Fall is in the air, and many of us are making travel plans for leaf-peeping or ghost tours. Due to its infamous witch history, Salem, Massachusetts, is a popular destination this time of year.
While it may be on your travel bucket list, you absolutely should skip Salem in October. Here's why. Salem is dubbed the Halloween capital of America for a reason. Due to witch lore, urban legend, and spooky festivals, the sleepy town receives most of its visitors in October. According to the U. Census Bureau , the town has approximately 45, residents. Salem regularly sees a half million to one million visitors in October.
That's a lot of zombies to avoid. Forget it if you hope to capture a selfie or a family photo. Salem essentially becomes a photobomb convention with thousands of bustling tourists swarming the streets. Prepare to wait in long lines for everything. People regularly wait an hour or longer to enter shops and up to two hours for restaurants. Lines form early in the morning, build throughout the day, and feel like they may last forever. With narrow streets, lines of cars, and thousands of zombies, driving in Salem is a nightmare.
Finding a parking space is much like finding a witch's cauldron - rare and full of surprises. If you do not plan months in advance, the lack of lodging options will haunt you.
If you find a vacancy, it will come at a heavy price. Salem has a Halloween vibe all year. If you do not like crowds or simply want to see the iconic town, October is not the time to go. Visiting Salem in October is fun for those who are okay with crowds and want the full experience. Salem Haunted Happenings is a month-long celebration with festivities and events throughout town each day in October.
