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‘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
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.
Options
History & Hauntings Tour
Reviews
14,506 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Very educational
Melissa R,
Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Terrific tour! I learned so much about Salem’s history and heard plenty of great ghost stories along the way. It was very cold, so definitely rug up -but overall, I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone interested in the city’s witchy past!
Enlightening Experience in Salem!
sheilabM3297LI,
Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dana is extremely knowledgeable about the history of Salem, a place he clearly loves. The history included more than witch stories, all of which were very interesting. He was open and satisfyingly responsive to questions. Though it was quite cold, he kept us warm with great stories and his warm, friendly manner!
Exceptional Tour
Mark W,
Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Henry did a fantastic job. It was freezing and he generously provided everyone with hot hands to keep warm, very nice touch. The tour was great. The information given was brought to life by his description and the picture album was a great tool to add to the description. Henry also gave time for photos and questions. I would definitely recommend you take this tour!!
Informative & Fun
huntersH9068VN,
Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My sister and I took a tour with Rebecca. She was so informative and asked us what we were most interested in and made sure to emphasize those topics. I would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Salem!
Stories of Salem
Q2442DTscott,
Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very informative. Diane was fantastic and gave us a spirited history of Salem at every stop. You can tell she really cares about sharing the story of Salem. As a bonus, Diane shared her knowledge of architecture and we saw many beautiful homes. We learned a lot in two hours and it was the best tour of our trip. If you can get Diane as your tour guide, it’s worth it!
A Moving and Atmospheric Salem Experience
W4yno,
Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was outstanding - both deeply informative and genuinely moving. Our guide, Diane, was exceptional: passionate about Salem’s history and able to bring the town’s fascinating story vividly to life. The accounts of the women and men accused of witchcraft were presented with honesty and great respect for the victims. Diane’s storytelling created an evocative atmosphere at each stop, and at one point, as she spoke of witches, the wind rose and leaves swirled around us - it felt almost magical. I highly recommend this experience.
Great experience with a great tour guide
386whitakerc,
Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lisa was a fabulous tour guide. She taught us a lot about the area. And some fun little facts that we would only have learned on the tour. She even braved the single digit temperatures just for us.
A freezing Fright
Alannah H,
Dec 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience for families, friends, and anywhere in between. Theo did a wonderful job explaining the history, the stories and keeping a lively spirit even when it was blisteringly cold.
Ghosts, Giggles, and Great Stories - The Perfect Salem Night Tour
Paradise49782543616,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked the History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour the day before, joining as a group of six family and friends ranging from ages 22 to 53. Another group of five joined us as well. We chose the evening tour hoping for that extra “spooky” atmosphere of a lantern-lit walk after dark - and despite the chilly weather, it absolutely delivered. Our guide, Sean, arrived right on time and immediately impressed us with his personable and engaging presence. He spoke clearly, confidently, and without any of the filler words that can distract from a tour. His storytelling style was eloquent and intelligent, making every stop along the route feel meaningful. Over the course of two cold hours, Sean led us through Salem with a mix of humor, historical detail, and vivid storytelling that kept our entire group entertained. While we definitely expected stories about witches, we were pleasantly surprised by how fascinating the broader history and economics of Salem were - and how effortlessly Sean brought it all to life. He was also incredibly patient with our group’s varied walking speeds, questions, and occasional distractions, making sure everyone stayed engaged and included. On our 40-minute drive back to our lodging, none of us could stop talking about how much we enjoyed the experience. It was easily a highlight of our trip. I highly recommend the History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour to anyone interested in Salem’s past - witches and beyond!
Great overview of Salem's history
jemailad,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide Dana was very engaging and knowledgeable on various aspects of Salem history, not just the witch trials. We toured during the week of Halloween and he was great at navigating us through the crowds. Would recommend if you want a great historical tour.
From US$36.00
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