To have a good time on Halloween, you must visit Boston and Salem in Massachusetts. There’s no place like New England in the fall, and if you haven’t seen the leaves change colors or enjoyed the hearty and delicious Northeastern fare, you’re seriously missing out. Whether you’re a local or a first-time visitor, there are so many fun things to do for Halloween in Boston and Salem that setting up the perfect itinerary can be tricky. We put together this list of fun things to do while you’re in town. Take a peek at our suggestions below, and don’t forget to bring your costume!
The Boston Area has Everything you Need for Halloween
Halloween is the unofficial start of the holiday season. Whether you’re looking forward to the haunted houses, the creative costumes, or the candy corn, the Boston area is home to an “underworld” of fun for Halloween 2024. Part of what makes Boston an ideal Halloween destination is its proximity to Salem. This spooky and historic city is home to the largest Halloween celebration in the world! Seemingly everywhere you turn is another witch shop or haunted landmark. What is the best way to explore and see it all? City Cruises, of course!
Salem, Massachusetts, is the Ultimate Destination for Halloween 2024
Boston’s Salem Ferry – Exploring Salem during the Halloween season is an experience unlike any other—colonial-era cobblestone lanes where Nathaniel Hawthorne once strolled lead you to fine restaurants, a fabled waterfront, and the exquisite Peabody Essex Museum, the art and cultural epicenter of the North Shore. Only a broom will get you there faster than Boston’s Salem Ferry. Carrying 149 passengers and cruising at up to 33 knots—the vessel Nathaniel Bowditch allows you to spend less time on your journey to Salem and more time exploring this top Halloween destination. The vessel is 92 feet long and features two decks, with booth seating inside. The second deck includes a partially enclosed space with benches and tables and a large open-air space for soaking up the autumn sun.
Salem in a Day from Boston: The Legacy of Witches – If you want to experience Salem with all the bells and whistles, this is for you. Known for the infamous 1692 Witch Trials, Salem offers the unique opportunity to dive into the true history of what actually happened in the very setting where these stories took place. Visit eight significant sites and learn what drove reasonable townsfolk to utter hysteria on this perfectly planned day trip from Boston. You’ll begin your voyage in the same way early settlers did: by boat! Board the Salem Ferry in Boston and enjoy the scenery as you pass the Boston Harbor Islands and head up the coast of the North Shore before docking in Salem. You and your guests will be transported back to 1692 to experience the history of the Salem Witch Trials.
You’ll also be able to retrace the footsteps of Salem’s famous history with a walk around the town. Moving onto the Burying Point, your small group will visit the final resting place of notable Salem residents and some important figures from the Witch Trials. Plus, there are plenty of curious storefronts, historic homes, and more to enjoy as you roam Salem’s streets. Take some photos at the Bewitched Statue, and then walk up a historic street to the setting of a Halloween classic, Ropes Mansion, from Hocus Pocus. Wrap up your guided tour with a visit to the First Church in Salem and the Witch House, both of which were significant to the Salem Witch Trials.
After your guided stroll through Salem, you’ll have some free time to grab lunch and go shopping on your own. If you opted for the tour with a 9:25 am start time, you can use this time to visit the Real Pirates Museum on your own. Either way, there’s plenty more to explore before you reconvene with your small group for the return ferry to Boston.
City Cruises is the Perfect Partner for Your Halloween Fun in Boston
CODZILLA Thrill-boat Ride in Boston – Halloween is all about the thrills and screams, and you’ll roar for more after riding the Codzilla thrill-boat ride. We put the pedal to the metal and the volume to 11 as we blast an original soundtrack and storyline that takes you on a fun, up-tempo journey. Plan to sit back and relax? Not on this cruise! True to its name, Codzilla is monstrously fun—a thrill a minute as you scream across the water at up to 40 MPH, with a few hairpin turns and 360-degree spins thrown in for evil measure. The Boat Codzilla is 70 feet of marine aluminum and has a bad attitude, prowling the ocean with two turbo-charged diesel engines, state-of-the-art water jets, and 2,800 horsepower. Its unique hull design makes it capable of thrilling turns and spinning on a dime. So secure all costumes, hats, scarves, eyewear, and bad hairpieces.
Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey – Cruising year-round from Rowes Wharf, the sleek and modern Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey is the perfect setting for some fun with friends, colleagues, or your significant other during this Halloween season. Enjoy upscale dining and entertainment, creative cocktails, wine, and beer from our well-stocked cash bar. Take in scenic views of Boston Harbor, and watch as the city lights glisten from our climate-controlled decks on this memorable dinner cruise experience.
Have a Happy Halloween in Boston and Salem with City Cruises
The New England area is a prime Halloween location. Whether you plan to explore the history and thrills of Boston or prefer to take a deep dive into the world of witchcraft in Salem, City Cruises has everything you need to make this Halloween season on for the record “spell” books!