A Witchy Weekend in Salem

Get to Salem or stay in Boston

If you are nearby, a road trip to Salem as the colors are changing is a drive well worth the gas money. If you fly in, you are going to start your spooky travels in Boston. You can choose to stay in Boston; I recommend the most historic and haunted Omni Parker Hotel. Salem is only a 30-minute train ride away or a 45-minute drive or a 50-minute ferry ride. If you choose to stay in the heart of it all, there are some lovely and haunted accommodations available in Salem. The Hawthorne Hotel and the Merchant have both reported mysterious happenings along their corridors.

After checking into your hotel, head out for some lunch at Howling Wolf Taqueria or the Derby Restaurant and Bar.

For your first night in town, view the city from the lesser-known pirate perspective. Join the Pirates and Privateers Walking Tour. It comes with admission to the Real Pirates Museum where you can see and touch real pirate booty! Unfortunately, the One Piece is not among its treasures.

The tour ends at The House of Seven Gables (admission not included), the house that launched the legendary novel. After exploring this and the author's house just across the street, spend the evening the way pirates do, with a drink! The Mercy Tavern is nearby (not far from Ye Olde Pepper Companie Candy Store) or take a trip to Deacon Giles Distillery.

Start your day with breakfast. Try a personalized omelet at Brothers Taverna or a fresh donut from the longest-running donut shop and bakery in Salem, Ziggy's and Sons Donuts.

Now get ready for your close-up, because it's time for your photoshoot at Witch Pix. Get dressed in any of the 400+ costumes that they offer (in all sizes) then choose one of the four offered backgrounds. You will get your pics right away. Highly recommend making a reservation, especially the closer you get to Halloween.

Next, "let's walk" toward the Salem "Hocus Pocus" Movie Locations Tour meet-up point. You'll visit five locations used in the film and other historic landmarks from the Salem Trials. Be advised, this tour is 2.5 hours and 3.2 miles, so don't forget your walking shoes!

If you have walked up an appetite, head over to Christina's Pizza, the best pizza in Salem, since 1988. After lunch, check out other tours like the Smugglers Tour, learn about how Salem survived Prohibition or the Trolley Tours, just make sure you purchase your tickets early for this popular attraction. Or if you want to slow down a little bit, visit a museum. The Salem Witch Museum allows you to take a step back in time and put yourself in the middle of the trials and also see how the views and opinions of witches have changed over the years.

For dinner, stop by Rockafellas located in the historic Daniel Low & Co. building, for a burger, pasta or even a strip steak. Your evening activities can take a varied turn. If you are into the spookier side of life, take a nighttime walking ghost tour. The most popular is the Salem Night Ghost Tour where you wander the city by lamplight listening to the ghastly "legends and true tales of witchcraft, murder, mayhem and more!" If you are interested in learning about the haunted history of the Witchy City but need some liquid courage, join the Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl. Hear the haunting tales of witches and murder while exploring secret tunnels and the happy haunts of some mysterious spirits; both distilled and devious.

After checking out of your hotel, head over to Witch's Brew Café for brunch. Before you leave, if you can stock up on your tarot cards, crystals or virgin candles, head over to the Pedestrian Walkway Mall. You will find loads of quirky little shops like Bewitched in Salem Gift Shop and Emporium 32, occult shops like The Coven's Cottage and more!