Halloween in Salem - It's Like no other!

Halloween weekend is upon us! It is, in Salem, the most magical time of the year. The weather forecast is stupendous - we feared rain a week ago, and now it looks like it is going to be 70 and lovely for the next couple of days.

If you are planning to come to Salem for Halloween weekend, I want to draw your attention to Salem's Public Safety Advisory, which urges revelers to bring their common sense to Salem this year. In short, that means:

• Use public transportation,
• Get here in time to enjoy yourself and be ready to depart at 11:00 PM,
• Leave the weapons (real and fake) at home, and
• Refrain from public consumption of alcohol.

We had word of a few cancellations at accommodations in Salem on Thursday. If you are at home wishing for a room to open up - try The Stepping Stone Inn, Hawthorne Hotel, and Clipper Ship Inn. As of Thursday afternoon, they each had one room available.

Salem received some great coverage on The Today Show this week! Check out correspondent Sara Haines searching for the perfect costume in the first segment, and Sara exploring Salem's historic and haunted sites in the second segment.

Here's a quick list of things to do on Friday, October 30th, in Salem, MA. Visit HauntedHappenings.org for the complete list of weekend events, as well as directions, parking, and road closure information. (Hint: the resident tab is full of lots of useful info!)

• Carnival on Derby Street - Open until 10pm Friday and Saturday night.
• Chilling Tales celebrating Edgar Allan Poe in the Bonded Warehouse behind the Custom House at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. SalemTheatre.com
• Eerie Evenings at the Witch House, 310 Essex Street, features costumed actors, startling stories and authentic settings. 978-744-8815 or witchhouse.info
• Count Orlok's presents the Original Michael Myers from 12-4pm, 285 Derby Street, Tony Moran who was the original Michael Myers in "Halloween" will be signing autographs
• Bewitched in Salem, 180 Essex Street, will be hosting John Goff signing his new book, The Witch House, from 3-5pm. BewitchedinSalem.com
• Spirits of the Gables and Legacy of the Hanging Judge at The House of the Seven Gables, 54 Turner Street, witness literature and history come to life in two of Salem's most historic homes. 7:15-11:00pm. 7gables.org or 978-744-0991 ex. 104 Reservations Strongly Recommended.
• The Official Salem Witches' Halloween Ball at the Hawthorne Hotel, 7:30 PM-12:30 AM, Join the Salem Witches with guests Fiona Horne, Wendy Rule, and Dragon Ritual Drummers for the event AOL rates among America's top Halloween parties! 800.595.4TIX or FestivalOfTheDead.com. 18+

In addition to all of the above listed special events, all of Salem's tours, attractions, and activities will be open late. You can be inspired to explore on our online visitor guide!

We are expecting quite a few people to visit Salem this weekend, so please plan extra time for parking and traffic, and if you can take public transportation... do! The MBTA has added extra trains and The Salem Ferry has added extra ferry service. If you are driving in, here's the City of Salem's map of parking lots and garages. There will also be many private lots (churches, gas stations, businesses) who will be charging for parking. Plan to pay $15 - $25 cash for parking for the day.

This post was inspired by all of the calls we have received at Destination Salem this week. I hope I've answered some of your most pressing questions.

Travel safely, and Happy Halloween!