Spooky Season in Salem — Must-Do Activities for 2024
Attention, fellow goblins and ghouls: Spooky Season is officially upon us!
If you’re like me, you look forward to Halloween more than any other time of year. Perhaps this is because it’s the perfect excuse to play pretend — as an adult — by dressing up in your cutest Halloween costume.
Or maybe it’s because you can gorge yourself on Hershey’s Kisses while blasting “This is Halloween” as loud as the volume will go, without your mom reprimanding you.
But if you’re hoping to do more this spooky season than watch Hocus Pocus for the billionth time or bake Jack Skellington-shaped cookies, fear not — we’ve got you covered.
A trip to Salem, Massachusetts, is a fantastic way to celebrate this month’s festivities, as the town is tailor-made for spooktacular fun.
With Salem buzzing with excitement this spooky season, let’s explore some of the best activities happening in town… That’s if you dare.
Take a Candlelit Ghost Tour
The very thought of a candlelit ghost tour is enough to give me chills. What could be more frightful and thrilling than strolling along Salem’s most haunted sites with only candlelight to guide you?
In this particular walking tour, each person is given a lit-up lantern so you can see your way in the dark. The tour guide will lead you for approximately an hour across some of the scariest sites Salem has to offer. While wandering from the graveyard to the apple orchard, your guide shares the most haunting ghost stories that relate to various places along the way.
While Salem offers countless scary tours, the Candlelight Ghost Tour stands out, having delighted visitors for over three decades.
Get tickets now for $20 bucks a person.
Explore ‘Phantoms by Firelight’ at Old Sturbridge village
A fan-favorite experience for witchy enthusiasts can be found at the Old Sturbridge Village Museum. If you’ve ever wanted to transport back in time to 1800s New England, here’s precisely how to do it. Just head on over to this outdoor museum to explore a stunning old-world landscape rich with historical architecture from centuries past.
Although the museum is vibrant year-round, it truly comes alive during spooky season. The staff hosts a variety of exciting events for their Phantoms by Firelight extravaganza, running throughout October.
If you’ve ever yearned to hear ghost stories while sitting around the bonfire, now’s your chance. Check out the haunting performances of fire dancers and acrobats, which are sure to leave you mesmerized — as well as sliiiightly terrified.
Phantoms by Firelight features spooky carnival games, hair-raising scavenger hunts, and festive snacks. After all, what would the festivities be without some steamed apple cider, witches’ brew, and pumpkin cheesecake? Frightfully delicious.
Go Shopping at Witchy Boutiques
Sick of all the predictable Halloween decorations that Target sells? Perhaps you’re looking for more authentic trinkets and knick-knacks than the cartoonish stock you’ll find at Party City. Or maybe you simply want to sift through all the spell books and pagan decor scattered throughout the shop.
Look no further than Salem, Massachusetts, for the best witchy boutiques. My favorites are The Cauldron Black and Enchanted Shop on Wharf Street, as well as Hex Old World Witchery on Essex.
At these authentic witch boutiques, you can find dried flowers, endless crystals, witchy incense, spell books, candles, tarot decks, and more. With the reasonable prices, kind service, and an outstanding selection of goodies, you’ll have a blast scoping out the shops.
Note: If you’re on a tight budget, window shopping is just as much fun since there are so many festive items on display!
Check out Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery
Calling all horror movie buffs! If you’re a fan of classic movie monsters, you owe it to yourself to visit Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery, a museum entirely dedicated to them. From Beetlejuice and Frank N’ Furter to Pennywise the Dancing Clown, you’ll find all the scariest life-sized monsters in cinematic history. (An activity not for the faint of heart.)
There’s also an awesome gift shop filled with trinkets and costumes featuring nearly every pop culture villain and monster you can imagine.
(So does this mean I can take home a cardboard cutout of Edward Scissorhands?)
Book tickets for the Hocus Pocus Movie Locations Tour
Why go to Salem if you’re not going to check out the Hocus Pocus filming locations? It’s like spending a day at Disney World without stepping foot in Magic Kingdom!
Unleash your inner Sanderson sister by touring the most iconic spots from the most iconic Halloween classic. During the tour, you’ll explore the town hall, as well as the haunting graveyard from the end of the 1993 film.
Not only will you get to visit the unforgettable filming destinations, but you’ll also be let in on all the juiciest behind-the-scenes facts.
If any Salem tour is bound to put a spell on you, it’s this one. Tickets sell at $55 bucks per person.
Dine at Witch City Hibachi for scary good sushi
Hey, even witches need a reprieve from all that spell-casting and hexing, right? Take a break from guzzling all those cauldron brews and magical elixirs you’ve been stirring up and have a cocktail instead at this spookily delish establishment.
Witch City Hibachi is a favorite for Salem enthusiasts, thanks to its mouthwatering menu and festive atmosphere. With its spooky season decor and witchy dining options, you’ll be utterly bewitched by this one-of-a-kind dining experience.
Signature chef sushi rolls include Witchy City (shrimp tempura), Hex (mango, avocado, and lobster tempura), Dancing Girl (real blue crab, avocado, and jalapeno,) and Salem (salmon, tuna, and yellowtail.)
Set Sail Aboard These Halloween Cruises
While it’s a haunting treat to explore the cobblestone streets of Salem, it’s just as chilling and thrilling to set sail among the haunted seas. During the month of October, Salem offers several unforgettable Halloween cruise experiences.
A favorite amongst spooky season enthusiasts is the classic Haunted Happening Harbor Cruise. This 90 minute experience includes several fang-tastic activities, from spooky storytelling, costumes, face painting, tarot card readings, and live entertainment.
Hop on the Salem Trolley
If your feet are fatigued from walking around all day, hop on a Salem Trolley for an unforgettable tour of the Witchy City. Not only will you be filled in on all the inside scoop regarding the Salem Witch Trials, but you’ll also learn all about Salem’s maritime and literary roots as well.
Of course you’re welcome to sit back and relax while enjoying the tour, but you can also hop on or off at your leisure, depending on which destination you’re eager to explore next!
Check Out the History and Hauntings of Salem Tour
Last, but certainly not least, you must check out the History and Hauntings of Salem Tour while on your trip. For the most haunting experience, book your tickets for nighttime so you’ll be led by lantern light.
This top-rated walking tour will take you through all the most spooktacular spots in town, rich with historical tales and witchy lore.
For $32 bucks a ticket, you can get all the inside scoop regarding the Witch House, Burying Point Cemetery, the McIntire District, and more. By the end of this guided walking tour, you’ll be an expert on the most chilling town in New England.
