Salem and the Small-Town Tourism Trap

Salem, Massachusetts is best known for the Witch Trials of 1692. That history turned the small town into a Halloween destination, with more than 1 million people flocking there in the month of October alone. It’s so crowded that residents can’t get down the street, walk into a shop, or sit down at a restaurant. How does a small town like Salem deal with a flood of visitors in just one month of the year? And is it really worth it for the people who live there?     SHOW NOTES: The Salem Witch Trials: A Story of Patriarchy, Persecution and Misogyny Witch Hunt: A Traveler’s Guide to the Power and Persecution of the Witch How Salem, Massachusetts Became America’s Halloween Capital Visit these 12 Halloween towns that aren’t Salem Salem residents share perspectives on tourist crowds