Often imitated, but never duplicated - another Harris Sisters Girls' Weekend is a wrap! Each year, The Harris Sisters take some time away by ourselves (no kids, no husbands, and best of all, no responsibilities). It started many years ago as a weekend trip, but this year it has grown to five days (including travel days). We joke that by the time we're retired, we'll be taking month-long girls' "weekends." This year, the destination was Witch City, USA, otherwise known as Salem, MA.
We're in our 12th year of Girl's Weekends, and this is our first time visiting a Northern state. And let me tell you it was a blast! As per usual, we're going to share our full itinerary with you.
We visited the last weekend in September spanning into the first weekend in October. According to locals, as the calendar approaches Halloween, crowds tend to get bigger and things get busier in Salem. So we purposefully chose to visit during the least busy weekend that would still include special Haunted Happenings events.
We flew into Boston Logan Airport, picked up our rental car, and then drove to our rental house in Gloucester. Gloucester is about a 30 minute drive outside of Salem, which was outside of the hustle and bustle of both Boston and Salem.
Self-Guided Walking Tour of Salem
Salem is a very walkable town. If you miss out on reserving your spot in any of the guided walking tours or the trolley tour, you can visit some of the most important sites yourself.
McIntire Historic District
In 1981, Salem named its largest historic district after Samuel McIntire. Including Broad, Chestnut, Essex, Federal, and connecting streets, the district showcases four centuries of architectural styles, from the mid-17th century through the early 20th century.
Each historic house is marked with a placard explaining the historical significance. The sidewalks are brick and are marked with metal markers.
Easily accessible from downtown, this area is separated from many of Salem’s popular tourist attractions, which makes it an ideal activity for those seeking a break from the crowds.
Notable areas and structures to visit during the walking tour include:
Chestnut Street:
One of the oldest and most beautiful streets in America
Hamilton Hall: 9 Chestnut Street
Rich in history, Hamilton Hall is named after Alexander Hamilton. The Marquis de Lafayette, John Quincy Adams, and both of the Roosevelt presidents dined in the Hall. A designated National Historic Landmark, the Hall also serves as the site of the Remond family home and business.
Pickering House: 18 Broad Street
America's oldest home, it was built in 1660 by settler John Pickering, a carpenter from Coventry, England.
Peirce-Nichols House: 80 Federal Street National Historic Landmark
Cotting-Smith Assembly House: 138 Federal Street National Register of Historic Places
Witch House: 310 Essex Street
This historic house-museum is the only house still standing with direct ties to the Salem Witch Trials.
Hocus Pocus Locations in Salem
Parts of the original Hocus Pocus movie were filmed in Salem. You can either book a walking tour of the movie locations or visit them at your own pace. Please remember that when visiting any location that is a private residence to be respectful.
Ropes Mansion & Garden: 318 Essex Street
Also part of the McIntire Historic District, your first stop will be the Ropes Mansion, which was the filming location for Allison's home in Hocus Pocus. This historic home and its adjacent garden is now maintained by Peabody Essex Museum.
Here's the Ropes Mansion as Allison's House all decorated for Halloween:
And here's what it looks like today (undecorated at the time of our visit):
And don't forget to tour the garden!
Town Hall: 32 Derby Street
The exterior of the building was used in the Halloween party scene where Winifred Sanderson sings “I Put a Spell on You.”
The Old Town Hall from Hocus Pocus:
The Town Hall today:
Phillip’s School: 86 Essex Street
This is Max and Allison's school from Hocus Pocus.
"Jacob Bailey High School" from Hocus Pocus:
The school is now a residential building, but the exterior is still the same.
Salem Commons: Park Right Across from the School
This is the Hocus Pocus scene where Max and Alison walk and talk. He tries to give her his phone number. The most notable architecture from this scene is the distinctive iron fence.
Salem Commons as shown in Hocus Pocus:
Salem Commons today:
Max & Dani's House (private residence): 4 Ocean Avenue
This is a private residence that was used for filming Max and Dani's home in the Hocus Pocus movie. The Sanderson Sisters used magic to destroy the top of the house.
Max and Dani's home in the movie on Halloween night with Max racing home on his bicycle.
The home today:
Bewitched Locations in Downtown Salem
Bewitched Statue: Corner of Essex and Washington
This bronze TV Land statue pays tribute to the well-known TV sitcom Bewitched and its filming of the seventh season in Salem.
Hawthorne Hotel: 18 Washington Square W
One of the most "haunted" hotels in America, it is named after Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of The Scarlet Letter and The House of Seven Gables. Bewitched filmed an episode here in the 1970s and there is Bewitched memorabilia hanging in the lobby near the restrooms.
Halloween Decor Galore!
As you may expect, the residents of Salem go all out for Halloween when it comes to decorations, which makes the city even that much more magical.
A Jack-o'-lantern lined drive:
Witch hats and brooms are just the thing to spiff up these planters for Halloween.
Don't forget to stay spooky, friends!
Where does the queue start? Why step right up to the giant candy-corn line on the sidewalk!
We found more than our fair share of these 12-foot skeletons in Salem. This was the first one we found, with his regular-sized helpers.
These skeletons have taken over the Goodnight Fatty's truck!
Look up and you'll find floating witch hats suspended from a tree.
Neon pink bat wings make a fun photo prop.
Big smiles all around (even from the Jack-o'-lanterns)!
Even the police cruisers are witchy . . .
Recommended Shops
While you're in town, make sure to visit the local vendors for all your Halloween needs. Where else can you score vintage Halloween blow molds, candy corn cardigans, Jack-o'-lantern berets, and witch purses?
Witch City Consignment Store: 310 Essex Street
Lots of vintage blow molds and Halloween decorations here.
Emporium 32: 6 Central Street
An independent shop with unique items.
Modern Millie: 3 Central Street
Vintage-inspired modern clothing.
Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie: 122 Derby Street
America's oldest candy company
Wicked Good Books: 215 Essex Street
Independent bookstore offering both books and literary-themed gifts.
Die with Your Boots On: 9 Church Street
A mega-store with all the Halloween finery you could ever wish to own . . . and then some.
Retro 1980s-themed artwork on banners, prints, magnets, cards, and more!
Other Fun Things to Do in Salem
Make sure to purchase tickets to these events in advance, and keep in mind that if you're visiting in late September or October, tickets will sell fast. Some of these events are seasonal and are only available during the late September/October time frame.
Hollowed Harvest Jack-o'-Lantern Festival:
Make your way through hundreds of intricately carved Jack-O'-Lanterns that are lit in different colors. The best part about this particular festival? It's indoors! The perfect activity for a rainy evening.
A local historian guides you through the historic parts of Salem, explaining the history of the Salem Witch Trials as you travel through the city on a two-hour walking tour.
From Halloween PEZ to vintage blow molds to McDonald's Halloween McNugget Buddies, the Halloween Museum provides a Day-Glo experience for all things Halloween. The only disappointment was when you arrive at the end and realize there isn't any more to see!
Haunted Happenings Marketplace: Salem Commons
Part of the Haunted Happenings events, this marketplace features pop-up vendors, performances, mural photo stations, street performers, and much more on weekends in October.
Witch Pix: 172 Essex Street (located in Witch City Mall)
Have photos taken in a witch costume and leave with all of the high resolution fully downloadable photos from your 45-minute photo session.
Have a Scavenger Hunt:
You never know what you'll see in Salem. See if you can spot these items while you're touring the Witch City!
Overall Tips for Visiting Salem
- Book early if you want to visit during the fall season. September/October tours get sold out early and affordable accommodations may also be hard to come by the longer you wait.
- Follow the yellow (red) line! Salem used to have a red line running along the sidewalks called the Heritage Trail (similar to the Freedom Trail in Boston). It guides visitors through the historic parts of the city. It was repainted yellow in 2020, but it is the same line. If you're walking through the city and can't find your way, make sure to follow this line to get back on track to historic sites.
- Ever hear of the curse of Giles Corey? No? You'll probably hear about it in Salem, so we won't spoil the story for you. But! We WILL tell you about the curse of 10AM - most things in Salem seem to open at 10AM or after. And if you plan to arrive at 10AM or after, you'll be battling for a parking space. So, to get around this, we recommend arriving early, securing your parking space for the day, visiting one of the local breakfast restaurants, and then starting your day with your own walking tour (Hocus Pocus locations, Bewitched locations, historic homes, outside art exhibits, and gardens). That way, when 10AM rolls around and shops open or your planned events start, you're all set!
And that's our whirlwind tour of Salem!
We spent the rest of our time this Girls' Weekend hanging out, relaxing, and planning exciting things for the blog. So stay tuned!
And if you have a chance to visit Salem, MA, we hope you'll remember these things to do and areas to explore to enjoy your time there!
Make sure to check out our other
Girls' Weekend posts for our photos, recommendations, and reviews on the other places we've visited in previous years.
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