Salem will always be synonymous with the 1692 witch trials, a dark chapter of colonial American history during which 20 people were executed for false accusations of witchcraft. Today, there's even a Salem Witch Trails Memorial dedicated to the victims of the trials. This time in history is now considered the most tragic case of mass hysteria in the US, and a morbid curiosity about the chilling events hangs over Salem to this day.

For chills and thrills any time of year, Crowley points visitors to the Gallows Hill Theater, featuring interactive experiences like after-hours ghost hunting, an underground haunted museum, and a multimedia show with holograms and rumble seats for a fright you can feel. The Witch Dungeon Museum was also a personal favorite of hers as a kid. “If you don’t have time for a longer tour, I always recommend the Salem Trolley,” she adds. “It’s a 1-hour loop, and you see a great amount of the city.”

For a break from the crowds, Crowley recommends the Willows Arcade and Park on Winter Island, just outside of downtown Salem. “You can go play skee ball or arcade games, get a chop suey sandwich from Salem Lowe or popcorn from E.W. Hobbs. You are right on the ocean, and there is even a little beach called Waikiki Beach.”

When you need refreshment after a day of ghost hunting or bewitching lore, pop into the Olde Main Street Pub, a cozy Irish bar that’s perfect for warming up on chilly fall evenings. Order the Poison Apple or Witching Hour martini for a Salem-style spirit. Another restaurant favorite is the Ledger, which dishes up seasonal New England–style brunch and dinner in a former bank where mysterious orbs and figures have been caught on video in the basement vault.

For the ultimate haunted stay in Salem, travelers can splurge on a stylish room at the boutique Merchant Hotel, a Federal-era mansion that dates back to 1784 and even hosted George Washington for a night. Crowley has heard some hair-raising accounts from the general manager, including the story of the mysterious “Lady in Black,” who was captured in a photograph at a hotel party in the 1980s.

The Hawthorne Hotel is another famous haunt with a classic aesthetic and, some say, otherworldly amenities. Reports of shifting furniture, inexplicable noises, and ghostly apparitions abound in its elegant hallways and rooms, as well as the top floor, accessible only with a special key. The hotel was also used as a filming location for the TV series Bewitched and the film Joy.

There are a few ghost stories that give visitors an extra layer of goosebumps. “One of my favorites is of a woman who we believe to be the very first documented insane woman in the colonies,” says Crowley. While saving the gory details for her tour that focuses on Salem murders, she adds, “It’s one of the creepiest stories, with a huge plot twist at the end.” Another is a ghost named Abigail at the Ropes Mansion, who perished by fire in 1839 and has been seen roaming the estate by visitors.

If you’re visiting Salem around Halloween, Crowley advises arriving early or taking public transportation, as parking garages usually fill up by 9am. “My number-one tip when traveling to Salem is don’t plan too much,” Beth adds. And with plenty of spooky attractions like the Chamber of Terror, the Salem Witch Museum, the Witch Mansion, and more, this tip can be easy to forget. “It can be quite overwhelming with everything going on here, especially in October. Don't overschedule yourself.”