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Spooktacular Salem
Salem Haunted Happenings

By , About.com Guide

Photo of Creepy Guy in Mask in Salem Massachusetts

Salem is a spooky place to be during the month-long Haunted Happenings event each October.

© 1999 Kim Knox Beckius
Sep 30 2009
October is a fabulous month to visit Salem--the town knows how to capitalize on its spooky reputation, and there are a host of great special tours and events planned in conjunction with the month-long Haunted Happenings celebration. Here are a few ideas:

Witch Trial Trail and Terror Trail Tours

Wanna see something really scary? Explore all of the skeletons in Salem's closet on a guided walking tour. Derby Square Tours offers two options--The "Witch Trial Trail" walking tour and the "Terror Trail." The one-hour, candlelight Witch Trial Trail tours depart at 7 p.m. nightly except Mondays from October 2 through October 30 from Old Town Hall in Derby Square, two blocks from the Salem Visitor Center. Reservations are not accepted--all are welcome. The cost for 2009 is $12 for adults, $3 for ages 7-17.

Reservations are required, however, for the limited space on the Terror Trail Tours, which are offered during October at various times. Also conducted by candlelight, these tours delve into tales of local murders, spectral assaults and hauntings. The cost as of 2009 is $12 for adults, $5 for children 7-17. Check the Derby Square Tours Web site, as some evenings book up quickly. For more information or to make reservations for the Terror Trail tours, call 978-745-6314.

Spirits of The Gables

On October 9-11, 16-17, 23-24 and 30-31, 2009, tour The House of Seven Gables by candlelight and meet characters from Hawthorne's famous novel. Tours run from 7:15 to 11 p.m. each evening (7:30 to 9:30 p.m. only October 9-11 and 7:15 to 10 p.m. on Halloween). Tickets are $15 per person. Call 978-744-0991, ext. 104 for more information and reservations, which are highly recommended.

The Haunted Neighborhood

The Salem Witch Village and Salem Wax Museum present the Haunted Neighborhood October 1 through 31, 2009. Explore Frankenstein's Laboratory and the Haunted Witch Village; see fire jugglers; participate in a candlelit ghostly tour or cemetery tour, munch on hot apple buns and more!

Haunted Happenings at the Hawthorne Hotel

The Hawthorne Hotel will host a Children's Costume Brunch on Sunday, October 25, 2009 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Adults will love the Annual Halloween Costume Ball on Saturday, October 31, 2009. For reservations, call 978-744-4080 or toll free, 800-729-7829.

The Official Salem Witches Halloween Ball

The annual Official Salem Witches Halloween Ball, an evening of reveling and cavorting with the spirit world, takes place Friday, October 30, 2009 at the Hawthorne Hotel in the heart of historic Salem. The event is presented by Witch Elder Christian Day. This year's theme is "Mythical Monsters," and guests are invited to dress their monstrous best. At the evening's pinnacle, the Salem Witches welcome the Witches' New Year by casting a Magic Circle to draw open the veil to the spirit world. Tickets are $150 per person. Purchase tickets online or by calling 800-595-4TIX.

Chilling Tales

Actors from the Salem Theatre Company will retell the eerie tales of Edgar Allen Poe at the Custom House at Derby Wharf. Shows run continuously Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5 until 9 p.m. between October 9 and 31, 2009. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 6 to 12. They can be purchased online or by calling 978-790-8546.

Check the Salem Haunted Happenings Web site for a calendar of many more October Haunted Happenings events in Salem.

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