Home to Witch Trials and Pirate Legends, Massachusetts is a great destination for Halloween celebrations. Find appropriate events for all ages and interests.
Historical Halloween
Plymouth Wax Museum – 15 Carver Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts 02360, 508-746-6468. The only wax museum dedicated to the Pilgrim’s stories, explore the voyage by sea and early settlement life – including trials and jails of the early Americans.
Salem Wax Museum of Witches and Seafarers – 288 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970, 978-740-2929. The history of Salem comes to life through these eerie wax figures. Be sure to visit the Old Burial Point just behind the museum and the Witch Trials Memorial is nearby as well.
Many towns and cities in Massachusetts have very interesting cemeteries open to the public. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Massachusetts is one of the most famous cemeteries in New England. Visitors will find the graves of Hendry David Thoreau, Daniel Chester French, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott and Ralph Waldo Emerson here. Contact The Friends of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery at P.O. Box 1245, Concord, Massachusetts, 01742 for The Legendary Sleepy Hollow Cemetery brochure.
Evening tours of lighthouses can be spooky and even romantic. The beautiful drive up to Marblehead Light in Marblehead Massachusetts is worth it in itself. Pack a picnic dinner, a blanket and some candles or a flashlight.
Spooky Events and Happenings
Castle of the Damned at Hammond Castle – 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, Massachusetts, 01930, 978-283-2080. Considered one of the best haunted house style events in Massachusetts a visit to the Hammond Castle for Halloween is not for the faint of heart. It is advertised as a PG-13 event and is not wheelchair accessible. For those looking for a good fright this is a great event for a weekend in October.
Salem Massachusetts offers a wide variety of events during the month leading up to Halloween. Witch and cemetery tours are very popular, especially the candlelight tours of graveyards - some claim to see ghosts or spirits on such tours. Visit the Haunted Happenings website for up to date events and activities covering all age ranges and interests.
The Haunted Ship – Aboard the USS Salem in Quincy Massachusetts at 739 Washington Street, 617-479-7900. Family days are offered for those of a younger audience or who are frightened easily.
Harvest of Horrors – Tony Andrews Farm, 394 Old Meeting House, East Falmouth, Massachusetts, 508-563-3378. A combination stage show act and haunted house tour. Children are encouraged to come to the kidsfest at the Andrews Farm for pumpkin picking and tractor pulled hayrides. Visit Apple Picking in Massachusetts for other farms and orchards that offer hayrides and kid-friendly harvest events.
Best Costume Shopping
The Garment District – 200 Broadway, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02139, 617-876-5230. Great place to hunt for alternative Halloween costume ideas, from go-go boots to wigs and prosthetics. Boston Costume is located within The Garment District and offers a wide variety of outfits and accessories for purchase or rental.
J and N Joke Shop – 329 Moody Street, Waltham, Massachusetts, 02454. Offers a large assortment of costumes for rent or to purchase.
Dorothy’s Boutique – 190 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115. Worth the visit for the eclectic variety and characters working here.
Amy Kreydin - Amy Kreydin, NBCRT, CCAP, BD is a Board Certified Reflexologist and Clinical Aromatherapist.
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