09/01/2024
Tips for coming into Salem this October!
It's that time of year again—locals call it "Septober." As someone who lives right in the middle of it all, I’ve gathered 13 pieces of advice to help you navigate Salem this season:
1. There is a huge difference between October weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) in Salem and October weekdays. On weekends, roads are at full capacity, parking is nonexistent, and crowds fill Essex Street. Finding a table at a restaurant or a ticket to an attraction can be nearly impossible, with even retail stores having lines out the door. These weekends are for those willing to endure long waits or just come for the spectacle and costumes. Weekdays, however, are just busy. While you should still avoid driving, you can get into shops, restaurants, and most attractions. Local businesses prefer visitors on weekdays, as they understand many are deterred by the perception of massive crowds. 👍
2. We love our crosswalks in Salem. As a pedestrian-friendly city, many residents navigate daily without cars, using crosswalks and expecting the right of way. Drivers, stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. Pedestrians, use crosswalks when crossing busy streets—don't expect drivers to see you if you're not in one. ⚠️
3. Walking tours are an excellent way to learn about Salem. Local companies provide a world-class experience worth every penny. Out-of-town companies often fall short.💀
4. Don’t let your kids swim in the East India Fountain. 🤢
5. Salem is not a quaint New England village and never has been. It's a bustling, dense, diverse, and complex city where houses from the 1600s stand next to busy streets. This mix is the magic of Salem. If you want quaint, charming, and quiet, Salem won’t be for you. But if you want historic, unique, rich, and vibrant, that’s Salem! ✨
6. Salem is also not a theme park. With 45,000 residents, most of whom don’t rely on the tourist trade, it’s a city where people live, work and go about their day. Unlike Disney World, Salem doesn’t control the guest experience—there won’t be enough parking, some houses will be decorated, some won’t, and the quality of street performers will vary. Appreciate Salem in all its uniqueness; don’t expect a curated Halloween theme park. 🎟️
7. Our retail employees, waitstaff, and small business owners are our friends, family, and neighbors, and they are probably exhausted. Treat them with kindness and tip generously; they need it in October. 🙏
8. We are no longer allowed to permit or CORI check street performers, so that Michael Myers impersonator could be ANYONE. Spend time on social media to familiarize yourself with well-known performers (Borah, Larry the Frankenstein, Addams Family, Uncle Boogieman, Denis the Zombie, Tiny the Clown, Pennywise Brandon to name a few.) or use your best judgment before letting your kids take photos with them. And make sure to tip! 💵
9. If you do see Borah, tell her to have a horrible day. It will warm her rotten black heart.🖤
10. Don’t use the bathroom in the Witch City Mall (IYKYK), but do patronize the great small businesses there. 👍
11. The Peabody Essex Museum is a world-class museum and absolutely worth the price of admission. Build it into your itinerary. 👏
12. Get up early before the crowds and walk the McIntire District and/or Derby Street neighborhood at sunrise. You won’t regret it. ☀️
13. While locals can sometimes be a little grumpy about the disruption, we’re proud that you’ve chosen to spend your vacation in this city we love. We truly appreciate you and want you to have the best time here! (But we still look forward to November 1). Happy Halloween! 🎃
