When someone mentions “witchy places to visit during spooky season,” Salem is almost always the first to come to mind. After all, they don’t call it Witch City for nothing.

But what is it really like to visit this historic town with its infamous past—and its present-day enchantment?

As a resident of Massachusetts, I’m lucky to live just three hours from Salem. I’d only been once before—a short afternoon of shopping—so when a friend invited me on a spontaneous day trip, this witch jumped at the chance to explore.

Was it planned? Not really. (Which, if you know me, is a bit shocking.) But sometimes, a little magic lives in the unplanned. I did my usual scroll through recommendations and shops beforehand—as you do—but there were still surprises waiting for me.

So here’s what it’s like visiting Salem in late September—before the full spell of October has been cast.

First Impressions: Crowds, Costumes, and Clown Sightings

Even on an impromptu visit, Salem is alive with energy. The streets were already crowded, some visitors dressed in full costume—and yes, I may or may not have nearly run into traffic to avoid a creepy clown.

Listen, I have a bad track record of throwing my friends to the wolv—er, clowns—in haunted houses. I’m more of a Hocus Pocus and Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown kind of gal. And this guy? He wasn’t part of a haunted attraction. He was just there. On the street. Looming.

Apparently, he’s a Salem staple—I’ve now spotted him in blog posts, tourism promos, and more than one unlucky visitor’s selfie. He’s become my unofficial nemesis. But enough about my growing vendetta.

Shops bustled with excitement, many already setting up queue lines in anticipation of the October rush. And around every corner? The hum of something sacred… and a little spooky.

Besides the clown.

Our first stop (and later, one of our agreed top picks) was Hive and Forge—and this place was mesmerizing. The vibe? A stunning blend of witchy, edgy, and artisan-made beauty. According to their website, they support over 70 artists and small business owners, all under one (incredibly aesthetic) roof. I could’ve easily spent all day there, but our adventure was just getting started.

Salem Main Streets’ Fuzziest Fundraiser

One of my favorite unexpected moments? Voting for the Dog Mayor of Salem.

Yes, you read that right.

Salem Main Streets runs an adorable fundraiser where locals and visitors can vote with their dollars to elect Salem’s very first dog mayor. As a dog lover and a witch who believes in giving back, I had to join in.

Each dollar donated counts as one vote, with proceeds supporting free community events and downtown business initiatives. The winner is crowned at the Howl-o-ween Pet Parade—which also doubles as the dog mayor’s official inauguration. It’s wholesome chaos, and I loved it.

🗳️ Learn more & see the candidates here: Dog Mayor of Salem

Lindsey’s Meandering Itinerary

Here’s everywhere we wandered that day:

🐝 Hive & Forge – Curated artisan goods with a dark, dreamy edge

🔮 HausWitch Home + Healing – Always a must. Magical home goods & feminist witchery

📚 Roost & Company – Bookish, stylish, and so cozy

🍱 Koto Asian Fusion – Sushi and sustenance

🧹 Witch City Broom Co. – I mean… of course.

📖 Harrison’s Comics & Pop Culture – Nerdy comfort

🐈‍⬛ The Black Cat Curiosity Shoppe – Quirky curios and haunted charm

🌙 Moons Gift Shop – Lunar love and magical trinkets

🚻 The Great Bathroom Hunt™ – An ongoing side quest

🧭 National Park Service Visitor Center – Worth stopping in for maps/history

🛍️ Haunted Happenings Marketplace at the Salem Commons – Peak spooky vibes

🕯️ The Cauldron Black – Occult, ritual, and respect

🍸 Mainstay Social (at Salem Waterfront Hotel) – A great spot for dinner and drinks

Haunted Happenings: Spooky Season in Full Swing

Though our trip was in late September, the Haunted Happenings spirit had already begun to rise.

Salem Haunted Happenings is the city’s month-long celebration of Halloween—complete with events, markets, tours, and festivities. Even during our visit, shops were preparing for the waves of October visitors, and costumed revelers were trickling in.

If you're planning a trip, the official Haunted Happenings website has everything you need:

Up-to-date event calendar

Free downloadable guide

Planning tips and travel info

App for on-the-go exploring

📲 Visit HauntedHappenings.org

Many shops have queues to get in during peak season-plan accordingly! Bring sunscreen and patience.

For Next Time: History, Healing & Honoring

As much as I love a good shopping stroll (and some chaotic Halloween energy), there’s another side of Salem I want to experience more deeply.

Next time, I’m planning a more reflective, history-centered visit—especially to the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and the Salem Witch Museum.

This part of the city’s legacy holds weight, and it deserves reverence.

A Brief History: The Salem Witch Trials & Their Legacy

The Salem Witch Trials began in early 1692, in what was then the Puritan village of Salem. It started, as these things often do, with fear.

When several young girls began experiencing unexplained fits and behaviors, local ministers declared it the work of the devil. Pressured for answers, the girls named names—and a wave of accusations swept the town like wildfire.

Over the next several months, more than 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft. Twenty were executed—nineteen by hanging, and one man, Giles Corey, was crushed to death with stones for refusing to enter a plea. Most of the accused were women, many of them marginalized or considered “outsiders” by Puritan society: poor, widowed, enslaved, or simply outspoken.

Not one of them was proven to be a witch.

The roots of the trials ran deep: religious extremism, misogyny, social unrest, and a community quick to turn on its own. The trials officially ended in 1693, and decades later, the state of Massachusetts formally apologized. But the legacy lingers—not just in Salem, but in every space where fear is used to silence the vulnerable.

Witchcraft, Myth, and Modern Salem

Salem has transformed itself from a place of persecution into one of empowerment—for many witches, spiritual practitioners, and modern seekers. What was once a site of fear and injustice is now a sanctuary for some, filled with metaphysical shops, covens, and spiritual spaces.

But like all things reclaimed, it’s complicated.

Some corners of Salem lean heavily into tourism, with souvenir shops and gimmicks that can feel… performative. And yet, within that commercial swirl are real witches running intentional businesses. There are altars behind counters. There are ancestral prayers whispered between tarot readings. There is healing being offered in places where harm once ruled.

Walking those cobbled streets, I felt the paradox. Salem is both sacred and sensational. Both weighty and whimsical. It is a city learning how to hold its past and present at the same time.

And I think that’s part of the magic.

If you’d like to read more about the history behind the Salem Witch Trials, I highly recommend this article from Smithsonian Magazine:

🔗 A Brief History of the Salem Witch Trials

How to Honor the Past When We Travel

As travelers—especially magical ones—we carry a responsibility. When we visit places marked by grief or injustice, we are guests in sacred spaces.

Here are a few gentle ways to honor Salem’s past:

Spend time at the Salem Witch Trials Memorial
Speak or learn the names of those who were lost
Leave offerings or flowers if allowed
Move through the space quietly, with respect
Support businesses that center ethics, education, and healing
Reflect on how we, too, may carry or challenge the systems that once condemned others

To travel mindfully is to travel magically.

Closing Reflection

Have you ever visited a place that changed how you saw the world—or yourself?

Salem reminded me that travel isn’t always about escape. Sometimes, it’s about remembrance. Sometimes, it’s about bearing witness. And sometimes… it's about reclaiming joy in places where joy once died.

“May we always remember. May we always honor. May our magic heal what history has wounded.”

And if you want to visit this amazing place-whether it’s a full October experience or a quiet winter visit- I’d love to help you craft a travel experience that honors the magic you want to create.

Wander wisely. Dream deeply. Travel magically.

Until next time.

Lindsey