Salem, Massachusetts
Salem has been on my bucket list for years, so it was a given when I made my fall bucket list that this year I had to visit finally. Salem is known as being the historic site of the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Salem is known as Witch City and the Halloween capital of the world. During October Salem comes alive. Salem is even sensationalized for it’s ties to Hocus Pocus. Hocus Pocus lovers flock to Salem every Halloween to visit sites from the cult-classic film.
“I was born on the night of Samhain, when the barrier between the worlds is whisper-thin and when magic, old magic, sings its heady and sweet song to anyone who cares to hear it.”
Downtown Salem
“Salem houses present to you a serene and dignified front, gracious yet reserved, not thrusting forward their choicest treasures to the eyes of passing strangers; but behind the walls of the houses, enclosed from public view, lie cherished gardens, full of the beauty of life.”
Salem Visitors Center
The visitors center is a great starting point for your Salem trip. The visitors center has a great deal of information on the history of the witch trials and Salem as a seaport town. They feature some thought-provoking paintings depicting the evolution of witches and their ties to the greatest fallen angel, Lucifer.
Salem Old Burying Point Cemetery
The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 are known as the most infamous witch trials in history. The witch trials were a series of hearings, prosecutions, and executions. During the witch-hunt, Colonists accused 200 townspeople of communing with the devil and practicing witchcraft. 20 women, men, and children were taken to the Gallows and were hanged.
“We see witchcraft, finally, as a deeply ambivalent but violent struggle /within/ women as well as an equally ambivalent but violent struggle /against/ women.”
Salem Witch Trial Memorial
The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 will forever be remembered as a time of widespread panic and hysteria This, in turn, resulted in the executions of the 20 innocent townspeople in the quiet and sleepy village of Salem. Many of the accused were thrown into the dungeons of the jails awaiting their sorrowful fate.
“I was interested in what was really going on in Salem at that time, and I resolved to investigate this seemingly unorthodox treatment of the people and the period.”
Salem Witch Museum
The Salem Witch Museum has tons of information on American and European witchcraft. We did the nighttime tour, and our guide was very informative and engaging. We also sat through the audio tour which has stages of reenacted scenes from the witch trials. This is an excellent tour for history lovers too. I learned so much more about the Salem Witch Trials.
“Witch. The word drifted across his mind. We call such women so, because we have no other name.”
The Witch House
The Witch House, Corwin House, is one of the last remaining structures with direct ties to the Salem witch trials of 1692. The home belonged to Jonathan Corwin who was one of the judges during the infamous witch trials.
“Perhaps I am the only person who, asked whether she were a witch or not, could truthfully say, “I do not know. I do know some very strange things have happened to me, or through me.”
Ropes Mansion
It’s all just a bunch of Hocus Pocus! The Ropes Mansion is a Colonial-style home and features a botanical backyard wonderland. This is every Hocus Pocus fangirl’s dream! It’s surreal to celebrate the 25th anniversary of my favorite Halloween Disney movie at this iconic place.
“When a small group of people come together to relive the Salem witch hunts, God cries. For if anything is sorrowful to God, it is evil done in his name. When you find out you were not given the truth, how will you live with yourself?”
Bewitched Statue
Fans of the beloved TV Land show Bewitched love to visit the site of the Elizabeth Montgomery, Bewitched Statue. The bronzed statue of Elizabeth sits atop a crescent moon. Several episodes of Bewitched were filmed in Salem.
“We are quicksilver, a fleeting shadow, a distant sound…our home has no boundaries beyond which we cannot pass. We live in music, in a flash of color…we live on the wind and in the sparkle of a star!”
Salem Common
It’s the 25th anniversary of Hocus Pocus, and I’m visiting where scenes from the movie were filmed. Tonight Hocus Pocus is playing out on the lawn, and I get to watch one of my favorite childhood movies in Salem! It’s just a bunch of Hocus Pocus! I’ll Put a Spell on You. Run amok amok amok.
“Come, little children, I’ll take thee away, Into a land of enchantment. Come little children; the time’s come to play, Here in my garden of magic.“
Hex Old World Witchery
I’ve visited the Hex sister store on numerous occasions in New Orleans, so I just had to visit the Hex store in Salem. This is the original Hex store and has all of the same witchy goodness and magick. Hex has many herbs and oils, tarot and oracle cards, spell and magic books, and more. The altar table is filled with photos, prayers, and offerings.
“The sky grew orange and pink, a pale ghost of the full moon appeared above Salem, waiting to glow brilliant in the velvet black hiding just beyond the twilight.”
Essex Street Pedestrian Mall
Historic Essex Street is the life source of Salem. There are numerous new age shops, divey eateries and cafes, and specialty boutiques lined up alongside the brick and cobblestone streets. Essex Street is all things horror and Halloween from witches to vampires and beyond. I love all of the eclectic storefronts which feature unique gifts and merchandise. Essex Street is so lively and inviting.
“You hold a lioness in your arms, little witch. Someone’s sky; another’s earth; and a third’s star. Blood, skin, and breath in one.”
Salem Haunted Happenings
Visiting Salem, MA the site of the Salem Witch Trials has been on my bucket list for years. During our visit, many festivals were going on including Salem Haunted Happenings, The Psychic and Witch Fair, and the Bizarre Bazaar. October is a month-long celebration for #SalemHauntedHappenings 🔮🕯⚰️🦇🕷🕸✨🕯
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
Salem Haunted Bizarre Bazaar
The Bizarre Bazaar is packed with locals, tourists, and vendors shopping, eating, and taking in all of the sights and sounds. This is the festival for entertaining all Halloween lovers. This is a family event, and there are games and activities, plus trick-or-treating for the kids.
“They called her witch because she knew how to heal herself.”
Salem Psychic and Witch Fair
Calling all Halloween Lovers to the Psychic and Witch Fair, also known as The Festival of the Dead. There are celebrated mediums and psychics holding seminars and relaying messages from the spirit world through tarot cards, crystal balls, and palm readings. The fair features an emporium of magickal gifts.
“I address you all tonight for who you truly are: wizards, mermaids, travelers, adventurers, and magicians. You are the true dreamers.”
Other things to do:
Salem Maritime National Historic Site
Peabody Essex Museum
Pickering Wharf
The Custom House
The House of Seven Gables
Salem Witch Village
Witch Dungeon Museum
Witch History Museum
New England Pirate Museum
Salem 1630: Pioneer Village
Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery
Salem Wax Museum of Witches & Seafarers
There’s just something about you, Salem. Happy Halloween, little witches! Happy All Hallows’ Day! Happy Hocus Pocus Day! Happy Haunting! Happy Samhain!🎃👻
Sending all my love from Salem! xoxo
“When change cometh, she will bring peace at her back. She will not bend to your will; you must bend to hers.”
I would love to visit Salem one day. It’s a beautiful area, and I find the history fascinating.
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This is definitely on my bucket list also! What a fascinating experience this must have been. I bet you learnt a lot!
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My husband and I visited Salem in October 2017…..great history…huge crowds….we were there on a Saturday, and I’d love to go back….not in October!!! HA!
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Creepy.. but very cool! something I like. Hope to visit this place someday.
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Now this is in my bucket list too as I love everything spooky.
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Spooky! I’d love to visit too… just not in October 🙈. The history is fascinating and I’m sure nothing beats being there in person to visit all those key places.
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Looks like fantastic trip! And the theme and time are perfect for the season. I never knew this place now is so attractive!
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This sounds like a fascinating place to visit. No better time to visit than around Halloween either! Some spooky magic goes on here.
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As a child I used to read a lot of horror stories and always wanted to visit Salem, totally enjoyed reading your blog post and seeing all the wonderful photos of the place.
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I have never been there but definitely added this to my bucket list. I look like a nice and very interesting place to explore.
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This looks like fun place to visit on Halloween x
Laura
https://goo.gl/X4Smav
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This is def on my travel list. such an interesting place full of history!
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It’s crazy how history can come alive and feel different when you actually visit where it happened. I think it’s a great idea and bucket list item.
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This is so cool! Now I want to go to Salem even more:) Lovely pictures and I love your costumes 😀
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Thank you so much! You must visit Salem. You would love it.
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I have never been there but it sounds like a nice destination getaway during this Holidays.
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I would love to visit Salem one day, heard a lot about it
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I am sooo jealous of your trip! I LOVE Hocus Pocus, and would be thrilled to visit the places that were featured in the move, and to learn more about the Salem Witch Trials!
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Oh my goodness, you are adorable! Thank you so much. ☺️
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I am not a Halloween person but this looks so much fun.
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Salem is such an amazing place! I would love to get back and visit as soon as I can. Looks like you had a really amazing time.
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I never heard of this place before but I would gladly visit it if I’m ever in Massachusetts! Lovely pictures
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I have never been to Salem and it looks like a nice place to visit and I am sure my sister will also love to be there!
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I was just reading about Salem a few days ago. It looks like an interesting place to visit.
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I’ve always wanted to visit! I read Salem’s Lot by Stephen King as a young teen & I had 3 sleepless nights lol. I’ve read so many stories on the Salem trials that I have to visit now. To think that it was all a hoax that caused excruciating deaths.
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Salem seems like an interesting place to visit. I want to take my mom to Salem as it has a lot of history behind it.
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I have always wanted to visit Salem. Such an interesting place. You are so lucky to cross out Salem from your bucket list
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I dont know but this gave me creeps. I find it scary and interesting at the same time. I wanna go here with a brave friend hehe
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Ah! I was there when I was a child, and I remember being so fascinated. I need to get back there and explore!
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Very interesting read! I love the pictures, quotes and descriotuve words used to describe your trip… felt like I was right there with you!
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I’ve always wanted to go to Salem!!!
Great post; definitely putting on my list for 2019!
Thank you!
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Love these pictures! I’ve also always wanted to go to Salem, and now, after reading your post, even more so!
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Oh, how wonderful! You must visit. 🙂
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I would love to visit Salem one day, it looks like an amazing place and so much to see.
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Thanks for ahring. This is so informative.
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Hey very nice blog!
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I really want to see Salem someday!
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