Whether you are a maritime expert, a history buff, an art lover, or a Halloween enthusiast, you’ll want to add historic Salem to your travel list. Known as the “Witch City”, Salem is a fantastic place to visit year round, though October is the month to experience Halloween at its best. Your Beverly or Cape Ann vacation rental is within minutes from Salem’s wonderful happenings. Here are some travel ideas to plan your family-fun day excursion to Salem.
Haunted Happenings
Get ready for a unique and spooktacular experience during the month of October at Salem’s Haunted Happenings. This month-long spirited celebration features a Grand Parade, ghost tours, family film nights on Salem Commons, haunted houses, fairs, markets, and many more frightfully amazing events and activities for the family to enjoy. Check out the full Haunted Happenings schedule here: https://www.hauntedhappenings.org/.
Photo by Haunted Happenings
Exploring the Witch City Any Time of Year
Salem was founded in 1626 by John Conant and is the birthplace of the National Guard. The city is steeped in rich history from maritime to literary, to the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Some of the city’s notable figures include John Cabot, Nathanial Hawthorne, Edgar Allen Poe, and Laurie Cabot, Salem’s “official witch”. In addition to its history, myths, and folklore, this beautiful seaport is a treasure trove filled with world-class museums, such as the Peabody Essex Museum, the Salem Witch Museum, the Salem Witch House, and the House of Seven Gables, just to name a few. Salem has also been the location setting and backdrop for many films and TV shows, and many literary works. A great and fun way to learn more of its bewitching history is to go on a walking or trolley tour, or on a sunset sail.
Photo by Destination Salem
Shopping, Restaurants, and Breweries
Browse the variety of shops from Downtown Salem to Pickering Wharf to buy a souvenir, vintage clothing, or even a spell book or crystal. Dine at the many restaurants downtown from brewpubs and burgers to classic New England to Indian and enjoy the local fare and flavors to please everyones palate.
Photo by Destination Salem
Outdoor Adventures
Add a family adventure to your itinerary and visit some of Salem’s beautiful natural surroundings, such as Salem Commons, and Salem Woods. Historic Salem Willows is a seaside attraction with a water park, an arcade, food, and a ton of fun for all ages!
Traveling to Salem from Beverly or Cape Ann
The easiest way to get to and from Salem from your Atlantic Vacation Homes rental is either by train or car. Leave your broom at home and take the MBTA’s commuter rail (Newburyport/Rockport) to/from Salem which is a short 5- to 10-minute ride to/from Beverly or a little longer of a ride to other Cape Ann rail stops. Taking the train is easy and relaxing as well as a scenic trip in itself traveling through Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, and Rockport. This October, enjoy the MBTA’s $10 weekend rate with unlimited travel on the commuter rail.
Where to Stay For Your Salem Day Trip?
Atlantic Vacation Homes offers a wide variety of vacation rental homes in Beverly and across Cape Ann that would be the perfect home base when visiting Salem and the surrounding area. To book your accommodations, simply view available vacation rentals and enter your desired dates to get a quote. You can also call toll-free at (855) 853-9143 to speak with a Guest Experience Specialist.
Banner image photo by North of Boston CVB