The Ultimate Salem Fall Bucket List

Visiting Salem, Massachusetts, in the fall is on your bucket list, isn’t it? Are you planning a trip for this fall? Each year Haunted Happenings packs the Salem calendar with fun and spooky events. If you love Halloween, then Salem is the place to be this Halloween, but what should you do in Salem? What are those bucket list items that you just can’t miss? I’ve got you with this Salem Fall Bucket List…

*Updated 2023*

The Basics: 

Where Is Salem, Massachusetts?

Salem is a city on the north coast of Massachusetts above Boston. It’s famous for its 1692 witch trials, during which several locals were executed for allegedly practicing witchcraft.

What Should You Expect In Salem, Massachusetts In Fall?

It will be crazy but in the best way possible. Salem can be a bit of a madhouse during the Halloween season because it is a bucket list item for so many. 

Check Out: 9 Things To Know Before Visiting Salem In October

Should You Visit Historical Sites In Fall?

Yes! But if you are not into crowds and really interested in the history, you should visit Salem at any other time of year. It’s only really crazy during the month of October. 

Check Out: The Best History Spots In Salem, Massachusetts

Is Salem, Massachusetts Like A Movie Set?

Nope! Salem, Mass, is a small charming town just above Boston. I’ve heard from several people that they were expecting something like Colonial Williamsburg. That’s not what you will get in Salem, but what you will get it is fall foliage, crisp air, history, and so much Halloween fun. 

Let’s get into it…

Salem Fall Bucket List 

Visit The Bewitched Statue 

• Essex and Washington Street, Salem, MA

It wouldn’t be a Salem Fall Bucket List without the iconic Bewitched statue on the list. Visit and take your picture with the statue featuring the classic witch, Elizabeth Montgomery, who played Samantha on Bewitched. 

Check Out A Witch Shop 

There are so many great witch shops in Salem but a few of the best are…

The Coven’s Cottage 

• 190 Essex Street
• Mon-Thurs: 10 am – 6 pm, Fri and Sun: 10 am – 7 pm, Sat: 10 am – 8 pm

This is my favorite shop in Salem. It was the first shop I visited on my very first visit to Salem and I always take my friends here when they come to visit. Coven’s Cottage focuses primarily on the Norse, Germanic, Celtic, and nature-based traditions. They offer products for many different pagan paths. I love their jewelry, crystals, and herbs. 

Crow Haven

• 125 Essex Street
• Daily: 11 am – 8 pm

Crow Haven is the oldest witch shop in Salem, and therefore, a must visit! They also have a famous love clairvoyant, how fun is that? 

Hex Old World Witchery 

• 246 Essex Street
• Daily 11 am – 7 pm
• Face coverings are required to enter the shop

Hex is the real deal. They have something for any magical need including oils, candles, soaps, potent charms, and even voodoo dolls.

Check Out: The Best Shops In Salem, Massachusetts

Visit The Witch House

• 310 Essex Street
• Daily 10 am – 5 pm
• Cost: Guided Tours: Adults $10.25, Seniors $8.25, Children (7-14) $6.25.
• Self-Guided Tours: Adults $8.25, Seniors $6.25, Children (7-14) $4.25
• Children under 6 free admission

The Witch House, or the Johnathan Corwin House, was the home of Judge Johnathan Corwin and is the only structure still standing in Salem with direct ties to the Salem witch trials of 1692. It’s cool to walk through this house and definitely worth a visit. The Witch House offers the latest research and scholarship on how the Salem witch trials began and the circumstances that brought them to an end. Find out more here.

Salem’s Psychic Fair & Witches’ Market

• October In Salem

The Salem Psychic Fair and Witches’ Market features the Witch City’s most gifted Psychics, each one officially licensed by the city of Salem! Check off this Salem Fall Bucket List item by wandering around to check out magical gifts, meet real practicing Witches, and make an appointment with one of Salem’s talented psychic readers. For exact dates check out THIS calendar. 

Pay Your Respects At Salem Witch Memorial 

• 24 Liberty Street

In 1692, 14 women and 6 men were accused of being witches, they were tried, convicted, and eventually executed. To this day, the events of 1692 are used as a yardstick to measure the depth of civility and due process in our society. This a somber memorial featuring 20 stacked inscribed granite stones. The benches are inscribed with the names of the accused and the means and dates of their executions. It’s located right next to the Old Burying Point Cemetery. More information here.

Count Orlock’s Nightmare Gallery

• 217 Essex Street
• Mon – Sat 10 am – 6 pm, Sun 10 am – 5 pm 

Count Orlok’s is a cinematic monster museum! How fun is his Salem Fall Bucket List item? It’s a fun and kitsch way to experience monsters (wax figures) that have entertained in the genres of Horror, Fantasy, and Sci-Fi. It’s rumored that one of the Sanderson Sisters is featured (wink wink).

Salem Horror Fest 

• The Entire Month Of October

Salem Horror Fest Returns with a brand new slate of premieres, parties and programs! It’s an annual event that makes Salem one gigantic party for the entire month of October and a bucket list must! 

Salem Voodoo, Vampires & Ghosts Tour 

• Depart from 2 New Liberty Street
• 1 hour and 30 mins 
• $16 per adult

The tour then takes a turn into horror territory with some good ole’ New England vampire folklore. Plus, you are in Salem in October, you have to do at least one ghost tour! 

Visit Hocus Pocus Filming Locations

Are you a fellow 90’s kid and in love with the cult classic Halloween flick – Hocus Pocus? Did you know that a lot of the movie was filmed in Salem? Well, it was! And you can visit many of the filming locations.

Check Out: Hocus Pocus Self-Guided Tour

Tales & Ales at Gallows Hill Museum/Theater

• Weekends In October
• 8:30 pm 
• $28

For 2021, Sir Hennessey tells two classic tales: The Black Cat and The Upper Berth.This chilling late night special event includes complimentary samplings of THREE kinds of local ales before the presentation.  Samplings begin at 8:30pm. *Sampings only not full servings. It’s recommending you buy tickets in advance HERE. 

Check Out Wynott’s Wands 

• 127 Essex Street 
• Daily – 11 am – 6 pm 

Wynott’s provides the finest magical tools for Witches and Wizards. While Wynott’s is not affiliated with Warner Brothers or JK Rowling they do have some Harry Potter merchandise. They also have some awesome hand carved wands!! The shop is insanely cute and if you are a fellow Potter nerd you will love it!

Check Out: One Fall Day In Salem, Massachusetts

Old Burying Point Cemetery 

• 51 Charter Street
• Open 24 hours

This is oldest in Salem and among the oldest cemeteries in the United States. Opened in 1637 it is the final resting place of some of Salem’s most notable citizens through the ages. Such as Judge John Hathorne, one of the witchcraft trial magistrates, as well as, Bartholomew Gedney, another of the witchcraft trial magistrates.

Halloween Harvest Wicked Labyrinth

• 211 Bridge Street 
• 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Salem’s Wicked Labyrinth, consists of over 1,000 intricately carved pumpkins, from Friday, September 24 through Halloween. Guests can expect to take about 35 to 40 minutes to walk through the show. You can buy timed tickets HERE.

The Haunted Speakeasy

• 32 Derby Square – Old Town Hall 
• 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
• Costume Party 
• 6 Nights In October

How awesome is this? This October, come to the Haunted Speakeasy and party like it’s 1929! Dance and enjoy both kinds of spirits as 1920s music (and contemporary songs reVAMPed for a more flapper feel) play in the ballroom by Tricky Niki and the Grave Diggers. You can buy tickets HERE. 

The Most Bucket List Items Of Them All:

The Official Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball 

• 18 Washington Square West – Hawthorne Hotel
• October 30 
• 7 pm 
• Costume Party – 21+

Join in the fun and festivities of the Official Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball where you will be transported to the days of old when fires burned on every hilltop and Witches gathered to feast, rejoice, and cast spells for the new year. Dance in the Grand Ballroom to pop, party, and goth by dj addambombb and laser light show. Find out more HERE. 

Halloween Night With Creative Collective 

• October 31 
• Downtown Salem

As you can imagine, Halloween night in Salem is a bit of a party! Dynamic activities throughout the whole downtown. Music, performances, special surprises in the heart of Salem! Costumes preferred! 

Halloween Finale Fireworks 

• October 31 
• 10:15 – 10:30 pm 

The party in Salem concludes with fireworks over the North River. And what a show it is! It’s the perfect way to end the Halloween season in downtown Salem. 

Salem is crazy, fun, and amazing during the Halloween season. This bucket list is only scratching the surface of all that Salem has to offer. Have you been to Salem in October? What did you think?

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