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Things to do in Salem

Our most recommended things to do in Salem

Salem: Ghosts, Witches, & Warlocks Guided Walking Tour

1. Salem: Ghosts, Witches, & Warlocks Guided Walking Tour

Meet your tour guide and venture through 8-12 different sites around the city, each one spookier than the last, starting with the historical Salem Old Town Hall. Continue down the eerie streets to explore the Old Burying Point Cemetery, a preserved burial ground that was established in 1637 where some prominent pilgrims and town officials were buried. This haunted tour takes you to different sites and reveals their true stories so that you can feel connected to the history that took place there. Experiencing these stories while at the sites where they occurred is a truly unique experience that can’t be recreated by simply reading about their history.  During your tour, find out how Salem became the center for all haunted happenings. The phenomenon is partially explained by Salem’s rich history and the fact that many of its oldest structures and sites are preserved today, including the famed Witch House.  Salem’s commitment to preserving this history has made it a perfect spot for spirits to linger and for visitors to experience a connection with the past.

Salem Witch Museum Admission Ticket

2. Salem Witch Museum Admission Ticket

Make your way to the popular Salem Witch Museum on Washington Square, and exchange your voucher for the next available presentation in the large and darkened auditorium of the museum. Be amazed as 13 life size stages sets built into the walls above and around the auditorium illuminate one at a time. Hear a fascinating narration depicting scenes from the history of the trials during the 30-minute presentation. Seating is available throughout the auditorium for your comfort. Then, be guided by museum staff through the "Witches: Evolving Perceptions" exhibit. Additional life-size stage sets depict the evolution of the word "witch," from the pagan midwife of pre-Christian times to the modern-day wiccan. Explore the phenomenon of the witch hunts and how they begin. Hear examples of witch hunts that have taken place since 1692 in a presentation of no more than 15 minutes.

Salem: 1692 Witchcraft Trials Walk

3. Salem: 1692 Witchcraft Trials Walk

Explore this history of the infamous 1692 Salem Witchcraft Trials on a 1.5-hour walking tour of the city. Listen to tales of the fear, political turmoil, and family rivalries all help fuel the hysteria that pitted neighbor against neighbor and family members against each other. Starting from the local partner's office, visit the jails where suspected witches were held, the court house, and homes of the judges and accused. Discover how two girls having fits transformed into a frantic quest to expel the Devil, leading to the deaths of 25 innocent people. 

Salem: Secrets of Salem Hidden History Walking Tour

4. Salem: Secrets of Salem Hidden History Walking Tour

Find out how the strict Puritan town of Salem became the witchcraft capital of the world and get a behind-the-scenes look at today's tourism industry on a guided walking tour of the Witch City. Meet your guide outside the Old Town Hall and begin your history-packed walking tour of Salem. Together you'll visit 9 historic locations, including the Salem Athenaeum and Old Burying Point Cemetery, unlocking a new chapter of Salem's past at each stop. Uncover shocking secrets like the connection between author Nathaniel Hawthorne and infamous witch trials judge John Hathorne, or the fact that most of the accusations, executions, and alleged witchcraft actually occurred in Danvers, not Salem. Walk away from your tour with a full picture of Salem's history and plenty of memorable moments to share with family and friends back home.

Salem: Ghosts of Salem Walking Tour

5. Salem: Ghosts of Salem Walking Tour

Join this family-friendly walking tour and explore Salem’s haunted houses, cemeteries, and victims of the Witch Trials. Visit locations where spirits are tied to famous author Nathaniel Hawthorne. Enjoy a stop at one of Salem's haunted cemeteries, Old Burying Point Cemetery, which is considered by many as the most haunted place in Salem. Throughout your tour, visit many other haunted locations, including a few featured on TV Shows like Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures. Learn more about the city's history and famous residents from your local guide.

Boston: Guided Day Trip to Salem by Ferry with Witch Museum

6. Boston: Guided Day Trip to Salem by Ferry with Witch Museum

Board the Salem Ferry in Boston and enjoy the scenery as you pass the Boston Harbor Islands and head up the coast of the North Shore before docking in Salem. Enjoy a visit to the Salem Witch Museum and be transported back to 1692 to experience the history of the Salem Witch Trials. Take away important lessons from how the events played out and the key figures that drove the witchcraft panic, and examine how these themes are applicable to modern culture. Once you leave the museum, enjoy some free time to grab lunch on your own in Salem Village, with recommendations from your guide. After lunch, retrace the footsteps of Salem’s famous history with a guided walk through town. Honor the innocent victims at the Salem Witch Trial Memorial, hear of the lasting impact the Witch Trials left on the town, and learn how the present-day community continues to respect its legacy. Moving onto the Burying Point, your small group will visit the final resting place of notable Salem residents and some important figures from the Witch Trials. Now that you’ve learned about history, time to turn your attention to modern times and discover some seemingly out-of-place marks left behind by popular culture. Enjoy curious storefronts, historic homes, and more as you roam Salem’s streets. Take some photos at the Bewitched Statue, and then walk up a historic street to the setting of Hocus Pocus: Ropes Mansion. Wrap up your day with a visit to the First Church in Salem and the Witch House, both of which were significant to the Salem Witch Trials. Stay as long as you like and continue your own exploration of Salem before making your way back to Boston with one more ferry ride.

Salem Witch Trials Self-Guided Audio Tour

7. Salem Witch Trials Self-Guided Audio Tour

Join a spooky self-guided tour that will help you to explore Salem's past and learn about the events that took place there. Explore some of the town's most notable landmarks and places connected to the famous witch trials. Along the way, there are plenty of optional detours available for those looking for a little more. The experience begins at the Salem Armory. From there, walk to the 1692 Memorial, where the victims of the witch panic are memorialized. Get to know many of the key figures who found themselves swept up by the plague of fear and paid the ultimate price. Next, you’ll see the Old Burying Point, where many of the trials’ victims and aggressors were laid to rest. Listen to the tragically heroic tale of Giles Corey as you walk through the gravestones, a man who refused to bow to the nightmare overtaking his town and was immortalized in The Crucible. After that, you’ll pass by some of Salem’s spookiest architecture, including the Joshua Ward House and the Old Town Hall. You’ll also hear of the secret tunnels which run beneath some of these buildings, many of which still exist to this day. Continue on past the old jailhouse, where innocent people were subjected to cruelty so terrible that some suggest their spirits never really left. You'll hear about Hollywood’s many forays into Salem, including hits like Hocus Pocus and Bewitched. Pass by the Witch Museum on your way back and hear about how all the madness finally came to an end. The final stop brings you to the Salem Common, where the tour wraps up with some things you probably didn’t know about the aftermath of the trials.

Salem: Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour

8. Salem: Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour

Get an introduction to the history of Salem and discover local ghost stories on a guided 1.5-hour walking tour. Visit at least one cemetery and several buildings known for paranormal activity. Listen to dark tales of accidental death and murder. Hear about a man who was murdered for his treasure by his heirs and a woman who died in a fire and continues to haunt the home. Learn about the various unexplained sightings in some of the older structures in the city. Your tour will end in the downtown area, where your guide will direct you to wherever you'd like to visit next.

Boston: Go City All-Inclusive Pass with 40+ Attractions

9. Boston: Go City All-Inclusive Pass with 40+ Attractions

The Boston All-Inclusive Pass by Go City provides you access to over 40 of the area’s top activities, attractions, and tours for a single low price. Enjoy planning your own itinerary while saving up to 45% compared to the cost of individual attraction tickets. Choose a 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7-day pass and visit as many attractions as you like during that time. Take a Trolley Tour, visit the New England Aquarium, or explore the Museum of Science. These and many other options are included in the cost of your Boston All-Inclusive Pass. A free digital guide helps you decide what to do, where to go, and how to get there. Below, "(R)" means that reservations are required. Included attractions with your Boston All-Inclusive Pass: TOURS AND ACTIVITIES • Historic Sightseeing Cruise (Seasonal - April to October) • CityView Hop-On Hop-Off Boston Trolley Sightseeing Tour: 2-Day Ticket (Seasonal - April to November) • Fenway Park Tour • Swan Boats of Boston (Seasonal - April to September) • The Harvard Tour • Boston Movile Mile Walking Tour (Seasonal - April to October) (R) • Boston Bike Rental • Battle Green Tour • Hyannisport Harbor Cruise (Seasonal - May to October) • Cape Cod Canal Cruise (Seasonal - May to October) • Liberty Ride (Seasonal - April to October) • Boch Center Wang Theatre Tours MUSEUMS AND PLACES OF INTEREST • New England Aquarium • Old State House Museum & Old South Meeting House Combo Ticket • USS Constitution Museum • Museum of Science • Paul Revere House • Museum of Fine Arts • Salem Witch Museum (R) • Boston Children's Museum (R) • Harvard Museum of Natural History (R) • JFK Presidential Library and Museum • Plimoth Patuxet plus Mayflower II or Grist Mill Combo (Seasonal - April to November) • LEGOLAND Discovery Center Boston • Franklin Park Zoo • Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum • Peabody Essex Museum • Institute of Contemporary Art • House of the Seven Gables • Buckman Tavern • Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology (R) • Otis House Museum • Concord Museum • Old Sturbridge Village • John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum (Seasonal - April to September)

Salem: Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl

10. Salem: Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl

Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble. Come sip Salem’s best brews and potions on this history-packed pub crawl of the Witch City. You’ll meet your seasoned US Ghost Adventures guide at Turner’s Seafood, where a mysterious woman in white haunts the dining room. From there, you’ll wind through seven other spooky, historic locations, including four pubs. Delve into the story of a jealous and murderous sea captain at Rockafellas. Mingle with the spirits of Mercy Tavern, where sailors disappeared into secret underground tunnels — never to be seen again. You’ll head home with a pleasant buzz and plenty of tantalizing stories to entertain friends and family.

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What people are saying about Salem

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 1,113 reviews

Great way to tour the most historic parts of Boston on your own schedule. The app does a great job of starting the audio as you approach different points of interest.

John was an EXCELLENT guide! He was knowledgeable and made learning history very fun! Highly recommend this tour!

Very professional and knowledgeable guide recommend it for everyone

Excellent guide, very knowledgable, interesting and well organised.

It was a great adventure! Listened in spanish an it was awesome