Hi everyone, happy Monday and welcome back to the blog!! Today’s blog topic is seriously an important one…it’s five ways to support Salem’s businesses and community during your October 2023 visit. Some of these are things you might not have considered so I hope you find it helpful. So without delay, here we go.

Five ways to support Salem’s businesses and community during your October 2023 visit

Look for stickers!

The first tip I have is a relatively new one. Be sure to look for the window cling/sticker that indicates that the business is a part of the Salem Pantry October Club. This means that your purchases at that business will go to support the Salem Pantry in some way.

Bonuses to some of our events

Some October events in Salem directly benefit other businesses or organizations, so be sure to keep an eye for that. The first example that comes to mind is Lanterns in the Village which supports one of Salem’s schools as well as Pioneer Village.

Browse the street fairs

This one should be obvious, but shop at our local street fairs and markets! The Salem Flea, the Salem Farmers’ Market, the Creative Collective Haunted Happenings Marketplace, the Salem Chamber of Commerce Biz Baz street fair among others are all filled with local creators, makers and artists. Shop for yourself, get some early holiday gifts taken care of, grab items to throw together a last minute Halloween costume…whatever it is, support all of these wonderful folks.

Book a local walking tour company

This is one that I have harped on many times over in my Facebook group. Please, please, please be sure to book a local walking tour company if you’re going to take a tour while you’re here. Some companies swoop in from out of state and from other areas in the country, hire guides in bulk online and send them off onto our streets to give tours. Unfortunately, these companies don’t always have the best or most accurate history or guides that are familiar with anything other than the print outs they were handed. Book one of Salem’s walking tour companies so you know you’re getting good history from a local company and supporting the city.

Tip and leave positive reviews online

If you are in a position to do so, please tip very generously. Tip your servers, baristas, tour guides, buskers and as many other folks as you can who are literally working themselves into the ground to support the busy season here. If you had a good experience at one of our establishments, please head online to Google, Yelp, Facebook, Trip Advisor, etc. and leave a glowing review. Salem’s business owners love seeing the appreciation for all that they are doing.

What are some of your favorite ways to support Salem’s businesses and community? I hope these helped give you some good ideas and ways to begin. Enjoy!! <3

Recommended reading | You might also like…

• A first timer’s guide to planning a fall trip to Salem, MA
• The most Instagrammable places in Salem, MA — Part IV (2023)

Pin for later…