Salem, MA- Has anyone vacationed/honeymooned here?

We are located in Western NC, so I'm just trying to make the long trip justifiable to FH.

We vacationed in Salem two years ago. It's kind of kitschy, everything is pretty much based around the witch trials, but if you like history there is some pretty cool walking tours. Also if you are into classic American lit like I am, visit the house of the seven gables and the Nathaniel Hawthorne house. You can do most of the attractions in two days. To extend it though, spend a day in Gloucester and go whale watching or go check out rockport, a great little artsy coastal town. Hammond castle is really beautiful and not far too. Boston is pretty close if you need more things to to to extend the trip.

I am getting married in Salem in October! It's a fun town to walk around, take a history tour, and people watch! It is gorgeous there in October, you will have fun. I suggest not staying in Salem though in October... The hotel prices are around $400+ per night, and the hotels aren't that amazing! Try the Boston Marriott in Peabody, it's close enough to Salem but doesn't have a huge price tag.

Salem is a cool town no matter the time of year, but in October there will definitely be more to do, but it will also be much more expensive. From my experience any other time of year there's really not like a whole week's worth of things to do, but I'm sure October is different. Like mrjonesandme said, there are a lot of towns around Salem with things to do, so if you plan Salem as your hub you can definitely go to other towns as well.

I visit Salem frequently, I live about an hour north. I agree with Sarina, look at hotels in the surrounding area. Salem is nuts close to Halloween! It's a walking town, and there's a lot of historical stuff to see. My personal favorite is House of Seven Gables. Salem is also driving distance to Rockport/Bearskin Neck (off season so a lot will be closed, but still gorgeous), and Boston.

Around Halloween Boston has a tour of haunted graveyards and historical sights that's really cool. The Museum of Science usually has amazing stuff happening that time of year, and the Granary Burying Ground is worth visiting if you're in the area.

I make it a stop along a full New England vacation, not just Salem. Go to New Hampshire and Maine too there's so much to see up there especially in the fall. Maine is my favorite state! Salem is cool but I wouldn't make it your entire vacation

Salem in October will be great! It will probably be fun for 2-3 days, so you'll probably want to tack on another city to visit. I'd recommend taking at least a day or two (if not more) to go into Boston. There are lots of fun and historical things you could do in Boston including the freedom trail, Faneuil hall area, the duck tour, The Museum of Science, the Aquarium, Halloween themed events and so much more. The museum of Science is a full day thing and one of my favorite places in the area.

For both Salem and Boston, it will probably be more cost effective to stay in the surrounding areas.

October is the perfect time of year to go to Salem! FH and I went this past year with my cousin and her BF who live in Boston. It was so much fun! There are witchy/Halloween themed festivals pretty much every weekend (and probably some weekdays) throughout the month. You can check out House of the Seven Gables or some of the museums. They also have a ton of ghost tours. Additionally, Salem is right on the water, so enjoy some great New England seafood! If you decide to head down to Boston, you can walk the Freedom trail which will take you all through the city. The north end has amazing Italian food and awesome bakeries. Obviously there are a ton of historical sites and most stuff is free/inexpensive to walk through. Lastly...I know it's more of a Canadian thing, but MA seems to have it everywhere too...poutine! Get some of that to eat because it is ridiculously delicious.

I've been to Salem before. It's cool to visit, but like others have said, I'm not sure there is enough to do there for a whole trip. Massachusetts is beautiful in October though--definitely worth a trip if you add on things like going to Boston for a day or two, there are places to hike that are not too far, waterfront places/seafood. Also, Salem will be ridiculously expensive in October, so I would research hotels that are in the area but not in the town.

I actually live in Salem!! It is really cool here in October, but it's also really busy. There are a lot of museums here about horror movies, witch trials, and a ton of haunted houses. We also have ghost tours. If you guys love history and the witch trials, then you will love this city. And if you guys come closer to Halloween then everyone dresses up, and I am not kidding about that. Lol. It's a really cool and fun city to spend a few days in.

Id maybe go there for a few nights then hit up cape cod or Boston for the remainder of the week.

Salem is amazing, but as others have said I think you'd have a tough time making a full vacation out of it. There are lots of amazing towns nearby or up into Maine/New Hampshire though. Also, be warned that you may not even find a hotel right in Salem that time of year and if you do it will be really expensive. FH and I were looking into going up in June and on a lot of the hotel and Bed and Breakfast websites I looked at it said that they were already completely booked for October. It might be worth it to stay outside of Salem and do a day or two there, a couple in Boston. I also heard that Rockport is very nice and that's in the same area. Newburyport is also a really fun little town! You could definitely find a centrally located hotel and then take little day trips. Enjoy!

FH and I vacationed there two summers ago and it was so fun!! It wasn't October, but we still had a blast! I would recommend staying in a B&B! We stayed at the Stepping Stone Inn and we could basically touch the Salem Witch Museum out of our window. Its a very walkable town, and so close to the water too! We loved it!

Thank you ladies! I really appreciate your input. I'm gonna talk to FH and see what he thinks about it.

I live in MA and have been to Salem many times and my cousins live there. I'll warn you October is a CRAZY month there. There's lots to do and see, but it will be crowded with the psychic fair and the bizarre bazaar going on. Just be prepared to wait in traffic and in line anywhere you go in town.

I suggest doing both Boston and Salem, only because I heard that Salem is AWESOME but doesn't really have enough to do to fill up a whole trip. You can do an taxi or water taxi from Boston to Salem. I have friends that have went, and they also rented a car and hit up Portland, Maine since it wasn't too far of a drive away. I am so jealous! I have always wanted to go in October. I have heard that the House of Seven Gables is a really cool museum and Ropes Mansion is beautiful and is Alison's House from Hocus Pocus. Not sure if anyone thinks that is a cool as I do! lol Have fun!

I agree with @MrsBest2B, Salem is fun for a day or two, but you should try to get as much history, adventure, and foliage as you can on your trip!