MBTA Announces Additional Routes To Salem For ‘Haunted Happenings’

The autumn season, and the month of October specifically, is Salem's time to shine. To accommodate the influx of traffic Salem receives this season, the MBTA announced yesterday that they will have two Commuter Rail trains running to and from the city every hour. This will apply to the entire month of October.

This increase in routes equates to the most weekend service to Salem ever. This is partially to accommodate the Haunted Happenings that Salem is famous for. “Salem is the place to be this Halloween season for Haunted Happenings, and we’re ready to bring you there with more weekend Commuter Rail trips this October than we’ve ever offered before to and from Salem,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng.

So, what will you do once you get to Salem? The Haunted Happenings event options include "a Grand Parade, the Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair, Family Film Nights, costume balls, ghost tours, haunted houses, live music, and chilling theatrical presentations," they explain.

There are Haunted Happenings events every day in Salem during the month of October. In fact, certain days (October 5, for example) offer 16 different event options to get in the Halloween spirit. If haunted houses are your thing, there are currently six different options to explore once you get to Salem.

The increased frequency of the MBTA commuter rail options to Salem is not the only additional service now being offered. This past summer, a new ferry route to and from Salem was tested. Due to popular demand, this option will be extended. East Boston, Winthrop, and Lynn ferry services will continue to run through November.

“Safe and reliable multi-modal transportation, including water transportation, is a priority. I’m proud that the MBTA team can continue to offer this to the public,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng.

'Tis the season for haunted houses in America. I love the spooky season, even though I'm more of a spring girl. I actually wish Halloween fell in the spring. But, fall is a good time for all things haunted. America has some incredible haunted attractions. Getting scared is definitely an American thing. So, what are the best haunted houses in America?

What's neat about haunted houses is that they are popular across American, not just in one part of the country. In a sense, a love for Halloween and spooky things brings Americans together. Often, folks overseas haven't celebrated Halloween much until recently, though. In fact, I was shocked to learn that my friends in Europe have never heard of or tried candy corn. What's wrong with this world?

Even though Europeans may not be as familiar with Halloween, or at least the Europeans I know, it's worth noting that Borley Rectory, in England, was widely considered the most haunted house in the world. "This particular rectory was built on the same site as a Cistercian priory perhaps several hundred years older in what is now Borley, Essex, United Kingdom," according to Skeptoid.com. Is it still haunted today? Who really knows, right?

When it comes to haunted houses in America, different outlets have their favorite picks. I've decided to do some research and pick five must-see haunted attractions across the U.S. that I think you should visit this year. I picked a selection of haunted attractions geographically across the country, so hopefully you live near one. I would love to visit all of these at some point, but truth be told, I'm easily scared, so maybe I'm best to try kiddie haunted houses. Reach out to me with your favorite haunted houses and attractions across America here.

Netherworld is known around the country as being a super popular haunted house in Atlanta. It's extra scary, offering special effects, live actors, lots of blood and gore and more. Not for the faint!

https://www.fearworld.com/

Pennhurst Asylum is a super scary haunted house in America. It an institute for the mentally and physically disabled back to 1908. It closed in 1987, and today, it's a famed haunted house that draws people from all over the state and beyond.

https://www.pennhurstasylum.com/

Scream-A-Geddon Horror Park offers six attractions that are perfect for the spooky season. You can even add on Zombie Paintball, in addition to all the typical thrills and chills. This one can be fun for the whole family. Just do your research on the attractions before you go.

https://www.screamageddon.com/

Everyone in Michigan knows about Erebus Haunted Attraction. It's the biggest haunted attraction in the state and one of the biggest in the country. Detroit folks, especially, flock to this spot, as do people from Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing and beyond.

The Asylum and Hotel Fear is a very popular and terrifying haunted house duo in Las Vegas. It's a favorite for Las Vegas tourists and natives, too. Get ready to get your scare on.

https://www.vegashauntedhouses.com/halloween/asylumhotel-fear-ny.html