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- More Witchy Things To Do In Salem, MA
Summary
- Salem's Haunted Happenings Festival is a massive event held in October, offering live entertainment, competitions, food, and activities for the whole family.
- The Witch House is the only standing structure directly connected to the 1692 witch trials and offers tours that provide a deeper insight into the events that took place.
- The Satanic Temple serves as a museum that critiques organized religions and features art that explores the Satanic Panic of the 1980s and 1990s. Visitors can also learn about the figure of Satan as a symbol of separation between church and state.
Salem, Massachusetts, attracts visitors from all over the world who are intrigued by its mystical history. Many of the facilities involved in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 still stand today, making for a fascinating and educational trip. Of course, October seems to be the most popular month to visit as the city takes part in several Halloween-themed and spooky events. However, you don’t have to wait until October to get a witchy experience. There are plenty of witchy things to do in Salem, from super creepy to family-friendly.
Beat the crowds, get the best deals, and still have a memorable time getting to know the city and history of Salem as you explore the sites below.
UPDATE: 2023/09/21 16:05 EST BY NOAH STAATS
More Witchy Things To Do In Salem, MA
This article has been refreshed with new information for those wanting to try witchy things in Salem, Massachusetts, and helpful insight per location. Whether the group wants to explore a haunted building, attend a festival, or peruse an old cemetery, Salem is THE place to travel this fall for all things witchy-ness!
14 Salem's Haunted Happenings Festival
One idea for those traveling to Salem, Massachusetts, this fall is to check out the town's annual 'Haunted Happenings' Festival. This is a massive event boasting live entertainment, competitions, fall decorations, food, drinks, and activities for the whole family. Moreover, this is held during October, with numerous events and thousands of visitors dressed for the occasion. Many witches may be seen flying through the festival, so make sure and keep an eye out for them.
What's also nice here is that by purchasing items for sale at the Haunted Happenings Festival, tourists can support local businesses, as well as keep this public (free) event alive. This festival will be on weekends throughout October, heading toward the Halloween holiday. That is undeniably the witchiest time to attend.
- Address: 81 Washington St #204, Salem, MA 01970
13 The Old Salem Jail
If guests of Salem want to see where the accused witches once sat, the Old Salem Jail is a great choice. Here, tourists can explore the jail, also known as the Essex County Jail, which is a historic jail in Salem, Massachusetts, located next to Howard Street. This is an interesting and eerie spot in town, with many claiming it is heavily active with ghosts. After all, there were many who never left the complex alive. The three-story Jail Keeper's house was built in 1813 and stands today as a housing project for those in the city.
It's worth mentioning, however, that this is no longer a site where guests can walk through, as it is a residential property. People can walk around the property and see if they find any ghosts or witches, though. Just keep this in mind while there!
- Address: 161 Bridge St, Salem, MA 01970
12 The Witch House
The Witch House, the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin and his family until the 1800s, is the only structure still standing today that is directly connected to the 1692 witch trials. Judge Corwin was called to investigate the claims of witchcraft and served on the court that was eventually responsible for the convictions.
In 1944, the house was threatened to be demolished, which sparked the reconstruction and preservation of Salem. The house was restored and opened to the public as a museum in 1948. It’s an excellent example of seventeenth-century architecture. Tours provide visitors with a visual, which serves to give a deeper insight into the events that took place.
- Address - 310 Essex St. | Salem, MA
11 The House of Seven Gables
Nathaniel Hawthorne, author, and grandson of Judge Hawthorne, who was involved in the witch trials, created a novel called The House of Seven Gables. The novel was inspired by the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, a gabled house in Salem. The book is painted with suggestions of witchcraft and the supernatural, so reading before visiting is recommended.
The house is available for tours Monday-Friday and lasts about 30-45 minutes. Various programs are available throughout the year, with performances throughout October. Choose to explore Spirits of the Gables or Legacy of the Hanging Judge. Combination tickets can be purchased at a discounted rate allowing for the experience of both shows.
- Address - 115 Derby Street | Salem, MA
10 The Satanic Temple
The Satanic Temple is one of the more recent attractions to be added in Salem. Founded in 2013, the non-theistic group advocates for separation between church and state using the figure of Satan as its symbol. Though several chapters are found throughout the United States, it wasn’t until 2016 that they opened this temple to serve as its headquarters. The temple contributes yet another museum, but this one features art that critiques the hypocrisies of organized religions. You can also learn about the Satanic Panic of the 1980s and 1990s in their library.
- Address - 64 Bridge St | Salem, MA
9 Salem Witch Museum
If you’re looking to learn the ins and outs of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, add the Salem Witch Museum to your itinerary. The main presentation and info session are based on actual trial documents. The 13 life-size stage sets and every lighting bring the drama of the trials to life as visitors look on to witness the corruption and distorted stories that came to be known as the Salem Witch Hunt.
Witches: Evolving Perceptions is the title of the second exhibit in the museum. For this portion, a live guide gives insight into the changing perceptions of witchcraft and the reality of practicing witches today.
- Address - 19 1/2 N Washington Square | Salem, MA
8 Salem Witch Trials Memorial
The Salem Witch Trials are known for convicting 14 women and 6 men for acts of witchcraft between June and September 1692. To honor those who were wrongfully accused and executed, the memorial was constructed on the 300-year anniversary of the trials in 1992. The memorial is made up of 20 granite benches inscribed with the names of the accused, dates of execution, and victims’ protests.
A number of black locust trees, believed to be the kind of trees the victims were hanged from, were planted on the grounds. The memorial sits adjacent to Old Burying Point cemetery, where notorious Salem Witch Trial judges and other residents of 1692 are buried.
- Address - 24 Liberty St. | Salem, MA
7 The Burying Point
From the Salem Witch Trial Memorial, you can wander to The Burying Point, Salem’s oldest burying ground. Here, you can find the graves of Judge John Hathorne and Judge Bartholomew Gedney. Both were heavily involved in the judgments made against the victims. Judge Hathorne, in particular, is thought to have profited in some way from his decision against the detainees. He refused to reconsider his verdict against the victims even after multiple witnesses abandoned their original testimonies. The convicted “witches” were denied their right to own or inherit property.
When one couple, Samuel Wardwell and his wife, were executed, their property in Lynn, Massachusetts, was reassigned to court officials, including Hathorne.
- Address - Charter St. | Salem, MA
6 The Salem Witch Village
No matter the season, The Salem Witch Village has something witchy in store. In the village, you can choose to participate in various attractions popular in Salem. Walking tours of the village are headed by modern, practicing witches who can shed light on the reality of witchcraft in the ancient and modern world.
They will also provide historical information as you visit some important landmarks while discussing the origins of typical stereotypes like flying brooms, black cats, and devil worship. Other attractions include Candlelit Ghostly Walking Tours, Salem Wax Museum of Witches and Seafarers, and even a spell casting by a practicing witch.
- Address - 282 Derby Street | Salem, MA
5 The Salem Haunted Magic Show
This specific show is only available during the Halloween season, from September to November. Still, it can be worth your while if you’re looking for a haunted experience. Every year, the show’s theme is changed. In the past, they’ve focused their shows on phobias, mental asylums, and fraudulent psychic mediums. Every show aims to intertwine entertainment with messages and lessons about a specific subject. Every show is completely different and unique - even if you attend multiple times during your stay. The show is about 75 minutes long, and audience participation is encouraged, though never forced.
- Address - 50 Washing St. | Salem, MA
4 OMEN Psychic Power & Witchcraft Emporium
On your trip to Salem, stop by OMEN for a truly supernatural experience. Guided by a real spirit medium, you’ll step into the spirit parlor to connect with those who’ve passed. Participants are encouraged to bring an item of the departed and are guided through a meditation that allows for a seamless connection between the 3D and the spirit world. The shop also contains various products that can help you to establish connections on your own time. Some items include spell candles, incense, crystals and gems, potions, and much more.
- Address - 184 Essex Street | Salem, MA
3 The Gallows Hills Main Show
Gallows Hills is thought to be the site where the executions of the “witches” happened. From June through October, you can choose to watch the Main Show, which uses holograms, ghostly projections, rumble seats, and 4D effects to bring the witches and ghosts of Salem to life. The interactive and immersive theatrics allow the audience can learn about the history and horror that took place during the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. In October, combo tickets are available, so you can watch the Main Show in addition to any of the special event shows.
- Address - 7 Lynde Street | Salem, MA
2 Salem Wax Museum
Travelers can find the Salem Wax Museum on a dead-end street across from the Peabody Essex Museum and next to the Tricentennial Witch Trials Memorial and The Charter Street Old Burying Point. It is reported that his site is the 2nd oldest burial ground in the country, Adding to the creepiness travelers will feel as they wander through the museum's wax exhibits. These incredibly life-like creatures are shore to give travelers the shivers.
- Address - 288 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970
1 Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery
Open seasonally to provide spooks to those traveling to Salem, Massachusetts, Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery is the perfect location to discover something creepy that travelers can take home with them. Their spooky shop itself is simply fun to browse through, though with its haunting theme. This is a great stop that all ages can enjoy.
- Address - 217 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970