If you’re considering planning a trip to Salem, Massachusetts in November, and you’re not sure what to expect, or if it’s a good time to visit for fall activities, you’re in the right place. I’ve visited Salem quite a bit through all different seasons, including many times in October and November, and I’m excited to share with you what Salem is really like once Halloween is over.
So, this post will go over everything: crowds, weather, vibes, and whether or not Salem still has a spooky atmosphere in November to extend your own personal Halloween season.
Ready to get started? Let’s get into it.
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So, Is Salem, MA Worth Visiting In November?
I absolutely think so, but this really depends on the experience you want. If you visit in November, you’ll miss all the Halloween events, including Haunted Happenings, the parties, the best decorations, etc. However, the trade-off is that you’ll experience far fewer crowds, and have a much more relaxed visit.
So, Salem in November may be disappointing for those who want the full Halloween experience with peak decorations, vibes, and events around town.
November will be worth it for the folks who want a general fall atmosphere, but don’t care as much about the official events, and just want to experience the town during autumn.
What Salem Is Like In November: Quick Breakdown
Crowds & Traffic: November will definitely see way less people, so crowds are not a concern like they are in October. Quite literally on November 1st, the streets will feel much more empty compared to the traffic they see all month long in October.
That said, Salem is still a popular town to visit in New England year-round, so it won’t be desolate. You’ll likely still see other tourists, and plenty of locals in November who have the same idea as you 😉 The first weekend after Halloween tends to the busiest. Weekdays will be the quietest.
During my most recent November visit to Salem, I went the Thursday after Halloween, and the town was lively, but not overwhelmingly busy.
In terms of traffic, Salem will always see a bit of a back-up during rush hour because of its proximity to Boston. I think people do sometimes forget that Salem is actually a city, and while the downtown area is rather small, the city itself is bigger than many people realize, so sees its fair share of commuter traffic. However, it’s so much better in November compared to October.
Weather: This will depend on when in November you visit, as early November weather is different than late November. Early to mid November weather still feels very much like fall, and air temperatures typically average 50-55°F during the day, and can get down into the 30s at night.
There have been times I’ve visited in November where it was almost 70°F, and days when it was closer to 45°F.
As you get later into the month, the weather feels colder more consistently, with a few days that feel more like winter. Snow is uncommon in November, but it can happen. It’s best to check the forecast a few days before leaving to know how to pack.
Activities & Things To Do: People sometime think that Salem basically closes down after Halloween, which is not true. Most businesses are still open since Salem has a year-round community, and many tours still run. Hocus Pocus and ghost tours are still operating in November, restaurants are open, broom-making workshops are still operating – there’s really plenty to do!
The only activities that shut down after Halloween are all the Haunted Happenings events that take place in October.
Overall November Atmosphere & Foliage: This will also depend on when in November you visit. Early November, especially the week after Halloween, will have remnants of Halloween around town. Many houses and some businesses keep up their decorations for a about a week or so after Halloween, but some places will begin taking down their pumpkins and bigger displays a day or two after Halloween.
Foliage in Salem can usually still be experienced into early November, so if you visit the week or weekend after Halloween, it often feels very fall-coded. You’ll see leaves falling off the trees and lining sidewalks, but the vibes still are very autumnal around town. You’ll just miss peak Halloween decorations and such, unless you visit the day after Halloween before some people decide to tear their displays down.
Foliage is usually gone in Salem around mid-November, depending on the year.
What’s Open & Closed In November
As mentioned, the biggest “closures” to be aware of are really just the Haunted Happenings events in October. Basically, any Halloween-specific event will no longer be running in November. However, most other businesses remain open in November, and continue to be open year-round.
The only thing to be aware of is that some businesses may take a vacation after Halloween to recover from the busy October season. It’s a good idea to check specific business social media pages to see if they’ve announced any temporary breaks or vacations before making a special trip. This isn’t super common, but I have experienced that occasionally during my November visits. It’s very sporadic, so I can’t list off places individually since it changes year-to-year, which is why I highly recommend checking places you have your heart set on visiting.
Tours will typically continue to run through mid to late November, but you’ll want to check specific tours individually.
Lastly, businesses will remain open, but may change hours. These are usually updated on Google, or via their social media pages. Once Halloween is over, some businesses may close more often during the weekdays, so this is something else to be aware of.
But top attractions like the Witch House, House of the Seven Gables, and the Peabody Essex Museum all remain open in November. Tours are also still running.
Best Things To Do In Salem In November
Tours
Most tours are still running in Salem in November, so if you’re looking to do a history tour, spooky ghost tour, or a Hocus Pocus filming location tour, you’ve got options! Here are the tours I recommend in Salem that are running in November:
→ Salem Hauntings & History Tour: A walking tour that combines both history and ghost stories. Options available for daytime and evening.
→ Mysteries & Murders of Salem Night Tour: A night-only tour with more of a focus on spooky stories. This one tends to stop running mid-November, so you’ll want to double check your dates and compare tour times.
→ The Official “Hocus Pocus” Movie Locations Tour: A longer walking tour around the city that takes you to the best movie filming locations, and shares lots of stories along the way. This one usually runs through the end of November.
House Of The Seven Gables
Known as the inspiration for the novel of the same name by Nathaniel Hawthorne, it was also named the best historic house tour in the U.S. by Newsweek. I personally think this is one of the best things to do when visiting Salem, and really recommend it.
There are different options for tickets, so you’ll want to read what each includes, as it can be confusing. The grounds passes do allow you access to parts of the interior, but not inside the main Seven Gables house. To access everything, you’ll need to purchase a ticket for the guided tour. Click here for more information.
The one thing I will say is, the grounds won’t be at their best in November, as the gardens are typically at their most beautiful in the spring and summer seasons. However, the grounds are still worth checking out for the waterfront views, and to enjoy the architecture of the mansion.
Historic Waterfront
The Salem Maritime National Historical Park is one of my favorite places in the city. You’ll find the Friendship of Salem tall ship docked here, this historic Sail Loft building, and also, the small Derby Wharf lighthouse, which is really fun to walk out to. The Friendship is usually covered starting in early November, but it still sets a nice scene when walking around the area.
This area doesn’t require a lot of time, but it’s a great way to experience Salem’s maritimes history and waterfront atmosphere.
Essex Street
Located in the heart of downtown Salem, Essex Street is lined with shops, restaurants, and also has a small section that’s closed off to vehicles, making it completely pedestrian-friendly.
While it’s not the only street with shops and such worth visiting, it’s a good place to start. It’s also home to the Bewitched Statue, and many tours start here.
Chestnut Street
Chestnut is often regarded as one of the most beautiful streets in the U.S., and I really can’t disagree with that. I always make a point to walk up and down Chestnut when visiting. The trees lining the street, and the stunning houses will have you wondering if you want to move there 😉
Peabody Essex Museum
If you love museums, the Peabody Essex Museum is one you’ll want to add to your itinerary. Known for being the oldest continuously operating and collecting museum in the country, it’s home to such a wide variety of exhibits, including the Salem Witch Trials (of course!), various kinds of artwork, American Architecture, and so much more.
If you plan to visit, I would allow 2 hours at minimum, as there’s so much to see inside.
Late November Holiday Activities
If you’re looking to catch some holiday events in November, you’ll want to plan to visit right after Thanksgiving. This is usually when Santa arrives at the top of the Hawthorne Hotel, and the official tree lighting takes places at Salem Common next to the hotel.
All other Christmas and holiday festivities take place in December, with the first weekend of December being Salem’s holiday celebration weekend.
Where To Stay In Salem In November
All of these recommendations are walkable to the top sites 😊
🏨 Salem Waterfront Hotel
→ Click here to check rates & availability
I really love this hotel because it was recently updated and feels more modern, sits on the waterfront, and also has a parking lot on-site, which is harder to find in Salem.
🏨 Hawthorne Hotel
→ Click here to check rates & availability
Just down the street from the Waterfront Hotel is Hawthorne, which is another fantastic option. This hotel is more historic, so you’ll definitely have a more charming stay here with old-world elements, which means it’s not as modernized as other hotels in the city, so it depends on your personal preferences. But they have a great tavern on-site that I love to eat at, and also have a parking lot on-site.
🏨 Hotel Salem
→ Click here to check rates & availability
One of the most modern and updated hotels in the city, Hotel Salem is another fantastic option. It’s designed with a really cool mid-century modern aesthetic, and it’s home to the only rooftop terrace in the city. It’s good to know that this hotel doesn’t have on-site parking, so you’ll want to park elsewhere during your stay.
Photos Of Salem, MA In Early November
Just some general scenery photos to give you an idea of what the vibes are like. All of these photos were taken about a week after Halloween.
Visiting Salem In November: Answering More Of Your Questions
Is Salem Still Decorated For Halloween In November?
Kind of, and it really depends on when you visit in November. If you arrive the day after Halloween, you’ll have the best chance at seeing Halloween decorations, as many places will keep them up for at least another day or two.
However, many places will begin tear-down of Halloween decor a day or two after Halloween. However, residential homes and such typically leave their pumpkins and general decorations out for another week.
All that to say, though, it really depends on the year, as there’s no set schedule. This is all just based on my own personal experience.
Generally, you won’t find much in the way of Halloween decorations a week or more after Halloween.
Is It Better To Visit Salem In Early Or Late November?
This also depends on what your goals are. If you’re hoping for any kind of Halloween vibes, or want the best fall atmosphere, you’ll want to visit in early November. Foliage in Salem is usually still around the week after Halloween, and leaves start to fall off the trees quickly once the first week of November hits. So fall vibes are usually on point until mid-November, with leaves on the sidewalks and such.
However, as you get later into November, the fall atmosphere can start to disappear, with people raking up the leaves, and the weather turning a bit colder. This all varies year to year, and depends on things like weather and temperatures, but generally, this has been my experience.
So, all that to say, if you want fall vibes, visit in early November, shortly after Halloween. If none of that is important to you, you can visit any time in November.
Is Salem, MA Walkable?
Yes, Salem is a very walkable destination. If you drive in, it’s pretty easy to leave your car parked the entire time and walk everywhere.
Is Salem Better As A Day Trip Or Overnight Getaway In November?
It’s great for both options! Day trips in November are easier after the Halloween crowds thin out. The trains from Boston are much less crowded in November, and traffic getting in and out this month is a bit better (but remember that it still sees general Boston commuter traffic at certain times of the day). So with a day in November, you can honestly see most of Salem.
That said, if you want to take your time, plan a few different tours or museum visits and such, having a weekend to enjoy everything without feeling rushed, an overnight getaway is also an excellent choice. It just depends on what you’re looking to do.
One thing to keep in mind is that after Daylight Savings in November, the sunset is around 4-4:30pm, which makes your day pretty short. You’ll want to factor that in while deciding how long to visit, and how much time you’ll have.
More of my Salem posts you may find helpful:
- Salem Day Trip: How To Plan The Perfect Itinerary
- The Best Time To Visit Salem, MA
- Salem, MA vs. Sleep Hollow: Which Is Better To Visit In October?
That’s A Wrap On Salem, MA In November
And there you have it – all my insider information on what Salem, Massachusetts is like in November. Hopefully you now have a better understanding of what to expect, and if visiting this time of the year is worth it for your itinerary. Remember, visit as early in November as you can for the best Halloween/fall vibes, and as it gets further into the month, you’ll start to see fewer crowds and less foliage around town. Happy planning!
