The 10 Best Walking Tours in Salem, Massachusetts (MA)

December 8, 2021 Malia Yoakum

Best known for the witch trials that took place in 1692, Salem is sure to bewitch you with its seaside charm, its maritime history and spellbinding beauty. Follow the Red Line along the sidewalks to navigate your journey through historic sites, including the Witch Trial Memorial, the Old Burying Point Cemetery and more. Discover serenity by the sea on the beaches of Salem Willows. The Bewitched statue, the Witch Museum and the Witch Dungeon conjure up diverse takes on witchery through history.
Restaurants in Salem

1. True Stories of a Strange Salem

15 Front St, Salem, MA 01970, USA BTF Tours
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Many people believe in the paranormal, in spirits and djinn and unknown activity. And while we have reports and evidence of such occurrences all around Salem, it is our history that is truly terrifying. For it is humanity that is the real monster. Join us on our 90min walking tour as we learn about brutal murders, strange legal battles, secret passages, curses, spiders, and of course, torture.

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes

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Reviewed By lauravO4898CA

Tour guide is extremely knowledgeable and an interesting storyteller. He walks and talks you through all the parts of Salem.

2. Salem and Witchcraft Historical Walking Tour

15 Front St, Salem, MA 01970, USA BTF Tours
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5.0 based on 11 reviews

The tryals have left a footprint on Salem, and the world, that still echo 329 years later. Join us on our 90min walking tour as we visit historic locations and lay the groundwork to explore and unpack what happened in Salem in 1692. Shedding light on how a community driven by fear and led by religious ideology and zealotus extremism, executed 20 innocent people.

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Reviewed By salemsb2021

Our guide was EXTREMELY knowledgeable and had lots of passion in his work. He kept our attention and took us on rollercoaster evening of spooks and laughter.

3. Satanic Salem Walking Tours

Salem Farmers' Market, 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA 01970, USA Satanic Salem Walking Tours
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5.0 based on 173 reviews

Salem history from The Satanic Temple! Who the hell are we? Watch the documentary "Hail Satan?" on Hulu before booking and you'll get it! The most unique walking tour in Salem, free from supernatural or superstitious elements. Your tour guide is an expert in occultism, witchcraft, and a member of The Satanic Temple! Surprisingly very family friendly, but for weird families.

Inclusions: Licensed and certified guide

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Reviewed By Summerstar22

By far the best tour in Salem! Don’t take this tour if you enjoy wasting your money on gimmicky tourist BS. Take this tour if you want to learn unique and accurate historical facts about Salem with a pinch of grit. Thomas is a fabulous and charismatic guide and we can’t wait to take the tour again!

4. Bewitched Historical Tour

180 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970, USA Bewitched After Dark Walking Tours of Salem
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5.0 based on 301 reviews

Join us for the best historical tour in Salem. Your licensed guide will lead you on a 2 hour journey back in time. Visit over a dozen locations of historical significance within the downtown area and learn why the history is more frightening than fiction.

Inclusions: All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions: Gratuities for your guide

Reviewed By Petrosky10

Sara(h) was amazing! Really in depth information which is delivered very clear and concise. She also gave great restaurant recommendations and answered questions about the area. I definitely would tour with her again!

5. Black Cat Historical Day Tour

Axelrod Walkway Park, 28-38 Charter St, Salem, MA 01970, USA Salem Black Cat Tours
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4.9 based on 290 reviews

Our daytime historic tour is a story of Pirates and Puritans, Witchcraft and War.  We travel around the city of Salem and share the tales of its amazing history.  From its humble beginnings as a city founded on the idea of peace for all, to the site of the largest incident of witchcraft hysteria in the modern world, learn how it became one of the biggest shipping ports in America, played host to some of the most famous authors of all time, and learn some of the biggest secrets this city has to offer! Our daytime walking tour lasts about an hour and forty five minutes, and covers a mile's worth of the downtown area. It is an easy walk, but we suggest comfortable shoes and clothing to match the season. Our tours are unscripted, and can be customized to every group's particular areas of interest!

Inclusions: Professional guide

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By ChardonnayShevat

I went in early October 2020 with my family, and we had such a great time. Our guide, which her name escapes me, was very knowledgeable, and very attentive to our group. I learned a lot about the ghosts of Salem, and I can't wait to go back! All the locations were close to each other, and it was an easy walk. Don't forget to bring your cameras!

6. Dark History: Murder and Maritime History

Coon's Card & Gift Shop, 226 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970, USA Secrets of Salem Tours
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4.9 based on 12 reviews

Follow your local guide on a unique walking tour that blends stories of Salem’s most famous murders with the maritime history that shaped-and in some cases twisted, Salem. Your tour includes stops at the Gardner-Pingree House, the Salem Maritime Historic Site, and an exploration of the beautiful architecture in the Salem Common district, famed for its mansions built from maritime money. We will uncover some of Salem’s murky maritime past, with Its gilded façade built on illegal activity and slavery. Along the way, we will step back into Salem’s history to hear stories of macabre murders. Because of the graphic nature of the subject matter, this tour is 18+. All tours meet outside of Coon’s Card and Gift Shop.

Inclusions: Local Guide

Exclusions: Parking

Reviewed By Courtney W

Maria was absolutely amazing - a captivating storyteller and incredibly knowledgeable. We greatly enjoyed our tour and will definitely be recommending it to friends and family! She helped us to fall in love with Salem!

7. 2.5-Hour Salem History & Sightseeing Guided Walking Tour

190 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970, USA Sinister Stories of Salem
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4.9 based on 429 reviews

This interpreted Salem History Tour is an in-depth and personalised historical walking tour of beautiful Salem, Massachusetts. Kenneth Glover, a local guide presents a narrative of a storied New England city from its origins as a Native American settlement where immigrant English adventurers sent by Plymouth Plantation arrived in 1626. Explore Salem’s legendary past as a once thriving commercial port, the Salem Witch Trials, and it’s role in the American Revolution. Learn of the Salem men and women whose notable contributions and exemplary lives speak to us today. Your tour guide, Kenneth presents a unique experience with an array of artifacts, factual stories and traditional song to enliven the tour. Questions are welcome. There will be a bathroom break on the tour. The tour operates in all weather so dress accordingly.

Inclusions: 2.5 Hour Salem History Walking Tour

Exclusions: The walking tour does not enter the historic homes interpreted.

Reviewed By sm0ck

Salem in the winter time is just as beautiful (and much more manageable than!) an outing in the fall. If you seek stories about the darker side of Yuletide & Winter Solstice lore peppered in with some history of the city of Salem, this is the one for you. I have been on many walking tours of the city, many have been excellent, but this seasonal outing was far and away the best. Dress warmly, wear good boots if you are coming after a snowfall, and be on your best behavior for Krampus!

8. History & Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour

Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA 01970, USA Witch City Walking Tours
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4.9 based on 973 reviews

Come and explore the rich, mysterious history of one of New England's most loved destinations. This nightly 120-minute walking tour brings to life the true story of Salem's storied past. We are a diverse groups of historians, teachers, professional and 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 while in Salem.

Inclusions: 2-hour Hauntings & History Salem Walking Tour, Listen to 400 years of Salem history from a local historian, Day-time or lantern led night-time tour options available, Professional/Local Guide, Complimentary Bottled Water (summer only) or Hand Warmers (winter only)

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Reviewed By Nadia C

So much fun, the guide was awesome, and Salem is such a beautiful city. We will definitely be back and tell everyone to book with Witch City Walking Tours!!

9. Mysteries & Murders of Salem Guided Night-Time Walking Tour

Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square, Salem, MA 01970, USA Witch City Walking Tours
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4.9 based on 103 reviews

Come experience the darker side of Salem on our night-time walking tour of Salem. We retell the most spine-chilling tales of murder, mystery and macabre. Why did an insane woman in the early 1600s murder her child? Who was the famous hitman who murdered the slave trader in his sleep? Did the Boston Strangler really make a visit to Salem? These tales and much more will unfold on this whirlwind 90-minute tour of this mysterious seaside city. Not for the faint of heart, but for those who love a good scandalous story! This tour is a combination of the real, actual murders, crime stories, ghostly sightings and history. This tour is not appropriate for children. Travelers must be 13+. Tours run RAIN or SHINE. We do NOT cancel for weather. For a full refund, you must cancel 24 hours in advance, no exceptions.

Inclusions: 90-minute Mysteries & Murders of Salem Walking Tour, Hear spine-chilling tales of murder, mystery and macabre on this adults only tour. , Professional Guide

Exclusions: Gratuities

Reviewed By Coastal701213

The guide was friendly and very knowledgeable about everything and anything in Salem. He made the tour entertaining.

10. Dark History: Hauntings & Witchcraft Hysteria

Coon's Card & Gift Shop, 226 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970, USA Secrets of Salem Tours
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4.8 based on 70 reviews

Join your local guide for a trip back in history as they share the story of Salem’s founding in 1626 by Puritans, whose search for religious freedom ultimately ended in a wave of fear, suspicion, and anger that gripped Salem for one fateful year in 1692. Your tour will include stops at some of Salem’s most popular locations, like the Witch House, Chestnut Street, & Burying Point Cemetery, and some secluded off-the-beaten-path locations that very few tourists get to experience. Along the way, your guide, an experienced storyteller, will recount all the details of the witchcraft hysteria & share Salem’s spookiest local legends of hauntings from 1600s through the present day. All tours meet outside of Coon’s Card and Gift Shop. 2 hours (All ages)

Inclusions: English guide

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Reviewed By mrnewport17

Great tour to get in the Halloween spirit! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and explained things well. It had a good combination of information on the witch trials as well as other historical events that have happened in Salem.

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