History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Come and explore the rich, mysterious history of one of New England's most loved destinations Salem, Massachusetts. This ~2 hour walking tour brings to life the true story of Salem's storied past. We are a diverse groups of historians, teachers, professional artists whose passion for Salem's history is truly engaging. You will learn about Salem's rich past as a world-class seaport, hear hauntedly chilling tales of the supernatural, visit one of the most beautiful streets in America and learn of three hundred years of architecture, and find out the truth about the 1692 Salem Witch Trials hysteria. You will leave Salem wanting to plan your next trip back! Come and see why this the *only* tour you need while in Salem.
Dog friendly! Handicap accessible!
Tours run RAIN or SHINE. We do NOT cancel for weather. No refunds for no-shows or for weather.
***Please note, we book up to 40 people per tour***
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by ticketed adult
Our Tours run rain or shine, we do not cancel for weather. Please wear comfortable shoes and dress accordingly.
By choosing to purchase a ticket, you and your ticketed guests will be agreeing to our liability waiver which includes a release of liability on our tours as well as a photo release.
Dog friendly!
Wheelchairs and scooters are welcome, however, be aware that Salem has brick sidewalks, uneven surfaces and narrow areas. Visitors assume all responsibility with wheelchairs and WCWT will not be held liable.
We do not enter any buildings or cemeteries on this tour, this is an outdoor activity only.
Tour group size may be up to 40 guests per group during busy times
There are no public restrooms on the tour route. Please plan accordingly.
The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on all tours.
Smoking and vaping is prohibited on all tours.
Please allow at least 2 hours for this tour. Some tours run up to 2 hours and 15 minutes
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Salem Old Town Hall
All tours depart from Salem's Old Town Hall, on the three steps. A local historian guides you through the cobblestone-lined streets of this 17th century city by the glow of lantern light. Explore the driving factors behind the infamous Witch Trials Hysteria of 1692, meeting real practicing witches along the way. Learn about the rise of Salem as a world-class haunted seaport, creating some of the wealthiest families in its history.
Essex Street Pedestrian Mall
We will be strolling the cobblestoned streets of the Essex St Pedestrian walking mall. This is the very heart of Salem, which once was a Native American trading path. You will visit the site of the First Church of Salem and hear the haunting tale of the Lady in Blue.
What‘s Included
2-hour Hauntings & History Salem Walking Tour
See top Salem sites such as Witch Trials Memorial, Witch House, and Ropes Mansion.
We do not enter any buildings on this tour. This is an outdoor activity only.
Professional/Local Guide
Listen to 400 years of Salem history from a local historian
Walk the cobblestone streets of Salem's historic McIntire District
Gratuities
Options
History & Hauntings Tour
Reviews
14,564 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent
Rebecca B,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Really informative and fun. Lisa was an excellent tour guide, very knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommended
Great tour!
stephanieaK537BO,,Feb 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Diane was amazing! So knowledgeable and responsive to questions. It was a very cold day but she kept it fun and interesting.
Great tour!
177kristenz,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was very interesting and fun! Interesting architecture and stories. We went to the PEM later that day and the tour definitely gave me some insight into the Witch trials exhibit. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and personable. Even with lots of snow on the ground, it was an easy walk. She made sure everyone was safe.
10/10 recommend!
Kaci C,,Feb 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00My husband and I had such a great experience during our tour! Henry was very knowledgeable and entertaining while he guided us through parts of Salem and into the past to to late 1600s all the way to the early 1990s! It was amazing to learn about the witch trials and how Salem became the city it is today! I definitely recommend bundling up and enjoying this tour for anyone wanting to learn about the history of the Salem witch trials.
Well Worth the Trip!
CherilynMarilyn,,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thoroughly enjoyed our walking tour of Salem with Witch City Walking Tours. We had originally booked for three of us at an earlier time and messed up our timing when driving from Boston, but the person who answered the phone was so incredible to work with and allowed us to change to a later tour, which we were not expecting. We also ended up only having two guests instead of three, and they refunded us the additional person without us asking, which also was completely unexpected. We really felt great hospitality before we even joined the tour. Our tour guide greeted us with hot apple cider and hand warmers, which was incredibly appreciated on a -15 celsius day!! This was an abundantly informative tour, and allowed us to see a large variety of Salem - from the Witch Trials to Revolutionary times, and to modern day. We especially loved walking down Chestnut St. to see the Federalist period homes. Our guide was very passionate about the city and it's history, which kept us engaged throughout, especially in such cold weather. You could tell that they cared a lot about providing a thorough and interesting experience, and had endless information to any of our questions!! Would absolutely recommend and book again. Thank you! Pro Tip: Check out the Salem Witch Museum before taking the tour, it allows you to make a lot of connections to the real places you are seeing!!
The tour was absolutely...
Jack S,,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour was absolutely fantastic. Michael was an excellent tour guide and made it so interesting and funny.
Amazing tour around Salem
Macarena M,,Feb 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Sean was an excellent guide! It was amazing to see how much he loves what he’s doing. Even though it was freezing cold, the tour was extremely enjoyable!
What a tour!
coe12,,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had Diane deliver the tour for us and she was brilliant from start to finish. Very energetic, very informative and was so positive throughout. Was happy to answer questions and show us more to Salem than what we knew before this tour. Would heavily recommend this to anyone who comes to Salem!
Wonderful tour!
X1568KRkimb,,Jan 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ryan was absolutely amazing. So knowledgeable and professional! He really brought the history of the town to life! The 2 hour tour flew by so quickly, it was so fun and interesting! Thank you, Ryan for a fantastic tour!!
Highly recommend! A great Salem starter tour for all ages
alexoO7682ZC,,Jan 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing time on our tour! Our guide, Dana, was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, and gave us a great overview of Salem—from witches and ghosts to maritime history to the best spots for a pint after our tour. We were there on an incredibly cold day, and Dana kept spirits high with hand warmers and hot cider. He also checked in frequently throughout the tour, gauging our comfort level and customizing our stops to accommodate our needs. And for a very affordable rate, I'd highly recommend this company to anyone who's visiting Salem!
From US$36.00
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Operated by Witch City Walking Tours