Top 15 Tours in Salem for Unforgettable Experiences

Renowned for its connection to the Salem Witch Trials, Salem is a city of substantial historical importance situated near Boston. It serves as a favored destination for day trips; however, history enthusiasts and those intrigued by the macabre may find a prolonged stay in the city more fulfilling.

Whether your purpose for visiting is to gain insights into the witch trials, understand the revolutionary history, or appreciate the architectural significance of the area, various exceptional tours are available to enhance your experience of Salem.

Here are 15 of the top tours and activities in the city.

1. Salem Witch Museum Admission Ticket

For those visiting Salem to explore its integral role in the witch trials, this museum should undeniably be your initial destination.

The Salem Witch Museum features numerous engaging exhibits with interactive elements that transport visitors back in time to experience the trials.

Reproductions of the trial settings include voiceover narrations of the proceedings, accompanied by displays detailing the history of witches and the motivations behind the witch trials.

This admission ticket is particularly advantageous during peak tourist season as it allows you to bypass long queues.

2. Boston to Salem 1-Way and Round Trip Ferry Tickets

For visitors staying in Boston planning a trip to Salem, this ferry service offers a swift and convenient means of travel between the two cities.

Conversely, it also serves as a suitable option for those based in Salem wishing to experience Boston. The tranquil boat journey allows passengers to appreciate the scenic views of the harbor from both locations.

Those heading toward Boston may also enjoy a boat tour along the Charles River, which showcases iconic sites of the Boston Skyline. This ticket is available for one-way or round-trip purchases.

3. The Salem Night Tour

Given Salem’s notorious dark history, participating in a night tour offers an excellent opportunity to explore the city’s haunted lore.

This guided tour visits significant sites linked to the witch trials, in addition to some of the most haunted locales throughout the United States.

Your knowledgeable tour guide shares well-known ghost stories and the somber historical events that continue to influence the region today. The tour lasts 1.5 hours, making it a suitable option for those seeking an engaging evening activity.

4. 2-Hour Salem History Walking Tour

For those preferring daytime exploration, this walking tour provides a comprehensive overview of the city’s rich history and significant sites within Salem.

While it highlights areas related to the witch trials, it also covers other facets of the city’s past, including the London Coffee House, monuments from the revolutionary period, and elements of Native American history.

With a duration of 2 hours, this tour is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the main attractions in the city, particularly if you are in Salem for a brief period.

5. Experience Salem Combo: Two Afternoon Tours and One Haunted Evening Tour

This combined tour permits you to select specific aspects of the city you wish to explore more thoroughly, enabling a deeper dive into the area’s history and culture.

Participants may choose two tours from four available options: History, Cemeteries, TV and Movie Locations, or Witch Trials.

The package also incorporates a haunted evening tour, effectively providing three outstanding experiences for the cost of two. Typically, the daytime tours last around one hour, while the evening tour extends to approximately 1.5 hours.

6. Salem Excursion: Half-Day Walking Tour

If your time in the city allows for a longer visit, this half-day walking tour offers a comprehensive way to experience many attractions over six hours.

The itinerary includes the standard daytime tour alongside visits to the witch trial locations, cemeteries, and other historic sites. Each segment of the tour is conducted by different experts, providing insights into the town’s heritage and culture from various perspectives.

During winter months, the final segment concludes after dark, enhancing the eerie ambiance of Salem. Prepare for an extensive amount of walking throughout the tour.

7. Salem Combo: Wax Museum and Witch Village

The Salem Witch Village plays a crucial role in the town’s history as the focal point of the witch trials and an essential historic district.

Visitors can explore some of the city’s most haunted buildings and witness the second largest burial ground in the United States. The wax museum features lifelike representations of Salem’s most infamous figures, including Tituba and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

An interactive exhibit at the end of the museum allows guests to experience confinement in a jail cell and create a rubbing from a replica tombstone.

8. Salem On Foot Walking Tours

For budget-conscious visitors to Salem, this walking tour presents an affordable option.

This 1.5-hour tour aims to avoid the common clichés associated with typical ghost and history tours, offering instead an authentic glimpse into the local culture of the city.

While it does include a visit to the Witch Village, the guide shares lesser-known local anecdotes and legends.

Guests have the option of two tours, one in the afternoon and another in the evening, allowing flexibility in planning their experience.

9. Salem Ghost Tour

This particular ghost tour delivers an authentic perspective, steering clear of oversimplified folklore.

Rather than focusing solely on well-known stories, the tour guides you through haunted sites in the city, while uncovering lesser-known instances of hauntings connected to Salem.

The tour is meticulously researched, aiming to dispel many misconceptions tied to Salem’s history.

Depending on your preference, you can choose from two different tour durations, with all options covering at least eight locations, while the longer options introduce an additional four for a more exclusive experience.

10. Witch Dress-Up Photo Experience in Salem

For a unique memento of your visit to Salem, this well-curated experience allows you to access a personal stylist who will assist you in selecting from an extensive range of costumes and props to embody your inner witch or wizard.

This experience also offers insights into the folklore surrounding witches and encourages contemplation of your individual connection to history.

A professional photographer will capture your moments against a variety of thoughtfully designed backdrops, and you will receive numerous high-quality photos to cherish.

11. Salem Christmas Krampus Tour for Adults

The holiday season in Salem is not just for children; this tour offers an engaging experience for adult groups visiting during Christmas.

Focusing on a Krampus theme, the tour invites participants to explore pre-Christian winter solstice traditions that influenced modern Christmas celebrations, deeply intertwined with local anxieties regarding witches.

Participants will learn about pagan rituals and the significance of the solstice to adherents of pagan-associated religions.

12. Magic Lantern Tour

This unique experience is particularly appealing for those visiting Salem around Halloween. Led by an experienced guide, this nighttime tour delves into the city’s dark history and the pagan rituals that shaped the local culture.

The tour incorporates a special Halloween twist with a Magic Lantern show, where historical and witch-themed imagery is projected along the route’s walls.

This is an excellent opportunity for visitors seeking a more interactive tour experience.

13. Black Cat Historical Day Tour

This tour provides a deeper exploration of Salem’s witch history, presenting a comprehensive understanding of the city’s unique heritage.

Additionally, it allows participants to discover stories about local pirates and religious figures that influenced the city, along with its role during the revolutionary period. This unscripted tour generally adapts to the interests of the group.

Focusing on quieter areas of Salem, it offers a more personalized experience.

14. Historic Overview of Salem Walking Tour

This tour provides another excellent budget-friendly option, particularly for those seeking a general learning experience concerning Salem’s rich history.

Participants will not only explore the witch trials but also traverse through four centuries of history that have influenced the city.

At just one hour in duration, it serves as an ideal introduction to your visit in Salem, granting more personal time to investigate the attractions that are of particular interest to you afterward.

The interactive nature of the tour encourages guest involvement in the storytelling.

15. Historical Salem Cemetery Walking Tour

If you are intrigued by the individuals who have shaped Salem, this tour will guide you through the city’s oldest cemetery.

Participants will learn the stories behind renowned residents interred here, gaining insights into their significant roles in the city’s historical narrative.

Similar to the historic overview tour, this cemetery excursion is highly interactive, inviting participant engagement in the stories shared.

With a duration of one hour, it provides a thorough opportunity to explore the cemetery and the context surrounding its most popular tombstones.