If you’re looking for a day trip to put you in the Halloween spirit, there’s no better place than Salem—Massachusetts’s very own Halloweentown! Getting there from Northeastern is easy: Take the Orange line to North Station, and then hop on the Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail line. Salem is the fourth stop—about a 30-minute ride. Considering Salem’s abundance of historical sites, haunted houses, and festive events, you’ll definitely want to plan your day (and your costume) in advance. You can find a full list of events and attractions at Salem Haunted Happenings, but below are seven suggestions to get you started.
The Haunted Neighborhood
If you’ve never been to Salem, the Haunted Neighborhood is a great place to start, offering a vibrant mix of history, frights, and festive foods (fried pickles!). Located along a dead-end street, this bustling tourist spot features a variety of attractions, including the Salem Wax Museum of Witches and Seafarers, Frankenstein’s Castle, the Candlelit Ghostly Walking Tour, and Within the Witching Hour: a live spell casting. At the end of the street, be sure to check out the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and the Charter Street Burying Point—the second oldest graveyard in America.
Tickets are available online and on site. The museum and haunted houses cost $8 each, while the walking tours are $10 each with a student discount. For the best deal, buy the $20 “Wicked Special” and get admission to the Salem Wax Museum, Haunted Witch Village, Frankenstein’s Castle, and Within the Witching Hour.
Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery
The Nightmare Gallery is a must-see for movie fans, paying homage to a wide array of horror icons. Located across the street from the Haunted Neighborhood, this museum features life-size replicas of your favorite zombies, vampires, witches, and more. On weekend evenings, it turns into a frightening haunted house (check their calendar for times). The gallery is also set to host some celebrity guests this October, including Tony Moran—Mike Meyers in Halloween (1978).
You can save a few bucks by buying tickets online. With your college ID, admittance to the gallery is $5, while a “Double Dare Pass” (access to the gallery and haunted house) is $11.
Salem Witch Museum
As you may remember from history class, the 1692 Salem Witch Trials resulted in the deaths of 20 people. The Salem Witch Museum depicts this period of witch hysteria, guiding you through exhibits that showcase major figures and incidents. The museum also addresses how perceptions of witches have evolved over time.
Admission is $9.50.
Cry Innocent: The People versus Bridget Bishop
If you’re a fan of courtroom dramas and are fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials, look no further than Cry Innocent: a 45-minute show in which the audience participates in the trial of Bridget Bishop. Transporting you to back to 1692, this show positions the audience as the Puritan jury, allowing you to cross-examine the accused and ultimately determine the verdict. The performance, which has been praised for its educational and dramatic value, takes place at Salem’s Old Town Hall, seven days a week.
Tickets are $12, available online or on site.
Bewitched Statue
Speaking of witches, don’t leave Salem without taking a picture with Samantha from the TV series Bewitched (1964-1972). Located in Lappin Park, this statue of the iconic witch (portrayed by actress Elizabeth Montgomery) was dedicated by TV Land in 2005.
Wynott’s Wands
If wizards are more your thing, stop by Wynott’s Wands: a store straight out of Harry Potter. Filled with rows upon rows of replica wands, this place is sure to please any wannabe-wizard. The level of detail is impeccable—They even sell butterbeer! The store is located on Essex Street, which is a great place to check out in general. It’s lined with festive kiosks, fall treats (caramel apples!), and street shows during October.
Haunted Happenings Carnival
The Haunted Happenings Carnival runs from October 17 to October 31 on Derby Street and is open from 1pm-10pm on weekends. Hop on a few rides and play some games before heading back to Boston.