- I visited Salem, Massachusetts, for the first time during peak season and made some rookie mistakes.
- Since I underestimated wait times and crowds, I couldn't do everything I had planned.
- I should've spent more time learning about the city's history or exploring the waterfront area.
Ghost tours, witch trials, and Halloween are the first things that come to mind when I think of Salem, Massachusetts.
I visited the city for the first time this season, hoping to soak up the New England atmosphere and get into the fall spirit. However, unsurprisingly, I wasn't the only tourist with that idea.
Fall is Salem's busiest time of year. Though I visited on a Monday in late September, just before the peak October crowds, I still had a steep learning curve.
From crowds to timing, I definitely could've planned better. Here are eight mistakes I would avoid making if I went back.
Underestimating wait times threw off my schedule.
I'm a big fan of fall drinks, so my first stop of the day was coffee. I'd heard good things about Blackcraft, a witch-themed café in the heart of downtown Salem, and wanted to see what the hype was about.
I got there at 11 a.m. on a weekday, thinking I'd beat the morning rush, but I still ended up waiting 45 minutes to order a caramel-apple brew.
My drink was delicious, but because of the wait, I started my day about an hour later than I had hoped.
From there, so much of my time was eaten up by waiting, whether I was lining up outside popular spots to snap a photo or to get into one of the local stores with capacity limits.
I ended up feeling rushed and skipped a couple of places I was excited about just to keep the day moving.
If I did this trip in the fall again, I'd get an even earlier start to try to avoid some crowds. I'd also manage my expectations when it comes to how much I could realistically fit into one day.
A trolley tour would've been helpful to familiarize myself with the city.
Once I got to Salem, I was overwhelmed about where to begin. I'm usually not one for bus or trolley tours, but I found myself wishing I had started with one to get a sense of the city's layout.
For $25, the trolley offers an hourlong ride around the city, passing major landmarks like the Charter Street Cemetery, House of the Seven Gables, Witch Dungeon Museum, and historic waterfront.
By the time I finally decided to get a ticket around 4 p.m., the tours had just ended for the day — I'd missed my chance.
Next time, I'd do a tour first thing in the morning, so I could kick off my day by getting a lay of the land and mapping out which spots I want to revisit later.
I underestimated how much I'd be walking and wore the wrong shoes.
I wore flats instead of comfortable walking shoes, and I really regretted my choice by the end of the day.
Salem is super walkable, so whether navigating crowded streets or joining a tour, expect to be on your feet a lot.
As tempting as it is to wear the cute shoes, next time I'm choosing sneakers. My feet will thank me after miles of walking on cobblestones and standing in long lines.
Spending too much time on the spooky stuff made me miss out on the city's historical side.
On my trip, I did a ghost tour, tried apple-cinnamon cocktails, and took photos with creepy characters in costume.
But beyond the tourist-friendly spooky vibes and autumnal activities, the city has a rich, fascinating history. Salem has maritime landmarks, preserved architecture, and centuries-old stories woven into nearly every building.
Everywhere I went seemed to have a deeper story or unexpected tie to the past. For example, I walked into a restaurant and found out it used to be Salem's first church.
Just outside, kids were playing on what I later learned was the Old Town Pump — a spot where people once came from all over Massachusetts to draw water.
Next time, I want to visit the Salem Maritime National Historic Site to learn more about the city's rich history beyond the witch trials.
Much to my surprise, I think I visited too late in the season.
I visited Salem on a Monday in late September, thinking I'd beat the crowds, but it was still pretty packed.
Stores were hitting capacity limits, many tours were sold out, and the streets were full. Even with all the traffic, locals told me this was nothing compared to weekends in October.
If I go again, I'd plan for even earlier in the season, like late August or early September, to avoid the busiest times.
I wish I'd brought small bills to tip street performers.
Throughout the city, performers and characters in costume were hosting activities on the street or posing for photos. Most had baskets or buckets for tips.
This was a pleasant surprise, and I wanted to engage, but I didn't have any small bills.
When I stopped for lunch, I broke a larger bill to get change. With smaller denominations, I could engage — I had a woman write a poem for me and took a photo with Michael Myers.
Next time, I'll come prepared. They're working, not just there for fun, and I think they deserve to be tipped.
Not spending enough time at the harbor was a missed opportunity.
I saved Salem Harbor for the end of the day, so I didn't get to spend as much time there, which was a huge miss.
In my opinion, it's one of the most beautiful and underrated parts of the city with amazing views, historic sites, waterfront bars, and fresh seafood.
If I had known earlier, I would've prioritized exploring the harbor and grabbing a meal there. It's a perfect break from the crowds and another reminder that Salem is more than just spooky stuff.
I thought I could do it all in one day.
Even though Salem is small, there's a lot to see and do there. I was determined to visit all of the "Hocus Pocus" filming locations, but that alone took up most of my day.
Between that and the long wait times and crowds, I didn't get to everything I had planned.
In my opinion, a full weekend is the perfect amount of time to experience the sights, try the local food and drinks, and really take in the city without feeling rushed.
