As a local, there are 9 things I wish tourists knew before visiting Salem, Massachusetts

I regularly visited Salem for years before my family moved to the storied Massachusetts town. JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images As a local, I have a front-row seat to the tourist crowds visiting Salem around Halloween . Travelers should prepare for packed streets, long lines, and zero available parking in October. Tourism is great for our economy, but visitors should do their best to shop at locally owned stores. The first time I experienced Salem , Massachusetts, over 15 years ago, I came as a tourist. The 45,000-person town became so near and dear to me that I never stopped returning. It didn't take long for my husband to fall in love with Salem as well, so we decided to get a Witch City address of our own in 2021.