Salem, MA — knot so loud

Happy October! It’s my favorite month. I love seeing more fall decorations everywhere, crisp weather and best of all, Halloween. It’s a must for all Halloween enthusiasts to visit Salem, Massachusetts. Salem, known as Witch City, is famous for their witch trials history (1692). There are plenty of things to do and see in Salem - they have more than just witch trials history! It’s a very historical filled city with tons of museums to visit.

I went to Salem for the first time close to Halloween last year. It was so fun! It was like stepping in the Disney movie ‘Halloweentown’. I’ve never really seen an entire city dressed up for Halloween as much as The Witch City! I was amazed. The shops in Salem are very unique too! The main street was closed off with vendors selling handmade items. There were soaps, witch hats, t-shirts, home ware goods, etc. There were a ton of street performers, usually dressed as Halloween-related characters. The street performers were pretty common in Salem. I was amazed when I saw them last year for the first time. Most were Halloween characters such as The Addams Family, Sanderson sisters (Hocus Pocus), Michael Myers (Halloween), Jack Skellington (Nightmare before Christmas), Frankenstein, Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter) to name a few. Some performers were characters from the Salem witch trial history. Some of them are willing to have their photos taken, but others will allow if you tipped them. Many street performers have a collection for tips. I was standing outside of a shop with my Dalmatian at one point watching Michael Myers sneaking up on people and hiding behind a tree. It was hilarious! The street performers definitely are entertaining especially for people watching.

*I spy Michael Myers hiding behind a tree (the man in front of the chair is ‘Gomez Addams’)*

There was a vast quantity of unique shops all over Salem, even a Witch City mall! The shops had very unique items such as spell books, wands, voodoo dolls, sage and magic herbs, broomsticks, etc. In Salem, there are people who practice witchcraft. Many of the shops are owned by witches. I thought the HausWitch Home + Healing was the best modern witch boutique shop that I visited. It was very organized, beautiful designed store with a friendly staff. They adored my Dalmatian (yes, dog-friendly store!). My Dal got her picture taken for their Instagram collection “Dogs of HausWitch”! I was in love with the black broomsticks that was propped up against wall and the ‘Witch City’ mugs were adorable too. There are plenty of witch shops in Salem that also had tarot readings.

*Loved this black broom in Haus Witch shop!*

Salem also has the touristy gift shops for your typical souvenirs - my favorite gift shops were The Trolley Depot and Emporium 32. They both are located right next to each other in the old Customs House. It’s the perfect place for shirts, ornaments, books, Halloween decor, etc. Emporium 32 also carries handmade jewelry, local artists works, hats and many more. The shop have many late century antique items. Witch City Wicks and Moody Interiors were my favorite home ware goods shops. Witch City Wicks had mostly candles with some gifts. Moody Interiors had a lot of artsy items with Salem incorporated in them. Wynott’s Wands had to be the most unique shop I’ve seen. It’s like stepping into a Harry Potter movie. The shop is filled of handmade wands. It’s so popular that there’s even a line outside of the store to limit number of customers at a time. Wynott’s Wands is located next to Remember Salem, both are owned by the same person. Remember Salem had more commercialized Harry Potter items for the Potterheads.

My top two favorite shops in Salem were New England Dog Biscuit Company and Rusty + Ingrid Creative Company. New England Dog Biscuit Company is a pet store offering accessories and toys for dogs (and cats), as well treats and goodies. I have gone to the shop both times that I have been in Salem. I’m also VERY particular to their logo! I wish they made apparel with it because what is better than Dalmatians and New England combined?! The friendly staff did give me some stickers! Rusty + Ingrid Creative Company is owned by a couple who are one of my favorite artists. They are known for their New England themed vintage-style prints. I discovered them when I saw a Fenway Park print. I fell in love with so much that I ordered one! I was excited to visit their shop in Salem for the first time this year (they used to be in Rockport, Massachusetts). Unfortunately Rusty and Ingrid were at a show in Maine so I didn’t meet them. The shop was beautifully organized displaying all of their New England art prints. Their print making studio is even in the shop so you could get lucky and watch them at work!

Posing in front of New England Dog Biscuit Company, check out the logo (yes, it’s a dalmatian!).

*Rusty + Ingrid’s printmaking studio at their shop.*

I visited the Salem Witch Museum which is most visited museum in The Witch City! It’s definitely suggested that you get there as early as possible, lines can get really long! It’s not your typical museum, as it is in one large room filled with a diorama of the Salem witch trial history. The museum was mainly a narrative tour which is the worst kind for any deaf person. However, they were very accommodating by providing me a transcript. The transcript helped me to follow along with the narrative story of each diorama.

There are many more museums all over Salem: The House of the Seven Gables, The Witch House, Peabody Essex Museum, Pioneer Village and many more. You definitely would need more than a day to tour all of them! Both times I’ve been to Salem, there were crazy long line for The Witch House. The Witch House is the only building left with direct ties to the Salem witch trials history. It was the home of a judge involved in investigating the witches back in 1692. I hope to tour it some day.

*The Bewitched statue is located in Salem, the TV show filmed their 7th season there.*

If you follow my Instagram, you know I am a Hocus Pocus enthusiast. It’s a must for me to watch the movie every year in October. It was filmed in Salem, so naturally I had to visit all of the filming locations. I saw the Hocus Pocus house last year and it was just so amazing to see in person! It’s surreal. It is a private residence so it is not open for public tours but you can take pictures in front of the home. I’m captivated by how the house looks EXACTLY the same from the movie - the details and everything! The Ropes Mansion (Allison’s home) and Old Town Hall (where Max’s parents went to a Halloween party) were located in Salem. Both are now operated as museums that you can tour with an admission fee. Some filming were done in Salem Common, a beautiful park where you can take a stroll through. From the park, you can see the Phillips Elementary School which was used as Max’s school in the Hocus Pocus movie. It’s not open to public but you can see it from the park. There are more filming locations like the Pioneer Village and Old Burial Cemetery that I didn’t get to see but it’s on my list for the next visit! Salem offers Hocus Pocus walking tours.

*First time visiting the house. I was lucky that there was someone there with Hocus Pocus related props so I posed with the book of spells and a vacuum!*

I had to pose with the house again with my shirt! The Hocus Pocus house shirt is made by Shore Society. — *I had to pose with the house again with my shirt! The Hocus Pocus house shirt is made by* *Shore Society*.

*Old Town Hall (where Max’s parents went to the Halloween party).*

*The Phillips School (Max and Allison’s school).*

Where to go when you’re hungry? I only have one suggestion - Engine House Pizza. It is located right across the street from Salem Fire Department (lucky them!). They made my top favorite pizza restaurants list. Engine House Pizza is firefighting themed restaurant serving pizza, subs, and salads. The owners’ father is a Revere Fire Department Captain. The pizza was so delicious and amazing! It’s worth the stop for a bite!

*The fire dog posing in front of Engine House Pizza.*

Salem Fire Department and Salem Police Department both sells t-shirts. The FD had their table set up out front of the department. My Dal got plenty of treats from them! The PD had a table set up on the main street among with the vendors. This year they had patches so I purchased one for my collection. I am a huge supporter of first responders as I was formerly one, also my brother is a firefighter.

At the end of the day, I wasn’t quite ready to leave Salem. I stumbled upon Goodnight Fatty. I actually walked right past it but was intrigued to see what it was. The iron gate leading into a secluded backyard patio area filled with tables and games. They offered cookies. So glad that I found them because the cookies were so moist and soft! I had to restraint myself from ordering more. I had Oreo, Snickers and Pumpkin Spice Latte fatties (cookies). I loved the Oreo fatties. It was perfect relaxing ending to my day in Salem!

I’m planning on to visit Salem again as it has a strong maritime history. There’s plenty to do in Salem, not just during Octobers. Salem has quickly became one of my favorite Massachusetts town to visit. I’m in love with their strong historical vibes and the beautiful homes.

*The things you see on the streets of Salem!*