Spending The Day in Salem Massachusetts

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When I was 10 I saw Hocus Pocus. Can we just take a moment to first appreciate how awesome that movie was? It was then that I realized Salem Massachusetts was a real place. Which made sense as to why the movie was about witches, because the real place had been all about witches.

I was fascinated. Anything supernatural still grabs my attention right away. So I’ve wanted to visit Salem ever since then. The real Salem didn’t disappoint, and while it might be a little touristy it’s a great place for a visit – especially on a New England road trip.

I also remember reading The Crucible at school. I was completely mesmerized by the story. It was unfathomable to me how such mass hysteria based on nothing but finger pointing and superstition could take over so quickly and cause so much damage. Actual deaths of people too. Of course that was before internet where a callous comment can go viral in minutes. The internet age and Salem Massachusetts in 1692 have some similarities after all.

Salem is the perfect day trip from Boston, and is easily reached from the city. So let’s talk about witches and everything else that makes Salem a fun place to visit.

Where is Salem?

Salem is a small town north of Boston in Massachusetts. The New England region has so much history that it’s a place I’ve always been interested in. Of course the majority of it does not put the British in a favorable light, so I put on my best Canadian accent and kept my head down. I’m kidding, the people of Boston were so welcoming, and were great at joking around with the Brits as they told their stories.

Salem is not far from Boston, about an hour if you take the ferry or 30 minutes if you go by train. It is ideal for a couple of days if you really want to soak up some of that small town feel – not that Boston really feels like a huge city. It was time to go and see the sights, learn about some witchcraft, and hopefully live to tell the tale.

Getting to Salem Massachusetts

If you’re in the area for a few days you could look at renting a car. There are a number of places to visit all around the New England area. But for visitors to Boston looking to make a Salem trip, there are two main ways to get there – ferry or train. We opted to take the ferry there, and train back.

Boston Harbor Cruises ferry

The Boston to Salem ferry leaves from Boston harbor. It takes about an hour and is a really nice ferry ride. Around $25 one way or $45 return. It got a little bit choppy at times, but I don’t mind the water. Leaving from Boston is easier as a lot of days the last ferry from Salem is around 4pm so you might be rushing.

Instead I found it better to get a morning ferry from Boston leaving at 9:30. The ferry has a little snack bar to purchase items, and is first come first served seating around the boat. There are outdoor areas if, like me, you want to take some great photos of the Boston skyline as you leave.

MBTA Commuter train

The train takes about 30 minutes and is about $7.50 one way for an adult fare. We took the train from Salem later in the afternoon and arrived into Boston’s North Station, still pretty central to the downtown area. It was a commuter train so nothing fancy, but quick and easy to get back.

I did spend a lot of time looking for a ticket booth or ticket machine in Salem but as it turns out you just pay for the tickets onboard. The train is quicker, but if you have more time the ferry is a lovely way to travel at least one way.

What is there to do in Salem Massachusetts?

Every day is Hallowe’en in Salem. The town feels like a Colonial Hogwarts, bordering on the verge of Vegas-like tacky but not quite there. Don’t get me wrong, I love when a town finds it’s niche and runs with this – much like the Canadian dinosaur town of Drumheller.

Salem is one of those places. It’s all about the witches. It’s a lovely town, but if it weren’t for the most famous trials in history (beaten maybe only by the OJ Simpson trial) then this town wouldn’t really be on the map.

But it is on the map. In all it’s supernatural glory. There are witch references everywhere. Although I was a little surprised that it wasn’t too busy when I went there at the end of May. I would have classed that as the start of peak season. But I guess for a town that thrives on the paranormal, October is the time to go.

So you’ve made it to Salem – now what? Here are some of the best things to do in this New England town.

The House of the Seven Gables

If like me you took the ferry to Salem, you will make your way past some awesome looking houses on old streets with a small town feel. History oozes at every turn. I found it quaint if not a little sleepy. But walking towards the center of Salem, the first place you’ll pass is the House of Seven Gables.

This old 17th century mansion gives you an idea of how things would have looked around the witch trials era. The house was used as inspiration in a novel by the same name. Written by author Nathaniel Hawthorne whose ancestor, James Hathorne was one of the judges in the trials (and apparently a potential reason Nathaniel changed the spelling of his name).

Witch House Salem

Continuing with the theme of houses, the Witch House as it is now known, is the only building left in Salem Massachusetts directly tied to the witch trials. This house was owned by one of the judges in the trials, Jonathan Corwin. The house is actually on the road that leads to the train station so is a great visit before you leave Salem (or as you arrive if getting there by train).

I found the house more than a little creepy given it’s exterior appearance and creaky floorboards, but beautiful inside. There are stories inside of the house, the family who lived there, and some of the events of 1692.

The house is small when full of people, and you might be bumping into each other if you’re there during a really busy time. But for us it was a nice way to spend an hour, walking through the house and soaking up all the history.

Salem Witch Museum

I had high hopes for the Witch Museum. There are museums all around Salem, all of which promise to give the best re-enactments and theatrical performances. I went with the Salem Witch Museum because it seemed like the most official one.

To be honest I wasn’t really looking to have someone dressed as a witch re-enact the trial in front of me. But one of those might have been a little more updated than the museum I ended up at.

Don’t get me wrong, the information was there. I learned a lot. It’s a great overview of the Salem Massachusetts story. However when I learned we would be told the stories of Salem I erroneously assumed it would be from a person. Instead myself and 50 of my closest fellow tourists were ushered into a dark room and someone hit a play button.

The outdated models of historical figures lit up as their part came up. Not exactly what I was expecting. Next we learned about witches through the ages. This was a little more interactive with a real life guide. For $13 I expected a little more, but I got the stories I wanted. If I went back I might look at some of the other museums.

Shop for everything witch related

Spells, potions, wands. Salem has it all. I feel like there are more crystal balls in the town of Salem Massachusetts than everywhere else in the United States. Everyone is a witch or a psychic and has their own shop where you can buy sage and crystals until your heart is content. It’s kind of a cool experience, and you will probably buy more than you would ever have imagined.

What I do love about Salem is the number of book stores, or stores with great books about witches. Historical fiction, real life accounts of the trials in 1692 and books about witch lore and all other supernatural awesomeness.

There are more Harry Potter souvenirs than you can shake a broomstick at, and you’ll even be able to get a head start on your Hallowe’en costume. There are some great clothing stores too, with lovely vintage inspired dresses and witch related t-shirts.

If, like me, you love Fifties style outfits, check out Modern Millie in the center of Salem. You’ll need a second mortgage because you’ll want to buy everything there. Just ask my friend Heather who “accidentally” spent a small fortune in there after I told her about it last week. On the plus side, she’s gonna rock the next 50s party we go to.

Visit the Salem Cemetery

Not your typical tourist activity, but a visit to the Old Burying Point Cemetery in Salem is kind of a must. I actually kind of like the peace and calm of a cemetery, usually they have nice flowers and have a cool look about them. This one was a little busier than most, and I don’t just mean the permanent residents.

There are a number of historical figures from the time buried here, and a couple Mayflower Puritans. Looks out for the Star Spangled banners identifying the really important people.

Everyone of course was on the lookout for graves from the accused of the witch trials. Spoiler alert though – convicted witches don’t get proper burials. But the really nice thing I thought was the tribute just outside the cemetery walls.

There are 20 granite benches, one for each of those who were tried and executed for being witches. Each has the name of the person accused, date of death and how they died, often with fresh flowers adorning the simple markers. Hauntingly beautiful, yet incredibly tragic.

See all of the old buildings

Salem Massachusetts is full of beautiful buildings, colonial inspired mansions and coastal town houses. The colorful houses were lovely, and if a house was known to have been built for a particular person there was a plaque outside.

From the dock where the ferry arrives/leaves from, you walk along Derby Street towards the town. All along the walk are these incredible houses, especially if you take some detours down the side streets.

The Salem Custom House is a grand building from the early 19th Century that just screams historical significance. Near the train station on Washington Street is the Tabernacle Church in Salem.

Another historical building and a great place to check out. Further up on Washington Street towards the main street of Salem is City Hall, similar style to the Custom House in many ways.

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

Along Derby Street opposite the Salem Custom House is the maritime historical site. There are some more old buildings around the park here, but the best thing were the views into the harbor. Walk along the wharf out into the harbor. You can see all the harborside properties and the small boats. Very New England picturesque.

It was a nice hot day when I was there and there were dozens of people sitting on the grass reading a book, or lazing in the sun. Families were playing in the park and eating a picnic. It really was a nice place. The historic storehouse at the beginning of the wharf is another great representation of Salem’s history – not all to do with witches. Walking along this area is a refreshing change if you’re all witched out for the day.

Bewitched by Salem Massachusetts

I was fascinated with Salem from the moment I arrived, in the same way that I’m working through all the serial killer shows on Netflix. I know you do that too. The weird fascination with horrible things that have happened is human nature. Salem is no different. That’s probably the main reason people visit this otherwise sleepy town. Witches.

A trip to Salem Massachusetts is like being transported back in time to 1692. Everything is about witches, the witch trials, and honestly the awful things people have done to each other. With all of the gift shops, re-enactments and kitschy witch-related references it’s easy to forget that this was a real thing that happened.

I did like the number of museums and places that told the history and the stories of the accused. It humanized the events of the 17th Century and brought the stories and people back to life.

The commercialization of witches and Salem can detract from the real history a little bit. But if you make an effort to walk away from Essex Street and explore some more of this quaint little town, I’m sure you’ll enjoy your time as much as I did.

If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Have you been to Salem Massachusetts? What was your favorite part? What other day trips from Boston are you interested in?