UPDATE:*From the City of Salem*
*For Saturday, October 25, and Friday, October 31 as well as the busy week ahead.*
Road Closures & Barricades
Most downtown roads will be hard closed by noon on Saturday, October 25th, if not earlier. Click here to download Saturday road closure map.
Expect more hard barricades than usual. Once they’re in place, vehicles will not be able to get in or out.
Deliveries should be completed well before closures go into effect.
Sunday will also see some road closures, though not with hard barricades.
🚗 Parking Restrictions & Towing
Keep an eye on posted signs and city updates.
Towing will be strictly enforced throughout the weekend.
👉 Click for full details on road closures, parking, and other logistics
From the Salem Witch Museum
The last two weeks of September and entire month of October are what we consider our 5th season. Fall is a favorite time of year for visitors to Salem, and because it can be very busy at this time of year, here are some tips to help you make the best of your visit to Salem and the Salem Witch Museum.
Plan, plan, plan… Do your homework as Salem is very busy in the fall and our downtown is a mix of residences and businesses.
Should I drive to Salem? (If you do, triple your anticipated drivetime and expect delays – we don’t refund your ticket if you are late as we save your space for the time you buy for.)
Where will you park? (Salem only have 4,000 park spots for 100,000+ visitors a day.)
Can you take public transportation? (The Salem Ferry has given Salem a bigger vessel for October that can accommodate 600 people per ride and the Newburyport Rockport Train from North Station in Boston is running more frequently on weekends)
We do not sell tickets in advance. Our tickets are sold online only through our website and go live at 10 pm for the upcoming (same) day. Choose your time to visit with us carefully. We cannot move your ticket time if you arrive late or miss your presentation as we sell out.
Salem traffic is also very heavy during the fall and our parking garages fill up early in the day. Please note that there is no designated parking for the museum. We will not refund you if you miss your presentation as we hold your spot for the time you booked with us. If you must drive to Salem, arrive early and with a plan to secure a parking spot. Visit the Parking & Directions page for more information on parking options and public transportation.
Travel as light as you can, and if you bring a stroller, bring the smallest one you have. We do not have stroller parking, do not allow wagons or suitcases (The UPS Store in Salem can store a limited number of suitcases, but they are closed on Sundays and there is a fee) into the building as we have no place to store them, and backpacks WILL be subject to search.
While we love our pets, the museum is not a place for them. We only allow service animals into the building as defined by the ADA.
Do not bring weapons, real or fake, to the museum or to Salem. Weapons are prohibited in Salem and will not be allowed in the museum.
Show up at your ticket time and not before. This allows us to keep lines at a minimum, as well as you and the residents of Salem safe by keeping our sidewalks passable. Please be aware, however, that you may need to wait outside on our front plaza for up to 15 minutes before entering the museum for your visit. Plan accordingly; especially during inclement weather.
Bring a sense of humor and your patience. There is so much to see in Salem. Be respectful to our staff who are doing their best to ensure that you have a great experience. Be kind to each other and our fabulous residents who put up with traffic, lack of parking, and who can’t leave their homes on weekends and even on weekdays.
Visit the Haunted Happenings website for up-to-date information on what is taking place the day(s) of your visit, lists of recommended shops, restaurants, and attractions, and for street closures.
Have a great time!