If you’re planning a trip to the North Shore, you’ve probably seen the kitschy gift shops and the neon "Psychic" signs. Salem is a weird place. Honestly, it’s a bit of a paradox. On one hand, you have the heavy, somber history of 1692, and on the other, you have people dressed like 17th-century magistrates eating pizza on a curb. But if you’re looking for haunted places to stay in salem ma, you have to look past the velvet cloaks and the plastic cauldrons.
The real ghosts aren't in the museums.
📖 Related: Why the Map of West and Southwest Asia is More Complicated Than You Think
They’re usually in the floorboards of the hotels. Salem’s hospitality scene is basically a living museum, except the artifacts sometimes move your car keys or turn on the shower at 3:00 AM. Whether you're a skeptic or someone who carries a bag of protective salt, staying in these spots is a vibe you won't get anywhere else.
The Hawthorne Hotel: Apples and Unseen Hands
The Hawthorne is the big one. It’s the grand dame of the city. Since 1925, it’s been the centerpiece of Washington Square, and it looks exactly like the kind of place that would have a resident spirit. Fun fact: the Bewitched cast stayed here in the 70s while filming.
But the "haunting" goes back way further than Hollywood.
The hotel sits on land that was once an apple orchard owned by Bridget Bishop. For those who aren't history nerds, Bishop was the first person executed during the Witch Trials. People frequently report smelling the scent of fresh apples in the hallways when there isn’t an apple in sight. It’s a specific, crisp smell that shouldn't be there.
Room 325 and Room 612
If you want the "active" experience, these are the room numbers people fight over. Room 325 is notorious. Guests have reported the sound of a baby crying—not just a muffled noise, but a distinct, heartbreaking sob. Others have felt invisible hands tugging at their blankets.
Room 612 is a different flavor of spooky.
There is a lady in a long, white dress who likes to hang out in the hallway right outside the door. She’s been seen by staff and guests alike. Most people say she just stands there, looking slightly lost, before she vanishes. If you’re stayin' on the sixth floor, don’t be surprised if the elevator stops there for no reason.
The Merchant: Where the "Strangler" Lived
The Merchant is a stunning boutique hotel now, but its history is arguably the darkest in the city. It’s located in the former Joshua Ward House. Before it was a house, the site belonged to George Corwin, the High Sheriff during the trials.
Corwin wasn't a nice guy.
He was nicknamed "The Strangler" because of his preferred methods of interrogation. He died of a heart attack at 30, and his body was actually kept in the cellar for a while because his family was afraid people would desecrate it.
Guests at The Merchant have reported:
- Unexplained scratches on their skin.
- The feeling of being watched by something deeply unfriendly.
- A "Lady in Black" with wild, dark hair who once famously showed up in a real estate photo of the building in the 80s.
It’s a beautiful hotel. The design is impeccable. But you can definitely feel the weight of the past there.
The Salem Inn: Three Houses, Many Spirits
The Salem Inn is actually three separate historic homes: the West House, the Curwen House, and the Peabody House. It’s charming, creaky, and very "Old New England."
Room 17 in the West House is the legendary one.
The staff call the resident ghost "Katherine." She’s supposedly a former guest or resident who never left. Unlike the heavier vibes at the Merchant, Katherine is mostly just... there. People hear her walking. Sometimes she moves things around.
Then there’s the cat.
Seriously. A ghostly cat. People who are allergic to cats have reported having allergic reactions in the parlor even though no pets are allowed. Guests see a shadow darting between the chairs out of the corner of their eye. It’s kinda endearing, if you don't mind a phantom pet.
The Daniels House: 1667 and Still Standing
If you want to go truly old, you stay at the Daniels House. It was built in 1667. That means it was already old when the Witch Trials started.
This isn't a corporate hotel. It’s a bed and breakfast where you feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine. The hauntings here feel more like memories playing on a loop. You might hear the rustle of a skirt or see a man in 17th-century clothes who isn't one of the tour guides.
Is it all just "the power of suggestion"?
Skeptics will tell you that Salem is a town built on ghost stories, so of course you're going to "see" something. They're not entirely wrong. If you spend the day looking at gallows and execution sites, your brain is primed to misinterpret a drafty window as a ghostly touch.
But talk to the people who work here year-round.
The night clerks at the Hawthorne or the cleaners at the Salem Inn have stories that don't involve tourists or "the season." They talk about heavy doors slamming when the building is empty. They talk about seeing people on security cameras who aren't there when they go to check.
Tips for your haunted stay
If you're actually going to book a room in one of these spots, do it right.
- Book early. For October, you usually need to book a year in advance. I’m not kidding.
- Ask for the guest books. Most of these inns keep journals in the lobby or the rooms where people write down their experiences. They are a goldmine of weird stories.
- Bring a flashlight. Older hotels have weird lighting and even weirder shadows.
- Be respectful. Remember, these were people’s homes (or jails).
Salem is more than just a Halloween destination. The history is real, the tragedies were real, and for some people who stay here, the ghosts are very real too. Even if you don't see a lady in white, you'll definitely feel the pulse of a city that refuses to forget its past.
✨ Don't miss: Atchafalaya River Stages at Morgan City: What Most People Get Wrong
Next Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of a haunted stay, you should check the availability for the Hawthorne Hotel or The Merchant at least six months out if you're traveling during the "Witch City" peak season. If you want a more intimate experience, contact The Daniels House directly to ask about their specific history tours, which are often led by the people who live and work in the building. For the best chance of a quiet (or active) night, aim for a mid-week stay in the "shoulder season" of November or May, when the crowds thin out but the atmosphere remains.