Late in the day, I know, but we'll be in Boston on October 31st. Is it feasible to take a day trip to Salem? By train? We don't mind crowds.

You can get ther by commuter rail from north station. You can also get there by boat from Boston harbor.

I've never been, but I've heard it's a complete zoo. Dont know if it would really be fun, but maybe.

Have never been on Halloween day but in my geographic work area - we all try to avoid making home visits to Salem during that week. From reports, it is a wild, drunken party - but usually safe. Do not drive - no parking and too many drunk drivers and pedestrians. I imagine people-watching could be fun if you like watching outlandish drunks or becoming one. Not my thing, but thousands of attendees have different opinions.

Ditto Gail.

As others have said, Salem will be packed. So much so, that the MBTA runs extra trains back and forth from Boston. Here's the schedule: http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/haunted_happenings/

If that sounds good to you--go for it. The celebration also goes on the days before Halloween so if you're around then, you have options.

You may want to try staying in the Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast in Fall River, Massachusetts.
http://www.lizzie-borden.com/

A couple of years back, we took the train to Salem in October (not on Halloween day.) I recall it being about a 45-minute ride, and there's a trolley at the station that will take you downtown for a fee. I think you can get on and off, too. We just walked everywhere. It was fun. If I was there on Halloween, I would totally go.

When DS lived in Salem it was very busy and parking was so limited that the people with homes had to get tags to park on their street. If you take the train it will be busy but fun, I don't recall much in the way of drunks during the day time, but there was much merriment and lots of folks with outfits.

Have fun if you go.

If you want cheap fun, ride the T from Park Street to Boston College and back, maybe several times.

Students are all fully costumed -- which is not to say 'fully dressed' -- and on their way to parties. Ride back to Mass Ave at Berklee College (whatever they call the Auditorium stop these days ) get off, walk toward Symphony. There is a costume shop a block or two down with lines that run out the door and along the sidewalk.

Go back to Kenmore Square and have a meal or drinks and oysters, then ride the T some more.

Everyone is having a great time, the jeunes gens are generally adorable, and if you get a day pass, you can ride as much as you want for a trivial price. Surely you need to stop in Brighton for a pub crawl! And if you are no too wrinkly, the clubs will be hopping. Not a Wiccan to be seen!

You all rock! Love the tips, don't mind the crowds.

@Ackislander -- Brighton? Is that in Boston near the Brighton Music Hall?

Brighton and Allston run together and are full of entertainment venues from punk/indie bars to Brazilian and Korean restaurants to, yes, Brighton Music Hall, which I think is actually in Allston but on Brighton Ave.

Muchhhhhh more fun than Salem!

Sounds great -- we WILL be at the Brighton Music Hall to see Sparks on the 30th! So that area sounds right up our alley -- especially the punk/indie bars!

Regarding Brighton, Kenmore Square - and Boston in general on Halloween. Game 7 of World Series is scheduled for Boston on Halloween. (Game 6 10/30). If it goes to 6 or 7 games entire area will be wild, win or lose. You indicate you like crowds. That is fortunate.

Noooooo!!!!! That means we arrive the afternoon of Game 6. And are in that area at 9 p.m. Well, I guess it's going to be more exciting than I thought!