A Witchy Day in Salem: Spooky Sights, Hocus Pocus Spots & Vegan Eats
If you’ve ever dreamed of walking through a real-life Halloween town, Salem, Massachusetts is basically the jackpot. With its cobblestone streets, witchy history, and enough Hocus Pocus filming spots to make you feel like you’re in the movie, this little coastal city is the perfect mix of spooky and charming.
Whether you’re here for the Salem Witch Trials history, the haunted vibes, or just to live out your fall fantasy with coffee in hand, this itinerary will walk you through the must-see spots (plus a few vegan-friendly finds along the way!).
✨ Before You Go: What to Know About This Itinerary
Walkability + Trolley Tour: Salem is definitely walkable, but I still recommend hopping on the Salem Trolley Tour at the start of your visit. It takes you to all the highlights (including some a little farther out from downtown) and is a great option if it rains. Just note it’s not hop-on, hop-off—we made a list of what we wanted to go back to after the ride. Since the city is small, circling back is super easy!
Vegan Finds: I’ll note vegan-friendly down below at the beginning of this itinerary. 🌱
Accommodations: Planning a trip during Spooky Season (September–October) Book your stay at least 6 months in advance—Salem fills up fast.
Overview of Itinerary:
Follow the Salem Heritage Trail
Lappin Park – Bewitched Statue
Witch House (Corwin House)
Ropes Mansion & Garden
Witch Dungeon Museum
Old Town Hall
Peabody Essex Museum (PEM)
Salem Witch Trials Memorial
Salem Common
Wander the Neighborhoods
Max & Dani’s House (4 Ocean Avenue)
🌱 Vegan Options in Salem:
Gula-Gula Cafe
Not Ya Mama’s Vegan Cafe
Life Alive Organic Cafe
Flying Saucer Pizza Company
Spitfire Tacos
Funhouse Donuts
All Souls Lounge'
Brew Box
Koto Grill & Sushi
Follow the Salem Heritage Trail
Salem’s Heritage Trail is essentially a DIY walking tour: a painted line (mostly red, though some spots it is faded to yellow or white) on the sidewalks that connects the city’s major historic spots. You can follow it straight from Gulu-Gulu Café or download the map here
Stops along the way:
Lappin Park – Bewitched Statue
🕐 Estimated Time: 5–10 minutes
Snap a photo with Salem’s most famous witch—Samantha from the classic TV show Bewitched. This bronze statue is a whimsical nod to Salem’s pop culture witchy connections.
Witch House (Corwin House)
🕐 Estimated Time: 30–45 minutes
This is the only standing structure in Salem with direct ties to the 1692 Witch Trials. It was the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, who played a key role in the trials. Today, it’s a museum that offers a fascinating look at 17th-century life.
Ropes Mansion & Garden
🕐 Estimated Time: 20–30 minutes
Recognize it? Yep—this is Allison’s house from Hocus Pocus! Beyond the movie magic, the mansion itself is a beautiful Georgian Colonial built in the 1720s. Out back, the free public garden is a peaceful spot to take a breather.
Witch Dungeon Museum
🕐 Estimated Time: 30–40 minutes
A mix of theater and history, the museum features a live reenactment of a witch trial using actual transcripts from 1692. Afterward, you’ll head into the recreated dungeon for a chilling peek at what life was like for the accused.
Old Town Hall
🕐 Estimated Time: 10–15 minutes
Not only is this building one of the oldest municipal structures in Salem, but movie fans will recognize it from the Hocus Pocus “I Put a Spell on You” scene. 🎶
Peabody Essex Museum (PEM)
🕐 Estimated Time: 1–2 hours
One of the oldest continuously operating museums in the U.S., PEM has everything from maritime history to modern art. You could easily spend a few hours here if you’re a museum lover. Bonus: this is also where you can hop on the Salem Trolley Tour.
Salem Witch Trials Memorial
🕐 Estimated Time: 15–20 minutes
A solemn but important stop. This open-air memorial honors the 20 people who were executed during the 1692 witch trials, with stone benches engraved with their names. It’s a reflective, sobering contrast to the city’s more touristy sites.
Salem Common
🕐 Estimated Time: 15–20 minutes
A historic green space dating back to the 17th century, once used for militia training. Today, it’s a lovely park surrounded by picturesque homes—perfect for a picnic or just people-watching.
Wander the Neighborhoods
🕐 Estimated Time: 30 min - 1 hour
Don’t skip Salem’s side streets! The neighborhoods are filled with charming historic homes, and this is where we learned about “casket doors” on the trolley tour. They’re 1 ½–sized doors—just wide enough to fit a casket through. Very Salem, right?
Max & Dani’s House (4 Ocean Avenue)
🕐 Estimated Time: 10 minutes
“There’s a place off Ocean Avenue”….
For all the Hocus Pocus fans, this one’s a must-see. The iconic house is a bit out of the city center but absolutely worth the detour for the nostalgia factor. Just remember—it’s a private residence, so admire it from the sidewalk and be respectful.
And that’s a wrap on a magical day in Salem! 🐈⬛
Whether you came for the witch trial history, the Hocus Pocus nostalgia, or just the cozy fall vibes, Salem delivers a little bit of everything. With its walkable streets, charming neighborhoods, and mix of spooky and historic, it’s the kind of place that sticks with you long after you leave.
So grab a pumpkin latte (vegan, of course 😉), take one last stroll past the historic homes, and start planning your next adventure—because Salem will be waiting to bewitch you again.
Until next adventure! ✈