How on earth did it take me 36 years to get to Salem? I can’t believe it finally happened and it couldn’t have been a nicer day. My friend Diana and I left New York City at 8am and we returned home at 3am. I haven’t stayed up until 3am on purpose in a long time and I felt almost manic on the drive home. That being said, it was such a full day, here’s what we did.
After looking for parking for what seemed like eternity (I know, visiting Salem on a weekend in October is a great idea, but we had to), we finally just parked at the train station and then spent the day walking. We brought our dogs, so certain things were off limits but still well worth the journey.
First stop, we went to Odd Meter Coffee Co.
I got the Oh My Gourd! and it was exactly as good as a once-a-year seasonal coffee should be. It’ll always blow my mind that adults can enjoy numerous PSLs in the course of one season. They’re so sickly sweet, my brain can’t figure out how it’s pleasurable.
Since it was the weekend, we walked over to Salem Common to go to the Haunted Happenings Market, which happened to border the Phillips Elementary School (56 South Washington Square), which is the school from Hocus Pocus. (Note: you’ll see a pattern here.)
Then we walked around the shops in Salem Witch Village (Emporium 32 was a good one, who knew that Elvira had a jewelry line?) and saw the Old Town Hall from Hocus Pocus at 32 Derby Square. Honestly, the best part of the day was the wandering around. So many people were in costumes, it almost felt like a real-life Halloweentown.
We didn’t have a reservation at The Hawthorne Hotel, but that would be the place to go for sure if you’re planning in advance (the menu sounds amazing). Truthfully the food we did end up eating all day was pretty lackluster, but I’ve never really been a fan of the food in Massachusetts. Don’t get me wrong, a cup of clam chowder can be incredible, but there’s a reason this state isn’t known for its culinary prowess. (Is that rude? Yes. But accurate? Also yes.)
At night, when the crowds started to disperse, we walked past the Ropes Mansion at 318 Essex St. (Alison’s house in Hocus Pocus, above) and into the beautiful back garden area as well. Then before we headed out of town, we drove past Max & Dani’s House at 4 Ocean Avenue. (Tip: if you’re visiting, definitely drive to see this because it’s too long a walk from the main part of downtown Salem). And man? Seeing that house really made me happy. I saw this movie in theatres when I was 8 years old with my brothers and a some church friends (??) and I sobbed at the end of it when Binx died and the lights went on and they all laughed at me. I’ll never forget it. The movie was so magical and great and was burned into my memory as one of my first Halloween experiences of pure joy. There was no turning back.
Things we didn’t do but would definitely be fun to do next time: visit Pioneer Village (it’s where the beginning of Hocus Pocus was shot), have lunch at The Hawthorne Hotel (it seems like the best rated restaurant in the whole town), and maybe see inside The Witch House (photo below) (though I’m not sure I would really want to do this considering all the things that have happened there even in recent years, they go into more detail about this if you take a walking tour of Salem).
I can’t believe we were able to spend the day here. If you’ve never seen this town and you even KIND of care about this time of year, you have to go. I swear you won’t regret it.