Each October, Salem comes alive for Haunted Happenings, with a month-long celebration of Halloween featuring special events, attractions, shopping, dining, and plenty of spooky fun. If a trip to Salem is on your fall bucket list, consider making nearby Cape Ann your home base for the weekend.
Located just up the coast from Salem, Gloucester and Rockport offer plenty of places to stay, from oceanfront hotels and cozy inns to vacation rentals and even camping. Spend the day taking in the excitement of Haunted Happenings, then head back to Cape Ann for ocean views, fresh seafood, and a little more room to unwind.
Plus, with the MBTA Commuter Rail connecting Salem with Gloucester and Rockport, you don’t need to worry about driving into Salem or finding parking during one of its busiest times of year.
Stay on Cape Ann and Take the Train to Salem
One of the biggest perks of staying on Cape Ann during Haunted Happenings is the option to leave your car behind. The MBTA’s Rockport Line connects Gloucester and Rockport directly with Salem, making the train an easy option for getting into the heart of the festivities.
For a downtown Gloucester stay, The Highliner Hotel offers boutique accommodations right on Main Street, putting you within walking distance of local restaurants, shops, the waterfront, and Gloucester Station.
Beauport Hotel Gloucester offers an upscale stay directly on Pavilion Beach, while the nearby Harborview Inn pairs the charm of a bed and breakfast with beautiful views overlooking the harbor, just a short walk from the Gloucester Fishermen’s Memorial. Both offer convenient access to downtown Gloucester along within walking distance of the train.
For something a little different, Accommodations at Rocky Neck puts you in the heart of America’s oldest continuously operating art colony. Set on Smith Cove, these waterfront accommodations make it easy to explore the galleries, studios, and restaurants on Rocky Neck when you aren’t spending the day in Salem.
Wake Up by the Ocean in Gloucester
A Haunted Happenings getaway doesn’t have to be spooky 24/7. One of the best parts of staying on Cape Ann is trading Salem’s bustling downtown for the sound of the ocean at the end of the day.
Located directly on Long Beach, Cape Ann Motor Inn offers ocean views from every room and kitchenette, along with views of the Twin Lights on Thacher Island.
Near Good Harbor Beach, Blue Shutters Beachside Inn offers a cozy beachside stay just steps from one of Gloucester’s most scenic stretches of coastline. The Inn at Good Harbor Beach also sits directly at Good Harbor, offering a stylish beachfront retreat where the sand and Atlantic Ocean are right outside your door.
Just up the road, The Vista overlooks Good Harbor Beach and offers ocean views from its rooms, making it a relaxing home base for an October getaway.
Continue along Gloucester’s Back Shore and you’ll find even more options overlooking the Atlantic. Atlantis Oceanfront Inn combines sweeping ocean views with a peaceful setting near Good Harbor Beach, while Ocean House Hotel at Bass Rocks offers a classic New England oceanfront escape with plenty of space to enjoy the view.
Unique Gloucester Stays Perfect for Fall
If you’d rather stay close to everything there is to do in Gloucester, with amenities like an indoor pool and onsite restaurant, The Hotel at Cape Ann Marina offers accommodations right on the Annisquam River. With Mile Marker One located right on property, it’s an easy place to grab dinner or drinks after returning from a day in Salem.
For families, groups, or travelers looking for a little more space, Sea Lion Motel & Cottages offers a mix of traditional rooms and cottages, including options with kitchen facilities.
Another great option for a longer stay or group getaway is Atlantic Vacation Homes, with professionally managed vacation rentals available throughout Cape Ann. A vacation home can be an especially convenient choice if you’re turning Haunted Happenings into a longer North Shore trip or traveling with friends and family.
Prefer sleeping under the stars? Cape Ann Camp Site offers wooded campsites and RV accommodations in Gloucester, giving fall travelers another way to experience Cape Ann during their visit.
Make Rockport Your Home Base
Continue a little farther up the coast and make Rockport your Haunted Happenings home base. Rockport has its own MBTA Commuter Rail station with service to Salem, plus a walkable downtown filled with galleries, shops, restaurants, and classic New England scenery.
For a boutique stay, Addison Choate combines the character of a historic 1851 property with modern amenities. It’s within walking distance of downtown Rockport, Front Beach, Bearskin Neck, and the train station.
The Rockport House is another boutique option within walking distance of downtown, pairing a restored Victorian setting with updated guest rooms and convenient access to Rockport’s shops and waterfront.
If waking up by the water is at the top of your fall getaway wish list, Captain’s Bounty on the Beach sits directly on Front Beach, just a short walk from Bearskin Neck and downtown Rockport. Nearby, The Cove at Rockport also overlooks Front Beach, offering an oceanfront stay close to everything downtown.
October is one of the most popular times of year to visit the North Shore, so planning your accommodations in advance is always a good idea! Find a full list of places to stay on Cape Ann here, and start planning your trip to Salem Haunted Happenings this October here.