Welcome to life on the water.
Experience Salem. Stay on the Coast.
Your Gloucester Home Base for Salem Haunted Happenings
Planning a visit to Salem this September or October? You don’t have to stay in the middle of the crowds to experience everything Salem has to offer.
Stay in Gloucester at The Hotel at Cape Ann Marina—just about 20 minutes from Salem by car—and make the Massachusetts coast your home base. During Salem’s busy fall season, leave the car behind and take the MBTA Commuter Rail from Gloucester to Salem. Gloucester and Salem are both served by the Newburyport/Rockport Line, making it easy to build a Salem day into a relaxing Cape Ann getaway.
Explore Salem’s history, Halloween events, shops and restaurants, then return to Gloucester for waterfront views, dinner at Mile Marker One and a quieter place to unwind.
Salem for the excitement. Gloucester for the coast.
Why Stay in Gloucester for Salem Haunted Happenings?
- approximately 20 minutes by car
- waterfront hotel
- Cape Ann experience
- restaurant on property
- hotel amenities
- ability to visit Salem without making Salem your entire trip
Can I Take the Train from Gloucester to Salem?
Yes!
The Gloucester, West Gloucester and Salem stations are on the MBTA Newburyport/Rockport Line. Train schedule here.
Stay with us → drive to either the Gloucester or West Gloucester Station (1 mile from our hotel) → take the train → enjoy Salem → take the train back → return to the hotel.
Visiting Salem Without the Parking Stress
During Salem’s busiest fall weekends, consider leaving the car behind and taking the train from Gloucester.
Planning a Salem Visit from Gloucester
Before You Go
- Check the Salem Haunted Happenings calendar.
- Check the MBTA schedule for your travel date.
- Decide which Salem attractions and events you want to visit.
- Make restaurant reservations in advance.
- Allow extra time on busy October weekends.
Getting There
By train: Take the Newburyport/Rockport Line from Gloucester to Salem.
By car: Salem is approximately 20 minutes away under normal driving conditions, but traffic can vary considerably during major October events.
Getting Back
Check the return schedule before leaving Salem so you know your options for getting back to Gloucester.
Make It a Midweek Fall Getaway!
If your schedule is flexible, consider making your Salem visit a midweek getaway. Spend a day exploring Salem, then enjoy the waterfront, restaurants and coastal scenery of Gloucester and Cape Ann at a more relaxed pace.
“Salem isn’t just a Halloween-weekend destination. Haunted Happenings fills October with events, entertainment, markets, family activities and special programs throughout the month” Destination Salem
Why Gloucester?
More Than a Place to Sleep.
Waterfront Hotel
Wake up overlooking the Annisquam River and Cape Ann Marina.
Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner or drinks at Mile Marker One.
A relaxing option when you return from a full day of exploring.
Explore Cape Ann
Gloucester, Rockport, beaches, harbor attractions, museums, shops, galleries, live music , concerts and restaurants are all part of your getaway.
Stay a Little Longer
Turn a Salem day trip into a three+-day Cape Ann vacation.
A Three-Day Salem & Cape Ann Getaway
Day 1 — Arrive in Gloucester
Check in → explore the waterfront → dinner at Mile Marker One → relax.
Day 2 — Salem
Breakfast → Gloucester train station → Salem → Haunted Happenings → dinner/exploring → train back to Gloucester.
Day 3 — Cape Ann
Gloucester harbor → Rockport → beaches → shopping → lunch → depart. * Check out our fall Whale Watching Packages Also be sure to check out The Hammond Castle Museum for some more spookiness.
FAQ's
How far is Gloucester from Salem?
Gloucester is approximately 20 minutes from Salem by car under normal traffic conditions. Travel times can vary, particularly during major October events.
Can I take a train from Gloucester to Salem?
Yes. Gloucester, West Gloucester (1 mile from us) and Salem are both served by the MBTA’s Newburyport/Rockport Line. Check the current MBTA schedule when planning your trip.
Where should I stay when visiting Salem Haunted Happenings?
Right here! Gloucester offers an alternative to staying directly in Salem, with waterfront accommodations, restaurants and access to Cape Ann while remaining connected to Salem by commuter rail.
Is Salem busy during October?
Yes. Destination Salem describes Haunted Happenings as a month-long celebration that attracts more than 1 million visitors from around the world.
Is it better to visit Salem during the week?
A midweek visit can provide an opportunity to experience Salem while avoiding some of the weekend concentration of visitors. Travelers should still check the event calendar because special programming occurs throughout the month.
What else can I do near Salem?
Visitors staying in Gloucester can combine a Salem visit with Gloucester, Rockport and other Cape Ann attractions, beaches, restaurants and waterfront activities.
Where can I stay near Salem with waterfront views?
The Hotel at Cape Ann Marina in Gloucester offers waterfront accommodations overlooking the marina and Annisquam River lounging areas, and an indoor pool and Jacuzzi. Also onsite is Mile Marker One Restaurant, with fresh locally caught seafood and more.