Salem has long been on my bucket list. Thanks to lots of Southwest Points, a fall break from school, help from my friend Joelle and the Facebook group Spooky in Salem in the planning along with my sons new obsession with the paranormal, all the cards fell into place to be able to plan this trip. It was the most exhausting vacation I have done. We did a lot in a very short time and sleep was not one of the things allotted.

 

We visited Count Orlock's nightmare gallery, no pictures allowed inside, however it was the best wax museum I have ever been to.

We skipped the Witch Museum as were heard it was cooler on the outside than on the inside and opted to visit the witch dungeon museum instead. I HIGHLY suggest visiting here. They have a replica of the courthouse from 1692 and put on a mock trial from transcripts from the real witch trials. They have an exact replica of the dungeon where the accused were held. It was very informative and powerful.

We were able to take part in the Haunted Happenings which is only available the weekends in October. Think lots of vendors and performers.

We had dinner at the Ledger. The restaurant is in an old bank complete with vault. The steak was the best I have ever had. It was also expensive! We went a little overboard but it was worth it.

Best Shepherd's Pie and Guinness Stew outside of Ireland.

Of the four days we had in New England we only spent 2 of them in Salem. We managed to fit in just about everything we wanted to see.

Charter Street Cemetery

Witch Trial Memorial

House of Seven Gables

Custom House and Garden

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

Halloween Museum

Witch Dungeon Museum

Count Orlock's Nightmare Gallery

Bewitched Statue

Witch Museum (outside only)

Peabody Essex Museum

Haunted night time Trolley Tour

Oldest Candy store in America

Paranormal Investigation in the basement of the Lost Museum

Haunted Happenings

Witch Board Museum

Tarot and palm Readings at Omen

Jack'O' Lantern Festival

Dinner at O'Neills and The Ledger

Countless shops around town like Vamp Fangs, Trolley Depot and Pickering Wharf

We did not go to the pioneer village, they are only open on the weekend and I was not sure how much time it would take up. If I ever go back I would time it during the night fair which is only one weekend in October and it is in the pioneer village. ( Think Hocus Pocus shooting location from 1692)

We did not eat at Red's for breakfast since our hotel had a stellar breakfast included every day.

We did not do a single haunted house at my son's request. He is more into real paranormal than fake.

I will go into more detail about the Witch Museum in another post. Happy Haunting!