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Salem Witch Trials: Insightful Boston Day Tour
4.3
89 Ratings
Boston
Uncover the dark history of the Salem Witch Trials on a day trip from Boston. Explore the sites where the hysteria unfolded and learn about the events that drove a quiet community to the brink of madness.
Duration:
7 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Salem Ferry - Meet your guide and begin your voyage in the same way early settlers did: by boat! Board the Salem Ferry in Boston and enjoy the scenery as you pass the Boston Harbor Islands and head up the coast of the North Shore before docking in Salem in just about an hour. Your roundtrip ferry ticket is included in the cost of your tour.
- Salem - After arriving in Salem, you’ll follow your guide through the Salem Maritime National Historic Site towards the Witch Museum. If you booked a tour with a 9:30 am start time, you’ll then head to the Salem Witch Museum, where you’ll be transported back to 1692 and experience the history of the Salem Witch Trials before your walking tour through the town. Take away important lessons from how the events played out, meet the key figures who drove the witchcraft panic, and examine how these themes are applicable to modern culture. If you booked the tour starting at 9:25 am, you’ll visit the Real Pirates Museum after your walking tour of Salem.
- Salem Witch Trials Memorial - Next, you’ll pause for reflection at this powerful memorial honoring the innocent victims of the Witch Trials. Dedicated in 1992—the 300th anniversary of the trials—by Elie Wiesel, the memorial commemorates the 20 victims in their own words, featuring proclamations of innocence taken from the court transcripts. You’ll also visit the nearby Burying Point, the final resting place key figures of the trials, as well as notable Salem residents.
- Bewitched Statue of Elizabeth Montgomery - After learning about Salem’s dramatic past, you’ll switch gears for an exploration of witches in modern pop culture. One can’t-miss site is the famous Bewitched Statue, commemorating the famous sitcom, which filmed several episodes in Salem in 1970.
- Ropes Mansion and Garden - Visiting this spot, featured in the Disney movie “Hocus Pocus”, will put a spell on you! Explore the gardens that are open to the public. Please note entrance to the house is not included in this tour. You’ll also swing by the First Church of Salem as you begin to wrap up your day of sightseeing.
- Witch House - Pause outside the only building still standing with direct ties to the 1692 Salem Witch Trials: the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin.
- Salem - Before boarding the ferry back to Boston, you’ll have free time to do some shopping or grab lunch on your own. Your guide will provide recommendations for the best restaurants and shops to check out.
- Salem Ferry - Board the return ferry for the journey back to Boston.
What's Included
- Local English-speaking guide
- Guided walking tour
- Entrance to one museum, determined by the tour departure time
- Included only on 9:25am tour, Entrance to Real Pirates Museum
- Included only on 9:30am tour, Entrance to Salem Witch Museum
- Round-trip Ferry tickets from Boston-Salem
What's Not Included
- 9:25 am tour does not include entrance to the Salem Witch Museum.
- 9:30 am tour does not include entrance to the Real Pirates Museum
- Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Depending on which tour time you choose, you’ll have the option to visit the Salem Witch Museum (9:30 am tours) or the Real Pirates Museum (9:25 am tours). Set out by ferry from Boston to be transported back in time to the 1692 Witch Trials. Learn the stories of the key figures that played a role in the witchcraft panic of Salem, Massachusetts. Your guide will take you to all the key must-see sights including Burying Point, the final resting place of notable Salem residents. Discover the role each of these key sights played. Come to understand what drove reasonable townsfolk to utter hysteria. Even take a photo with the Bewitched Statue and enjoy some free time before sailing back to Boston, on this perfectly planned day trip from Boston.
- This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
- This tour can accept wheelchairs/strollers. Please note that sections of this tour cover busy areas of the city & areas with brick/ cobbled roads.
- Walks / Devour complies with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up-to-date information.
- 9:30 am tour only: Entrance to the Salem Witch Museum
- 9:25 am tour only: Entrance to the Real Pirates Museum
Location
200 Atlantic Ave
Atlantic Avenue
This tour meets at City Cruises Boston, GATE 5 - 200 Atlantic Ave. Boston, MA 02110. From Tia's walk towards the water (Marriot on the right, Christopher Columbus park on the left) to Gate 5. Your guide will be holding a green Walks sign.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.3
(89 Ratings)
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Sabrina_v
Sep 2, 2024
Great experience - Ms Elizabeth gave us a great tour of Salem and was extremely knowledgeable and kind. I truly enjoyed the day.
Review provided by Viator
David_c
Aug 28, 2024
Salem tour - The tour guide did a fantastic job. We hit all the main attractions. At the end everyone was let go on there own. It wasn't clear how to get back to the pier was the only detractor. Got lots of walking in while trying to find the fairy pier.
Review provided by Viator
Teresa_n
Aug 27, 2024
This tour is a must! - Our guide, Guido, was remarkable. He had lots of stories and some photos. He was very knowledgeable of the area and stated that he lived nearby.
Review provided by Viator
Kent_f
Aug 26, 2024
Amazing tour of Salem - Great tour with lots of historic information and details. Our guide, Jessica, was super knowledgable about all things Salem. She really made the history come to life.
Review provided by Viator
Robynm1710
Aug 25, 2024
Do this tour! - Jessica was absolutely amazing! I learned so much about Salem and we had time to explore ourselves! It was so much in a day it makes you want to come back for sure!! She was great at answering all my questions and making recommendations on where to go. It was a little hard to find where to meet and who the person was. a sign or something visual would be nice especially in a very busy wharf. Other than that, absolutely amazing! Would highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sarah_b
Aug 23, 2024
Amazing - We had the best tour guide. We enjoyed ourselves tremendously. I enjoyed the candy from the candy house. Had a great time.
Review provided by Viator
Steve_s
Aug 23, 2024
Relaxing day with very knowledgeable guide. - Great day. Really love the historic preservation of Salem’s buildings. Our guide was knowledgeable of the history. Only thing that would have made the day better would have been knowing the Essex Museum was closed that day. We would have scheduled another day so we could have taken that in.
Review provided by Viator
Robyn_m
Aug 23, 2024
Do this tour! - Jessica was absolutely amazing! I learned so much about Salem and we had time to explore ourselves! It was so much in a day it makes you want to come back for sure!! She was great at answering all my questions and making recommendations on where to go. It was a little hard to find where to meet and who the person was. a sign or something visual would be nice especially in a very busy wharf. Other than that, absolutely amazing! Would highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Richard_b
Sep 1, 2024
Great historical tour of Salem - The ferry ride over was lovely! Cameron did a great job, giving us interesting facts without being gory. The museum's presentation was informative and historical again without being overly gory. Walking with Cameron as he explained about the historic homes and buildings are fun and informative. He was professional but also very personable. My favorite part were the gardens behind the last house we visited. They were in full bloom and gorgeous. Thank you, Cameron.
Review provided by Viator
Carol_b
Aug 31, 2024
Never saw the tour guide!! - When we arrived at gate , we never saw a tour guide! We lost the total amount of tour times 2. When I called they were not helpful!!
Review provided by Viator
