Absolutely fantastic staff and performing arts theater!! The staff, who are all extremely friendly…read moreand talented, put on a fun and entertaining show. I visited The Witch's Cottage, also known as the Gallows Hill Museum & Theatre, for a show in October and enjoyed every minute of my experience. The staff knows exactly how to run its shows, with large crowds trembling over the cobblestone steps outside this charming Salem edifice. The show was just perfect in length, especially for kids, and gave its viewers interesting facts about Salem's history, including the witch trials. The Witch's Cottage is perfect not only because it has a great staff and a fun show, but also because it is nicely and conveniently located within walking distance of a lot of attractions in Salem. Following the show, my family and I purchased t-shirts in the Museum and headed out onto the old and classic streets of Salem. It made our venture to this Museum even more worthwhile as we were able to know exactly what occurred centuries before in the streets we padded down. If you are in for a good show--put on by an outstanding cast and staff--and want to learn about an interesting, old town in New England, then you definitely have to visit The Witch's Cottage!!

Are you scared? Let's all those feelings of terror and…read moretension fall aside? We are going to do this together. Hand in hand, we are visiting here and Salem ! This is my first, I said "first" haunted house. We just wandered up and went in . Not even realizing that it's a haunted spooky place. After you pay the price of entry. You are given the rules. I'm ready! The kids are ready ! Are you sure you're ready? The scare is about to begin . At eat turn an eerie noise rings in my skull! The sounds are loud and unclear. One of the twins is holding onto me. I lead the way . All sorts of fog and spook at every moment and turn. We are going to survive to see the end of this. Finally we make it to the end . Ahhhh we can breathe . We survived the haunted house . Yay !

I went in with a young friend who was seeing her first haunted house, and she was nervous. The…read moreguide found out it was her first one and offered her a free broom-shaped pen to commemorate the experience. I was very impressed with the character he was playing as the guide, a great mix of trustworthy and spooky. We made it about halfway through before the sudden loud noises were too much for her, and the guide didn't miss a beat when I asked him for help leaving. He found a good spot to ask the rest of our group to wait and then used the big prop lantern to guide us back. He immediately dropped the spooky character and went back to being kind and encouraging. I wish I could have seen the rest of the haunt because I was enjoying the effects! But I had to give major props to them for making sure we were safe and happy customers.

Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery was on my list of places to check out while visiting Salem last…read moreweek. It is located on Essex Street and they have you wait in line outside of the museum. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for kids (ages 6-12). You can either buy your tickets while waiting in line using a QR code or at the counter once you go inside. They do not allow photos or recording while walking through the gallery - the staff even states that they are watching on the surveillance cameras for anyone pulling out their phones. We enjoyed walking through each section and reading about each horror character and the fun facts about the movies or TV shows they were from. I really liked that the characters actually looked like the people and not some knock-off wax museum. Some of my favorites were the wall of actor face molds and the slasher room. I also like that you can walk through each room and area at your own pace and I never once felt rushed by the other people or staff. They have a small gift shop with t-shirts and other items you can buy. You are allowed to take photos inside of the gift shop. This is a must if you are a horror fan!

An unexpected surprise! While not a particular fan of the horror genre there were so many nicely…read morecollated objects, models, masks and wax works of recognizable characters, from early Bram Stoker, Christopher Lee, all the at upto contemporary figures like the demagorgon of Stranger things fame. No pics allowed which somehow made it more enjoyable.

I don't want to Salem short because this is a gorgeous building, so I'm gonna give 5 stars…read more This beautiful Old Town Hall in Salem has a bunch of costume people coming out of it around Halloween and it's really fun to watch. It's amazing even without that added bonus, but at that time of year it's great. It's a good place to get your picture taken and if you're a witch you should probably stay away from here because the witches were hung around here bro.

We came in to kill some time while we waited for our table to open up at a nearby restaurant…read more For three dollars, you get to see informational banners in a small room, lol. Nothing exciting, nothing fun.The best part of the museum is that you get access to use their downstairs bathroom throughout the day, if needed. Definitely not a place you want to come, unless you were in a situation like ours and just need to kill 10 minutes (if that).

The Halloween museum in Salem is one of those attractions that feels more exciting in theory than…read morein reality. The 3D fluorescent rooms are pretty cool at first, and there are a few fun props tied to Hocus Pocus and classic The Walt Disney Company films that horror and Halloween fans may appreciate. That said, the museum itself is very small and doesn't offer much beyond the initial visual appeal. Even though tickets are relatively cheap, the experience feels rushed and underwhelming overall. Unless you're already walking by and looking for a quick stop during a Salem trip, this is probably one attraction that can be skipped.

​If you're looking for a break from the heavy history of the Witch Trials and just want to…read morecelebrate the "spooky" side of Salem, this is the place. It's vibrant, nostalgic, and has a bit of a "funhouse" energy with its 3D glasses and day-glo displays. It doesn't take itself too seriously, which is exactly why it's so charming. ​It is a smaller museum, but it's packed with fun. We spent about 30 minutes walking through the different vignettes, which cover everything from ancient Samhain traditions to 90s-era Halloween kitsch (the vintage Barbie collection was a personal highlight!). It's a self-guided flow, so you can move at your own pace without feeling rushed by a tour guide. ​ ​The price point is one of the best in town. While other attractions in Salem can easily run you $25-$30+, this was much more affordable and felt like a fair trade for the time spent. It's a great "add-on" activity if you have a gap between your larger tour bookings. ​ ​Don't skip the 3D glasses at the entrance! They really make the neon displays pop and turn the experience into something more immersive. Also, because it's a shorter walkthrough, it's a fantastic option for families with kids who might not have the patience for the longer, text-heavy history museums nearby.

The International Monster Museum in Salem delivers some solid jump scares and a good collection of…read morecreepy animatronics featuring all kinds of monsters and horror creatures. The setup is entertaining and definitely has moments that will catch you off guard, especially if you're easily startled. The museum itself is on the smaller side, but the pricing is reasonable enough for what you get. One odd touch was being handed a lighted lantern to carry through the exhibit -- not entirely sure of the purpose beyond adding atmosphere. If you scare easily, be prepared, because some of the jump scares are surprisingly effective. Overall, not a bad quick horror attraction to check out while in Salem.

If you're a fan of the strange, spooky, or creepy this International Monster Museum is a must…read morevisit! The moment you step in, you're greeted by the cool staff dressed in costumes. As soon as you walk in there is a collection of cool props that really bring the world of monsters to life. From detailed sculptures to eerie set pieces, each display shows a lot of creativity & attention to detail. What makes this museum especially unique is its focus on mythical monsters. It's not just your standard horror fare here, you get to learn about creatures from folklore, legends, & myths from all over the world. The exhibits are both entertaining & educational, giving you fun facts alongside the spine-tingling visuals & well-timed scares. Overall, it was a really enjoyable,fun experience!The museum strikes a nice balance between fun & informative, and you can tell a lot of care went into curating the displays. Whether you're a longtime monster fan or just curious, it's a spot that will leave you intrigued & maybe a little spooked in the best way!

What a fabulous find!!! Wet and rainy day in Salem. Took off with the cameras in tow, exploring and…read morewas drawn by artwork across the bridge from the hotel. Explored the nooks and crannies of the building for a few hours. Beautiful, splendid art to feast my eyes upon. LOVED it all!

If you are in the Salem area don''t miss checking out these fabulous murals spread across city…read more Park your car and walk the blocks as some of the murals cannot be seen from the streets. New buildings have been built since many of the murals were completed, so they are now sandwiched between buildings or in courtyards. The map of the murals is on Lafayette St. between Peabody and Ward Streets. Make sure to walk down the walkway past the Window Phone. There are several murals in the courtyard.

Going on spooky tours in all the cities we visit has become a bit of a ritual. The 7:30 pm tour…read morelast night with Hillary was a fantastic experience! She was so knowledgeable and excited to tell us about the wonderful town of Salem! We learned so much!