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Best Salem Witch Trials Historical Walking Tour

858 Reviews 4.19 out of 5 stars Based on 858 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor | Salem, USA
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 17 (7.08) days in advance.

1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Examine the demographics, theories and personal stories comprising the 1692 Salem Witchcraft trials. Learn why the hysteria actually began and how it consumed the town of Salem and other communities, resulting in over 200 people accused and the deaths of 25 people.
We go to the Witchcraft Memorial, old burying ground, Witch House and locations of the sheriff, court and where they crushed a man to death.
Our tours are led by local historians, teachers, authors and researchers dedicated to preserving Salem's 17th-century legacy.
This authentic history tour that will shed new light on what happened during the infamous Salem witchcraft hysteria that turned neighbor against neighbor.
We are located downtown next to Emporium 32 and just a short walk from the Peabody Essex Museum and the Salem Witch Museum

What's Included

  • Gain detailed insight into the infamous 1692 Salem Witch Trials
  • 90-minute Salem Witchcraft Walking Tour
  • Local and Professional Guide
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
  • Parking
See 1 moreSee 4 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

8 Central Street
Salem, MA 01970, USA

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

Salem
MA, USA

Return point: Returns to downtown area. Guide can direct you to where you want to go.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Salem Historical Tours & Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour

Examine the demographics, theories and personal stories comprising the dire events of 1692. We will bring you to many of the locations that are full of witch trial history. Many of the structures are long since gone except for a few, but we know where they were located. This is a fascinating tour that will shed new light on what happened during the infamous witchcraft hysteria which turned neighbor against neighbor. The guide will go to as many of the following stops as possible and maybe not in the order listed.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Salem Witch Trials Memorial

Dedicated in 1992, this bench style memorial is in remembrance for the 20 innocent victims of the 1692 Salem Witchcraft Trials. Each bench has the name of the person, how they died and the date. You will learn the symbolism of the memorial and hear some of the stories of the victims.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Rockafellas Restaurant

Now a popular restaurant located in the center of historic Salem, Rockafellas (aka the Daniel Low and Co. building) was the original site of the First Church of Salem, as well as the city meeting house in 1692. It is located in the center of town and played a role in the witch trials.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Joshua Ward House

Now the Merchant Hotel this is the site where George Corwin's house once stood. He was the High Sheriff of Essex County in 1692 and was responsible for signing arrest and execution warrants of the innocent victims of the trials. He took people's personal property and was caught torturing a few people in his home.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

The Witch House at Salem

The Witch House is the only remaining Salem structure with direct ties to the witch trials of 1692. It is the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin. He used to meet in his house with Judge Hathorne and discuss who could be a witch. The house dates back to the 1660s.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Salem YMCA

The Salem YMCA is on Sewall Street that was named for judge Stephen Sewall of the Witchcraft Court. Nine-year-old Betty Parris was moved here in July of 1692. She was the daughter of Rev. Parris. The house is long gone, we will tell you about Betty and her cousin's role in starting the witchcraft hysteria.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall

Turner's Seafood is in Lyceum Hall that was built on land once owned by Bridget Bishop (the first woman executed in 1692) and her husband Edward. You will learn her incredible story and how a town was convinced she was a witch. It took eight days for her arrest, trial and execution.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Witch Dungeon Museum

While the museum isn't tied to the 1692 Witchcraft Trials, it is an example of how people were jailed. They were put in small jail cells the size of a phone booth or closet. And they had to pay for their own jail time. You'll hear the stories of the jailing process and you'll also get a photo op in the pillories (aka stocks).
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Bewitched Statue of Elizabeth Montgomery

Take a picture with Samantha Stevens, America's beloved with. Learn about the episodes shot in Salem and discover whose land the statue sits on. It is rather ironic.
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5 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Salem Masonic Building - Essex Lodge

The Witchcraft Court - called the court of Oyer and Terminer - was located in the middle of Washington Street in front of the present Masonic Building. Most of the trials were held in this location. Additional trials were held here in January 1693. You'll hear some of the travesties of the decisions by the court. One of the accused was declared innocent by the jury but the judges nullified the decision.
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

50 St Peter St

The Witchcraft Jail is gone but it was located at this location. It was one of many jails in the greater Boston area used during the trials. You will learn some of the names that were jailed here including Giles Corey, who was the man they crushed during an interrogation. Some prisoners died in jail
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10 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Show 10 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Tours depart at 10 am, 1 pm and 4 pm. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour. Check in at Salem Historical Tours Office at 8 Central Street, Salem, MA.
  • Our public walking tours can pose challenges for participants with mobility and accessibility concerns. Tours are 90 minutes long and about one mile in length. Each participant must be able to complete the one-mile tour within 90 minutes, providing for frequent stops to view sites and for information from the tour guide. As Salem is a historical city, there are narrow and uneven sidewalks, bricks, cobblestones, and stairs. During events and festivals (and particularly October), with crowds and street vendors, the streets can become difficult to navigate.

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Best Salem Witch Trials Historical Walking Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-40866P26

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.19
858 reviews

Average 4.19 out of 5 stars based on 858 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
565
4 stars
92
3 stars
70
2 stars
61
1 star
70
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 17 (7.08) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Gain detailed insight into the infamous 1692 Salem Witch Trials
  • 90-minute Salem Witchcraft Walking Tour
  • Local and Professional Guide
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
  • Parking
  • No public restrooms

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Tours depart at 10 am, 1 pm and 4 pm. Please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to your tour. Check in at Salem Historical Tours Office at 8 Central Street, Salem, MA.
  • Our public walking tours can pose challenges for participants with mobility and accessibility concerns. Tours are 90 minutes long and about one mile in length. Each participant must be able to complete the one-mile tour within 90 minutes, providing for frequent stops to view sites and for information from the tour guide. As Salem is a historical city, there are narrow and uneven sidewalks, bricks, cobblestones, and stairs. During events and festivals (and particularly October), with crowds and street vendors, the streets can become difficult to navigate.
  • Traffic and parking can be very difficult and October is much worse with "" trafLA Levelfic. Give yourself extra time to get here and park no matter what your GPS is telling you.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers

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