Salem
Historic town · Massachusetts
The site of the 1692 witch trials leans fully into October, when Essex Street's pedestrian mall, museums, and Salem Common host Haunted Happenings, a month-long calendar of parades, psychic fairs, and costumed crowds that peaks on Halloween weekend.
Don’t miss
Color nearby peaks: October 20–October 24
Color builds from October 9 · mostly bare by November 12
Sampled at Salem’s own coordinates and elevation (10 m) rather than a regional average.
This window comes from 4 weather points across Massachusetts, nudged 3 days later to match 1 published peak date from smokymountains.com and almanac.com. Massachusetts is running 2 days earlier than its own average this year. How the forecast works
When to go to Salem
Good color holds through about October 31, giving you roughly 22 days from the first turn to past peak. That is about 2 days later than Massachusetts as a whole.
It sits inside Boston, so you can fit it into an afternoon.
Salem on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Massachusetts, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
More things to do in Massachusetts
Leaves & views
- Boston Public GardenGarden · Peak Oct 22
- Arnold ArboretumArboretum · Peak Oct 22
- Mount Auburn CemeteryGarden cemetery · Peak Oct 22
- Middlesex Fells ReservationState park · Peak Oct 21
- Walden Pond State ReservationState park · Peak Oct 21
- Mount Greylock State ReservationState park · Peak Oct 8
- Mohawk Trail (Hairpin Turn)Scenic drive · Peak Oct 10
- Bash Bish Falls State ParkState park · Peak Oct 14
Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When does Salem peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 20–October 24 (best estimate October 22). Color starts around October 9 and is mostly bare by November 12.
- How do I get to Salem?
- The closest city is Boston, about 14 mi away (it's right in town). It's part of Massachusetts's fall lineup.
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