Salem, Massachusetts, has a lighthearted spirit, surprisingly so when you consider the city’s most famous moment. In 1692, residents unfairly sentenced 19 men and women to death after hysterical Puritans accused them of practicing witchcraft. Nonetheless, the historic seaport village capitalizes on the incident today with a series of kitschy attractions, many of which incorporate haunted, ghostly and bewitching themes.
Set out on foot to explore the sights and sounds of Salem. Salem Historical Tours offers an assortment of guided walking tours through town, including those that travel through cemeteries, historic sites pertaining to the witch trials and location shoots used for various TV shows and films. All of the tours last one hour and take place in the afternoon, except for a 90-minute evening tour through haunted sites. Events are scheduled from early April through mid-November. Bewitched After Dark offers two tours, including a spooky candlelit tour, led by an undertaker who shares tales of Salem’s macabre past, available only in October. The family-friendly Bewitched Historical Tours is a nearly two-hour excursion through town, where your guide will point out sites that played a historic role in the city’s witch trials and colonial past. The tour is available year-round.
Witch Mansion is a haunted house attraction that’s open from July through October. Walk through the witch’s house filled with animatronic ghosts and costumed goblins hiding around every corner. The site recommends that parents use personal discretion regarding children, particularly for those under the age of 10. The Salem Wax Museum is home to Frankenstein’s Castle, a haunted house attraction open from July through October. Make your way through the dungeons, darkened mazes and labyrinths of the castle. The Salem Witch Village is across the street and features a witch escorting you through a maze. In October, the site converts the maze into a Haunted Witch Village filled with spooky spirits.
Peabody Essex Museum houses an array of artwork from the 1700s to modern pieces, including African, American and Asian works. Maker’s Lounge is a section of the museum where visitors of all ages can make their own works of art from a variety of materials. The museum also hosts guided art walks for kids, culminating in craft workshops, and musical activities. Step into the past with a trip to the New England Pirate Museum. Experience the world of swashbucklers who once traveled throughout the region as you climb aboard a replica ship, make your way through an 80-foot cave filled with treasures and get up-close views of authentic pirate artifacts.
Salem Time Machine is a walk-through attraction, an interactive experience that takes you through scenes of the town’s storied past via animatronic characters, special effects and elaborate sets, all of which pop out with the provided 3-D glasses. In October, the site also hosts Salem the 3-D Haunted Adventure and Salem 3-D Haunted House, with added costumed characters who hide in the dark to scare you. Salem Willows is an indoor play center geared toward kids. The arcade includes 80s video games and carnival games that dispense prize tickets. The complex also has a miniature golf course, batting cages and a variety of carnival rides, such as bumper cars and an 1866 carousel. Grab a snack from the concession stand and enjoy it in the large attached park. There’s also a small beach, a fishing pier and, during the summer, free outdoor concerts.
