There are few places that embrace spooky season quite like Salem, Massachusetts.
Best known for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, Salem has transformed into one of New England's most popular fall destinations. Come October, historic streets fill with pumpkins, costumes, street performers and Halloween events. But Salem is much more than witches and Halloween.
Between its historic homes, waterfront, museums, cobblestone streets, quirky shops and Hocus Pocus filming locations, Salem is worth exploring whether you visit during peak spooky season or another time of year.
If you're planning your first trip to the Witch City, this guide covers the best things to do in Salem, Massachusetts, where to find the Hocus Pocus filming locations, what to expect during Salem Haunted Happenings, and a few things you'll want to know before visiting.
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✨ Best Things to Do in Salem, Massachusetts
Salem may be famous for witches and Halloween, but there’s so much more to explore beyond its spooky reputation. From diving into the history of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials and hunting down iconic Hocus Pocus filming locations to wandering historic streets, visiting centuries-old homes and experiencing the city’s legendary Halloween festivities, Salem packs a surprising amount into its walkable downtown. Whether you’re here for the history, the hauntings or simply the fall vibes, these are the best things to do in Salem, Massachusetts.
🧙 Learn About the Salem Witch Trials
You can't visit Salem without learning about the events that made the city famous.
The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 resulted in more than 200 people being accused of witchcraft and 20 people being executed. Today, several locations around Salem tell their stories.
One of the most meaningful places to visit is the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, located beside the historic Charter Street Cemetery. The memorial features stone benches bearing the names of the victims.
Nearby, you'll find several museums and attractions dedicated to Salem's witch trial history.
While Halloween has become a huge part of modern Salem, it's worth remembering that the actual witch trials were a very real tragedy. Taking some time to learn the history gives much more context to everything you'll see around the city.
🧙 Salem Witch Museum
One of the most iconic things to do in Salem is visit the Salem Witch Museum, located right across from Salem Common in a dramatic Gothic Revival building that feels perfectly at home in the Witch City.
Despite the name, this isn't a traditional museum filled with rows of artifacts. Instead, the main presentation uses life-size stage sets, dramatic lighting and narration to tell the story of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, from the first accusations to the trials and executions that followed.
Afterward, a second exhibit, Witches: Evolving Perceptions, explores how our image of the “witch” has changed over time and examines the broader themes of witch hunts and scapegoating.
It's important to know what to expect before visiting. The Salem Witch Museum is more of a narrated theatrical experience than a traditional history museum, and its presentation style can feel a little old-school. Still, it's one of Salem's best-known attractions and can be a good introduction to the events of 1692, especially if this is your first visit to the city.
📍 Location: 19 ½ Washington Square North
⏰ Time Needed: About 45 minutes to 1 hour
🎟️ Tickets: Admission required; advance tickets are highly recommended during busy periods, especially October.
💡 Classless Wanderers Tip: The museum is directly across from Salem Common, so it's easy to combine your visit with several nearby Hocus Pocus filming locations.
🧙 The Witch House
If you want to visit a building with an actual connection to the Salem Witch Trials, put the Witch House on your itinerary.
The striking black house was once the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, one of the magistrates involved in the 1692 witchcraft proceedings.
Today, you can tour the house and learn about Corwin, the trials and everyday life in 17th-century New England.
What makes the Witch House particularly significant is that it's the only structure still standing in Salem with direct ties to the Salem Witch Trials.
Even if you don't go inside, it's worth walking past to see the exterior - but history lovers will get much more out of visiting the museum.
📍 Location: 310 ½ Essex Street
⏰ Time Needed: About 30 - 45 minutes
🎟️ Tickets: Admission is required to tour the interior. Hours and ticketing can vary seasonally.
💡 Classless Wanderers Tip: Don't just snap a photo of the famous black exterior and leave. Going inside gives you much more context about everyday life during the period of the Witch Trials.
🧙 Salem Witch Trials Memorial
The Salem Witch Trials Memorial is one of the most important stops you can make in Salem.
Unlike some of the city's more theatrical witch-themed attractions, this is a quiet place dedicated to remembering the victims of the 1692 trials.
The memorial is surrounded by stone walls and features 20 granite benches, each inscribed with the name of a person who was executed, along with the date and method of their death.
Take a few minutes here rather than simply walking through. It's a powerful reminder that behind Salem's modern Halloween celebrations were real people whose lives were destroyed by fear, accusations and injustice.
📍 Location: Liberty Street, beside Charter Street Cemetery
⏰ Time Needed: About 15 - 20 minutes
🎟️ Tickets: Free
💡 Classless Wanderers Tip: Read the names on the benches rather than simply walking through for photos. It's one of the quieter and more meaningful places in Salem and helps put the rest of the city's witch-related attractions into perspective.
🧙 Old Burying Point / Charter Street Cemetery
Right beside the Salem Witch Trials Memorial is Charter Street Cemetery, also known as the Old Burying Point.
Dating back to 1637, it's one of the oldest cemeteries in Massachusetts.
You won't find the graves of the people executed during the Witch Trials here. Those victims were denied traditional Christian burials, and their exact burial locations are largely unknown.
However, several people connected to the trials are buried here, including Judge John Hathorne, one of the magistrates who questioned accused witches and an ancestor of author Nathaniel Hawthorne.
The centuries-old gravestones also make this one of the most atmospheric historic places to walk through in Salem.
📍 Location: 51 Charter Street
⏰ Time Needed: About 20 - 30 minutes
🎟️ Tickets: Free; access and hours may be controlled to protect the historic site.
💡 Classless Wanderers Tip: Visit the cemetery and Salem Witch Trials Memorial together since they're directly beside one another. And remember - despite a common misconception, the people executed during the Witch Trials are not buried here.
🧙 Peabody Essex Museum
The Peabody Essex Museum isn't solely dedicated to the Salem Witch Trials, but it's worth visiting if you want to dig deeper into Salem's history.
Its collection includes original documents and objects related to the Witch Trials, along with extensive exhibits covering Salem's maritime history, art and global connections.
Because exhibitions can change, check what's on display during your visit if Witch Trials history is your main reason for going.
The museum is also connected with several historic Salem properties, including the Ropes Mansion - which Hocus Pocusfans may recognize as Allison's house.
📍 Location: 161 Essex Street
⏰ Time Needed: Allow at least 1½ - 2 hours; museum lovers could easily spend longer.
🎟️ Tickets: Admission required. Check current exhibitions and ticket options before visiting.
💡 Classless Wanderers Tip: If you're primarily interested in the Witch Trials, check the current exhibition schedule before buying tickets. PEM is a large art and cultural museum rather than a museum exclusively devoted to the events of 1692.
🧙 Proctor's Ledge Memorial
For visitors particularly interested in the history of the trials, consider making the trip to Proctor's Ledge.
For centuries, the exact location where the 19 victims sentenced to hanging were executed was uncertain. Historical research eventually identified Proctor's Ledge as the site, and a memorial was dedicated here in 2017.
The memorial is small and located in a residential neighborhood away from Salem's main tourist area, but its historical significance makes it a worthwhile stop.
This isn't an attraction or entertainment venue. It's a place of remembrance, so visit quietly and be respectful of both the memorial and the surrounding neighborhood.
📍 Location: Proctor Street/Pope Street area, Salem
⏰ Time Needed: About 10 - 15 minutes
🎟️ Tickets: Free
💡 Classless Wanderers Tip: Proctor's Ledge is outside the main cluster of downtown attractions and sits within a residential neighborhood. Don't treat it like a photo-op or Halloween attraction - visit respectfully, keep noise down and be considerate of the people who live nearby.
🚶♀️ Walk Essex Street
Essex Street is the heart of downtown Salem and one of the best places to simply wander.
The pedestrian-friendly area is packed with witch-themed shops, boutiques, restaurants, cafés, museums and street performers.
During October, the entire area essentially becomes one giant Halloween celebration.
Give yourself time to explore without an itinerary here. Half the fun of Salem is discovering strange little shops and unexpected corners as you walk.
🏠 Visit The House of the Seven Gables
Literature and history lovers should make time for The House of the Seven Gables.
Built in 1668, the historic home inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1851 novel of the same name. Today, visitors can tour the mansion and learn about Salem's maritime and literary history.
The waterfront location also makes this one of the prettiest historic areas in Salem.
🌳 Wander Through Salem Common
Salem Common is a large green space surrounded by beautiful historic homes.
It's worth visiting on its own, but Hocus Pocus fans have another reason to stop here: several scenes from the movie were filmed around the Common.
Which brings us to...
👻 Take a Ghost Tour
If there’s one place where taking a ghost tour feels practically mandatory, it’s Salem. Once the sun goes down, the Witch City takes on an entirely different atmosphere, making an evening walking tour one of the best ways to experience Salem after dark.
There are plenty of tours to choose from, ranging from spooky ghost walks and haunted history tours to more historically focused tours covering Salem’s darker past. Along the way, you’ll hear stories of alleged hauntings, mysterious deaths, local legends and some of the historic buildings said to be among the most haunted places in Salem.
Even if you’re a skeptic, a ghost tour is a fun way to explore the historic streets at night and hear stories you probably wouldn’t discover while sightseeing on your own.
🎃 Hocus Pocus Filming Locations in Salem
If watching the Sanderson Sisters run amok is part of your annual Halloween tradition, Salem is basically a pilgrimage.
The original 1993 Hocus Pocus filmed several scenes in and around Salem, and many of the locations still look surprisingly familiar.
You can visit most of them yourself or join a guided Hocus Pocus tour to see the filming locations while learning behind-the-scenes facts and stories from the movie.
🎃 Salem Common
📍 N Washington Square, Salem
Several outdoor scenes from Hocus Pocus were filmed around Salem Common.
It's also where you'll find one of the movie's most recognizable buildings nearby: Max and Allison's school.
The Common is particularly beautiful in autumn when the surrounding trees begin changing color.
🎃 Max and Allison’s School – Phillips Elementary School
📍 Near Salem Common
Remember Max complaining about moving to Salem before meeting Allison at school?
The exterior used as Jacob Bailey High School was the former Phillips Elementary School.
The school stopped operating shortly before Hocus Pocus was filmed, making it an ideal filming location.
The building isn't open as a Hocus Pocus attraction, but you can easily see the exterior while exploring Salem Common.
🎃 Old Town Hall – Halloween Party
📍 161 Essex Street
One of the most memorable scenes in the entire movie takes place during the Halloween party where the Sanderson Sisters perform “I Put a Spell on You.”
The exterior shots were filmed at Salem's historic Old Town Hall in Derby Square.
Only the exterior was used for the Salem filming, but standing outside the building is still instantly recognizable for fans of the movie.
It's also conveniently located right in downtown Salem.
🎃 The Ropes Mansion – Allison’s House
📍 318 Essex Street
One of our favorite Hocus Pocus stops is the beautiful Ropes Mansion, which served as the exterior of Allison's house.
Built in the 1700s, the mansion looks almost made for a Halloween movie.
The property is owned by the Peabody Essex Museum, and the gardens behind the mansion are free to visit when open.
Even if you aren't a Hocus Pocus fan, it's worth stopping to see one of Salem's most beautiful historic homes.
🎃 Max and Dani Dennison’s House
📍 4 Ocean Avenue
Yes - the Dennison house is real.
The waterfront home used as Max and Dani's house still stands on Ocean Avenue and is one of the most recognizable Hocus Pocus filming locations.
Important: This is a private residence.
You can view the house from the public street, but please don't walk onto the property, block the driveway or disturb the residents. A quick photo from a respectful distance is all you need.
🎃 Pioneer Village – Salem Village
📍 310 West Avenue
The opening scenes of Hocus Pocus, set in Salem in 1693, were filmed at Pioneer Village.
Built in 1930, Pioneer Village is considered America's first living history museum.
This location is slightly removed from Salem's main downtown area, so you'll want to plan your route accordingly.
Seasonal access and special events can vary, particularly around October, so check the current schedule before visiting.
🎃 Old Burial Hill – The Cemetery
📍 50 Orne Street, Marblehead
Here's the Hocus Pocus filming location that surprises a lot of visitors.
The cemetery where Max encounters Ice and Jay isn't actually in Salem.
Those scenes were filmed at Old Burial Hill in Marblehead, roughly a short drive from downtown Salem.
It's one of New England's oldest burial grounds and absolutely worth the detour if you're trying to visit all of the major filming locations.
Don't confuse Old Burial Hill with Salem's Charter Street Cemetery/Old Burying Point Cemetery. They are two different places.
👻 Salem Haunted Happenings: Visiting Salem in October
If you're visiting Salem during October, you aren't just visiting Salem.
You're visiting Haunted Happenings.
What began as a Halloween weekend celebration in 1982 has evolved into a month-long celebration of Halloween and fall in Salem, attracting visitors from around the world.
Throughout October you'll find everything from parades and street fairs to performances, costume events, ghost tours, special museum programming, markets and Halloween-themed activities throughout the city.
👻 What Happens During Haunted Happenings?
The schedule changes each year, but events can include:
- The Haunted Happenings Grand Parade
- Halloween markets and street fairs
- Costume events
- Ghost and history tours
- Live entertainment
- Special museum programming
- Family Halloween activities
- Halloween parties and performances
- Seasonal events at Pioneer Village
- Special Hocus Pocus-themed activities
- Halloween night celebrations
For 2026, Haunted Happenings kicks off with the Haunted Happenings Grand Parade on October 1, traveling through downtown Salem and ending near Salem Common.
Halloween itself brings live music and festivities downtown, followed by the Halloween Night Finale.
Because programming changes every year, always check the official Haunted Happenings calendar when planning your trip.
🍂 When Should You Visit Salem in October?
This depends entirely on what kind of Salem experience you want.
🍂 Early October
Visit early in the month if you want the Halloween atmosphere with somewhat more manageable crowds.
You'll still see decorations and seasonal events, but the city generally gets increasingly busy as Halloween approaches.
🍂 Mid-October
This is a great compromise if you want peak fall atmosphere and plenty of Haunted Happenings programming.
Weekends can be extremely busy, so visiting during the week is ideal if your schedule allows.
🍂 Halloween Weekend
If you want Salem at maximum spooky-season intensity, this is it.
Expect costumes everywhere, packed streets, special events and enormous crowds.
It's an experience - but don't expect a quiet New England getaway.
💡 Tips for Visiting Salem During October
October is the most exciting -and busiest- time to visit Salem. With Haunted Happenings, Halloween events and huge crowds, a little planning goes a long way.
💡 Book Your Hotel Early
October isn't the time to spontaneously decide you want a cute hotel in downtown Salem.
Rooms can sell out well in advance, especially around weekends and Halloween.
If you're planning an October trip, reserve your accommodations as early as possible.
💡 Make Reservations for Popular Attractions
Don't assume you'll be able to walk into every museum or tour.
Popular tours, museums and Halloween events can sell out, particularly on October weekends.
Buy timed tickets in advance whenever possible.
💡 Avoid Driving Into Downtown Salem
Salem is compact and extremely walkable once you're downtown.
During peak October weekends, traffic and parking can become part of the experience - and not the fun part.
If possible, consider public transportation or park outside the busiest downtown area.
💡 Wear Comfortable Shoes
You'll walk more than you think.
Many of Salem's major attractions are relatively close together, which makes exploring on foot the easiest way to see the city.
💡 Don’t Expect Everything to Be About Halloween
One of the best things about Salem is that underneath all the witches, pumpkins and Sanderson Sisters references is a genuinely fascinating historic New England city.
Leave room in your itinerary for Salem's architecture, maritime history, waterfront and museums.
❓ How Long Do You Need in Salem?
You can see many of Salem's highlights on a day trip, but we'd recommend spending at least one full day and ideally two days if it's your first visit.
With two days, you have enough time to explore the witch trial sites and downtown attractions without rushing, visit the major Hocus Pocus locations, take a tour and actually enjoy wandering around Salem.
If you're visiting during Haunted Happenings, having extra time is even more valuable because crowds and timed-entry attractions can slow down your itinerary.
🗓️ One-Day Salem Itinerary
Only have one day in Salem? You can still experience many of the Witch City’s highlights if you start early and focus on the historic downtown area. This itinerary combines Salem’s Witch Trial history, a few iconic Hocus Pocus filming locations, the waterfront and plenty of time to soak up the spooky atmosphere.
Morning: Witch Trial History + Salem Common
Start your day at Salem Common, where you can take a quick walk through the park and see the former Phillips Elementary School, which Hocus Pocus fans will recognize as Max and Allison’s school.
From there, visit the Salem Witch Museum for an introduction to the events of 1692.
Continue toward Essex Street and stop at the Witch House, the former home of Judge Jonathan Corwin and the only surviving structure in Salem with direct ties to the Witch Trials.
Late Morning: Historic Downtown Salem
Make your way along Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, giving yourself some time to browse Salem’s witchy shops and explore the heart of downtown.
Head to the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and neighboring Charter Street Cemetery to learn more about the people and events connected to the trials.
While you're nearby, stop at Old Town Hall, which Hocus Pocus fans may recognize as the location of the movie’s famous Halloween party.
Afternoon: Lunch + The House of the Seven Gables
Grab lunch downtown before walking toward Salem’s waterfront.
Spend your afternoon visiting The House of the Seven Gables, one of Salem’s most famous historic homes and the inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel.
Afterward, take some time to wander the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and Pickering Wharf before heading back toward downtown.
Late Afternoon: Ropes Mansion + More Hocus Pocus
Walk to the beautiful Ropes Mansion, which served as Allison’s house in Hocus Pocus. If the gardens are open, take a few minutes to wander through them - they're worth seeing even if you aren't a fan of the movie.
If seeing the Dennison family house is high on your Hocus Pocus bucket list, this is also a good time to make your way over to Ocean Avenue. Just remember that the house is a private residence, so admire and photograph it respectfully from the public street.
Evening: Dinner + Salem Ghost Tour
Finish your day with dinner downtown before joining an evening ghost tour.
Once the sun goes down and the crowds begin to thin, Salem’s historic streets take on an entirely different atmosphere. Whether you choose a creepy paranormal tour or one focused more heavily on Salem’s darker history, it’s a fitting way to end your day in the Witch City.
Classless Wanderers Tip: If you only have one day, don't try to visit every Hocus Pocus filming location. Pioneer Village and Old Burial Hill in Marblehead are farther from the main downtown sights and are better saved for a second day. With limited time, Salem is much more enjoyable when you aren't rushing from one attraction to the next.
🗓️ Two-Day Salem Itinerary
Two days is the sweet spot for a first trip to Salem. You’ll have enough time to dive into the Salem Witch Trials, visit the major Hocus Pocus filming locations, explore the historic waterfront and experience Salem after dark without trying to cram everything into a single day.
Day 1: Witch Trial History + Historic Salem
Morning: Salem Common + Salem Witch Museum
Start your first morning at Salem Common, one of the prettiest places to begin exploring the city. Hocus Pocus fans can also see the former Phillips Elementary School nearby, which was used as Max and Allison’s school in the movie.
From there, visit the Salem Witch Museum for an introduction to the events surrounding the 1692 Salem Witch Trials.
Continue toward Essex Street and tour the Witch House, the former home of Judge Jonathan Corwin and the only surviving structure in Salem with direct ties to the Witch Trials.
Late Morning: Essex Street + Witch Trials Memorial
Spend some time wandering the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, popping into Salem’s witchy shops and boutiques along the way.
Next, visit the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and neighboring Charter Street Cemetery. These are two of the most important historical stops in Salem and help put the city’s modern witch culture into perspective.
While you're nearby, stop by Old Town Hall, which Hocus Pocus fans will recognize from the Halloween party scene.
Afternoon: House of the Seven Gables + Salem Waterfront
Grab lunch downtown before heading toward the waterfront to visit The House of the Seven Gables.
After your tour, explore the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and Pickering Wharf. This part of the city offers a completely different look at Salem and its important maritime history.
Take your time wandering back toward downtown and leave some room in your afternoon for shopping, coffee or simply exploring anything that catches your eye.
Evening: Dinner + Ghost Tour
Have dinner downtown and then end your first night with a Salem ghost tour.
There are tours ranging from spooky paranormal stories to historically focused walks through Salem’s darker past. We recommend booking one after dark for the full Witch City experience.
Day 2: Hocus Pocus Filming Locations + More Salem
Dedicate your second day to tracking down Salem’s most recognizable Hocus Pocus locations while fitting in a few places that are harder to reach during a one-day visit.
Morning: Ropes Mansion + Hocus Pocus House
Start at the beautiful Ropes Mansion, which was used as Allison’s house in Hocus Pocus. If the gardens are open, make sure you walk around back - they're one of the prettiest hidden spots in Salem.
Next, head toward Ocean Avenue to see Max and Dani Dennison’s house.
The house is a private residence, so admire it from the public street, keep your visit brief and be respectful of the people who live there.
Late Morning: Pioneer Village
Continue to Pioneer Village, where the opening scenes of Hocus Pocus set in 1693 were filmed.
Pioneer Village is also interesting beyond its movie connection. Dating to 1930, it was created as a living-history representation of early colonial Salem.
Check operating dates and hours before your trip, as access can be seasonal.
Afternoon: Marblehead + Old Burial Hill
Next, make the short drive to neighboring Marblehead to visit Old Burial Hill.
This historic cemetery was used for the scenes where Max encounters Ice and Jay in Hocus Pocus. It's one of the filming locations that many Salem visitors miss because it isn't actually located in Salem.
While you're already in Marblehead, consider spending a little time exploring its historic streets and waterfront before heading back to Salem.
Late Afternoon: Choose Your Salem Bonus Stop
Use your remaining afternoon for whatever you didn't have time to see on Day 1.
You could:
- Spend a few hours at the Peabody Essex Museum
- Do some more shopping along Essex Street
- Visit another Salem museum or historic house
- Grab a drink or seasonal treat
- Explore more of the waterfront
- Revisit your favorite part of downtown
- Attend one of the Haunted Happenings events if you're visiting in October
Evening: One Last Night in the Witch City
Spend your final evening enjoying Salem without a strict itinerary.
Grab dinner, wander Essex Street after dark and soak up the atmosphere one last time. If you're visiting during October, check the Haunted Happenings calendar before your trip - there may be a market, performance, nighttime attraction or special event worth adding to your evening.
Classless Wanderers Tip: Having two days gives you much more flexibility, so don't try to squeeze every Hocus Pocus location into Day 1. Save Pioneer Village, the Dennison house and Old Burial Hill for your second day since they're farther from Salem's walkable downtown core. This keeps Day 1 almost entirely walkable and makes Day 2 your perfect Hocus Pocus road trip.
🔮 Is Salem Worth Visiting?
Absolutely - and you don't have to be obsessed with Halloween to enjoy it.
Salem manages to combine fascinating American history, beautiful New England architecture, quirky shops, pop culture and one of the biggest Halloween celebrations in the country into a surprisingly walkable little city.
Visiting during October gives you the full Witch City experience, but it also means dealing with Salem at its busiest.
If witches, pumpkins, fall foliage and Halloween chaos sound like your idea of a perfect weekend, though?
Salem in October belongs on your fall bucket list.
And if you're a Hocus Pocus fan, don't forget to leave a little extra time to run amok through the filming locations.
Just maybe don't light any suspicious black-flame candles.
If you got this far, thanks for reading and remember to STAY CLASSLESS 😉
Check out Get Your Guide for more ideas on tours in and around Salem👇
