For the month-long “Haunted Happenings” celebration, Salem, Massachusetts welcomes around a million Halloween visitors each year. But along with the throngs come a host of difficulties for locals and tourists alike, such as congested roads, boisterous crowds, and the increasing issue of small spirits bottles, or ‘nips’.
Traffic
Traffic is one of the main problems in Salem during the Halloween season. It might be challenging to navigate the city’s small streets and few parking, particularly on weekends and holidays. The city has tried a variety of strategies in recent years to attempt to reduce traffic congestion, including parking restrictions and road closures. These steps haven’t always been successful, though, and for many visitors, traffic is still a big issue.
Crowds
The big crowds in Salem during the Halloween season provide another difficulty. In October, the little over 40,000 residents of the city surged to about a million. This can make getting about the city challenging, particularly around well-known tourist locations. Additionally, some locals have complained about graffiti and other public nuisances, and the crowds may be noisy and disturbing.
Tiny liquor bottles
Another issue that has grown in Salem recently is the use of little spirits bottles, or ‘nips’. convenience shops and petrol stations frequently carry these single-serving bottles, which are growing in popularity among Halloween revelers. But the little bottles are also a significant source of garbage, and the city has had difficulty keeping up with the removal.
What is the city doing?
The city of Salem is implementing many measures to tackle the difficulties it encounters during the Halloween season. Apart from the aforementioned traffic and parking regulations, the city has boosted its law enforcement presence in October. Additionally, the city is attempting to lessen the quantity of trash produced on Halloween by collaborating with local businesses and citizens.
What can visitors do?
By being considerate of the city and its citizens, tourists might lessen the difficulties associated with Halloween in Salem. Here are some pointers:
- To prevent traffic jams, arrive early.
- Take public transit or park in a space reserved for that purpose.
- Acknowledge your decibel level and show consideration for other people’s property.
- Get rid of waste the right way.
Although Halloween in Salem is a unique and thrilling event, it’s vital to be mindful of the difficulties presented by the large numbers of people and the joyous environment. Through advance preparation and showing consideration for the city and its people, tourists may contribute to making Halloween a more joyful occasion for everybody.
