What to Pack for a Halloween Day Trip to Salem

Salem on Halloween is pure magic — and a full day on your feet. Our bus leaves Granby at 9:30 AM and rolls back at 10:00 PM, so a little planning goes a long way. Here's what to pack.

Comfortable shoes — non-negotiable

Downtown Salem closes to traffic in the afternoon and the whole center becomes pedestrian-only. You'll be walking on brick sidewalks and cobblestones for hours. Cute shoes are great; broken-in shoes are better.

Layers for a New England October night

October 31 in Massachusetts can swing from crisp-afternoon to genuinely cold after dark. A warm layer you can tie around your waist during the day and throw on at night is the move. If your costume is thin, plan a warm base layer underneath — nobody has fun shivering.

A costume you can actually walk in

Remember: we're running a $50 cash best-costume contest on the bus, so bring your A-game — but make sure you can walk, sit, eat, and climb bus steps in it. The winners are usually the ones who look amazing and lasted all day.

The small bag

Bring a small backpack or crossbody with: a water bottle, a couple of snacks, your phone charger or a power bank (you'll take a hundred photos), and a little cash plus a card for food and the shops. Salem's food lines get long — having your own snacks saves the day.

What to leave behind

Skip the big coolers and bulky gear — bus space is shared. One reasonable bag per person keeps the ride comfortable for everyone.

One last thing

Our pickup point at night is a short walk from the center, outside the closed streets — we'll share the exact pin on the bus. Wear the shoes, bring the layers, and come ready. Salem on Halloween only happens once a year.