Welcome to the Salem Witch Trials Tour
The quaint and picturesque town of Salem hides a seriously dark history. Over 300 years ago, this was the infamous Salem Witch Trials site, where innocent townspeople were ruthlessly killed for being “witches.” Explore the city’s grim past and present with this self-guided, GPS-enabled, and professionally-narrated Salem Witch Trials tour. Visit the poignant sites that still stand as a testament to Salem’s history.
About the Tour
This tour begins at the Salem Armory. From there, you walk to the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, where the victims of the witch panic are memorialized. Here, you’ll get to know many of the key figures who found themselves swept up by the plague of fear and paid the ultimate price.
Next, on the Salem Witch Trials self-guided tour, you’ll see the Old Burying Point. Listen to the tragically heroic tale of Giles Corey as you walk through the gravestones, a man who refused to bow to the nightmare overtaking his town and was immortalized in The Crucible.
After that, you’ll see some of Salem’s spookiest architecture, including the Joshua Ward House and the Old Town Hall. You’ll also hear of the secret tunnels that run beneath some of these buildings, many of which still exist today!
Continue to the location of the old jailhouse where innocent people were subjected to cruelty so terrible that some suggest their spirits never really left. By this point, you’re bound to think some of these things look familiar, so we’ll scratch that itch by telling you all about Hollywood’s many forays into Salem, including hits like Hocus Pocus and Bewitched.
Then, you’ll visit the Salem Witch Museum (Tickets not included in this tour. Buy tickets here.) and hear about how all the madness finally came to an end. The final stop brings you to the Salem Common, where we’ll wrap up with some things you probably didn’t know about the aftermath of the trials.
Along the way, there are plenty of optional detours available for those looking for a little more, from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s house to a tavern infamous for 18th-century kidnappings! Book your Salem Witch Trials self-guided tour today!
Starting Address: New Liberty St, Salem, MA 01970
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What You'll See
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Salem Visitor Center
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Salem Armory
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Samuel Pickman House
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The 1692 Memorial
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Old Burying Point
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The Peabody Sisters and the Grimshawe House
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Old Town Hall
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Joshua Ward House
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Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall
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St Peter's Episcopal Church
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Old Witch Gaol
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Old Salem Jail
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Howard Street Cemetery
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Roger Conant & Witch Museum
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Gedney House
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Broad Street Cemetery
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Hamilton Hall
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The Ropes Mansion
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The Witch House
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John Bertram House
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Melba Apartments
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Hawthorne Hotel
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Nathaniel Hawthorne Statue
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Bunghole
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Mercy Tavern
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Nathaniel Hawthorne's Birthplace
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The House of the Seven Gables
Preview the Tour
Stop 3 : Samuel Pickman House
Stop 13 : Old Town Hall
Stop ALT 13 : Nathaniel Hawthorne's Birthplace
Tour FAQs
Salem’s infamous witch trials started in February 1692 and ended quite suddenly in May of the following year.
The witch trials of Salem, MA, began in February of 1692. It all started with two young girls: Abigail Williams and Betty Parris. The two children suffered from fits of screaming and convulsions. Nobody knows for sure what the reason for their behavior was; it could have been food poisoning, sleep paralysis, or any number of other psychosomatic disorders. But the pious townsfolk of Salem immediately suspected the devil was involved.
Modern historians might point to any number of medical conditions, but at the time, there was only one explanation: the girls were possessed by the devil. Nobody can say for sure, but the prevailing theory is that paranoia and mob mentality are to blame.
The Salem Witch Trials ended just 15 months after they began, in May 1693. 25 people had already died, and there were over 150 so-called “witches” still waiting in jail for their turn in court.
A trip to Salem wouldn’t be complete without taking in its haunted history. A Salem walking tour is the ideal way to experience the witch trials.
One hundred percent yes! Salem, Massachusetts, home to the infamous witch trials of the 17th century, is a spooky place to visit any time of year. But Halloween is when Salem truly comes to life!
Despite popular conception, none of the victims of the Salem Witch Trials died by fire. How did they die instead? Mostly by hanging.
The blame game continued, targeting more and more prominent members of the community. Finally, in May of 1693, the Massachusetts governor’s own wife was accused of being a witch. That was enough for the governor to step in and command that the trials come to an end. The court was quickly disbanded. The 150 individuals awaiting trial were freed. The citizens seemed to completely forget about the witch obsession that consumed them for over a year.
The gruesome Salem Witch Trials saw 20 people executed by the government: fourteen women and six men. All ages and genders were targeted in the witch hunt.
Additional Information
What do we do?
Simply put, Action Tour Guide is an audio guide, map, and tour book – all in one app! We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. You can experience our driving and walking tours at your own pace and literally at any time of the day!
Lifetime Validity
Changing travel date? No worries! All individual tours come with lifetime validity.
No Network Needed
The tour works offline which means you do not need your phone network to enjoy the tour. However, we do suggest you download the tour at your home, hotel, visitor center, etc before you head out for a completely immersive experience.
Not an Entry Ticket
This is not an entry ticket.
16 - 18 Hours
1487+ Reviews
