The 10 Salem History Tours to Book First

1.History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14,564 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $36Our pick

Walk Salem with local guides such as Lisa, Michael, Sean, and Diane, hearing the facts behind the 1692 witch trials, ghost stories, architecture, and modern witchcraft. The route reaches the Witch Trials Memorial, Ropes Mansion, McIntire Historic District, Witch House, and more. Choose a daytime or lantern-lit departure, but expect to walk outdoors in all weather.

“Tour guide was great and very knowledgeable. She was very interactive and enthusiastic. Very happy I booked”

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2.Wicked Awesome Tours: Witch Trial History and Salem Haunts!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,032 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $29

Start at Not Ya Mama’s Vegan Cafe in downtown Salem for a one-hour walk through the Witch Trials Memorial, Burying Point, Bewitched statue, Merchant Inn area, and Nathanial Hawthorne statue. Guides such as Allie, Chris, Misha, Jake, and Ajay mix serious history with spooky stories, local humor, and pop-culture stops.

“Chris was a great guide despite having a very large group. He provided a very detailed explanation of those involved as both Victims and offenders in the Salem Witch Trials.”

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3.2.5-Hour Salem History & Sightseeing Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 850 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40

Walk Salem with guide Kenneth through Essex Street, the McIntire Historic District, and downtown. Hear about Indigenous peoples, Puritans, Patriots, and Salem’s seafaring years while viewing the Witch House, Ropes Mansion, Chestnut Street, Old Town Hall, and the Witch Trials Memorial. Buildings are viewed from outside.

“Kenneth was spectacular!!!! Couldn’t have had a better experience. He’s very knowledgeable and caring. Phenomenal story teller”

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4.Best Salem Witch Trials Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 743 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $30

This 90-minute, one-mile Salem walking tour follows the places tied to the 1692 witch trials. A local guide explains the stories of victims, accusers, judges, and jailers, with stops at the Witch Trials Memorial, Witch House, Bridget Bishop’s former land, and the old jail site. Bob is one guide often praised for vivid storytelling.

“Great time and very informative. I learned a lot, but I did not know. I recommend it. But would be slightly better if had something more interactive.”

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5.Salem Night Tour: Haunt and History Guided Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 673 reviews · 1h 30m · from $30

Join a local historian and paranormal investigator for a 90-minute walk from 127 Essex Street. You’ll see the Witch Trials Memorial, two cemeteries, Old Town Hall, Salem Green, Hocus Pocus filming sites, and other historic locations. Guides such as Penny, Bob, Elaina, and April mix clear history with ghost stories and local humor.

“We were a party of six. I found excellent reviews for this tour and booked it. Our guide was knowledgeable, and she gave a thorough tour beginning at 6 pm on May 7th. Over the next few days, we vistied some of the locations and the stories she told us. Wonderful.”

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6.Salem, MA: History and Hauntings Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 651 reviews · 2 hours · from $36

Walk from Old Town Hall through Salem’s McIntire and Chestnut Street districts with an English-speaking guide. Expect witch-trial history, maritime stories, ghost tales, architecture, and film-location tidbits. Guides such as Joe, Diane, Dean, and Hilary are known for clear storytelling, humor, and sensitivity. The tour stays outdoors and runs rain or shine.

“Hilary was amazing! She really set the scene, had amazing energy and was so engaging!! Had an awesome time looking around Salem and finding out about the history! Definitely recommend :) the rain made it atmospheric too”

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7.Secrets of Salem Hidden History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 198 reviews · 2 hours · from $35

Walk through Salem with guides such as Mason, John, Danielle, and Noelle, visiting nine historic locations in two hours. You’ll connect the witch trials to Nathaniel Hawthorne, learn why many events happened in Danvers, and see locations linked to Bewitched and Hocus Pocus. Comfortable shoes are essential.

“John was a great tour guide! He was so knowledgable, and fun! Would 100% recommend this tour, it was absolutely brilliant!”

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8.Historic Schooner Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 84 reviews · from $39

Spend 100 minutes aboard the gaff-rigged Schooner Fame, a full-scale replica of a War of 1812 privateer. From Pickering Wharf Marina, you can help raise the sails, take the tiller, hear stories from Captain Mike and crew, and buy beer, wine, rum punch, soft drinks, or snacks at the licensed bar.

“We had so much fun with the crew raising the sails and shooting the cannon and learning about the history of privateering in Salem. Very easy to find the meeting point and the crew was really nice.”

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9.Salem 101 General History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 41 reviews · from $25Best value

This 90-minute English walking tour starts at Salem’s 1805 Custom House and covers the witch trials, seaport era, Revolution, films, presidents, Houdini, and Alexander Graham Bell. Guides such as Bob mix clear historical stories with humor. Expect a mostly flat route, little seating, and a rain-or-shine schedule.

“The tour was great. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and very friendly..”

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10.Witch Trial History and Salem Haunts Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · from $25

Walk through Salem with guides such as David, Alina, Chris, Allie, and Sara as they connect the 1692 witch trials with haunted buildings, cemeteries, former jails, piracy, war, and Hocus Pocus locations. This one-hour English tour costs $25, is wheelchair accessible, and starts and ends near 7 Church Street.

“The tour guide was really knowledgeable and did a great job connecting with her presentation!”

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