Halloween 2024

Question

Planning a trip for my daughter who turns 18 next year. Wants to stay in/ near downtown Salem. Would like to keep the night’s stay under $500. Where would be the best closest to Salem’s hot spots? How far in advance should we look at booking? Thank you!

Answer

Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts is one of the busiest times of year — so yes, you absolutely can stay for under $500/night, but you’ll need to plan far ahead to get a good, centrally-located hotel. Prices skyrocket and rooms go fast.

Here’s where you might stay — plus how far in advance you should book — if you want to stay near downtown Salem’s “hot spots” on Halloween weekend or the days around it:

— right near Pickering Wharf and a short walk to Essex Street, many themed attractions and nightlife. Good balance of convenience and comfort.
— a historic hotel in the Salem Common district, very walkable to most of the downtown Halloween-themed action. Often considered the quintessential Salem stay.
— a dependable mid-range chain hotel, usually a bit more affordable than the “historic inn” options while still within walking distance to downtown attractions.

That said, a few caveats and booking advice:

Stay under $500 per night is possible — but that often assumes you book well ahead (sometimes 6–12+ months in advance).
Because October (especially around Halloween) is peak season, many central hotels fill up early — some even open bookings a full year in advance.
Parking is notoriously difficult downtown at this time. Even if you stay in a central hotel, avoid relying on street parking. Public parking garages and satellite parking with shuttle service are often required, and many downtown streets may be closed to car traffic as nights get busier.

My recommendation: If your budget is under $500/night, try to book as soon as possible — ideally this summer or early fall. If central Salem hotels are full or overpriced, consider nearby towns (or commuter-rail accessible towns) and take the train or shuttle into downtown Salem. This often gives better rates and avoids the parking/traffic headache.