In Salem, the past runs with you. Cross the line, and you become part of its lore. Haunted course. Historic streets. Wicked fast. One thing’s for sure: you’ll finish with a story worth telling.
Wicked Fast and Wicked Fun: Inside Salem’s Famous Half Marathon (Miles 1-4)
From the moment I arrived in Salem, I could feel the air shift. Thick with history, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural, I’ve been dying to visit this city for years. With Halloween not too far away, the streets that once echoed with whispers from the witch trials now pulsed with the rhythm of thousands of runners chasing ghosts, goals, goosebumps.
My race journey (and start line) began in Salem Willows Park which is part seaside haven, part haunted relic. Every turn revealed something otherworldly: fog rolling off the Beverly Harbor and Collins Cove, costumed spectators and street performers cheering like spirits returned from the underworld, and centuries-old buildings that seemed to watch us pass.
From there, we swept through Levesque Square and down Lafayette Street, tracing a path lined with stories older (and eerier) than the country itself. Runners flock to Salem to feel that electric mix of fear and fascination! The desire to brush against the past and maybe catch a glimpse of the unexplained. As I ran through those haunted streets, I understood why.
From Salem Spirits to Seaside Shadows: Marblehead, Ocean Avenue, and Boston Long Wharf (Miles 5-10)
Marblehead appeared next, a town frozen in time since 1629, its cobblestone streets lined with historic homes that seemed to peer down at us like silent spectators from another era. Leaving the eerie charm of Salem behind, we followed the winding loop of Ocean Avenue, where the breeze carried the whispers of centuries past.
By the time we reached Boston Long Wharf, the rhythm of our footsteps blended with the lapping waves, and the skyline glimmered through a mist that made the harbor feel almost otherworldly. Each mile was a mix of adrenaline and awe-inspiring scenic views, colonial ghosts, and the salty air keeping spirits high while the legs worked overtime. In these miles, the race wasn’t just a test of endurance, it was a journey through history, mystery, and the haunting beauty of New England’s coast.
With my back to the waterfront, I weaved my way through the winding streets of Salem. Mid-run, I paused to pet a passing dog, silently hoping it was a good boy and not a ghostly imposter because Salem has a way of keeping you guessing.
There may not have been a ton of spectator signage along the race route, but the one below sure made me laugh!
The street performers who seemed straight out of a Halloween horror movie, definitely kept things interesting. Forget mile markers…I was tracking progress by how spooky the entertainment got!
From Adrenaline to Afterlife Energy: Conquering the Final Miles in Salem (Miles 10-13.1)
The final 3.1 miles wound back through the heart of Salem’s neighborhoods, where the scent of fall leaves mixed with the echoes of cheering spectators. The Maritime National Historic Site rose in the distance, a reminder of how deeply this city breathes its past. Front lawns turned into mini haunted houses, families cheered from porches, and I couldn’t help but feel that familiar chill. You know, the kind that’s equal parts Halloween air and Salem mystique.
Salem didn’t just give me miles, it gave me mystery! Medal in hand, wicked witches at my back, and a smile plastered across my face, I’d call that a successful race. I marveled at how a half marathon could feel like running through a storybook haunted by history itself.
Up next: State #44Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where the peaks are tall, the air is thin, and the scenery might just literally steal my breath.
Salem Bucket list: Essential Things to See and Do in Historic Salem
There are so many fun things to experience in Salem, but let me start with this one. While you’ll see kids exploring with their parents, I’d recommend waiting until they’re at least early teenagers. Honestly, this entire city felt like an adult Halloween paradise: full of mischief, magic, and just the right amount of spooky thrill that’s better appreciated by slightly older thrill-seekers.
Salem Airbnb Secrets: Costly, Cozy, and Totally Worth It
There’s no shortage of places to stay in Salem, but if you’re booking in September or October, be prepared: Halloween season doesn’t come cheap. Luckily, my Airbnb delivered exactly what I was hoping for because it was decorated to the nines, spooky in all the right ways, and fully embracing Salem’s playful, haunted charm.
Salem Tours Wait for No One—Reserve Early
If you’re planning to tour iconic spots like the Salem Witch Museum, the famous “Witch House” (home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, one of the few surviving structures with direct ties to the 1692 witch trials), or the House of Seven Gables, my advice is simple: book early. When I arrived, every weekend tour was already sold out!
Luckily, Salem has its share of hauntingly cool (and free) sites.
If you have a sweet tooth, I recommend stopping by Ye Old Pepper Companie Candy Store aka America’s Oldest Candy Store since 1806!
The One Spot to Eat: Maitland Farms, Kitchen and Spirits
If you’re in Salem and looking for a place to eat, don’t walk, run (in a non-race way) to this local farm to table hotspot. The food is fantastic, the drinks are wickedly good, and the ambiance somehow balances cozy charm with just a touch of Salem playfulness.
