Somehow it’s already Halloween! On this spookiest of days, I’m reminiscing on the girls’ trip Sara and I took just last month, which was a whirlwind adventure that included a fall must-visit: Salem, Massachusetts.
I’ve always heard that Salem in October is pure chaos, but by going in late September, we lucked out. The town was buzzing with energy but wasn’t overwhelming. Our timing was perfect… but our arrival? Not so much.
After a very delayed flight into Boston, waiting for our rental car, and driving to nearby Marblehead (just ten minutes from Salem), we didn’t get into our Airbnb until about 4 a.m. That left us with just one full day to do Salem – but if I do say so myself, we nailed it.
~8:15 a.m.: Wake up in Marblehead
Despite the lack of sleep, Sara and I managed to rally. We started our day at Blue Canoe Cafe for a much-needed breakfast, then wandered over to Wicked Ducks, where I grabbed a few fun goodies for the kids (any guesses what they were?). After a little window shopping, we headed back to grab the car and hit the road for Salem.
11:00 a.m.: Park in Salem
Finding parking in Salem is no small feat, but we scored a spot in a garage for just $0.65/hour thanks to a friendly attendant at another lot who pointed us there. Definitely a solid way to start our visit.
Our first stop was Crave, a sandwich spot Sara found on TikTok. It absolutely lived up to the hype, with the kind of hearty, delicious lunch that powers you through an entire day of exploring.
With our afternoon tour in mind, we squeezed in a few quick stops first:
- Punto Urban Art Museum – beautiful murals, including a nostalgic Strawberry Shortcake piece
- The Lost Library – a sort of hidden gem gift shop with photo ops galore (and a secret black star that unlocks a “treasure”)
- District Trading Company – my favorite souvenir find plus some amazing travel tips for Portland, Maine
12:45 p.m.: Tour the Salem Witch Museum
We actually booked our Salem Witch Museum tickets at about 2 a.m. while waiting for our rental car (talk about dedicated). This ended up being the busiest stop of the day; even with our tickets, we waited about half an hour to get in.
Inside, the museum walks you through the history of the Salem Witch Trials as well as how “witches” have been portrayed in pop culture over the centuries. It’s definitely worth visiting, though note that the dark and dramatic presentation might be too spooky for kids (mine would not have loved it).
From there, we wandered around town and checked out:
- The all-black John Ward House (perfect photo spot)
- Essex Street, which feels straight out of Halloweentown
- The iconic Bewitched sculpture – along with a small crowd of fellow selfie-takers
2:20 p.m.: Caffeinate at Blackcraft Coffee
Next up: Blackcraft Coffee, another Sara find. They recently started using a reservation system because the lines were getting that long. Luckily, we snagged a slot at 2:20 p.m. – about fifteen minutes after our arrival – which gave us time to poke around the shop first.
Sara ordered the Good Witch Latte, while I went for the Sea Witch; both drinks were delicious. We were definitely fading, so the caffeine was more than welcome… as were the cookies we picked up at Goodnight Fatty to help us power through the afternoon.
3:30 p.m.: Take a Quick Rest
After a stop at the Brick Box for some LEGO-themed fun, we finally admitted defeat and headed back to our Airbnb for a breather. I curled up with my witchy read (keeping things on-theme, obviously) and nibbled on a cookie or two while Sara napped. After all, it’s a marathon, not a sprint!
6:00 p.m.: Dinner at Three Cod Tavern
Exhaustion had officially hit by dinnertime, so we kept it simple with Three Cod Tavern, just a short walk away from our Airbnb. Despite what appeared to be an engagement party happening, we managed to get a table for two. Highlight: I got the lobster roll I’d been waiting for. Pricey? A little. Worth it? Absolutely.
After dinner, we strolled through the neighborhood, soaking in all the Halloween decor and crisp fall air. As much as it pained us to pack up, we couldn’t have asked for a better one-day adventure in Salem. It was short, sweet, and full of magic.
If You Go:
- Visit in late September to avoid the October crowds but still catch all the spooky charm.
- Book museum tickets and coffee reservations early, as these things fill up fast!
- Stay in Marblehead if you want a quieter home base with easy access to Salem.
Looking for some other girls’ trips?