One of my favorite blogs to read these days is thingstodoinsalem.com. Alyse Grimm, the ghoul behind the site, is constantly sharing upcoming events, her favorite things about the city and tips and tricks for doing it right. She also has a Facebook group for those of you planning a trip to Witch City and has a killer weekly email newsletter. (Sign up is at the bottom left of the site.)
To celebrate Halfoween, we decided to swap blogs for the day. Alyse will share with you 10 tips for doing Salem on a budget. Then be sure to head to her site to check out my witchy costume in my closet post!
10 tips for visiting Salem on a budget
By Alyse Grimm, thingstodoinsalem.com
Travel these days can be super expensive and sometimes finding things to do at your destination of choice on a budget is the only option. So here are 10 things you can do in Salem, MA with limited funds to enjoy Halloween in the witch city!

1. Visit the Hocus Pocus filming locations
The cult classic Hocus Pocus was filmed largely in Salem and 99% of the locations are walkable and free. A few surrounding towns were used as backdrops, but as for Salem you’ll recognize Salem’s Pioneer Village, the Old Town Hall, The Salem Common, Phillips Elementary School on the Salem Common, the home at 4 Ocean Ave Salem and the Ropes Mansion which is owned and operated by the Peabody Essex Museum.
2. Go on a Hawthorne Hotel tour
If history is more your speed, you can pop into the Hawthorne Hotel Monday through Friday at 4 p.m. for a free tour. You don’t even need to be a guest of the hotel! Wander their historic building, learn some history and check the place out.
3. Buy ticket packages
One of the easiest ways to save some money when visiting the witch city is to buy your tickets in packages. If you are interested in a collection of attractions operated by the same organization, you can often buy grouped tickets for a discount as opposed to the cost of tickets to each individually. A good example of this is Salem’s Witch Village which is home to several popular tourist attractions. The Witch Village offers a ticket package that will get you into several of their businesses at a discounted rate.

4. Camping and RV options
If you own an RV and are comfortable driving it into Salem, you can park it at Winter Island Park and stay there. This could be a good option if a hotel is out of budget. Camping at Winter Island is available May 20th through November 1st.
5. Book hotels early
If you are going to stay in a hotel, BOOK EARLY. Book everything early. Tickets, accommodations, attractions and more. Prices for any and all of these can increase as you get closer to the fall. Save money by lining everything up way ahead of time.
6. Opt for an Airbnb
If you aren’t interested in a hotel, check out Airbnb. Salem has many properties that are on Airbnb, and they are often cheaper than a hotel in the city. You can also look into staying outside of Salem and using a rideshare app to get back and forth or using public transit like the train.

7. Buy (or make!) your costume in Salem
Costumes from large box stores can be pricey, so doing some DIY work or just using basic props could be a cheaper alternative. There are several places around Salem that sell funky odds and ends, large hats, masquerade masks, offer face painting, etc. If you keep your eyes peeled, you might be able to find some unique items to throw something together on the cheap.
8. Explore your dining options
Salem offers a wide range of dining options to fit a variety of tastes and also budgets. If ordering multiple entrees is pushing it, consider sharing larger items from somewhere like Flying Saucer Pizza. Splitting a large pizza two or even three ways is cheaper than several individual items. You can also save money by booking accommodations that offer continental breakfast and the like.

9. Book a longer tarot card reading
While walking the witch city, you’ll see no shortage of New Age shops and tarot readers. If you plan to have your cards read, consider a longer reading. Many shops are priced so you pay a little less for booking a longer time slot as opposed to a single short read. For example, a 30-minute session might run you $40 but an hour could be $70. They’re not all this way, so be sure to read all information available.
10. Ride the Salem Trolley
The Salem Trolley is one of my favorite attractions in the city and a go-to recommendation for sightseeing. However, if tickets to the trolley are out of budget, consider simply walking the Heritage Trail to sightsee. It doesn’t cover the same route as the trolley, of course, but it does bring you around Salem to multiple attractions, both historical and tourism-related.
I hope this information makes it easier to travel Salem without emptying your wallet!! Doing the witch city on a budget is certainly possible and I hope your visit is everything your spooky heart seeks.
Looking for more to do in Salem? Check out Alyse’s previous guest ghoul post and be sure to grab her $10 seasonal guide to Salem before your trip! Each issue includes upcoming events, recommendations and even a few discounts from local businesses.
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Alyse Grimm is a 31-year-old Pacific Northwest native who now resides in beautiful New England. After first visiting Salem, MA roughly 10 years ago, she fell in love with the old town and has been frequenting the Witch City ever since. Things To Do In Salem came about as a result of wanting to help visitors get the most out of their trip to Salem and keep up to date with events, year ’round. Outside of covering the city’s happenings, Alyse is an avid reader, writer, artist and coffee drinker.
All photos in this post courtesy of thingstodoinsalem.com.


Candace Jedrowicz
Saved to my Spooky Bucket List folder! Thanks!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Yay! I have it saved, too, for my trip. Alyse knows ALL the best places. <3