If you’re planning a getaway to Salem, Massachusetts, the best time to visit will depend on your budget, crowd tolerance, and activity preferences. Peak tourism season hits Salem in October, with parades, haunted houses, and séances drawing in crowds from all over. However, visitors can explore this historic New England town in the off-season at cheaper rates and with fewer crowds.
With historic sights and bewitching attractions, the spookiest city in the USA is one to cross off the bucket list. While many visitors are drawn to Salem for its association with the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, the city also offers beautiful architecture, charming bed and breakfasts, and festivals year-round.
There is much to explore in this seaside town, and with help from Jerry
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The best times of year to travel to Salem
Finding the best time to explore Salem depends on a few key factors. If you’re hoping to experience The Witch City around Halloween, you’ll need to go during the most popular season: fall. However, if you’d prefer to peacefully roam about the town, admire the architecture, and avoid the large crowds, aim to visit in the summer or winter.
Peak season: October
The good: Spooky attractions
The bad: Crowded, higher rates
Salem at Halloween can’t be beaten, so it comes as no surprise that October is the most popular month to visit. In addition to the town’s regular splendor of spooky attractions, Salem hosts a variety of Haunted Happenings
throughout the month to put you in the spirit. With so many haunting events and experiences to enjoy, it’s safe to say that no one does Halloween like Salem. High season attractions include After Dark Walking Tours
led by local historians and tours through the dungeons of Frankenstein's Castle
. Visitors can even contact loved ones at a psychic-led séance
! Pro Tip: Over 250,000 visitors head to Salem each year to celebrate the spooky season, so it's important to book hotels, flights, and events well in advance.
Off-season: November to March
The good: Lowest rates, fewer crowds
The bad: Miss out on Haunted Happenings
The weather: Mid 20s to high 30s
If you’re willing to forgo the spooky season in Salem, you’ll land the best deals and skip the chaos and crowds. You won’t miss out on the history, either, as events and attractions run all year.
February sees the So Sweet Festival
, which displays over 20 ice sculptures around the city, while the Salem Film Fest
in March shows thought-provoking films for a week. The off-season can be an ideal time to explore the town if you want to check out the sights, such as the McIntire Historic District
or House of the 7 Gables
, without the heavy crowds. Don’t forget to visit the Salem Witch Trial Museum
to see how The Witch City gained its notoriety! While Salem is best known for its signature autumn aesthetic, winter in this coastal town can be just as magical. With Salem Holiday Happenings
, visitors can tour historic homes decorated in lights, visit Santa at the Hawthorne Hotel
, and shop for presents at the Salem Winter Market
. Shoulder season: April to August
The good: Lower rates than fall
The bad: Fewer attractions and events than in fall and winter
The weather: Mid 60s to low 90s
Summer makes up Salem’s so-called “shoulder season”—i.e., between the high and low seasons. If you visit during these months, you’ll be missing the holiday attractions but still getting a taste of the city’s history (with the bonus of warm weather!).
April to August marks a wonderful time to walk the Salem Heritage Trail
and explore the town’s historic destinations. Visitors eager to soak up the summer heat or take out their kayak can head to Dead Horse Beach
at the Salem Willows. June sees Salem’s Artists’ Row come alive with the Salem Arts Festival
, where artists, musicians, and craftspeople alike come to perform and display their pieces. From May to October, visitors can head out on the water with Mahi Cruises
to see the Salem skyline, sip on a sunset cocktail, or enjoy live music. The cheapest time to travel to Salem
On average, the cheapest time to travel to Salem is from January to March, after the holiday festivities have passed and summer hasn’t yet arrived.
MORE: How to check for Massachusetts road closures
Find the best month for your visit to Salem
There is no right or wrong time to visit The Witch City. However, the type of activities you’d like to experience on your getaway will be a major factor in deciding when you should visit.
Check out the table below to find the best time of year for your Salem adventure.
| | |
|---|
| | If you’re eager to see the town in all of its Halloween glory, you’ll need to book your trip for October. |
| | If you want to experience the magic of Salem around the holidays, book your trip around December or January. |
| | Mahi Cruises offers a variety of sunset and harbor cruises, including haunted boat tours from Downtown Salem’s Pickering Wharf. |
| | Salem offers unique festivals throughout the year, including summer art festivals and winter ice sculpture festivals. |
| | Stick to the off-season for historic tours: you’ll avoid crowding to enjoy the city’s beauty in peace. |
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Pro Tip You’ll find historic sights, beautiful architecture, and tourist attractions year-round in Salem, so time your trip based on whether you’d like to experience the Haunted Happenings or save money and enjoy the city without crowds.
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