Salem MA, Halloween morning?

[Honeystar120608]

So we are driving from Canada, leaving Oct 30th. Staying in Portland ME the first night (potentially). Then I get the great idea 'hey, we are so close to Salem ON Halloween day, why not stop in for an hour of fun. So I get to researching, and nothing opens until 10ish which would get us leaving there by 11ish AM which is just too late to get to Delaware before 8pm.

So, what if we spent the night in Salem... does anybody know what we could do there at 8-9 am on Saturday Oct 31st?

I know I'm asking for a lot...but I thought it'd be pretty cool for the kids to see Salem on Halloween day. Our itinerary, however, isn't very flexible.

Ideas on how to make this work? It doesn't have to be much, just to get the idea of what happened with the witches, a nice little self walking tour would be fine.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

Hi! Well, my advice would be to either stop by Portsmouth, NH and walk around downtown in the morning, then head down to Salem...or you could go straight to Salem and still walk around. Even though the main attractions won't be open, there will still be a lot to see and do. You could also stop by Gloucester or Lockport which isn't too far from Salem and check out the pretty scenic beach areas.

 

[sarasmom97]

Just be aware, Salem will be BUSY that day. Driving around will be slow, parking will be hard to find. If you are seriously considering it, you need to book a hotel room soon. My mom runs a B&B in a nearby town, and she's already booked for Halloween!

 

[CaFeeney]

The entire month of October is nuts in Salem- most hotels book months in advance and the rates are at high season levels. They do run shuttle buses into the downtown area. Compounding this is that Halloween this year is on a Saturday so you won't have the benefit of it falling on a workday and crowds will be higher than typical. Not much to see that early- from you post you can only go for an hour 8-9am, not sure it is worth it. Also, Salem is not right off the highway, its one of those towns that you have to drive about 20 min off the exit to get to.
I would skip it. I have lived in MA all my life, taken many a field trip to Salem but combining the crowd with your unrealistic timing I really don't think you can squeeze it in. One hour to see the entire town?

 

[undertheradar]

So we are driving from Canada, leaving Nov 30th. Staying in Portland ME the first night (potentially). Then I get the great idea 'hey, we are so close to Salem ON Halloween day, why not stop in for an hour of fun. So I get to researching, and nothing opens until 10ish which would get us leaving there by 11ish AM which is just too late to get to Delaware before 8pm.

So, what if we spent the night in Salem... does anybody know what we could do there at 8-9 am on Saturday Oct 31st?

I know I'm asking for a lot...but I thought it'd be pretty cool for the kids to see Salem on Halloween day. Our itinerary, however, isn't very flexible.

Ideas on how to make this work? It doesn't have to be much, just to get the idea of what happened with the witches, a nice little self walking tour would be fine.

So you are leaving October 30, not November 30 as written?

 

[Honeystar120608]

Just be aware, Salem will be BUSY that day. Driving around will be slow, parking will be hard to find. If you are seriously considering it, you need to book a hotel room soon. My mom runs a B&B in a nearby town, and she's already booked for Halloween!

Thanks for the heads up, I think we'd stick with the driving from Portland Maine idea just because there is nothing open in Salem at 8 in the morning. I Am wondering about crowd levels that morning though.

The entire month of October is nuts in Salem- most hotels book months in advance and the rates are at high season levels. They do run shuttle buses into the downtown area. Compounding this is that Halloween this year is on a Saturday so you won't have the benefit of it falling on a workday and crowds will be higher than typical. Not much to see that early- from you post you can only go for an hour 8-9am, not sure it is worth it. Also, Salem is not right off the highway, its one of those towns that you have to drive about 20 min off the exit to get to.
I would skip it. I have lived in MA all my life, taken many a field trip to Salem but combining the crowd with your unrealistic timing I really don't think you can squeeze it in. One hour to see the entire town?

We might be able to be there for 10am when the Witch Dungeon Museum opens. How bad do you think the crowds would be at 930 am for parking and such? I honestly am fully aware that we won't see the whole town. But just to be there, on Halloween morning would be an experience we probably won't ever get again. So we will just stretch the itinerary a little. I was also wondering if the i95 going around West Boston has lots of fast food stops? We will need to stop for lunch around that time.

So you are leaving October 30, not November 30 as written?

Yes, sorry! I have edited to correct this to October.

 

[Amii]

There are some parking lots there so you should be able to get parking in a garage if you can't find it on the street. Bring quarters incase you can find a parking spot on the street.

Keep your eye on this website as it gets closer to Halloween. This is where they list everything happening in Salem.

http://events.salem.org/group/salem_haunted_happenings/calendar/day/2015/10/31

 

[PelletierBears]

This year Halloween falls on a Saturday so things may get going earlier then when it falls on a weekday (it's quiet til the afternoon). If you're going to consider a hotel in the area book it now... it may already be too late actually. Halloween in Salem is tons of fun. We've done it several times since we're local. Poster Amii above included a great link to the Haunted Happenings events.

 

[CaFeeney]

There are lots of fast food places off of 128/I95. The North Shore Mall has lots of options (food court, Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Buffalo Wild Wings, etc) and there are many other places along 128. They are opening a Wallburgers in the Shops at Lynnfield in the next month or so- you might want to check it out if you have watched their show.

 

[JaimieJ]

Its going to be crazy there on Halloween even in the morning especially because it falls on a weekend this year. I used to drive down on Halloween every year, definitely a lot of fun but really crazy. I wouldn't recommend driving into town, the main streets are usually filled with people, we always parked in a commuter lot and took the commuter rail in. Even in the morning its going to be busy, if you enjoy people watching there will be plenty going on that early in the morning.

 

[leebee]

Urg… there's no way I'd do this at all, if I was on any type of time schedule. It's going to take a huge chunk of time out of your day, all for 1 hour in Salem? Given the distance from the highway, traffic, and parking, I bet it'll take a good hour to get into Salem (from I95) and find parking, then an hour in town, then almost another hour to get back out to the highway. At that hour of the morning, there isn't going to be much to do or see, either.

If I was headed for Florida, I'd take 95 south from Portland, pick up 495S in northern Mass to 290W to the Mass Pike/90W to 84 into Connecticut and skip the greater Boston area all together.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I used to live in MA and have been to Salem many times and I agree that it's definitely not worth stopping there during this trip.

I personally don't find any of the witch related attractions that interesting. The best place to visit in Salem is the Peabody Essex Museum:

http://www.pem.org

 

[Dawnlight]

I don't live too far away and my kids' former school was in the town over. We avoided going through Salem the entire month of October coming home from school, but didn't have much issue in the morning with traffic. I think at 8am you might still be okay as far as traffic and parking, but I've only been once on Halloween Day.

Some things that you might want to see are the Historic Maritime area (http://www.nps.gov/sama/index.htm ) which includes historic buildings and a tall ship, the Friendship. There are also very nice water views. Nearby is the House of Seven Gables (http://www.7gables.org/). If you do plan to spend a little more time, the Peabody Essex Museum (http://www.pem.org/) is fabulous. Some of the witch trial tourist places are kitschy, in my opinion, but I did think the Witch House was well-done (http://witchhouse.info/)

There are a few self-guided walking tours in the city, one is the Nathaniel Bowditch tour which hits important maritime historical sites. You could get the book 'Carry On, Mr. Bowditch' and listen on the drive (or read beforehand) then do the tour. http://www.nps.gov/sama/planyourvisit/upload/Bowditch.pdf

 

[Honeystar120608]

There are lots of fast food places off of 128/I95. The North Shore Mall has lots of options (food court, Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, Buffalo Wild Wings, etc) and there are many other places along 128. They are opening a Wallburgers in the Shops at Lynnfield in the next month or so- you might want to check it out if you have watched their show.

That's a great suggestion! Thanks a bunch!

Urg… there's no way I'd do this at all, if I was on any type of time schedule. It's going to take a huge chunk of time out of your day, all for 1 hour in Salem? Given the distance from the highway, traffic, and parking, I bet it'll take a good hour to get into Salem (from I95) and find parking, then an hour in town, then almost another hour to get back out to the highway. At that hour of the morning, there isn't going to be much to do or see, either.

If I was headed for Florida, I'd take 95 south from Portland, pick up 495S in northern Mass to 290W to the Mass Pike/90W to 84 into Connecticut and skip the greater Boston area all together.

You make a great point. We are on a bit of a time crunch, and I guess time wins over the Salem experience. I really wish we could fit it in though, always wanted to go. Do you think there will be less traffic in the morning via that route you gave vs i95 and hop onto the 90 West of Boston? That's where google Maps directs me to go, but if it's quicker or easier your route, I will make sure to jot that down.

 

[kj2mom]

If I was headed for Florida, I'd take 95 south from Portland, pick up 495S in northern Mass to 290W to the Mass Pike/90W to 84 into Connecticut and skip the greater Boston area all together.

Do you think there will be less traffic in the morning via that route you gave vs i95 and hop onto the 90 West of Boston?

I live right off 495 where 290 begins. This is definitely the less congested route to follow. From there I do 84 to 684 to 287/87 go over the Tappanzee bridge then take the Garden State Parkway to the New Jersey Turnpike.

 

[Honeystar120608]

I live right off 495 where 290 begins. This is definitely the less congested route to follow. From there I do 84 to 684 to 287/87 go over the Tappanzee bridge then take the Garden State Parkway to the New Jersey Turnpike.

That is perfect! Just what I like to hear! Thanks so much!

 

[leebee]

Do you think there will be less traffic in the morning via that route you gave vs i95 and hop onto the 90 West of Boston? That's where google Maps directs me to go, but if it's quicker or easier your route, I will make sure to jot that down.

I grew up in, and have family all over, this area. I lived in the town next to Salem (Peabody) for 25 years. I also lived in Salem for 2 years and worked there for 5. NOW I live in northern Maine but my family lives in southern Maine, so I'm Very familiar with the highway through Maine and Massachusetts (as I also lived in Syracuse/Ithaca NY for 7 years so drove regularly via 90/290/495 to get to and from). I think you'll save a bunch of time going across 495 to 290 to 90. The route down I95 that google maps gave you more than likely sends you around Boston on what's known locally as Rt.128… aka the world's largest parking lot. There is ALWAYS heavy traffic on this stretch of road, and that route loops you closer to Boston when you really want to loop further from Boston. Mileage-wise it's probably about 15 miles shorter to go the way I suggested, but I definitely think you'll avoid a goodly amount of traffic.

If you do choose to go to Salem, most of the "historical/witchy" stuff will be located in the Washington Square area and along Derby St., but museums, houses, etc. will be closed at that hour of the morning. The Witch House (home of Judge Jonathan Corwin) is the only building in town that's directly related to the witch hysteria; the rest of the "witch" stuff is tourist attraction quality. We like the Witch Museum for an overall synopsis of the witch era, but it doesn't open until 10am. If you want to experience colonial-era Salem, walk down Derby St. and look at the historic buildings that are there. The rest of Salem is pretty much a crowded, working-class city that will be going about its everyday, busy Saturday morning existence, with a LOT of tourists thrown in on October 31. While there is a fair amount of quality stuff to do in Salem (House of Seven Gables, Peabody/Essex Museum), none of this will be open in the early morning, and it will take more than an hour to experience.

I don't want to say "don't go" if you really want to be in Salem on Halloween- but you should be prepared for a lot of traffic and realize that there won't be that much to see/do. My guess is it will take a minimum of 2 hours to drive from Portland ME to Salem, and if you go into Salem via 114 there will be a TON of traffic. Park, walk around for an hour, and then head back out to I95 and onto your route. Personally, I would find going to Salem for an hour to be a disappointment and a big time-eater on our way to Disney World.

 

[Honeystar120608]

I grew up in, and have family all over, this area. I lived in the town next to Salem (Peabody) for 25 years. I also lived in Salem for 2 years and worked there for 5. NOW I live in northern Maine but my family lives in southern Maine, so I'm Very familiar with the highway through Maine and Massachusetts (as I also lived in Syracuse/Ithaca NY for 7 years so drove regularly via 90/290/495 to get to and from). I think you'll save a bunch of time going across 495 to 290 to 90. The route down I95 that google maps gave you more than likely sends you around Boston on what's known locally as Rt.128… aka the world's largest parking lot. There is ALWAYS heavy traffic on this stretch of road, and that route loops you closer to Boston when you really want to loop further from Boston. Mileage-wise it's probably about 15 miles shorter to go the way I suggested, but I definitely think you'll avoid a goodly amount of traffic.

If you do choose to go to Salem, most of the "historical/witchy" stuff will be located in the Washington Square area and along Derby St., but museums, houses, etc. will be closed at that hour of the morning. The Witch House (home of Judge Jonathan Corwin) is the only building in town that's directly related to the witch hysteria; the rest of the "witch" stuff is tourist attraction quality. We like the Witch Museum for an overall synopsis of the witch era, but it doesn't open until 10am. If you want to experience colonial-era Salem, walk down Derby St. and look at the historic buildings that are there. The rest of Salem is pretty much a crowded, working-class city that will be going about its everyday, busy Saturday morning existence, with a LOT of tourists thrown in on October 31. While there is a fair amount of quality stuff to do in Salem (House of Seven Gables, Peabody/Essex Museum), none of this will be open in the early morning, and it will take more than an hour to experience.

I don't want to say "don't go" if you really want to be in Salem on Halloween- but you should be prepared for a lot of traffic and realize that there won't be that much to see/do. My guess is it will take a minimum of 2 hours to drive from Portland ME to Salem, and if you go into Salem via 114 there will be a TON of traffic. Park, walk around for an hour, and then head back out to I95 and onto your route. Personally, I would find going to Salem for an hour to be a disappointment and a big time-eater on our way to Disney World.

That is a great way of putting it all into perspective. My idea of stopping was only because it'd be a super neat experience to be there on halloween day for the kids (9 and 10) and an educational one at that. I want this road trip to be full of fun education for them, and of course for me too. I have ALWAYS wanted to go to Salem, but to be honest, I would rather walk around on a quiet day taking in all the history. Something my kids probably won't want to do, and I'm realizing now, wouldn't be accomplished on Halloween.

 

[plummer925]

I grew up in, and have family all over, this area. I lived in the town next to Salem (Peabody) for 25 years. I also lived in Salem for 2 years and worked there for 5. NOW I live in northern Maine but my family lives in southern Maine, so I'm Very familiar with the highway through Maine and Massachusetts (as I also lived in Syracuse/Ithaca NY for 7 years so drove regularly via 90/290/495 to get to and from). I think you'll save a bunch of time going across 495 to 290 to 90. The route down I95 that google maps gave you more than likely sends you around Boston on what's known locally as Rt.128… aka the world's largest parking lot. There is ALWAYS heavy traffic on this stretch of road, and that route loops you closer to Boston when you really want to loop further from Boston. Mileage-wise it's probably about 15 miles shorter to go the way I suggested, but I definitely think you'll avoid a goodly amount of traffic.

If you do choose to go to Salem, most of the "historical/witchy" stuff will be located in the Washington Square area and along Derby St., but museums, houses, etc. will be closed at that hour of the morning. The Witch House (home of Judge Jonathan Corwin) is the only building in town that's directly related to the witch hysteria; the rest of the "witch" stuff is tourist attraction quality. We like the Witch Museum for an overall synopsis of the witch era, but it doesn't open until 10am. If you want to experience colonial-era Salem, walk down Derby St. and look at the historic buildings that are there. The rest of Salem is pretty much a crowded, working-class city that will be going about its everyday, busy Saturday morning existence, with a LOT of tourists thrown in on October 31. While there is a fair amount of quality stuff to do in Salem (House of Seven Gables, Peabody/Essex Museum), none of this will be open in the early morning, and it will take more than an hour to experience.

I don't want to say "don't go" if you really want to be in Salem on Halloween- but you should be prepared for a lot of traffic and realize that there won't be that much to see/do. My guess is it will take a minimum of 2 hours to drive from Portland ME to Salem, and if you go into Salem via 114 there will be a TON of traffic. Park, walk around for an hour, and then head back out to I95 and onto your route. Personally, I would find going to Salem for an hour to be a disappointment and a big time-eater on our way to Disney World.

I live in Maine and I agree with most of this. I would say Portland to Salem on Halloween morning - 2-3 hours. I would avoid Salem on Halloween like the plague! Seriously - you have only an hour - it will take you that long to park. Really consider it hard - it is not a very fun place either. Been there several times and just do not see why it's so touristy. If you are into witchcraft, psychics, etc then it would be okay, but not for an hour 1st thing in the morning on Halloween. Yikes.

 

[3boymthr]

I would avoid Salem like the plague on Halloween. I've lived here my whole life and just don't see the attraction. It's all tourist hype anyway. The witch trials didn't even happen there. They happened west of there, in a little village which was then part of Salem, because at that time the towns in Massachusetts were massive.

I live right off 495 where 290 begins. This is definitely the less congested route to follow. From there I do 84 to 684 to 287/87 go over the Tappanzee bridge then take the Garden State Parkway to the New Jersey Turnpike.

We do almost this same route ALL the time - not heading to Disney but to visit MIL in Delaware but with one modification 495 to 90 to 84 to 684 to Sawmill Parkway to 287/Tappan Zee Bridge to Garden State to Jersey Turnpike. Be prepared traffic in New York going over the Bridge WILL back up. It always backs up. Sometimes the back up is bad other times it's only 10 or 15 minutes.

OP - You mentioned Delaware, are you staying there overnight on your way to Disney? If yes, where in Delaware are you staying? From Foxboro, Massachusetts taking the route above with no massive back ups Dover Delaware is about an 8 hour drive. We usually leave around 6AM or so and eat a donut and coffee breakfast on the road with a brief stop for lunch and a couple of short pit stops for gas and rest breaks and providing there is no bad traffic we get to MIL early afternoon - usually around 2 or 3 PM. OTH we have had it take as much as 14 hours to get from Dover to home due to traffic. So leaving Salem at 11 AM might get you to Delaware before 8 PM depending upon where in Delaware you are headed. If you are heading to Wilmington and environs you should have plenty of time. OTH if you are heading down to Rehoboth Beach or Bethany Beach or further south along Route 13 than there is NO WAY you can go to Salem, not even if you only stay for an hour. If you are heading down and planning on staying in Dover, even though it's not a race weekend if you haven't already done so be SURE to book a hotel room ASAP. Dover AFB brings in a ton of reservists several weekends a month and the hotel rooms book up well in advance.

You also asked about fast food stops. I95 in Massachusetts only has one or two on highway rest areas and they are awful - I would not stop at them. However; many, many of the exits have fast food restaurants and gas right off the exit. Same for 495. I90 is limited access and has multiple on full service highway rest stops. I believe though that between 495 and 84 there is only one rest area. On 84 and 684 all the on highway rest areas only have bathrooms and snack machines. No actual meal type food, no gas. You have to get off the highway to get a meal or gas. The same in New York. The Jersey Turnpike also has many full service on highway rest areas and there is one really nice full service on highway rest area in New Jersey at the very very beginning of the Garden State Parkway within a mile or two of the New York border (be prepared this one is in between the north and south bound lanes so you need to stay in the left lane to reach it.). There are also a bunch of mini rest areas on the Garden State. Mostly with just gas and snacks. If you are taking 95 in Delaware I'm not sure if there are rest areas as we almost never go that way. There is however; a really nice full service rest area in Maryland.