Ultimate Guide for a Perfectly Spooky Day Trip to Salem from Boston
If you’re visiting Boston, one of the best day trips you can take is to Salem. This spooky, witchy town is known for the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, in which 20 women and men (!) were killed for suspected witchcraft. Turns out there’s wayyyyy more to the story and the city of Salem than you might think.
Even if you only have one day, a day trip is absolutely worth it to get your fix of history, hauntings, and Hocus Pocus. In this guide to Salem, I’ll share exactly how to make it happen as a day trip including how to get there on public transit, a full one day Salem itinerary, and tips for making the most of your time there.
Summary of Your Day Trip to Salem
🛎️ Accommodation: Hawthorne Hotel (steps from downtown, historic, $115+ per night) or The Hotel Salem (in downtown, great rooftop bar/restaurant, $160+ per night)
👻 Top tour to book: Night ghost tour
🧹 Book in advance: Salem Witch Museum (read reviews first to be sure this is a must for you!)
How to Get to Salem from Boston
There’s three ways to get to Salem from Boston, but I’ll share why one is truly the most ideal.
First, you can travel by car whether driving yourself or taking a ride share. But, if you’re visiting during October as many travelers do, the city encourages you to steer clear of this option.
That’s because the parking in Salem is quite limited and given the insane influx of visitors in October, it’s challenging to accommodate the traffic.
The second way is via ferry. This can be a great option for a scenic route. However, if you only have one day in Salem the hours of the ferry make it difficult to be in Salem for the most time. The first ferry from Boston to Salem is at 9:30 am and the last ferry of the day leaves Salem for Boston at 7:00 pm. The trip takes 50 minutes, so it’s not too long of a trip.
The last way is to travel by the commuter rail via the Newburyport/Rockport Line. It leaves North Station in Boston and costs $8 each way. You do need separate commuter rail tickets and cannot use your normal Charlie Card that’s used for the rest of the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) system (aka the T).
The trip between Boston and Salem via the commuter rail is about 35 minutes from North Station.
I recommend taking the commuter rail to and from Salem. This is because there are many more routes in operation so you can extend your hours in Salem most easily if traveling by commuter rail.
For example, the first commuter rail to Salem from Boston leaves North Station at 5:35 am and gets into Salem at 6:06 am. The last one back to Boston leaves at 11:06 pm and gets back at 11:44 pm.
For the purpose of this itinerary, I’d recommend aiming to be in Salem by 9 am. I’d aim for the commuter rail that leaves North Station in Boston at 8:35 am at the latest.
Note that in the busy season, extra trains are added in expanding the schedule to accommodate more visitors to Salem.
Map of How to Spend a Day in Salem
Salem Day Trip Itinerary
Breakfast options
Before we dive into all the incredible things to do in Salem, I’ll pause for breakfast. I do recommend eating before you go so you can hit the ground running once you get into Salem.
However, Salem does have a number of adorable and delicious coffee shops and breakfast spots. Try Jaho Coffee Roasters on Derby Street for coffee and breakfast sandwiches in a less crowded area of town. They open at 7 am on weekdays and 7:30 am on weekends.
For a full breakfast, Red’s Sandwich Shop is one of the staples of Salem. Located in London Coffee House, a meeting place for American Revolution Patriots since 1698, they have a full breakfast and lunch menu and they open at 7 am.
Bewitched Statue
As you navigate from the commuter rail station to your breakfast of choice, be sure to pop by the Bewitched Statue. This statue of Samantha Stephens, one of America’s favorite TV witches, was erected in 2005 in Lappin Park along Essex Street and Washington Street.
Some of the episodes of Bewitched were filmed in Salem in 1970 and the show helped put Salem on the tourist map, so this statue commemorates the show!
Peabody Essex Museum – open at 10 am
After breakfast, head to the Peabody Essex Museum. This is Salem’s only true museum. Artifacts on display, 100% fact, and no gimmick. The other “museums” in Salem are museums in name only.
It’s because of this that I think this is the one museum you have to visit in Salem. They have a great exhibit on the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 with actual artifacts, lots of letters from victims, and details into many of the men and women who were killed.
The exhibit gives the best overview of the event, the conditions that the victims faced, and who was involved. Since there were only 20 people killed, it’s actually not too difficult to start to remember their names as you see other historic sites throughout Salem, like the memorial and Charter Street Cemetery aka Old Burying Point.
The museum also has fantastic exhibits on Native Americans of Massachusetts (before it was Massachusetts), historic figures and artists from Salem, and even rotating exhibits. We caught the Conjuring the Spirit World exhibit, which shared the stories of illusionists and mediums who “communicated” with the dead. It was very extensive, well done, and interesting!
I’d aim to spend about an hour to an hour and a half here. If you have more than one day, you can certainly spend longer, but with just a day trip, there’s too much more to see to linger here too long.
Witch Trials Memorial and Charter Street Cemetery
Right behind the Peabody Essex Museum is the Old Burying Point, aka the Charter Street Cemetery and the Witch Trials Memorial. These are both free attractions, but the Charter Street Cemetery requires an advanced reservation that becomes available the day-of at 8 am.
The cemetery is one of the oldest in the country and has some notable burials like a Mayflower passenger, Richard More, and John Hathorne, one of the judges who participated in the Salem Witch Trials.
The Witch Trials Memorial features one bench for each victim of the Salem Witch Trials with their name and date of execution. There is a granite wall surrounding the space. The entryway has quotes of the victim’s protests of innocence, which are strategically cut off by the wall to represent how the victims were not heard.
The memorial is free to visit and is handicap accessible.
Early Lunch at Howling Wolf Taqueria
Around 11:30 am, head to an early lunch at Howling Wolf Taqueria on Derby Street. Grab some tacos, fajitas, or a quesadilla from this Mexican restaurant (Los Angeles native approved!). They open at 11:30 am, so you can avoid the crowds by showing up right at opening time.
Don’t miss their themed cocktails, like those served in IV bags in October!
House of the Seven Gables
Continue down Derby Street to the House of the Seven Gables. This historic home from 1668 was made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s story of the same name.
It’s one of the only remaining timber-framed mansions still standing in America.
If you’re into historic homes or literature, specifically Nathaniel Hawthorne, it’s worth a visit to this home! Admission ranges from $12 to $30, depending on if you’re visiting in October or not and if you want to tour the home or just the grounds.
I just toured the grounds and was satisfied, especially given all the other things I wanted to do in my day.
If you aren’t super attached or want to save some money, you can also walk down to the end of Turner Street (toward the water) to see it from the outside.
Ye Olde Pepper Companie
Just across the street from the House of the Seven Gables is Ye Olde Pepper Companie, which is America’s oldest candy company. They’ve been around since 1806!
Try the lemon or peppermint Gibralters, the first candy made in America, made of sugar, water, cream of tartar, and cornstarch.
Max and Allison’s School
Make your way toward Salem Common, a large public park with a bandstand in the center. Notably on the way, you’ll pass a Hocus Pocus filming location.
At 22-98 S Washington Square, you’ll see a large school, which was Max and Allison’s School in the film.
You can only see it from the exterior, but it’s a cool stop!
Salem Common
Spend some time traversing Salem Common headed back toward Essex Street. This park was once used for military training and features a big bandstand in the center.
During October, they host a small collection of food vendors as part of the Haunted Happenings event that runs throughout the month.
Which Witch (Museum) is Which?
Time to pick a museum to visit!
The three big ones are the Witch Dungeon Museum, the Salem Witch Museum, and the Witch House. The first two are museums only in name and don’t have many actual artifacts, but they may be worth visiting if they’re speaking to you. The latter is the last remaining structure with ties to the Salem Witch Trials.
I personally visited the Witch Dungeon Museum because a reenactment was included and it had good reviews.
Witch Dungeon Museum
The Witch Dungeon Museum tells the story of what the entire witch trial experience would have been like for the accused and accusers. You start in a “courtroom” where the reenactment takes place.
Then you descend to the dungeon where there are displays of what holding cells and torture rooms would have been like with mannequins on display.
You can only purchase tickets for $13 in person the day of, so no planning ahead needed for this one.
Salem Witch Museum
Alternatively and on the contrary is the Salem Witch Museum. You do need reservations for this one as they do sell out daily. You have to get your tickets the day of if buying direct. If visiting in October, you’ll want to be ready at midnight. If you’re not visiting in October, you can get away with the morning of.
You also may be able to get them well in advance from 3rd parties like Get Your Guide.
This “museum” depicts various scenes using mannequins and tells various stories in a presentation format, rather than a reenactment.
The reviews are quite mixed and some people felt like calling this a museum was a misnomer.
All this to say that you certainly can still visit, but don’t expect artifacts. Again, that’s why leading with the Peabody Essex Museum is the best way to go!
Tickets are $17.50 for adults.
Witch House
Be sure to stop by the Witch House whether or not you go inside. This is the third witch museum of choice and is the only one that’s directly tied to the Witch Trials as this was the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin.
Tickets go on sale the day of at 8 am and cost $12.
Even if you don’t go inside, you’ll still want to walk by as the house is painted all black and fits the spooky vibe very well!
Allison’s House
Another easy Hocus Pocus filming location to visit is Allison’s House also called Ropes Mansion. It’s just down the street from the Witch House, so while you’re passing by there, be sure to keep walking to see the exterior of the Ropes Mansion.
While you can go inside, for this itinerary, I recommend just seeing it from the outside and moving on. There’s simply too much to see in a day!
Essex Street
The main thoroughfare in Salem is along Essex Street. You’ve probably already walked along it in this itinerary, whether you realized it or not.
This is where Salem hosts the Haunted Happenings event in October, which is a collection of experiences, workshops, and performances.
No matter when you visit, Essex Street is a must-explore street!
Shopping
Shopping in Salem centers around Essex Street. I will say that you may need to venture to parallel streets and side streets to get past the gimmicky shops and into the truly unique and beautiful ones.
Some of my favorites were:
- Emporium 32: antique feel, lots of unique prints, jewelry, and home goods
- Blackcraft Cult: leans into the horror and punk/metal side with original designs and fun souvenirs like “We are the Weirdos” and “Hello Sidney” candles
- Black Veil: more of a goth horror vibe with beautiful prints and a bunch of original T-shirts
- Nocturne: for the girlies – this shop has original shirts, lots of candles and body/beauty products, books, and jewelry
- HausWitch: home goods like pillows, dishes, witchy cleaning supplies, and spell kits
- Hex Old World Witchery: psychic readings and witch supplies like spell kits, candles, brooms, charms, herbs, and voodoo dolls
Salem Witch Board Museum
Another fun thing to add to your Essex Street checklist is the Salem Witch Board Museum aka the Ouija Board Museum.
The only one of its kind in the world, this museum is a portion of John Kozik’s collection of witch boards. He’s often on site to give you a short tour and share stories about specific boards!
This was certainly one of the most unique and interesting things to do in Salem for me! I loved seeing all the different types and learning about how these boards came to be since they weren’t strictly invented, but rather a combination of two different methods for speaking with the dead.
Admission is $10 per person and they’re open 11 am – 8 pm daily.
Drinks at The Roof
Before dinner, head to The Roof within Hotel Salem on Essex Street. This bar is more removed from the crowds and has a lovely ambiance for taking in the views.
They have seasonal cocktails and large sharable appetizers.
You can also stay here for dinner as they have a full menu. I’d honestly grab drinks and head somewhere else, only to try another local favorite.
Dinner at Bambolina or Turner’s Seafood
I have a couple dinner recommendations for you. For a historic and haunted pick, try Turner’s Seafood. They accept reservations, but hold 80% of their tables for walk-ins, so if there’s no availability online, don’t be afraid to queue.
Turner’s Seafood is located in the Lyceum Hall building, which is where Alexander Graham Bell first demonstrated the telephone.
It was also the site of Bridget Bishop’s apple orchard. She was the first woman executed during the Salem Witch Trials, so now, some report seeing her spectral figure at Turner’s Seafood!
Another option is Bambolina. A bit off the beaten path, they serve wood-fired pizzas. They also host their sister restaurant Kokeshi, which is an Asian restaurant serving namely ramen dishes.
This is a great option, especially for groups who want more variety! I had their summer harvest ramen and it was fabulous!
Dessert and Departure
Depending on when you go for dinner and how much shopping you want to do, you may or may not have more time after dinner to keep exploring.
If you want some dessert, pop into Goodnight Fatty, a nighttime cookie shop on the east end of Essex Street. They have three flavors that aren’t announced ahead of time, so you’ll just have to stop by to see which delicious options you get!
When it’s time to head back to Boston, you’ll simply walk back to the commuter rail station and wait for the train back to Boston. There’s only one platform, so it’s not hard to figure out where to go.
Note that in peak season, the trains back to Boston can get very crowded. Please bear with the conductors and have your ticket ready so they can punch it quickly and move on.
Timing Example
- 7:38 am – Leave Boston from North Station via Newburyport/Rockbury commuter rail
- 8:09 am – Arrive in Salem
- 8:30 am – Breakfast at Red’s Sandwich Shop
- 9:30 am – Bewitched Statue
- 10:00 am – Peabody Essex Museum
- 11:00 am – Witch Trials Memorial and Charter Street Cemetery
- 11:30 am – Lunch at Howling Wolf Taqueria
- 1:00 pm – House of the Seven Gables
- 1:45 pm – Ye Olde Pepper Companie
- 2:00 pm – Max and Allison’s School and Salem Common
- 2:30 pm – Witch Dungeon Museum
- 3:30 pm – Witch House Exterior and Allison’s House Exterior (Ropes Mansion)
- 4:00 pm – Shopping around Essex Street and Salem Witch Board Museum
- 6:00 pm – Drinks at The Roof
- 7:00 pm – Dinner at Turner’s Seafood
- 8:00 pm – Dessert from Goodnight Fatty
- 8:29 pm – Departure from Salem via commuter rail
- 9:04 pm – Arrival in Boston at North Station
How much a day trip to Salem costs
- Transit: $16
- Activities: $63 (PEM, Witch Dungeon Museum, Salem Witch Board Museum, House of the Seven Gables – Grounds Only)
- Food/Drink: $60
Advanced reservations may be needed
Especially if you’re visiting in October, you need to plan your attractions ahead of time. Things sell out and you don’t want to miss anything important to you.
- Witch House (same day, 8 am)
- Salem Witch Museum (same day, midnight)
- House of the Seven Gables (1 week or so in advance)
- Peabody Essex Museum guided tours only (1-2 weeks in advance)
Is one day enough?
Yes and no. I’ll be honest, that’s pretty much always my answer for any one day itinerary. The fact is that you can always do A LOT in one day – likely more than you think. But more time is always appreciated.
That said, I think if you only have one day in Salem, you won’t be disappointed. You can see a lot, eat a lot, and shop a lot!
Where to stay in Salem
If you need a hotel for the night, one of the best is Hawthorne Hotel just steps from downtown. It’s historic and costs $115+ per night.
The Hotel Salem is right in downtown along Essex Street. They have the great rooftop restaurant and bar called The Roof and it runs $160+ per night.
If you’re visiting in October, you can expect those prices to skyrocket and the hotels to fill up with bookings over a year in advance. Plan ahead!
Alternatively, stay in a neighboring town along the commuter rail line like Swampscott or Beverly.
What to expect in October
October in Salem is another beast. It just is. They receive around 1 million visitors each Halloween season every year.
If you plan on visiting Salem in October, expect queues for everything including attractions, shops, and restaurants. Expect a bit longer waits for service in town. Instead of placing your impatience on servers, shop hands, and employees, try to build in extra time to accommodate the longer service times.
I recommend picking your top 2 must-do attractions and prioritizing those. Then add in everything else if possible. That way, you are sure to do what you care about and won’t be disappointed if the queues and long waits limit your day.
A note on the gimmick
One thing I wasn’t expecting in Salem was just how gimmicky it was. Considering it’s a historic city with true ties to the Witch Trials, I was a bit unprepared for how touristy the city has become (this is a judgement free zone, right?).
This isn’t to say you can’t and won’t have a good time, but rather that it takes some intention to have a deeper experience in Salem.
Many of the shops are cookie cutter copies of each other with the same mass-produced tschotskes.
And many visitors are there for the vibes only. Not to say you can’t and shouldn’t travel that way (all travel styles are welcome here), but for a lover of spooky history and deeper travel experiences, it’s important to get those expectations in check.
With this itinerary, though, I think you’ll find a nice balance between true historic sites, meaningful shopping experiences, and the fun, gimmicky side of Salem.
Keep your travel planning going with these posts:
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