Salem, MA: Here’s Why You Should Avoid This Town in October

I love Salem, MA because there's a lot to love about Salem, MA. But I'm here to tell you: don't go to Salem in October.

I feel the need to say this and share what I'm about to share because of something that happened recently. My old friends at Boston.com were compiling tips from readers about visiting Salem in October. They posted a tweet soliciting tips, I saw the tweet, and retweeted it with this simple suggestion: Don't. My tweet was liked over 800 times. Take a look.

Did I expect this kind of response? No. Was this a knee-jerk, tongue-in-cheek retweet to get a few laughs? Yes. Do I actually believe and follow the advice I gave? Also yes. Now, please don't take this the wrong way: I want the diverse and unique businesses community in Salem to thrive. And I know they do big numbers in October. But I also believe you'd have to be mad to visit them during that month.

When I first met my kid's mom, she was living in the old Customs House on Central St. One year, on Halloween, we had to leave her apartment and check into a hotel for the night because tourists on the mall were going so batshit crazy we couldn't sleep. That's the type of energy you're dealing with during spooky season: packed with tourists, starting as early as late August. So by October? It's bedlam.

The good news is that all the great things you can do in Salem in and around Halloween you can do year-round. And there's a LOT to do. I'm going to share a half-dozen of my favorite haunts below in hopes that you'll grab a bite or a beverage there. Just not in October.

Back in the day, we used to roll out of bed on a Saturday, throw on Friday night's clothes, and saunter across the street to Red's for hash omelets and bacon. Those were good days.

I started going to Front Street shortly after they opened in 1996 for live music. Now I got to grab a cup of damn fine coffee and and eyeful of local art.

I lived in New Mexico for almost three years. So I'm a HUGE snob when it comes to Mexican food. Howling Wolf is as good as any restaurant I frequented in Albuquerque.

I ended up at All Souls after a recent visit to the bar at the Hawthorne Hotel (the bartender ignored me for 10 minutes; I left). The bartenders at All Souls couldn't have been more welcoming. Great staff, great vibe, great cocktails.

Across Essex St. from the Hawthorne is a lovely little Italian restaurant called Bella Verona, almost hiding in plain sight. Delectable Italian fare. Highly recommended.

If you're not looking for a full sitdown meal and want something fun and tasty on the go, you can't do better than Spitfire. Good vegan and veggie options on the menu, too.