As a local, there are 9 things I wish tourists knew before visiting Salem, Massachusetts
A local resident of Salem, Massachusetts, offers advice for tourists planning to visit during the busy October Halloween season. The guide emphasizes the importance of booking accommodations and activities months in advance due to extreme overcrowding.
Why it matters
Practical travel advice helps manage the impact of over-tourism on local communities and improves the experience for visitors.
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.
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