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Salem Witch Trials Historical Walking Tour
4.1
553 Ratings
Salem
Explore the haunting history of the Salem Witch Trials on a 90-minute walking tour. Visit the infamous Witch House, hear stories of those involved, and discover the chilling events that unfolded in this historical town.
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Salem Historical Tours & Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour - Explore the demographics, theories, and personal stories behind the tragic events of 1692. We’ll take you to numerous sites rich in witch trial history. While many original structures are no longer standing, we know their locations. This captivating tour will offer new insights into the infamous witchcraft hysteria that pitted neighbor against neighbor. The guide will visit as many of the following stops as possible, though not necessarily in the order listed.
- Salem Witch Trials Memorial - Established in 1992, this bench-style memorial honors the 20 innocent victims of the 1692 Salem Witchcraft Trials. Each bench bears the name of a victim, their cause of death, and the date. You’ll learn about the memorial’s symbolism and hear some of the victims’ stories.
- Rockafellas Restaurant - Now a popular dining spot in historic Salem, Rockafellas (formerly the Daniel Low and Co. building) was originally the site of the First Church of Salem and the city meeting house in 1692. Located in the town center, it played a role in the witch trials.
- Joshua Ward House - Currently the Merchant Hotel, this site was once home to George Corwin, the High Sheriff of Essex County in 1692. Corwin signed arrest and execution warrants for the innocent victims of the trials, confiscated personal property, and was caught torturing people in his home.
- Witch House - The Witch House is the only remaining structure in Salem with direct ties to the 1692 witch trials. It was the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, who met here with Judge Hathorne to discuss potential witches. The house dates back to the 1660s.
- Salem YMCA - Located on Sewall Street, named after Judge Stephen Sewall of the Witchcraft Court, the Salem YMCA stands where nine-year-old Betty Parris was moved in July 1692. Betty, the daughter of Rev. Parris, and her cousin played a role in sparking the witchcraft hysteria. The original house is long gone, but we’ll share Betty’s story.
- Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall - Salem - Turner’s Seafood occupies Lyceum Hall, built on land once owned by Bridget Bishop (the first woman executed in 1692) and her husband Edward. You’ll hear Bridget’s incredible story and how the town was convinced she was a witch. Her arrest, trial, and execution took just eight days.
- Witch Dungeon Museum - Although not directly tied to the 1692 Witchcraft Trials, this museum illustrates how people were jailed, often in small cells the size of a phone booth or closet. Prisoners had to pay for their own jail time. You’ll hear about the jailing process and have a photo opportunity in the pillories (stocks).
- Bewitched Statue of Elizabeth Montgomery - Snap a picture with Samantha Stevens, America’s beloved witch. Learn about the episodes filmed in Salem and discover the ironic history of the land where the statue stands.
- Salem Masonic Building - Essex Lodge - The Witchcraft Court, known as the court of Oyer and Terminer, was located in the middle of Washington Street, in front of the current Masonic Building. Most trials were held here, with additional trials in January 1693. You’ll hear about the court’s unjust decisions, including a case where a jury’s innocent verdict was nullified by the judges.
- 50 St Peter St - The original Witchcraft Jail is no longer standing, but it was located here. It was one of several jails in the greater Boston area used during the trials. You’ll learn about some of the prisoners held here, including Giles Corey, who was crushed during an interrogation. Some prisoners died in jail.
What's Included
- Gain detailed insight into the infamous 1692 Salem Witch Trials
- Local and Professional Guide
- 90-minute Salem Witchcraft Walking Tour
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
- Parking
- No public restrooms
Additional Information
This fascinating tour delves deeper into the trials than most others. You’ll hear personal stories of the accused, learn why some were targeted, and understand the reasons behind the testimonies against them. Each story is unique, driven by a mix of motives. Through storytelling, pictures, and maps, we’ll provide the most accurate depiction of the events during the infamous Salem Witchcraft Trials. Experience the somber and harrowing events that unfolded before, during, and after the trials on this walking tour in Salem.
- 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.
Location
8 Central St
Central Street
We are part of the pedestrian walkway downtown at the corner of Essex and Central Streets. We are next to Emporium 32 and across from the New England Dog Biscuit Company. Look for our purple sign.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.1
(553 Ratings)
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Companion66386005353
Aug 18, 2024
Smack My Witch Up! - The tour was highly informative and included many engaging and entertaining stories! It was clear that the guide was very passionate about the subject. Definitely worth the $30.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Adambo5646zr
Aug 17, 2024
Highly recommend - This tour was recommended to us by several people and they were spot on. The tour brought us to all the locations were major buildings were located. The stories about what people said about each other just blew our minds. Very interesting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Resort55931333974
Aug 14, 2024
Great - Our tour guide, Amber, was very good and informative. She took her time with her tour and gave us a lot of information of each place we stopped at.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David_h
Aug 11, 2024
Very informative and interesting - Learning the real truth about Bridget Bishop. Also our guide was very knowledgeable. We are seniors and made the walk quite easily
Review provided by Viator
Elizabethhf4801eo
Aug 7, 2024
Spooky and super fun - We did the Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour and it was very fun and very spooky. Someone on our tour caught a picture of something that was a little weird. We just had a blast. I would do it again and would recommend
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cuetygirl05
Aug 18, 2024
Good - The guide walked fast and it was hard to take pictures and to keep up. He also talked a lot while he was walking in front of us and I couldn’t hear most of what he said
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Desherman
Aug 19, 2024
Too much witchcraft and not enough history. - I was hoping for more history and less witch stuff. We stopped at a beautiful garden and sat on a bench so that he could show us pictures on his phone of “ghosts” with no mention of the garden and the house. He also spent 5 minutes talking about Houdini and seances, etc. We are history buffs and was hoping that this tour would deliver that. If yiu want a mix of the spectral and history then this is ok. If yiu want history, try something else.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Landover32
Aug 15, 2024
Not really worth $30 per person - My sister & I booked the tour based on the locations that we were going to stop and the fact it was a 90 minute tour. We first gathered next to the meeting spot where the guide began with why it was great to come in August rather than October, etc., etc. The 1st actual stop was the Town Hall featured in the movie Hocus Pocus. The guide talked a lot about the young girls who accused various adults of witchcraft; the accused and the judges. At stop #2 (intersection of Front & Washington Street) traffic was so loud it was hard to hear. And because the information was so redundant with regards to the accusers, accused, judges etc we left the tour. We were 1 hour into the tour and had just stopped across from the "Bewitched" statue. Three stops in one hour? In my opinion, not worth the $30 per person ticket. We saw more things on our own using a city guidebook and scanning QR codes on some of the signs.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
302reneeb
Aug 16, 2024
Disappointed - The tour didn't meet our expectations. Mark was nice and knowledgeable, but he closed his eyes and was basically listing off facts in an unorganized matter. He spoke too quickly and was hard to hear. He repeated himself. This is interesting info and must be presented in an engaging matter. Must be made into a story. He didn't alter volume with the street noise and stopped to talk extensively close to a street performer. We had a small group so no microphone was used. It was needed. A walking tour must be informative and entertaining. Tour felt disorganized. He also spoke while we walked, with only the people next to him hearing what was said.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
J2442dwdianer
Aug 21, 2024
should've ditched out 20 minutes in. - Tour guide was personable, but kept repeating the same thing, as in, repeated around 6 times! Nothing new to add to my store of Witch Trials info, and also perpetuated some misconceptions.
There was one script, and it was stuck to, and repeated. My partner and I lost the time of the tour; that is 90 minutes of vacation time we'll never get back.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
