Ghosts and witches roam the streets of Salem, or so the theory goes. See for yourself on one of these spooky guided tours.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
The town: Salem, Massachusetts. The year: 1692. The significance: America’s first case of mass hysteria and baseless conspiracy theory was spiraling out of control. By the end, 200 women would be accused of witchcraft, of whom, 25 were killed. This shameful episode really took place. What is up for debate is the stain on the soul of Salem that remains. Take a literal witch hunt through the old town. But never fear, through a little hocus pocus, these Salem witch and ghost tours are light-hearted affairs, conjuring up whimsy and intrigue along the way. You won’t even need a magic broom to join in.
Salem 1692 Witchcraft Trials Walk
Although many of the Salem town buildings of 1692 are long gone, some of the key sites that were the setting for the Salem Witch Trials endure. During this 90-minute walking tour however, all that is lost comes back to life amid tales of family feuds, suspicion and intrigue. This great-value tour passes the jail, where suspected witches were held, and the court house where they were tried. This is a seasonal tour option, running from April to October. From $25 per person.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Ghosts of Salem Walking Tour
Leaning a little more into the paranormal side of things (perhaps not quite realizing that that was the kind of thinking that got a load of innocent women killed in the first place) this ghost walk seeks spectral remnants of the women accused of witchery. Salem’s haunted cemeteries are a main locale for the afterlife iterations of these poor victims, along with various other haunted locations in Salem’s old town, such as the Town Hall. This is dubbed a family friendly tour and runs on most nights of the year. From $25 per person.
History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour
Salem has seen plenty of highs and lows over its 400 years of history, which is why this tour, teaming up with a local historian, is a great way to better appreciate the events that have shaped the town. The two-hour tour is particularly good for anybody keen to learn about the chain reaction that led to the witch trials and how the situation came to such a gruesome end. This tour has multiple daily departures and if you choose an after-dark option, your guide leads the way by lantern. From $30 per person.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Witch Trials and Beyond – A Guided Salem Walking Tour
Although many tours focus on the gruesome and scandalous facts of the Salem Witch Trials, or the potential hauntings that result, some tours seek an alternate path. For example, this two-hour walk touches on those themes, given their central importance to the city, but also looks at how Salem dealt with the shame, after the fact. Discover ways that Salem was shaped by its darkest moments, plus visit the filming locations of the movies Bewitched and Hocus Pocus. Tours run daily from spring to fall, and a couple of times a week in winter. From $35 per person.
Salem’s Ghosts, Witches, & Warlocks
For a decent balance of Salem history and plenty of creepy tales and spooky goings on, this tour is all about telling the stories behind the places. Depending on the weather and the group, you will visit a variety of sites around Salem, usually about 10 places, such as the Old Burying Point Cemetery, the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and the supposedly-haunted Ropes Mansion. Hear the history connected with each place during the 90-minute tour. A shorter, hour-long option is also available. From $45 per person.