The Top 10 Things To Do In Salem During The 2025 Halloween Haunted Happenings Season
- Salem Screams ©
- Jun 3
- 4 min read
Every October, Salem transforms from a quiet New England town into a full-blown Halloween destination. Haunted Happenings season is the peak — hundreds of thousands of visitors flood the streets, dressed to the nines, ready for ghost stories, history, and that one-of-a-kind “only-in-Salem” atmosphere. So we've come up with the 10 best things to do in Salem this 2025 Halloween Season!
But with so much happening, where do you start? If you’re planning your trip for Haunted Happenings 2025, this is your survival guide. No gimmicks, no filler — these are the 10 must-do experiences to make your Salem trip unforgettable.
And yes—The Salem Haunted Magic Show comes first for a reason.
1.
The Salem Haunted Magic Show
Why it’s #1:
Because this is the show that actually feels like Salem. It’s not a haunted house. It’s not a jump-scare maze. It’s not some touristy reenactment. This is immersive, interactive psychological theater built around Salem’s real haunted energy. So when making a list of the 10 best things to do in Salem this Halloween 2025 season, of course we're going to put us on here.
Live audience participation.
Mind reading that borders on impossible.
Chilling supernatural illusions.
Authentic storytelling rooted in Salem’s dark history.
And most importantly: an experience you won’t find anywhere else.
The Salem Haunted Magic Show isn’t just “something to do” — it’s the heartbeat of Haunted Happenings for thousands of visitors every season.
Tip: Shows sell out fast. Book early. No, seriously — early.
2.
Visit The Witch House (Jonathan Corwin House)
This is the only building still standing in Salem with direct ties to the witch trials. Step inside and you’ll walk the same floors Judge Jonathan Corwin did while presiding over the hearings. The architecture alone feels haunted, even without the ghost stories.
Self-guided and guided tours available.
Excellent for historical context before you see any ghost tours or shows.
Beautifully preserved 17th-century design.
Tip:
Visit early in the day to avoid the long Haunted Happenings lines.
3.
The Salem Witch Museum
Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s been around forever. But first-time visitors need to see it. The museum offers a dramatized, immersive walk-through of the 1692 trials, complete with eerie mannequins and a surprisingly effective atmosphere.
Short but informative.
A great primer for anyone new to Salem’s dark history.
Perfect for families.
Tip:
Go early in your trip—it sets the stage for everything else you’ll experience.
4.
Explore The Old Burying Point Cemetery
One of the oldest cemeteries in America, dating back to 1637. Judges from the witch trials are buried here, along with countless early settlers. Walk through at dusk, and you’ll feel exactly why Salem still feels haunted.
Historic graves, including Judge Hathorne.
Quiet, eerie atmosphere.
Easy walking distance from nearly everything else.
Tip:
Respect the grounds — this isn’t a haunted house. It’s real. 51 Charter St, Salem, MA 01970
5.
The Witch Trials Memorial
Next to the cemetery sits one of Salem’s most powerful sites: a solemn memorial honoring the 20 victims who were executed in 1692.
Simple, haunting, and deeply moving.
Each victim’s name engraved in stone.
A necessary reminder of the real human cost behind Salem’s reputation.
Tip:
Visit at night for a completely different emotional weight.
24 Liberty St, Salem, MA 01970
6.
Shop Salem’s Occult & Witchcraft Stores
Modern-day witches and spiritualists thrive here year-round, but during Haunted Happenings, the shops are alive with activity. Whether you’re a believer or just curious, exploring these stores is a Salem rite of passage.
Crow Haven Corner
HausWitch
Hex
The Coven’s Cottage
Tip:
If you want a reading, book it early. The lines get long during peak weekends.
7.
Walk The Essex Street Pedestrian Mall
The epicenter of Haunted Happenings. Costumes, street performers, vendors, food, and nonstop people-watching. This is where Salem’s carnival vibe comes alive every October.
Food trucks and pop-up markets.
Unique Halloween merchandise.
Live music and spontaneous performances.
Tip:
Wear comfortable shoes — you’ll walk more than you think.
Essex St. Salem, MA 01970
8.
Tour The House of the Seven Gables
Inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s famous novel. This 1668 mansion offers tours that combine beautiful preservation, literary history, and yes — a few ghost stories along the way.
Gorgeous waterfront location.
Secret staircases and period rooms.
Hawthorne’s birth house also on-site
Tip:
This tour sells out during Haunted Happenings weekends. Book ahead.
115 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970
9.
Take A Ghost Tour
- Out Favorite is "The Satanic Salem Walking Tour" (trust us)
Salem offers dozens of ghost tours, but not all are created equal. Look for walking tours that mix genuine historical research with haunted legends. The best ones lean into the real tension between fact and myth.
Nighttime walking tours amplify the creepy vibe.
Many routes cover famous haunted locations.
Great way to get your bearings in town.
Tip:
Skip anything that feels too gimmicky. Ask locals for recommendations.
10.
Visit The Peabody Essex Museum
When you need a break from the Halloween madness, the PEM offers one of the finest collections of art, culture, and maritime history in the country.
Exhibits change regularly.
The Yin Yu Tang Chinese house is stunning.
A much-needed “quiet zone” if you’re here for multiple days.
Tip:
Go on weekday mornings to avoid crowds.
Bonus Survival Advice for Haunted Happenings 2025:
Book everything early. Hotels, shows, and tours sell out months in advance.
Expect traffic. Especially on weekends. Plan to park outside of downtown and walk in.
Dress for weird weather. October in Salem can be 40 degrees or 80 degrees depending on the day.
Stay after Halloween if you can. The first week of November still feels like Salem, but with half the crowds.
The Bottom Line:
Salem’s Haunted Happenings isn’t just an event — it’s an experience. You’re stepping into a town that lives and breathes Halloween 24/7 for an entire month.
But out of everything you do, make sure you see The Salem Haunted Magic Show. It’s the only live event where you’re not just watching something spooky — you’re part of it. And once you’ve experienced that, Salem will never feel quite the same again.
Your Friends @
Salem Screams!
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