My first trip to Salem was so amazing that I wanted to share it and sort of create my own guide for anyone who practices witchcraft and will take the trip seriously - as in "I am going for the purpose of having a very goth, very spiritually-focused experience" not just for fun, although that's fine too but this post is not necessarily for those people. Note that I wasn’t sure if planning this for an October weekend was the best idea due to large crowds, but honestly and maybe because I was alone it was totally fine. Note also that this was booked last minute i.e. less than a month in advance at a hotel 20 mins outside of Salem and my stay was for 4 days.
Preparing
I did a lot of shopping for this trip, and a ton of pre-planning. Because I was going alone, I didn’t want to lose any time or sort of be lax about it, I wanted to make sure I saw as much as I could since it was my first time and I was really excited.
Clothing: If you’re like me you’re really into fashion and it’s wonderful and you love it lol if that’s the case you’ll most likely plan outfits. I surfed clearance @ Hot Topic, Dolls Kill, F21 and H&M. I stuck with basic looks. I added tattoos and scrunchies as accessories and rings too. Purses: I didn’t want my arm to kill me since I’d be out all day each day and I know from shopping for a long time sometimes that happens when I carry a shoulder bag. So I suggest opting for a mini backpack or fanny pack. I couldn’t find a fanny pack that I liked and that was the right size in time for the trip so I used a Friday the 13th cross body I got for cheap and my mini leather backpack from UO. Hair: I got my hair blown out the day before I left (and dyed black heheheh) so that I wouldn’t have to do it AT ALL while I was on the trip. Lounging at the hotel: Make it where even the clothes for there are gothic - I brought a triple goddess tee, some grunge bike shorts, a striped tank, and a skull sweatshirt. I also brought a clear stemless glass with a skeleton hand holding it from the dollar store to use for wine or regular drinks. I believe in immersing yourself completely or not at all!
Google maps: Was my friend. I used it so hard to scour the area of Salem ahead of time to see where things were in terms of distance and grouped sections by what I wanted to see and do so I had a good sense beforehand. This helped a lot, I wasn’t totally lost when I got there and used my phone minimally to conserve battery (more on this below). I Google-mapped so many times that I was able to write out my itinerary for both days from morning to late afternoon and then leave time later to shop, have an idea where to park (more on this below), etc. I included what time things closed in parentheses so I could prioritize how and in what order I would do things. Prob did too much but that's me lol.
Weather forecast: I saw it would rain ahead of time but didn’t take it as seriously as I should have. It poured on my drive in first day and the second day I was to walk around and officially begin the trip. Because I was not prepared in terms of attire, the first walking tour was not as comfortable under these conditions lol. My suggestion if you find yourself in this situation based on what I saw around me while I was there: bring a scarf or baseball hat or both, or still go for looking damn good and damn goth in the rain by adding patent rain boots to an outfit, a bright color like a red coat, or an alternative hat that stands out like a wide-brimmed one. These will still make you feel like you can shine as a goth in the weather and not be stifled. Unforch it was too late for me lol I hadn’t packed or planned on how cold it would be either. But thankfully when the sun was out on my third day it was so beautiful and much warmer (about 64-65, 67 in sun). And I had an entirely different experience and felt fashion forward that day! Moon forecast: Wouldn’t it be grand to do a spell right in Salem!? Well depending on which town your hotel is in, but coincidentally a full moon fell on my birthday as well as when I would be there, so I brought everything I needed for it. Since I’ve gone into practice I’ve done so many spells at home on my altar but it was so cool to be near a different area and different energy to do one. Pictured below is everything I used being charged by the sun.
Account for one day of travel: What was supposed to take me 5 hours took me 7-7 1/2 because of traffic and I left on a Friday late morning. I heard from others in Salem though that some left on Saturday early morning and still hit tons of traffic wondering if they’d ever get there. When I got here I didn’t want to do anything but relax at the hotel, I was tired, so do yourself a favor and leave that first day open for travel alone if you plan on driving!
Sigil for protection: My book Inner Witch provides a sigil spell for protection (Fire Walk With Me) for a new environment or travel. I never thought I would need to use it until now - I realized wow what a great idea. The entire concept is to write an intention, eliminate the repeating letters and create a symbol from the letters that remain. Then write it under all the shoes you plan to wear there and you will not only feel but be protected. It helped me feel a lot safer seeing as it was my first trip entirely by myself.
Road trip music: I made a playlist that consisted of mostly 60s and 70s classic rock (think Supernatural lol) only because for me, that’s what put me in the mood for this trip. I wanted from start to finish to experience and feel all that Salem energy and to also really feel myself, feel my power the power in me that is my own individuality so that listening to that music would put me deep into the experience.
Salem Actually
Getting ready for your day: If you’re like me, you’re not a morning person and you’re late half the time and you take 2-2 1/2 hours to get ready due to showering, eating, makeup, and hair lol. Because of this I told myself I'd wake at 8am, but ended up waking at 715am on both days because I was not sleeping in my own bed. Waking at this time was better because it allowed me time to go to IHOP for a big breakfast so that I would be full until at least 1-2pm and eliminate the risk that parking garages would be full. Another few tips before leaving hotel: bring a portable backup charger for your phone OR the actual outlet charger. No matter what you will end up somewhere that has a wall outlet trust me and you can charge your phone in between sightseeing. Bring a lighter or heavier jacket or sweater with you to leave in the car just in case you get hotter or colder through the day.
Parking: Know that no matter where you park in terms of lots (there's like 5) you close to everything in Salem. And from my experience seems that no matter what you paying $30 to park for the entire day. First day: I parked at Church Street Lot - got there 1030am and there was still a lot of parking. Second day: Tried to park at MBTA Commuter Lot because allegedly was only $5 for 14 hours (as per website) but lot was full by 930am, so went to Museum Place Garage and paid another $30 which was dreadful. Hoping that next time I figure out a way around this because parking alone costed me $60 - think about if I had more days to kill, this would have added up badly lol.
Tours: Try to do a historical tour so you’re clear on Salem’s narrative AND a tour that informs you on what being a witch is really all about - which works to eliminate stereotyping and fear of the unknown. I suggest doing them first thing (most begin no earlier than 11am) to get them out of the way because they are an hour or longer. Here are the ones I did which I recommend! Note: Have cash on you if you want to tip the guides because they do accept tips!
>Myths and Misconceptions Walking Tour- This tour was only $9 and it was wonderful. The woman was very knowledgeable and had a smile on her face from the time we started to the time we ended - you could tell she loved what she did. She answered questions and gave a solid walk through places such as the Witch Trials Memorial, where the town hall used to be, and also where the jail used to be. Less confusion about the history results on your end, and also just little facts that you would have never known if she hadn’t told you. Tour meets at the Salem Visitor’s Center and I do suggest watching the 35 minute film to get a little background of the history (a discount is available if you went on the walking tour) OR at the very least watch the slideshow in the lobby, if you don’t know much about Salem's history.
>Salem Witch Walk Tour- This tour was more costly ($20) but if I knew what it’d be like ahead of time I would have gladly paid more money to go. You'll meet at Crow Haven Corner which is the oldest and first shop in Salem. The tour guide uses the history to explain things but it is in no way a historical tour. It’s more like an informative walk about everything that has to do with being a witch - colors, style, how to live a magical life, misconceptions about what a witch “should be” or is seen as in society, even the law of attraction was thrown in there. From the show Bewitched to mojo babies, the information given tied into Salem’s history confirmed not only what I believe in since I myself began practicing but obviously would clear up any misgivings about what a witch is in general by other people. The guide made me feel empowered and I agreed with everything she said. There was so much about this tour that was educational for me and synchronistic, I can’t even describe it. I felt like I was in class. It was awesome. We also recited a blessing for the trial victims which moved me to real tears. The guide pointed out that some testimony from the victims was written on the ground and faded out to show that no one listened to them and that they were executed despite their innocence. At the end or the very beginning depending on the guide, you get to perform a group spell and they even give you a free candle infused with your intention. This was my favorite part of the whole trip because emotionally I was really touched. Mostly because I felt like I was home - I have done spells before and learned so much in the last year, but to ACTUALLY SEE it all be mirrored back to me by other people instead of just hearing about it felt so good.
Miscellaneous:
>Witch Trials Memorial- As no one knows where the victims are buried, each stone (bench) here is dedicated to each of the 20 people executed. You can place flowers on top of the benches and the railing that separates the benches represents their prison cells while a stone wall a ways away represents the people who just stood by while everyone was being accused without stepping in to defend them. This was a very powerful area filled with a lot of residual energy and a very strong presence of 1692.
>Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery- A super cool super real wax museum if you’re a horror film nerd like myself.
>The Satanic Temple- This was a 2 floor very brief history of satanic panic slash art gallery with a Baphomet sculpture. The walls are made of velvet, and upstairs you can sit in a throne of hell.
Food/Coffee:
>Life Alive- Stopped in here for something healthy but note that the entire menu consists of Ginger this or sesame that. I had already eaten that the day before so I wasn’t interested and moved on to The Fountain.
>Fountain Restaurant- The staff is very nice, prices reasonable and food typical of a traditional diner. Get a corner seat and there is an outlet there to charge your phone while you eat!
>Frontstreet Coffeehouse- This was my go to as I mostly drink iced black coffee - theirs was delicious! In addition their chocolate covered pretzels - $2.25 for a bag (same as almost every snack at SBUX) - were very good! Food is not bad either, I had a grilled cheese at one point. Also, check out the art for sale on the walls. When I went in they had photos of humans as interpretations of tarot cards (major arcana).
>Brew Box- Inside the first thing I noticed is that the cooking overshadowed how beautifully it is decorated (all black and white), because it smelled like a kitchen and was very smoky. I didn’t enjoy waiting in line because of this, and when I got up there and asked for a medium coffee it looked like a small which was weird. But! This iced black coffee was even a little better than Frontstreet’s.
Shopping: Know that because Salem is such a touristy town, each shop will have almost IDENTICAL items AND they will have things you can get MUCH CHEAPER at home! So as a rule, stick to buying only things that you truly wouldn’t find at ye olde generic spiritual shop near your house know what I mean? I was so tempted at times to buy all these different things but kept reminding myself hey you can get that back home so why waste money on it here especially since it’s overpriced due to Salem being a popular tourist destination. In addition even if you are a baby witch like me meaning you have a year or less of practice you will know you don’t need certain things, e.g. you don't need to buy all these crystals or all this incense or all these tarot cards etc. I told myself each day I wouldn't buy unless it was unique or special i.e. I can’t find it anywhere else or at the very least have never seen it anywhere else in my witch travels. I do believe that is the best advice I can give for smart Salem shopping. Below are my FAVORITE shops which I recommend visiting! Note: HEX, OMEN, and Crow Haven’s Corner are all sister shops -- at times there are lines to get into ALL the shops in Salem which you must wait in as they can only fit so many people at once.
>Hex Old World Witchery- Two things I found in here which I hadn’t seen where I live were coffin nails for protection, hardened eggshell powder to draw symbols with during rituals, and certain objects they had hanging on the wall. I would also say some of the jewelry was unique. One woman behind the counter was off the cuff in open public telling a customer that the man (could have been her son) was afraid and he wasn’t doing something because of that fear. Woman behind counter was also saying that another woman in his life is very jealous and would stop at nothing to... I didn’t hear the rest. But that to me, was unique on its own as the customer was merely standing at the counter conversing and not getting a reading.
>Omen- The best thing worth noting about this place was the blown up Rider-Waite major arcana tarot cards along the walls. Super cool to see them enlarged like that.
>Hauswitch- Of course this is like visiting your favorite furniture store except it is entirely designed with a witch in mind! So unique and very feminist forward in here which was so empowering - from cards to crystals to purses to half moon mirrors to pillows. Also Bill Crisafi’s art was on the walls when I went which was cool.
>Witch City Wicks- Omg I was obsessed with this shop. There was SO MUCH unique stuff in here! I wanted to buy everything because it was so unique! Krampus playing cards! Resin incense (very thick) from white sage to palo santo. Tons of books, one of note: The Practical Witch’s Almanac 2020. Artwork you could flip through in the corner and all of it was really to die for, also the stuff on the walls to buy. They also had very unique pins for your leather jacket. This might have been my fave shop in Salem!
>The Cauldron Black- Another store which was extremely unique especially in its book collection which was rather large and consisted of folklore and witchcraft from all cultures - Brazil, Greece, Italy - you name it. They had Rider-Waite major and minor arcana tarot cards in sticker form, both black and white or in color. Cross coffin nail sterling silver pendants. So many herbs you’d lose count. Where they did readings in the back, which was blocked off by a rope but which you could see, looked very sacred and very beautifully decorated. You can tell this place was legit - they do hold classes and group moon rituals there too, I saw on the wall and they’re very pricey so again, legit! Lastly they had pins for your leather jacket in stock as well which were overpriced IMO ($18) but were so cool so probably worth it lol they were the Rider-Waite major and minor arcana tarot cards in color, and one in particular that blew me away was The Witch House (very important landmark in Salem) on fire.
>Freaks, Antiques & Uniques Convention- Every weekend in October you’ll find there are a few markets going on: the Creative Common Marketplace which is outside along a very long road, the Psychic Fair & Witches’ Market in Witch City Mall and the Freaks, Antiques & Uniques Convention, which IMO was the most impressive bc everything, like it tells you in the name, was SO unique. I can give you two examples - and I regret not purchasing from the one but I was sort of on a budget that day: Morally Ambivalent was selling vintage stuff that she’s collected in her travels and also her own drawings. She had coffin rings, old perfume bottles and wonderful art that really spoke to me. Old Growth Alchemy was selling such special concoctions in different forms: glass bottle herbs to do spellwork and pendants to wear. One was called "Boundaries" which included rose thorns and yarrow and I was really blown away by how unique that was! Note: Be prepared to take pics of all types of characters if you go in October because they are floating around these markets! From Jason to Michael to Freddy to Frankenstein to the Grim Reaper to Jack Skellington, be prepared because I wasn’t lol! After the fact, I had visions of how and exactly for what I would use the pics for, made me sad but I will go back lol.
>Psychic Readings- If you have personal readers at home like me, you wouldn't blindly again spend money on readers in Salem. However, I will say there are of course more expensive ones that are world-known there so maybe if you have extra money sure.
>Tattoos: If you love tattoos, you’d probably love the idea of not leaving Salem without getting one! Being October, it still was surprisingly not that hard. I ran into Helheim tattoo first and they were booked that day, and told me to come back the next which I intended if I didn’t find an available shop. Saw Studio 13 was right down the street, walked in and artist named Patrick said he was free and without seeing his work or looking into reviews of the shop I took out my paper with the image and told him I wanted him to do it. As he prepped I waited and checked out his book, which was solid. Then did a quick Google review and people named him specifically, bc the shop only has I think three artists generally, and I was so pleased with what I was reading. I guess initially I was feeling super “free - go with the flow - universe, create with me!” type of vibe and so I didn’t even care that I didn’t know his work or if the shop in general had a good reputation, I honestly trusted the universe on this one bc I felt so good being around that Salem energy and it worked out! I would 110% go back to him if I were in Salem again. I can honestly say out of all the tattoos I have gotten his work is the most flawless. If you go, know that he takes his time, he’s a perfectionist you will be there for a while even if you want something small, bc he’s wildly talented. Everyone keeps asking if my tattoo is a sticker because it looks so real. I’ve gotten compliments left and right. Also know that he may put something called second skin over your tattoo which is sort of like a permanent Saran Wrap and can be left on for four days! It allows your tattoo to heal and for you to grow skin faster. I was very impressed by this technique, NO other shop I had ever been to where I lived employed this method of healing. By the time I took the wrap off on the fourth day, it had healed so beautifully! It shed slightly but it’s almost like within the four days I grew some skin over the tat and so that was peeling off real smooth like a sunburn. Once that came off, the design underneath was perfect! I mean all I had to do after is keep applying lotion. Would highly recommend Studio 13 and Patrick!
Das a Wrap
So I would say overall I had the most excellent time. I now want to make it a point to get there once a year because of the energy and how so in line with who I am that experience was. I also missed a lot- didn't get to go to Judge Corwin's House (Witch House), didn't get to visit House of Seven Gables which I heard there is a wonderful garden there, didn't get to eat at every single place, and generally did not see the dramatizations they do in Salem in reenacting the trials. So much to do when I go back, but for the first time it was too good!
