Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
SALEM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — For one Massachusetts community, the arrival of October 1 means the start of their busiest season of the year.
For those who love Halloween, a trip to Salem is a must on the spooky season bucket list.
“It’s really unique, with just the cobblestone roads and Essex Street is cool. Everything is still super spooky even if it’s not fully ready for Halloween [so] it’s pretty cool,” said a visitor.
Though the Halloween hype is not felt across the board – some Witch City residents find the seasonal traffic scene too much to bear.
“The crowds, you can’t drive anywhere, it makes it really hard to maneuver out of the city [to go] anywhere,” said Cassy, a Salem resident.
Read More: Boston’s Wicked Haunt Fest Transforms Hood Park For Halloween Season
However not all locals share Cassy’s opinion on the crowds. Michael looks forward to the annual hustle and bustle but does not write off the transit difficulties this time of year.
“I love the crowds, but it is hard to get from one place to another you know, if you’re on Essex Street,” he said.
Michael advised visitors to Salem to consider alternatives to driving like public transportation.
He added that parking can be a “frightening experience” in both the limited number of spots available and the cost.
“It’s like $30-$40 a piece to park you know? At least $20,” he added.
Courtney, who is visiting Salem from Pennsylvania thought that visiting earlier in the month would be best for everyone.
“As much as we would love to see it fully going around Halloween or on Halloween, we thought that coming at the beginning of October would be the best option,” she said.
Salem Halloween events run through October 31.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok