Salem, MA: Part II

Where to stay? Firstly: If you want to go in October, book no later than December. I know that sounds over-the-top, but if you want prime location, comfortability, etc. then getting that booked first is your number one priority. And when you do, consider the Salem Waterfront Hotel! Or, the Hawthorne Hotel, if you’re lucky enough to snag a spot in October. The Salem Waterfront is within walking distance of everything!

Should I rent a car? If Salem is your only stop, then no. It’s a 30-40 minute Uber from the Logan airport and parking is extremely difficult in October. The town itself is very walkable! If you’re a Hocus Pocus fan, there are a couple sites to visit not in the downtown area that are a 5-7 minute Uber away.

Where should I go to eat? Let’s start with breakfast. Salem has a handful of staples and one of them is Gulu-Gulu Cafe. Also, check out Ledger for their brunch (Sundays only!) or Lulu’s Bakery. Your lunch should be had at The Derby, The Lobster Shanty, or any other options from my visit in 2020 here. Book high tea at Jolie Tea Company, especially on a rainy day! Dinner is best at All Souls and The Tavern. Hit up Salem’s speakeasy Hallowed Ground or Bit Bar for a nightcap. Do not leave Salem without a late night cookie and milk from Goodnight Fatty.

What activities should I do? One of my favorite things I’ve done is get my aura photo taken at HausWitch. It was so meaningful and the witches who run the place are the best. The weekend we were there, the Haunted Happenings Marketplace was taking place outdoors and was full of local and non-local vendors where we found tons of sweet trinkets. A ghost tour is a must and I’ve used Salem Ghost Tour twice now! To get a comprehensive history of the witch trials, snag a ticket at the Salem Witch Museum. Another super fun activity was going to the drag shadow performance of The Shining at Cinema Salem (pay them queens!). Be sure to go to the Halloween Museum to look at Salem memorabilia and Halloween trinkets of decades past.