Salem is a city wrapped in layers of history, myth, and magic. While many are lured by its commercial glitter, its lesser-known gems are often overshadowed by the seasonal crowd of goblins and ghouls. Beyond the tackier shops and overpriced tourist traps, you’ll find a temple that challenges conventions, a statue reminiscent of TV’s golden age, and a somber memorial marking a time when justice was clouded by fear, among other unusual attractions.
We’ve conjured up a list to help you find the top spots, some of which are away from downtown. If you spend a day in Salem, these are the places to hit:
Salem Witch Trials Memorial
Where: 24 Liberty St, Salem, MA
Cost: Free
Reason to go: While Salem is now full of witch-themed attractions, starting your visit at this memorial offers necessary context. It stands as a stark reminder of the 20 victims from the 1692 witch trials. Visitors can walk a dirt path beside benches that bear the names of the victims, their execution methods, and the dates of their deaths.
The stone threshold of the memorial bears words from the accused, drawn from court transcripts, but the text ends mid-sentence, symbolizing lives cut short.
Just beyond the memorial is the Old Burying Point Cemetery, one of America’s oldest, where two magistrates from the witch trials are buried. The close proximity of victims and their accusers adds a heavy layer to Salem’s history and offers a sobering reflection on a dark period in Salem’s history and the pitfalls of unchecked fear and hysteria.
Note: There’s also Proctor’s Ledge, if you want to pay your tributes at the exact place where the witch trial hangings took place.
Witch House
Where: 310 Essex St, Salem, MA
Cost: $9/adult; $7/senior; $5/child
Reason to go: The Witch House stands as a rare and authentic connection to the Salem witch trials of 1692. Once the residence of Judge Jonathan Corwin, who played a pivotal role in the trials’ proceedings, the structure offers a firsthand look into 17th century life surrounding one of the most infamous episodes in American history.
Original artifacts, including clothing and furniture, provide a captivating window into the past, allowing visitors to visualize how people lived during that era. While the front of the house makes a great backdrop for photos, the museum entrance is located around the back. Most visitors typically spend about 30 minutes exploring the inside. Conveniently, the Witch House also marks the beginning of downtown Salem, making it a perfect stop on the way into or out of area.
Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery
Where: 217 Essex St, Salem, MA
Cost: $15/adult; $8/children; $52/special guided tour
Reason to go: Housed in Salem’s oldest bank building, this unique wax museum showcases the world of horror cinema in a one-of-a-kind setting. The old vaults have been repurposed to create a maze-like pathway of exhibits featuring legendary monsters and cinema’s most infamous villains.
Horror film lovers will appreciate the extensive trivia provided on placards throughout the gallery with insights about the actors and little-known facts about productions. The exhibits are high-quality, offering life-like depictions of iconic characters without a “mannequin” feel. Most visitors breeze through in about 20 minutes, but if you’re really keen on catching every detail, allot up to 45 minutes. You’ll also want to make time for the gift shop, which stocks an impressive selection of retro horror film apparel and monster masks.
And that’s just the regular experience. For those seeking an added touch of exclusivity, the “Owner’s Tour” promises an intimate look at characters not visible in the main exhibit. Participants will get a peek behind the curtain at the creation process of museum characters. A major highlight is the Vault Macabre, filled with genuine historical oddities. The tour ends with a celebratory toast (either champagne or sparkling cider) served in a keepsake spooky goblet. Advance booking is recommended for the experience.
Bewitched Statue
Where: 235 Essex Street, Salem, MA
Cost: Free
Reason to go: At around nine feet tall, the Bewitched statue is hard to miss in the center of Salem. While it’s likely the most photographed spot in town, it earns its place on this list due to its wholesome and kitschy charm. Plus, the statue has an intriguing history.
When the TV show Bewitched couldn’t film in their usual spots, they turned to Salem. However, not all residents were pleased. Many wanted to distance the city from the dark history of the Witch Trials. Ironically, after the 60’s sitcom wrapped up filming its seventh season in town, Salem started to embrace its witch history.
The statue is now often dressed up for the holidays, giving visitors a festive photo op, and a glimpse into Salem’s journey of coming to terms with its past.
Salem Witch Board Museum
Where: 127 Essex St, Salem, MA
Cost: $10/adults
Reason to go: The spirits won’t ghost you at this spellbinding museum dedicated to the Ouija board. It showcases everything from original talking boards to rare memorabilia. There’s also a peculiar collection of “cursed” boards, sent in by people hoping to part with their unsettling energies. What makes this museum truly special is the curator, John Kozik. His palpable passion and deep knowledge about the history of witch boards transform the museum visit into a truly special experience. He owns hundreds of boards, and cycles them through the museum regularly, so you’re likely to see (and hear) something new with each visit.
Within the museum’s intimate space, visitors can check out everything from one of the oldest commercial witch boards to the more recent pop culture-inspired Stranger Things spirit board. Unlike many other attractions in Salem, the museum encourages you to take photos. A particularly charming feature is the seance nook, tailor-made for memorable selfies.
More at salemwitchboardmuseum.com
Hocus Pocus Town Hall
Where: 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA
Cost: Free
Reason to go: Movie buffs and ’90s nostalgics will recognize Salem’s old town hall as the backdrop for the Halloween party dance scene in the cult classic, Hocus Pocus. Famous in the film for Bette Midler’s rendition of “I Put a Spell on You,” the building is open to the public, and now hosts the Salem Museum. There’s
If you’re on a mission to trace the bewitching steps of the Sanderson sisters, Salem is peppered with filming locations from the movie. Plus, Count Orlok’s has an impressive figure of Midler’s Winifred Sanderson.
Satanic Temple
Where: 64 Bridge St, Salem, MA
Cost: $13/adult
Reason to go: Don’t let the name deceive you. This isn’t a house of devil worship, but an organization that advocates for societal issues like separation of church and state and gender equality.
A mix of contemporary and avant-garde art pieces inside invite visitors to introspect. There’s also the Baphomet Room, housing a giant statue of the winged deity — a perfect backdrop for a memorable photo.
However, it’s not just about the visuals. The temple offers an opportunity to learn, with a library teeming with books ranging from the history of witchcraft to modern secularism. There’s even a display featuring the much-talked-about “blood-infused” sneakers from rapper Lil Nas X.
Black Veil Shoppe
Where: 137 Boston St, Salem, MA
Cost: Free to enter; prices vary
Reason to visit: Among all of Salem’s shops, the Black Veil stands out for its unique atmosphere, reminiscent of a gothic novel. Stepping inside, you’ll find quality souvenirs that capture both your eye and imagination .
Renowned tattoo artists Ryan and Matthew Murray have created a boutique with an ambiance that puts visitors into the pages of a gothic novel. Walls are lined with enchanting artifacts, prints, and t-shirts covered in the brothers’ exquisite art. Their collection includes all kinds of occult items, including jewelry and bewitching decor.
For a memorable photo, there’s a velvet armchair strategically placed near a fireplace. And for those who want a memento that lasts a lifetime, the store has an in-house tattoo parlour, where the Murray brothers bring their artistry to life on skin.
Note: Prices are accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
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