Ask whether you should bring your dog to Salem during spooky season, and you’ll hear plenty of people say the same thing:
Don’t do it.
And it’s easy to understand why. As Halloween approaches, Salem gets busy. Really busy. Downtown sidewalks fill with visitors, Essex Street can become a sea of people, and on peak October weekends, even humans can find the crowds overwhelming.
But does that mean your dog has to stay home?
Not necessarily.
If your idea of visiting Salem is spending the entire day moving from one crowded Halloween attraction to another, your dog will probably be happier sitting this trip out. But if you want to experience Salem with your dog—and you’re willing to plan the day around what will be enjoyable for them—there’s another side of the Witch City to explore.
In fact, some of the best dog-friendly experiences in and around Salem are far from the biggest crowds.
Start Early
One of the simplest ways to enjoy Salem with a dog during spooky season is to get up before everyone else.
Essex Street and the downtown pedestrian mall may be packed later in the day, but early in the morning they can feel like an entirely different place. Take a walk while storefronts are still opening, snap that quintessential Salem photo without hundreds of people in the background, and let your dog sniff their way through downtown before the crowds arrive.
Then, when things start getting busy, head somewhere quieter.
Explore Salem’s Open Spaces
Salem is much more than the few blocks where most Halloween visitors congregate. In fact, there are plenty of places where you and your dog can get away from the busiest parts of downtown.
Salem Common offers wide paths and green space just a short walk from the heart of the city. It’s a great place for a morning stroll or a break from sightseeing.
At Salem Maritime National Historical Park, walk along the waterfront and take in Salem’s maritime history with your dog beside you. Continue out along Derby Wharf toward Derby Light Station for one of the prettiest walks in the city—and a completely different experience from the bustle of Essex Street.
For even more breathing room, head to Winter Island Park for waterfront views, walking, and plenty of fresh ocean air.
Forest River Park is another great option when downtown starts feeling busy. This scenic waterfront park offers walking paths and trails where you and your dog can stretch your legs and enjoy a quieter side of Salem.
Let Your Dog Discover Salem’s History, Too
Your dog doesn’t have to miss out on sightseeing.
A Tails of Salem Dog Tour is designed specifically for people who want to explore the city with their dogs. Instead of simply bringing your dog along on an activity intended for humans, you’ll discover Salem through stories about the dogs who have been part of the city’s history for hundreds of years.
It’s history, a walk, and dog time all rolled into one—and a fun way to experience a side of Salem most visitors never hear about.
Have Lunch With Your Dog
Sometimes the best part of traveling with a dog isn’t squeezing in another attraction. It’s sitting down together, having a meal, and watching the world go by.
There are dozens of restaurants and cafes that have patios that welcome dogs. Some, like Longboards Restaurant & Bar and Rockafellas, even offer doggie menus where your dog can order a meal as well.
Have a Beer—or Cider—With Your Best Friend
Salem also has dog-friendly places where you can relax over a local brew.
On a beautiful fall afternoon, it’s hard to beat the outdoor biergarten at Notch Brewery & Tap Room. Settle in with your dog and enjoy some downtime by the water before heading out on your next adventure. East Regiment Beer Company has a covered patio where you can enjoy a great selection of beer as well as a smash burger. Couch Dog Brewing Company is particularly fitting for a dog-friendly Salem itinerary, while Far From The Tree, Salem’s local cidery, is another fun stop with your pup.
Just remember: a brewery that’s fun for your dog on a quiet afternoon might be a very different environment when it’s packed. If your pup seems uncomfortable, it’s time to move on.
Make Salem Your Base for a North Shore Adventure
One of the best strategies for visiting Salem with a dog during peak season?
Leave Salem for a few hours.
A great spooky-season itinerary doesn’t have to mean spending 10 straight hours in the middle of the Halloween crowds.
Neighboring Marblehead offers parks, trails, and beautiful coastal scenery just a short drive from Salem. Fall brings another perk for dog travelers: many North Shore beaches reopen to dogs after their summer restrictions end. Nearby Beverly and Swampscott both offer opportunities for fall beach walks with your dog once seasonal restrictions allow. There’s something pretty wonderful about trading a crowded downtown sidewalk for a long walk beside the ocean. Rules vary by town and beach—and dates, leash requirements, parking regulations, and other restrictions can differ—so always check the town’s current regulations before heading out.
There are wonderful places to walk and hike throughout the North Shore. Beverly offers spots such as Sally Milligan Park, along with other trails and conservation areas. If you are looking for a scenic drive, head up to Halibut Point State Park in Rockport, a coastal reservation offering dramatic ocean vistas and well-maintained walking paths right on the edge of Cape Ann.
No car? Take the ferry! The Salem Ferry. The dog-friendly Salem Ferry makes it easy to turn a busy Salem day into an adventure on the water. Leashed dogs are welcome aboard, and the roughly 50-minute ride to Boston gives you and your pup a chance to enjoy the sea breeze and views of the coastline before exploring another walkable city. Dogs ride free, too!
Consider Doggie Daycare
You can also split the difference.
If there’s a museum, tour, or Halloween attraction you’re dying to experience that isn’t appropriate for dogs, research local doggie daycare or pet-care options before your trip.
Your dog can have their own adventure while you spend a few hours doing something that would otherwise mean leaving them alone in a hotel room.
And that’s an important distinction: dog-friendly travel shouldn’t mean bringing your dog on every single thing you want to do—or leaving them alone all day while you explore.
It means planning a trip that works for both of you.
Know Your Dog
This is the most important part.
A dog who happily strolls through a farmers market, relaxes at breweries and restaurant patios, and enjoys exploring new places may do beautifully in Salem with a thoughtfully planned itinerary.
A dog who is anxious around strangers, uncomfortable with other dogs, frightened by costumes or unusual sights, or overwhelmed by noise and activity may find Salem during spooky season stressful—even outside the biggest crowds.
And October in Salem brings some unusual sights: costumes, masks, street performers, decorations, sudden noises, and lots of people who may be very excited to meet your dog.
Watch your dog’s body language. Build in breaks. Bring water. Don’t force interactions. Be prepared to change plans.
Most importantly, put your dog’s needs ahead of your itinerary.
So, Should You Bring Your Dog to Salem During Spooky Season?
If you’re coming to Salem primarily to pack in as many spooky attractions as possible, the answer may be no. Your dog might be much happier staying home with someone they know.
But if you’re coming because you want to explore Salem with your furry friend, that’s a different trip entirely.
Walk Essex Street before the crowds arrive. Wander Salem Common. Follow Derby Wharf out to the lighthouse. Explore the waterfront. Escape to Winter Island or Forest River Park. Take a dog-centered history tour. Share a meal. Relax at a brewery. Take a fall walk on the beach. Head beyond downtown for a North Shore hike.
Salem during spooky season doesn’t have to mean crowds from morning until night. There is a quieter Salem waiting just beyond them.
Looking for more dog-friendly placs to eat, drink, walk, stay, and explore? Check out the Tails of Salem Dog-Friendly Guide.