Check out a newer 2020 version of this post on my new blog: One Perfect Autumn Day In Salem, MA
Salem, Massachusetts is such an iconic fall destination. I’ve had house guests every single October/early November for the five years that I’ve called New England home. Mostly because everyone wants to visit Salem in the fall. If you are thinking about visiting in October check out this post about 6 things you need to know before visiting Salem in October. In a word, it’s crazy! But it’s also a lot of fun. I highly recommend going at least once to experience all of the crazy Salem has to offer in the fall.
Breakfast
Red’s Sandwich Shop
15 Central Street
Mon-Sat: 5 am – 3 pm
Sun: 6 am – 1 pm
Red’s is one of my favorite places to eat in Salem and I always take everyone there for breakfast. Red’s has been serving up award winning breakfasts for over 50 years and it doesn’t hurt that it’s located in a really cool historic building. The building dates back to the 1700s when it was known as the Old London Coffee House. It was a gathering place of Patriots before the American Revolution. Try the Lobster Benedict, mimosa, or the coffee (the BEST diner coffee).
For coffee/smaller breakfast or a light lunch check out –
Brew Box Salem
131-2 Essex Street
Daily: 7 am – 5 pm
Try the cereal milk latte or the cold brew!! They also offer light breakfast and lunch options, as well as, hot chocolate, tea, chai latte and a ton of different coffee options.
Ugly Mug Diner
122 Washington Street
Daily: 7 am – 3 pm
Whether you are looking for something light and a coffee or a big breakfast and a cup of tea this place has you covered. Try the espresso and enjoy it in a crazy mug!
Jaho Coffee Roaster and Wine Bar
197 Derby Street
Mon – Fri: 7 am – 11 pm
Sat & Sun: 8 am – 11 pm (10 pm on Sun)
Jaho has so many options from a plethora of coffee options, soft serve ice cream and quick bites. If you end up here later in the day they have an impressive menu of specialty drinks, craft beer, and wine.
Gula Gula Café
247 Essex Street
Daily: 8 am – 11 pm
Known for its coffee, hard to come by craft beer and light food it’s the perfect place to stop for a quick bite. Pick something off of the specialty lattes list or if you are a coffee purist check out their house coffee!
Self Guided Hocus Pocus Tour
If you are a fan of Hocus Pocus I suggest that you take my Self Guided Hocus Pocus Tour next for all of the fun filming locations in Salem!
If you aren’t a huge fan of the cult classic 90’s Halloween flick there are plenty of other options for you.
For My Fellow History Nerds –
Salem Witch Trial Memorial
24 Liberty Street
If you want to brush up on the history of the Salem Witch Trials click here. 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.
Old Burying Point Cemetery
51 Charter Street
Open 24 hours
I swear I don’t just hang out in cemeteries! This one is cool because it’s the 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.
The Witch House
310 Essex Street
Daily: 10 am – 5 pm
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. Although, I have to admit that I don’t typically visit historical places during the month of October in Salem. I am planning on writing a History Nerds Guide to Salem, MA soon!
If you had a light breakfast try lunch at –
Lobster Shanty
25 Front Street
Daily: 12 pm – 12:30 am
This place is usually pretty busy and very informal. They serve classic seafood and have live music on weekends. The outdoor dining is fantastic (although it may be a bit chilly or not available in Oct). They have a great craft beer selection and a fun creative drink menu! Try some Far From The Tree Cider and the lobster roll for a classic New England fall meal.
For My Fellow Harry Potter Nerds –
You HAVE to visit
Wynott’s Wands
127 Essex Street
Daily: 12-6 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!
Remember Salem
127 Essex Street (next door to Wynott’s Wands)
Daily: 11 am.- 6 pm
If you are a fan of Harry Potter you have to visit Remember Salem. If it’s warm get yourself a butterbeer! But check out all of the awesome Harry Potter merchandise inside!
Kitschy Witchy Fun –
Bewitched Sculpture
It’s not hard to find the Bewitched Sculpture in town! You can take your picture with it before/after you stop at Gula Gula Café!
Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery
217 Essex Street
Daily: 10 am – 6 pm (5 pm on Sundays)
Count Orlok’s is a cinematic monster museum! 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 Sister’s is featured (wink wink).
Witch Pix
172 Essex Street
Mon-Thurs & Sun: 10 am – 6:30 pm
Fri & Sat: 10 am – 7 pm
This is one of those, dress up as witches and get your photos taken riding on a broom with your friends, places. Super fun, super kitsch and oh, so Salem!
If I’m being completely honest, I am not a fan of any of the Salem Witch Trial Museums. All the ones I’ve visited are a bit dated and I just didn’t find that they were worth the price of admission! But, hey, that’s just me and there are plenty to choose from!
Witch Specific Shops –
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
I love the Coven’s Cottage and visit pretty much every time I go to Salem. It’s definitely a shop I recommend checking out.
Hex Old World Witchery
246 Essex Street
Daily: 11 am – 7 pm
Hex is no joke! They have Voodoo Dolls, potions and any other magical thing you can think of! Not only do they have a shop in Salem, but they also have one in New Orleans. Their website suggests their shop is for both Witches and the curious alike. Check them out!
Crow Haven
125 Essex Street
Daily: 10 am – 9 pm
This is the oldest witch shop in Salem and worth a visit!
You are probably starving by now if you didn’t stop for lunch so check out this place for dinner or drinks –
The Bit Bar
50 St Peter Street
Mon-Thurs: 12 pm – 12 am
Fri- Sun: 12 pm – 1 am
It’s 21+ after 8 pm
The Bit Bar is so much fun! From their game inspired drink menu to their yummy elk burger, this place did not disappoint. It’s been open for 3 years and gets incredibly busy during October. You see, Bit Bar features classic arcade and pinball machines!
Try your hand at Addams Family pinball (I used to be good at pinball but sucked SO hard when I visited the Bit Bar). Or test your skills with the most classic arcade games Donkey Kong, Ms. Pac-Man and Q*Bert (which I also really sucked at haha).
After dinner check out one of Salem’s many night tours!
Night Tours –
Salem Haunted History Tour
$16 per adult
90 minute tour
Departure Point: 127 Essex Street
The tour runs rain or shine and explores reportedly haunted locations in Salem.
Salem ‘Voodoo, Vampires and Ghosts’ History Walking Tour
$16 per adult
1 hour and 30 minute tour
Departure Point: 2 New Liberty Street
This one has been on my list for a few years and I haven’t had a chance to do it yet. Not only is it a historical tour but it’s also a ghost tour. The tour then takes a turn into horror territory with some good ole’ New England vampire folklore. It sounds awesome!
And that concludes the perfect fall day in Salem, Massachusetts!
