08/23/2026
PLANNING A TRIP TO SALEM? WE HAVE YOU COVERED!
As a tour company with over 13 years of experience, and as locals who have lived here for decades, we answer questions from Salem visitors every day.
We’ve gathered our most useful, honest, local advice in one place.
No enormous itinerary. No overwhelming list of every business in the city. Just straightforward answers from people who live and work here!
First, a note that many business-specific questions will be answered more quickly and accurately BY those businesses! Nearly everyone has a website, email, Messenger, or phone number. We recommend trying them first rather than posting a question in a social media group!
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
By the time you hit June, you should expect that a majority of the most convenient and reasonably priced options will have already been booked. People begin planning their Salem visits about a year in advance, when reservations open, so we always recommend planning your trip as far ahead as possible.
If you need to plan your trip at the last minute, we recommend finding a place in Boston or anywhere along the NEWBURYPORT/ROCKPORT commuter rail line.
Having public transportation into Salem is far superior to driving in, but if you DO drive, be prepared to potentially spend a few extra hours in traffic.
WHERE SHOULD I PARK?
There are several large parking garages in or near downtown Salem, primarily Museum Place Garage, South Harbor Garage, and the MBTA Garage.
Our personal recommendation is the MBTA Garage, which is often one of the more affordable options and is conveniently located for entering downtown. However, all three garages have designated accessible parking, and the most convenient choice will depend on where you are going.
New for 2026, the City will not be providing its usual shuttle service from satellite parking lots. Limited free parking will still be available at 108 Jefferson Avenue on October weekends and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, but there will be no transportation from the lot into downtown. Check the Destination Salem app before arriving for availability and any updated information.
Avoid any areas marked RESIDENTIAL PARKING. You may be ticketed AND towed, potentially leaving you with hundreds of dollars in fees and without access to your vehicle for part of your trip, which would absolutely ruin your vacation.
Several newer hotels in town provide parking at a reasonable day rate when you check in!
Always be prepared for street closures when driving into Salem. Some closures are scheduled, while others may happen on short notice when crowd size or public safety requires them.
WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE?
We constantly get questions about what to expect from New England weather between late September and early November. Our answer may frustrate you, but it truly is:
We don’t know. Bring lots of options and layers.
It has snowed on Halloween, and it has been warm enough to go to the beach for a swim.
Don’t try to plan and pack everything too far in advance. Have outfits ready for indoor events, dinners, or parties, but otherwise, wait to pack fully until you are within a week of your trip and can get a more accurate early forecast!
Always, ALWAYS bring a comfortable change of shoes. Most of the Essex Street Pedestrian Walkway is brick and cobblestone, and many downtown sidewalks are brick or uneven, with frequent curbs. A misplaced high heel can end a trip with a TRIP!
HOW DO I GET TICKETS?
Haunted Happenings is a full season of events and activities produced by many different businesses, organizations, and public partners. It is not one centrally owned festival, and there is no single ticketing office.
Each tour, museum, event, and attraction has its own tickets, policies, restrictions, and availability.
We STRONGLY suggest visiting the website or calling or messaging the specific place you have questions about. Plans may change based on many uncertain factors, and the individual business will always have the most accurate information.
For the most part, plan ahead and buy tickets for October tours, museums, and events as soon as they go on sale.
Restaurant reservations may be limited, and some restaurants change their menus, hours, or seating systems during October. If a restaurant is operating a waitlist, put your name in and spend some time people-watching or enjoying the street performers in designated areas while you wait!
WHAT IS THE BEST TOUR?
There are SO many tours in Salem, and despite what you may hear, no two are alike.
Guides will have different interpretations and stop at different locations. The tours themselves may focus more on history, more on ghostly legends, or a mixture of both. Some discuss the history of the Witchcraft Trials, while others focus more on Modern Witchcraft in Salem.
The most important thing is to pick a company that is locally owned and operated and is part of the community. Find one that aligns with your interests and contributes to Salem as a whole!
Read recent reviews from multiple sources, and look for comments that explain WHY someone recommends a particular tour. In online forums, recommendations may sometimes come from owners, employees, friends, or family members connected with the company. That does not necessarily mean it is a bad recommendation, but it is helpful to understand where it is coming from.
Take the time to research fully before choosing!
WHERE SHOULD I EAT?
This is one of the questions we get the most!
As locals, we have MANY personal favorites, and they are quite varied. We never want to feel like we are excluding anything because, genuinely, if a restaurant has been operating here for several years, it has earned its place and deserves to be an option for you.
There are standouts for a slightly fancier dinner, like Turner’s, Ledger, and Finz, but for the most part, if the menu sounds good to you, you’ll have a wonderful meal.
Reservations may be limited, and some restaurants change their menus, hours, or seating systems during October. Check directly with the restaurant so you know what to expect!
Deliveries can be unpredictable when so many streets are closed. You should NEVER take that out on the servers or leave a bad review for something outside the business’s control! That goes for ANYTHING in Salem!
WHERE ARE THE BATHROOMS?
There are many options for public restrooms in Salem.
You can access a list of public restrooms through the Destination Salem app by clicking on the toilet roll icon!
The City makes a significant investment in public safety, sanitation, and visitor comfort throughout Haunted Happenings, including placing portable restrooms at key locations around downtown during October. Portable restrooms are one of the highest direct expenses in the City’s budget for the event.
Use the Destination Salem app for the current restroom map, as locations and hours may change. If you know you have frequent bathroom needs, take note of restroom locations beforehand and consider carrying hand sanitizer and a small portable roll of paper, as supplies can run out on especially busy days.
You might hear some harrowing stories about a particular restroom online…
BELIEVE THEM.
If you are eating at a restaurant, take advantage of its restroom facilities and check for updated information through Destination Salem or with a local business!
Be prepared for many public restrooms to close at night, so find an option BEFORE you take a walking tour in the evening!
Think of Salem like you would a large outdoor festival rather than an amusement park.
WHAT DO LOCALS WISH VISITORS KNEW?
The thing we try to instill in every single person visiting Salem is that you should treat it like your hometown.
• Keep your trash with you in a bag if you can’t find a trash receptacle.
• Be kind to the local businesses and workers who are managing a surge of humanity that is unpredictable and overwhelming, even when you are prepared and know it is coming.
• Respect private property and local laws, especially at street crossings!
• Be patient! There will be lines and long waits in September and October. Buildings have capacities, things will sell out, and there are only so many people available to look after everything.
• Be safe! If you see something, say something!
Salem is a wonderful, strange, historic, living city. The people who live and work here genuinely care about our guests and want you to feel welcome, stay safe, and have a wonderful experience. Salem is also a small city managing an extraordinary number of people, so your patience and consideration make an enormous difference.
Plan ahead, remain flexible, and ask questions before you arrive and while you are here.
Most importantly, BE KIND.
We hope you have an unforgettable visit!
If there is a question you didn’t see answered here, what is it? We’ll be happy to answer!
(If this has been cross-posted, we’ll do our best to get to it!)
