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 the entertainment industry’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
Speak Spanish?
Hola, su recorrido Freedom Trail también está disponible en español.
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Click here for a list of all of the local restrooms.
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Tour Map
How does it work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
What You'll See
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Welcome to Salem Witch Trials
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Salem Armory: The Bell
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Salem Armory: The Arch
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Samuel Pickman House
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The 1692 Memorial
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Bridget Bishop
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Sarah Good
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Rebecca Nurse
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George Burroughs
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Giles Cory
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Old Burying Point
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The Peabody Sisters and the Grimshawe House
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Do What Is Right
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Old Town Hall
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Joshua Ward House
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Hollywood in Salem
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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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Martha Corey
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Howard Street Cemetery
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Roger Conant & Witch Museum
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The Girls
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Ann Pudeator
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Aftermath of the Trials
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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
Tour FAQs
The Salem Witch Trials, also known as the Salem Witch Panic, were a series of bogus trials resulting in the conviction and execution of 20 men and women during the late 1600s. These trials were fueled by a mass panic about witchcraft in the village, despite no concrete evidence ever being presented.
The 20 victims executed as part of the Salem Witch Trials ranged in age from 30 to 77, and included 14 women and six men. Five others died in prison. One of the most famous victims was Giles Corey, who famously refused to plead guilty to witchcraft and was crushed to death via a torture method known as “pressing.”
Over 200 men and women were accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials. Most were able to beat the accusations, but those without social influence or who had angered those in power were not so fortunate.
The Salem Witch Trials ended as abruptly as they began. When someone accused the wife of Massachusetts Governor William Phips of witchcraft, the governor himself intervened and put an end to the madness. He ordered a halt to the trials, demanded an end to the admission of so-called “spectral evidence,” and brought the nightmare to an abrupt conclusion.
The Salem Witch Trials ended in October of 1692, the same year they began. Some trials would continue, but this time under the watchful gaze of Governor Phips, and they would result in no further executions.
Official numbers put the total death toll at 25. 19 were executed, five died in jail, and one was tortured to death in an attempt to elicit a confession.
Salem is an excellent town to walk around. The town center is quite compact, having been built well before the invention of the automobile, and there’s plenty to see and do as you stroll through this historic district.
The first thing to do during any visit to Salem is to go to the cemetery where the Witch Trial victims are memorialized. After that, perhaps visit the Witch Museum, stop by one of the many cafes for a pick-me-up, and admire the historic architecture. Plus, visit important landmarks like the site of the jail where accused witches were once held. And be sure to end your day at one of Salem’s many excellent restaurants!
Five years after the trials, a day of fasting was called to honor the victims. In 1702, the trials were officially declared unlawful, and in 1711 some of the victims’ families received £600 as compensation for their suffering. But it wasn’t until 2001 that the last of the victims were finally exonerated of their supposed crimes.
Besides the Witch Trials themselves, Salem has huge historical importance as one of the earliest settlements in New England. It was incorporated in 1626 and was at one time the home of Roger Williams, who later went on to found the state of Rhode Island.
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.
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.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Inclusions:
- App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
- Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Travel over multiple days or on next trip. Never expires.
- Easy to use: Stories play automatically by GPS. Hands-free. Get HELP all day: Call, Chat, or Email.
- At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos/ snacks/hikes. Go at your own pace.
- Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
- Don’t miss a thing: Full itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated videos, text, and hidden gems.
Exclusions:
- Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
- Entry tickets or reservations to any attractions along the route.
- Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
Hours
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