33 Salem, Massachusetts Popular Attractions To See This Fall

Nicolette Muro

3 years ago

Authorized use of photo by Pascal Bernardon via Unsplash

Salem church — Authorized use of photo by Pascal Bernardon via Unsplash

Salem, Massachusetts, is one of my favorite places to visit during the fall. It’s a quaint, coastal New England city complete with brick buildings and whimsical local stores. It’s best-known for the 1692 Salem Witch Trials that took place here, and it served as the filming location for the popular Halloween movie “Hocus Pocus.” If you’re a Halloween and a fall fanatic, then you have to come here! The town goes all-out for Autumn, so you can transport yourself into an orange and red wonderland with tasty treats, decorations, and rich New England history. Pop into one of the Witch Trial museums or take a ghost tour. Either way, you’ll find something festive to do here during the Spooky Season.

* Salem gets VERY busy during the fall and Halloween season. Before planning your trip or traveling, make sure to look into COVID restrictions and regulations, so you’re well-prepared and know what to expect. 🙂 Here are 33 Salem, Massachusetts Popular Attractions To See This Fall.

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Popular Salem Museums and Landmarks

1. The Witch House

The Witch House was the 17th century home of Judge Jonathon Corwin, one of the judges during the Witch Trials. Unlike the other popular Salem tourist attractions, this house has ties to the Witch Trials. It’s located at 310 Essex Street, and it’s open from Mid-March to November from 10 am-5 pm. Tours cost $9 and must be purchased in advance from the Witch Museum website, witchmueseum.org.

2. The House Of The Seven Gables

The House Of The Seven Gables is a colonial mansion with gables. Nathaniel Hawthorne’s popular 1851 novel is set here too. It’s located at 115 Derby Street, and it’s open from Mid-July-October from 10 am-6 pm. Tickets cost $20 for general admission, and you can purchase them from the Seven Gables website, 7gables.org. The hours are subject to change, depending on the pandemic. Check the website frequently for COVID and ticket updates.

3. Salem Witch Museum

The Salem Witch Museum includes a two-part presentation about the Witch Trials with every ticket purchase. The first presentation is a theatrical performance in an auditorium about Salem life in 1692. The second is a depiction of witchcraft trials and the perception of witches. The museum is located at 19 1/2 N Washington Square, and it’s open from 10 am- 5 pm all year. The museum offers extended hours during October. General admission is $15, and you can purchase tickets on the Witch Museum website, salemwitchmuseum.com.

4. Peabody Essex Museum

The Peabody Essex Museum is the oldest in the United States, and you can see New England artwork and tour historic properties. The museum frequently holds special exhibitions and events here. It’s located on 161 Essex Street, and it’s open from 10 am-5 pm. Tickets cost $20 for general admission and must be purchased in advance from the museum website, www.pem.org.

5. Salem Witch Village

This is the local downtown area where you can find museums, gift shops, restaurants, and more to visit. You can take a guided tour by a practicing witch here to learn more about witches and history. Witch Village is located at 282 Derby Street, and the prices and times range depending on what you do.

6. Witch Dungeon Museum

You can watch a reenactment of the Witch Trials here and then take a tour of the dungeons people accused of witchcraft stayed in. The museum is located at 16 Lynde Street, and it’s open from 10 am-5 pm April-November. Call for more information and ticket prices, or visit the website, www.witchdungeon.com

7. Philip’s House

A historic New England home complete with vintage carriages and cars. It’s one of the only historic mansions available for the public to tour. It’s located on 34 Chestnut Street, and it’s open Saturdays and Sundays 11 am- 4 pm during October. General admission is $15, and you can purchase tickets online at www.historicnewengland.org.

8. Witch History Museum

Experience a live presentation of the 1692 Witch Trials and take a guided tour with life-sized Salem scenes afterward. The museum is located on 197 Essex Street, and it’s open 10 am-5 pm April-November, with extended hours in October. Call or visit the website, www.witchhistorymuseum.com, for more information.

9. Salem Wax Museum

Here, you’ll find wax figures about Salem history, from the Witch Trials to seafarers. It’s located at 288 Derby Street, and the hours are subject to change per month depending on COVID regulations. Tickets cost $10 for general admission and can be purchased from www.salemwaxmuseum.com.

10. Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery

This is a newer attraction, and it’s a cinematic monster museum. It’s a horror lover’s paradise with life-sized displays. The museum is located at 217 Essex Street, and it’s open 10 am-6 pm. General admission is $11, and you can purchase tickets at www.nightmaregallery.com.

11. Old Burying Point Cemetery

Visit Salem’s oldest cemetery, where prominent figures were buried. It’s located at 51 Charter Street, and it’s open from 10 am- 6 pm.

12. Salem Witch Trials Memorial

Benches made of granite with the names and execution dates of Witch Trial victims are located around the property. There are also six locust trees here that symbolize the injustices the victims faced. It’s open from dawn to dusk, and it’s located at 24 Liberty Street.

13. Bewitched Statue

This statue is a famous landmark of Salem. It’s in honor of the TV show “Bewitched” and its seventh season filmed here. It’s located at 235 Essex Street.

14. Hamilton Hall

Hamilton Hall is one of the most iconic American Federal buildings. It served as a gathering place for Salem residents in the 1800s. It’s located at 9 Chestnut Street. Contact for more information. The website is www.hamiltonhall.org.

Popular Salem Gift Shops and Stores

1. Crow Haven Corner

Crow Haven Corner is Salem’s oldest witch store. It sells books, candles, jewelry, and more. It’s located at 125 Essex Street, and It’s open from 10 am to 9 pm.

2. Omen: Psychic Parlor & Witchcraft Emporium

Visit psychic mediums or witness a séance. You can purchase crystals, candles, spell kits, incense, and more from here. It’s located at 184 Essex Street, and it’s open from 11 am to 7 pm.

3. Hex: Old World Witchery

A local witchcraft shop that sells potions, jewelry, candles, books, incense, and more. You can also get a psychic reading done. The shop is located at 246 Essex Street, and it’s open from 11 am to 7 pm.

4. Emporium 32

A gift shop that sells books, brooches, clothing, magical supplies, and more. It’s located at 6 Central Street, and it’s open from 11 am- 6 pm most days.

5. Magika

A gift shop that offers psychic readings and sells everything from books, candles, jewelry, and more. It’s located at 107 Federal Street, and it’s open from 12 pm- 6 pm during weekdays with extended weekend hours.

6. The Coven’s Cottage

An authentic witch shop that offers a wide selection of herbs, crystals, tarot decks, books, balms, and more. It’s located at 190 Essex Street, and it’s open from 11 am- 5 pm most days. Hours vary, so check online before visiting.

Popular Walking Tours

1. History and Hauntings of Salem Tour By Witch City Walking Tours

The most popular 120-minute walking tour Salem offers! This tour covers all things witchy, haunted, historical, and Hocus Pocus-themed. Historians, locals, and teachers lead the tours. The headquarters is located at 32 Derby Square, and tour times vary depending on the month. The general admission price is $25 for adults, and you can visit the website, www.witchcitywalkingtours.com, for more information and book tickets.

2. Salem Night Tour

This historical and haunted tour takes place every night at 8 pm beginning in July. A licensed guide runs you through the history of Salem in 1692. The entire walking tour lasts for an hour and 20 minutes. The headquarters is located at 127 Essex Street, and you can check the website for more information at www.salemghosttours.com. General admission is $25 per ticket.

3. Salem Voodoo, Vampires, and Ghosts Guided Walking Tour By Spellbound Tours

One of Salem’s original and most popular supernatural tours. Paranormal investigators take you through a tour of the Witch Trials, vampire folklore, and voodoo in Salem. Tours are offered at 8 pm every night from April to Mid-November. The tours meet at Armory Park Bell, and you can visit the website for more information at www.spellboundtours.com. The general admission price is $18 for adults.

4. Salem Witch Trials Historical Walking Tour By Haunted Footsteps & Salem Historical Tours

Take a walking tour of 1692 witch history and learn about the theories that made Salem famous. The tour office is located at 8 Central Street, and the tours are available at 1 pm and 4 pm. The walking tour is 90-minutes long. General admission for adults is $20, and you can check the website for more information at www.salemhistoricaltours.com.

5. Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour in Salem

Salem’s history and ghost stories via your smartphone. The tour includes about an hour of narration and takes around three hours to complete. Start the tour at the Ropes Mansion, and find your way through historical and spooky locations in Salem for an affordable price of $20. Head to www.fareharbor.com to learn more!

6. Salem and Witchcraft Historical Walking Tour By Better Than Fiction Tours

A lively tour of Witch Trials and history. Meet at 15 Front Street for a 90-minute tour to begin. General admission is $25, and you can visit the website, www.btftours.com, for more information!

Popular Hocus Pocus Movie Locations

1. Max and Dani’s House

The house Max and Dani lived in is a real place you can visit! Although you can’t go inside because actual residents live there, you can drive by and stop for photos at this beautiful oceanside home. It’s located at 4 Ocean Avenue. It’s a bit of a drive from the downtown area and the rest of the filming locations, but the pretty historic homes and seaside drive make up for it!

2. Old Burial Hill Cemetery

This is the cemetery used in most of the cemetery scenes in Hocus Pocus! Max’s sneakers got stolen here when he first moved in. Yup, that was filmed here in Marblehead, MA, just a short ride from Salem.

3. Thackery Binx’s House & Village

The house and village used in the beginning of Hocus Pocus can be found here in Salem Village, most commonly known as Pioneer Village. It’s located at 98 West Avenue. Tours of the park occur June-September. Tickets cost $5 for general admission, and you can visit the website for more information at www.pioneervillagesalem.org.

4. Old Town Hall

The town hall is known for the Halloween party Max and Dani’s parents attend in Hocus Pocus! You can go inside and visit the Salem Museum here today. It’s located at 32 Derby Square, and you can visit the website for more information at www.salem.com.

5. Salem Common

Many of the outdoor scenes featured in Hocus Pocus were filmed here, such as when Max attempts to hit on Allison after school. It’s located in N Washington Square.

6. Philips Elementary School (Max & Allison’s School)

This is the high school Max and Allison attend in Hocus Pocus. Remember the Halloween Day classroom scene where Max says he doesn’t believe in witches? It’s filmed here! You can’t go inside the building, but you can drive by or stop for photos. It’s located at 86 Essex Street.

7. The Rope’s Mansion (Allison’s House)

The mansion Allison lives in during the Hocus Pocus movie! Max and Dani stopped by her Halloween party while they were trick-or-treating. You can visit the gardens for free all year, but the mansion is free to visitors from July-October. Check out the website, www.pem.org, for more information! It’s located at 318 Essex Street.

Thanks so much for reading, and enjoy your trip to Salem! 🙂