Everything To Know For A Spooky Day Trip To Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, Massachusetts is famous thanks to an odd, yearlong stretch in the late 1600’s when the town successfully tried and executed 20 citizens for practicing witchcraft.

Proof of said witchcraft is nonexistent, of course, and hearsay resulted in the deaths of quite a few innocent people.  

During our day trip to Salem we explored various hallowed sites connected to these events. Including the home of the infamous Jonathan Corwin, a vocal leader during the trials, as well as the House of the Seven Gables, the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, and many more fun things.

This day trip was definitely my favorite part of our weekend in Boston!

Planning a day in Salem and wondering what to do? Below is the exact itinerary we followed during our one day in Salem, MA.

Day Trip To Salem, MA Itinerary 

This is the exact itinerary we used during our one day in Salem, Massachusetts. It covers Salem’s historic sites and Hocus Pocus filming locations.

Everything listed is located in Salem’s downtown area and is easily walkable, unless otherwise noted.

We didn’t stop in every museum listed, but we did walk by each one. I think it’s worth popping into at least one during your day in Salem.

At the bottom of the article I cover additional things to do, tips for your day trip, and information regarding getting to Salem from Boston.

Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center

Address: 2 New Liberty St, Salem, MA 01970

Some may be surprised to learn that Salem has a Visitor Center ran by the National Park Service. 

Here you’ll find interesting tidbits on the town and its storied history, along with friendly rangers and volunteers. Rangers can help map out your day or answer any spooky questions you may have.

This is also the starting point for the Salem Heritage Trail, which we’ll loosely follow throughout the itinerary.

Note: The Salem Heritage Trail is marked by a distinctive red line painted on city sidewalks.

The Visitor Center is centrally located in Salem, so from here we’ll head west to see a few attractions, then backtrack past the visitor center, towards the attractions on the east side of Salem. 

Visit The Witch House

Address: 310 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970

The Witch House is the only structure still standing in Salem with direct ties to the Salem Witch Trials. This makes it one of the top historic sites to see during your day trip to Salem.

The now-museum was home to Judge Jonathan Corwin, one of the condemning judges during the bizarre fiasco. 

The Witch House offers two exhibits covering the trials here in Salem and the European Witch Trials, the latter of which played a large role in the outcome of Salem’s trials.

The museum is open 7 days a week and advanced tickets are required in October. Find more information at The Witch House.

Tip: Other popular witch-themed museums in Salem include Salem Witch Museum & Witch Dungeon Museum.

The Ropes Mansion  

Address: 318 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970

The Ropes Mansion is one of Salem’s oldest and most famous homes. 

Built by Samuel Barnard in the 1720’s, it was later purchased by Judge Nathaniel Ropes, Jr. and stayed in the Ropes family until the early 1900’s. Since then, it’s been used as a place of “public benefit” for Salem, and is now run by the Peabody Essex Museum. It’s also rumored to be haunted by the Ropes family!

Behind the home is a garden which is open to the public year-round for no charge.

The gardens are supposed to be very beautiful, but during our visit in late-May it looked like they hadn’t been maintained, so it may depend on the time of year you visit. 

This is also the Hocus Pocus filming site of Allison’s home!

You may remember Max and Dani trick-or-treating here, then popping inside to check out the lavish Halloween party, not realizing it was the home of Max’s crush, Allison. 

Walk The Shops Along Essex Street Pedestrian Mall

Address: Essex St, Salem, MA 01970 (between Washington St & Hawthorne Blvd)

We’ll now head back towards the attractions located east of the Visitor Center. Along the way be sure to walk the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall.

The outdoor mall is full of witch-themed shops ranging from kitschy and playful to real occult supplies. I can’t say I’ve seen another shopping district like this one, it was definitely one of my favorite stops during our Salem day trip.

While strolling the mall, be sure to also check out the Bewitched Statue and Old Town Hall.

In addition to shopping, the pedestrian mall also has lots of dining, and is a popular spot for events and festivals.

The Bewitched Statue

Address: 247 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970

This bronze centerpiece honors the famous TV sitcom by the same name, which filmed their seventh season in Salem. 

The Bewitched statue was dedicated in 2005 by TV Land, and depicts the famous Bewitched actress Elizabeth Montgomery, who played Samantha Stephens.  It’s said that Bewitched filming within Salem caused a substantial rise in tourism following the airing of the episodes.

This is located right on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, so it’s easy to quickly see.

Old Town Hall 

Address: 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA 01970

Old Town Hall is a picturesque brick building right along Essex Street Pedestrian Mall.

The historic public building, built in the early 1800’s, is still used for hearings and community events today. 

This is also the second Hocus Pocus filming site you’ll spot during your day trip to Salem.

The Old Town Hall is the site of an epic Halloween party crashed by Max and Dani, as they attempted to warn their parents of witches on the loose. 

It’s also believed to be quite haunted!

Salem Witch Trails Memorial & Old Burying Point Cemetery

Address: 24 Liberty St, Salem, MA 01970

Next up is one of the most famous attractions in Salem, the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, located within the Old Burying Point Cemetery.

The site is a simple stone display paying tribute to the trial’s 20 victims.

Note: The resting place of the bodies are unknown as the families often buried their loved ones in secret following public execution. 

While here, be sure to also stroll through the cemetery. This is one of the oldest in the United States — dating back to 1637! — and is the resting place of a few Salem Witch Trail judges and American Revolution veterans. 

This is definitely one of the top places to visit during your day trip to Salem. Best of all, both the memorial and cemetery are free and easy to walk around.  

Peabody Essex Museum

Address: 161 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970

Right next to the famous cemetery is the Peabody Essex Museum.

Peabody Essex is one of the oldest continuously operating museums in the United States and boasts one of the largest Asian art collections available in the country. 

You can learn a lot about the town of Salem’s history here, not just its relation to witchcraft but also its maritime years, and much more. 

It has over 1 million art pieces in its collection, including dozens of architectural buildings highlighting the history of Salem. 

This museum is a great stop if you need a break from all the haunted sites and witchcraft.

Peabody Essex Museum is closed Tuesday and Wednesdays, and tickets do not need to be purchased in advance.

The Hocus Pocus High School 

Address: 84-88 Essex Street (South Washington Square) 

Our next stop is former Phillips Elementary School, the filming site of Max’s high school in Hocus Pocus.

Honestly, there isn’t much to see here unless you’re seeking out Hocus Pocus filming sites. It’s an apartment complex now and not open to the public. So take in the exterior from a respectful distance.

Having said that, the building’s adjacent to a large park, Salem Common. We found this to be a great place for quiet time away from the town’s tourist hubs.

The building’s also located in a picturesque neighborhood full of historic homes, which was enjoyable to walk through. 

Tip: Be sure to check out Chestnut Street if you adore picture-perfect historic neighborhoods.

Tour The House Of The Seven Gables 

Address: 115 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970

The next destination was made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel, The House of the Seven Gables.

The book, based on this very home, tells the story of the Pyncheon family and their ancestral home, which is haunted by a mysterious curse.

The curse stems from a dispute with a man and injustice of the past. To make things more interesting, famed author Nathaniel Hawthorne was the great-great grandson of the infamous witch trail judge, John Hathorne. Perhaps he carried some guilt for his family’s past actions.

This colonial mansion was built by Samuel Wardwell for Captain John Turner in 1668. Today, the 350 year old home is open for paid tours, it’s especially fun for fans of the novel.

It’s also supposedly haunted, so if you’re hoping for a ghost encounter, you’ve got a chance here.

For tour and grounds information, head on over to The House of the Seven Gables.

Whether or not you choose to tour the home, it’s worth checking out the surrounding area. This neighborhood has pretty historic homes and great views of the Salem Harbor. 

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

Address: 160 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970

Salem is not only known for infamous witch trials, but also its deep maritime history. In 1938, Salem Maritime became the first National Historic Site established in the United States.

The area consists of several historic buildings and a full scale replica of The Friendship boat. The Friendship was a 1797 East Indiaman which frequented Salem in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, providing traded goods for the area.  

The Friendship and many historic buildings in this area are open for tours.

There’s also an NPS Visitor Center here, where you can browse books and gifts or speak with a park ranger.

The Pickering Wharf & Derby Street

Address: 23 Congress St, Salem, MA 01970

While in the area, be sure to also walk the shops on Wharf and Derby Streets. The Pickering Wharf, as Wharf Street is often referred to, is a waterfront destination with a good variety of shops and dining.

The storefronts on both Wharf and Derby Streets are decorated with cute, Halloween-themed decor and offer great views of Salem Harbor. 

This is a great spot for shopping, dining, or a sweet snack.

Visit Max & Dani’s House In Hocus Pocus

Address: 4 Ocean Ave Salem, MA 01970

The filming location of Max & Dani’s home in Hocus Pocus is located about a mile and half from Salem’s core tourist area, where we’ve spent the day exploring so far.

If you’re a fan of the movie, this one is a must-see.

This gorgeous house is a quintessential New England home with sweeping views of the Salem Harbor… and remember Max’s awesome attic bedroom with a lookout tower? Yep, it’s real! 

The home is a private residence, the owners ask that visitors only take photos from across the street. This is a quiet neighborhood so be respectful while visiting. 

There are “No Parking” signs all around the neighborhood, and the area is clogged with traffic come October.

I highly recommend walking from Salem, avoiding traffic and parking issues, unless you’re visiting in the off season. Our visit landed in late-May, it was easy to hop out of the car for a very quick photo and move on. 

Visit Salem’s Pioneer Village

Address: 98 West Ave, Salem, MA 01970

Salem’s Pioneer Village is a reconstruction of what Salem Village may have looked like in the early 1600’s. It was also a filming site for the Hocus Pocus opening scene when the witches curse Thackery. 

The village is only open during weekends in fall, so unfortunately we weren’t able to see it this time. 

It is possible to walk here from downtown Salem, but driving would be the easiest as there is a large parking lot on site.

Old Burial Hill Cemetery 

Address: Old Burial Hill Cemetery, Marblehead, MA 01945

Old Burial Hill Cemetery is the final stop during our day in Salem.

This is the site of the Hocus Pocus scene where Max is confronted by the school bullies who steal his shoes.

It’s also, hands down, one of the most beautiful graveyards on the East Coast. 

Marblehead is in the same general direction as the two previous stops, but it definitely requires a car — and some patience!

The town is comprised of a series of winding, narrow, and very confusing roads, making it timely to get around. But I think the cemetery is definitely worth the effort.

If time permits, I’d find parking near Marblehead’s main street, Washington Street, explore the shops and restaurants for a bit, then walk to the cemetery, located a half mile away.

Those planning to park near the cemetery, be aware that options are extremely limited due to the very narrow roads in this quiet neighborhood. 

My husband dropped me off at the cemetery, then found parking a few blocks away. This was during a weekday in spring, there was nobody else at the cemetery.

Whenever I return, I’ll definitely park near Washington Street to explore the shops, then walk over to the cemetery.

Tip: While in the area, be sure to take in the pretty historic homes and fantastic harbor views.

Salem Walking Tours For Your Day Trip To Salem

Salem’s history is so interesting and complex, it’s definitely worth a guided tour.

There’s a number of walking tours throughout town, each with varying themes. There’s ghost tours, witch trail tours, kid friendly tours, even a trolley tour. 

We wanted to do a tour but didn’t book far enough in advance. On our next visit we’ll absolutely book one, I’d love to learn even more about Salem’s bizarre history.

Below are a few popular tours of Salem, MA:

• History & Hauntings of Salem Walking Tour
• Salem Voodoo, Vampires, & Ghosts Walking Tour
• Salem Trolley Tour
• Witch City Walking Tours
• Salem Witch Trials Tour

Otherwise, if you prefer to go without a tour guide, check out this Historic Salem & Witch Trials Self-Guided Walking Tour, which is downloadable through an app.

Visit The Hocus Pocus Filming Sites In Salem, MA 

Again, the Hocus Pocus filming sites are definitely worth checking out if you’re a 90’s kids obsessed with the Disney classic.

We saw the film locations as we followed historic sites throughout Salem, so they’re laced into the itinerary above.

But I’ve listed them out separately as well, if you wish to just do a Hocus Pocus tour:

• Max & Dani’s House
• Allison’s House
• Old Town Hall
• Old Burial Hill Cemetery (in Marblehead, MA)
• Thackery Binx’s House & Old Salem Village
• The School & Salem Common 

Haunted Places In Salem, MA 

In a town dedicated to witchcraft, you’re sure to find at least a few haunted happenings around.

Below are some popular haunted sites in Salem. You’ll find a few of these stops in the day trip itinerary listed above. 

• Proctor’s Ledge
• Old Burying Point Cemetery
• Old Salem Jail
• Gallows Hill
• The House Of The Seven Gables 
• The Haunted Pickman House
• The Witch House
• The Salem Inn

For my complete list, check out: 13 Haunted Places in Salem To Visit.

Love all things haunted? Check out this Salem Ghost Tour for your Salem day trip!

Day Trip To Salem, MA In October

October is the craziest month in Salem, and for good reason!

The town goes all out with Halloween decor and the witch-theme is unmatched, making it one of the best times to visit.

However, the town can get a bit crazy.

Here are a few tips for taking a day trip to Salem in October:

• Use public transportation, traffic can be unbearable. Salem’s traffic is bad enough in the off season, let alone in October when the town triples in size.
• If you must drive, arrive very early and have a plan on where to park (and a few back up plans) before arriving. There are paid parking garages throughout town and metered street parking with time limits. 
• Bring snacks, restaurant wait times can be long.
• Book any museum tickets or tours well in advance.
• Have a rough itinerary planned for your one day in Salem, so you’re not wasting time wandering aimlessly in the crowds.
• Consider visiting in late-September or early-November, the town has died down ever-so slightly, but is still decorated for Halloween. 

Getting To Salem, MA From Boston 

Train

Salem is accessible from the subway (MBTA Commuter Rail) and takes about 30 minutes each direction. Depart Boston’s North Station and stop at Salem. The subway costs just a few dollars each time you enter.

This is definitely the best way to go if taking a day trip from Boston to Salem.

Ferry

From Boston to Salem there’s a fast ferry which costs $27.50 in each direction and takes 1 – 1.5 hours each way.

Schedules and ticketing information can be found at: Salem Ferry. 

This is a great way to navigate between the two cities and simultaneously check out the harbor.

Drive

If driving, follow the MA-1A north along the harbor for about 15 miles. The drive will take about 50 minutes to an hour with regular traffic.

If driving in October, that time can easily double.

Once you’ve arrived in Salem, there are a number of centrally located paid parking garages and metered spots. The metered spots have time limits but offer the best price.

Parking fees increase during the month of October.

Is One Day Enough For Salem, MA?

One day in Salem is definitely enough to see the highlights and learn a bit of history.

However, if you wish to delve into the numerous museums, go for a walking tour, etc. you’ll need 2-3 days here.

We loved our tour of Salem, it’s such a dark and interesting city! And as you can see, there’s so much to see during a day trip to Salem, MA. I hope you’ve found this helpful in planning your visit and have the best time!

Any questions or additional ideas? Please leave a comment below!

Looking for more ideas? Check out my additional Salem and Massachusetts guides below or head on over to Visit Salem!