By: Lily Rand
Photo Editor
Growing up, Salem, Massachusetts, was one of my favorite places to visit.
I still remember spending nearly an entire day aboard the pirate ships as a child. With zombie makeup painted across my face, my sister and I sang, danced and listened to ghost stories from the tour guides as we sailed through the harbor.
Between the pirate ships, museums and historic streets, every trip felt like an adventure. Salem always felt like a place where there was something new to discover.
That feeling has never gone away.
On Sunday, Oct. 18, my best friend and I set out early for a day trip to Salem. Despite the long drive and October traffic, the trip was worth every minute.
We arrived around 11 a.m. and spent the day exploring downtown. The streets were busy, attractions were selling out and visitors filled nearly every corner of the city. Even with the crowds, Salem felt lively rather than overwhelming.
The weather was perfect. The trees displayed every shade of red, orange and yellow imaginable, creating a colorful backdrop for Salem’s buildings and winding streets.
Between the crisp autumn air, seasonal decorations and colonial-era architecture, it felt like stepping into a postcard.
Even after growing up in New England, there is something about Salem in October that feels different. The colorful foliage and festive atmosphere keep people returning year after year.
One of our first stops was the Ropes Mansion, known to many as Allison’s house from “Hocus Pocus.” Built in 1727, the mansion remains one of Salem’s most recognizable landmarks. Despite visiting Salem countless times, this was my first time seeing it in person.
We also visited the Witch House, the last surviving structure directly connected to the Salem witch trials of 1692. Nearby, we stopped at the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, which I visit every time I am in Salem.
What makes Salem special is how much there is to do in such a small area.
One moment, we were admiring the stained-glass windows inside First Church, founded in 1629. The next, we were browsing shops filled with tarot cards, spell books and handmade charms.
The city’s energy is impossible to ignore.
Street performers entertained visitors while vendors filled the sidewalks with seasonal merchandise.
Costumed characters eagerly posed for photos with tourists. During our visit, we saw Pennywise, Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, Ghostface and even the Grinch walking through downtown.
At one point, we spotted someone dressed as Satan sitting across from someone dressed as Jesus while they played a game of Uno.
Only in Salem.
Not everything on our itinerary went according to plan. The Haunted Warren Museum, which currently houses the infamous Annabelle doll, was completely sold out.
Several attractions had also reached capacity before we arrived.
Surprisingly, that did not matter.
One of Salem’s greatest strengths is that simply being there is part of the experience.
We ended our day with dinner at Mercy Tavern before making one final stop at the pirate ships I loved as a child.
Returning to the waterfront at the end of the day felt like revisiting a piece of my childhood.
Salem is one of the few places I have visited countless times and never grown tired of. Every trip offers something different.
Although Salem is often associated with witches and Halloween, what keeps me coming back is everything in between.
No matter how many times I return, there is always something new to discover.
Whether you visit for the attractions, the scenery or simply a fun fall day, Salem has a way of making every trip memorable.
