. It’s also a great place to snag some photo ops when you’re done with the self guided tour both inside and out.

House of the Seven Gables offers tours of this historic 1668 colonial mansion, made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851novel by the same name. Built and owned by merchant and ship-owner John Turner, it was later sold to Captain Samuel Ingersoll, who left it to his daughter Susanna, cousin of Hawthorne’s! Later, in the early 1900s, the home was purchased with the intention of becoming both a museum and non-profit Settlement House to assist immigrant families in Salem.

Salem Willows Park is a charming little ocean front park offering food, games, family-friendly attractions, and delicious food! A stop here makes a wonderful break from all the historic tours for the younger tourists.

Salem Maritime National Historic Park preserves and interprets more than 600 years of New England maritime history, featuring 12 historic structures, a replica tall-ship, and 9 acres of park lands with trails, gardens, and more to explore.

The Satanic Temple is the official religious headquarters of the church, and opened its doors in 2016 in a former Victorian funeral home. The site includes the Salem Art Gallery, featuring a Fine Art Room, Library, Milton Hall Exhibition Space, and other unique artifacts and artworks. It is open to the public most days, but please be mindful as it is a functioning house of worship and should be respected the same as any church grounds.

Salem Witch Museum allows visitors to enjoy an immersive look into the historic Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s, told through dramatic interpretation through stage sets, life-sized figures, stage lighting, actors, and narration.

Take a full tour around the city. A jaunt down Essex Street will bring you past numerous historic homes, small museums, galleries, and a plethora of boutique shops to spend hours perusing and shopping. A stroll down Derby Street or Chestnut Street will bring you around the neighbourhoods viewing historic buildings and homes with classic New England Charm. Embark on a guided tour of the city at night with the Specters and Apparitions Ghost Hunting Tour. Head on over to the harbor as well for some unique history and local tours including the Haunted Happenings Harbor Cruise, Lighthouse and Foliage Cruise, and the Eerie Stories on Salem Sound Tour.

Oak + Moss is a brick and mortar store offering modern, chic and botanical inspired furniture and kitchenwares, gorgeous custom planters and plant pots, a curated selection of giftable bath and body products, handmade and eco-friendly candles, and a large variety of houseplants both potted and air-plant variety.

Wicked Good Books and Silly Bunny Toys is a woman and neurodivergent owned indie bookstore and shop duo that has become a notable, growing presence in the community since 2014. Now in a larger, more expanded space, the shop offers a number of special events, author meet and greets, book signings, and a literary festival. The store’s owner and employees are very involved in the community, as well as focusing on support of indie authors, publishers, and makers to provide a curated collection of unique gifts and wares.

HausWitch is a modern metaphysical shop offering vintage and second hand furnishings, handmade artisanal goods by local artists, and unique collectibles by indie makers. If you’re looking to curate your home with whimsical and eclectic artwork and crafts, this is the place to go!

Blackcraft Clothing is a combination retailer of unique goods with gothic and Halloween themes. Enjoy clothing and accessories tailored for adults, children, and even pets! The atmosphere is to die for, especially thanks to the delicious Blackcraft Coffee shop counter, offering handcrafted drinks and one-of-a-kind treats. Grab your drink and shop around the store while you sip.

VampFangs shop offers unique vampire themed gifts, vampire lifestyle accessories, special FX makeup including custom-fit vampire fangs, and so much more. Plus, it’s located right across the street from the Bewitched Statue!