Salem is the seat of Essex County, located on the North East coast of Massachusetts. It is at the Naumkeag River fiord. Also known as “The Witch City,” Salem is notoriously labeled by the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The city offers a variety of tours for everyone, with a variety of haunted walking tours like the historical tours and ghost tours which are the most popular amongst visitors. Take a stroll down the historical journey through the city’s streets and be mesmerized by the city’s dark and mysterious history. Read on to learn more about the history of Salem and some of the city’s haunted walking tours.
In A Hurry? Here are the Best Haunted Tours in Salem.
History of Salem
Salem is famously remembered for the late 17th-century witchcraft hysteria. The witchcraft hysteria was caused by the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Salem was founded by Roger Conant and a group of immigrants from Cape Ann in 1926.
It was then called Naumkeag, but the settlers were more partial to Salem, hence the current name. Salem is resultant from the Hebrew word for peace. In 1962, a local physician diagnosed that several teenage girls had been bewitched. This led to the hanging of 19 people and the crushing of another to death. Once the hysteria had calmed down, the following year, an edict was issued to release all that had been accused of witchcraft from prison.
No one has been hanging on the grounds of witchcraft since 1693. Over 400 years later, “The Witch City” has many wicked stories of macabre murders and true crime stories. These stores will make chills run down your spine as you explore the city on foot.
Haunted Walking Tours in Salem
Here are some of the haunted walking tours in Salem that you may find both historic and exciting.
Dark History: Hauntings & Witchcraft Hysteria
The Haunting & Witchcraft Hysteria is especially great for history enthusiasts. You will enjoy learning about the city’s dark and spooky history in this 1 hour and 30 minutes tour. Your tour guide will take you to explore the famous Witch House, Burying Point Cemetery, and Chestnut Street. Listen to stories from Salem’s past, from its founding in the 17th Century to the present.
Your guide will recount the details of the witchcraft hysteria and stop at Salem’s popular spots.
Things to see:
- The witch house
- Burying Point Cemetry
- Chestnut street
History and Hauntings
The 2-hour and 15 minutes history and hauntings tour is a mysterious journey through centuries of Salem’s rich and storied past. Your local guide will share the passion for the dark city with you by sharing captivating tales of the city’s history. You will hear scary stories of the supernatural, and the fascinating facts of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials.
On this tour, you will see magnificent historic architecture. Your guide will also take you off the beaten path to view and experience lesser-known locations and the city’s history.
Things to see:
- Salem Old Town Hall
- Essex Street Pedestrian Mall
- Bewitched Statue of Elizabeth Montgomery
The Salem Night Tour
The perfect time to explore Salem is after nightfall. Your guide will retell the city’s spooky and sinister tales leaving chills running down your spine on this haunted history tour.
Your licensed guide will lead you along the city’s lamp-lit streets while telling true tales and legends of mayhem, witchcraft, and murder. You will visit and explore sites related to the infamous witchcraft hysteria. Also, hear stories of ghostly spirits that are said to haunt the city’s homes and graveyards still.
Things you will do include:
- explore the dark past of one of the US’ most haunted cities
- listen to the tales of the hysteria of 1692
- learn about Massachusetts’ history in a fun and entertaining way
- visit the most haunted spots in town
What to see:
- Salem Witch Trials Memorial
- Salem Gift Shop
- Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church
- Old Burying Point cemetery
- Salem Old Town Hall
Salem Witches and Spirits Dead of Night Dark History Tour
The history of Salem is masked in some misconceptions. On the witches and spirits dead of the night tour your guide will unravel the mystery of the past. Also, take you to all the central haunted locations in Salem and offer insight into the town’s history.
The tales you will hear on this trip are from accounts of eyewitnesses, research, and the real story of the city’s history.
Things to do and expect on this trip:
- visit at least 8 to 10 of the most haunted sites in Salem
- get insights from your guide and ask questions
- option to upgrade and add visits to four more locations
What to see:
- Wicked Good Books
- Salem Athenaeum
- Ropes Mansion and Garden
- Salem Old Town Hall
- John Ward House
The Salem Witch Walk
The Salem Witch Walk is unique from other walking tours. Unlike the others, this one is led by a practicing witch. The witch guide will teach you the history of witchcraft and the present.
Things to expect on this trip:
- Explore the Salem Witch Trials Memorial,
- Participate in a real magic circle
- Learn about the Salem Witch Trials and present-day witchcraft
- Get discounts at the Crow Haven Corner
Things to see:
- Crow Haven Corner
- Salem Old Town Hall
Mysteries & Murders of Salem Guided Night
Tired of all the tales of the history of the Salem Witch Trials? Then the Mysteries & Murders of Salem Guided Night tour is perfect for you. Listen to stories of horrific murders and sinister ghost sightings as you explore the spookiest sites in the city. This tour is excellent for young adults and adults; it is unsuitable for children.
Things to do on this trip:
- learn unique tales of Salem’s past from your guide
- explore an eerie Salem night
- hear terrifying stories of death and murder from your guide
- visit spots you wouldn’t discover on your own
Things to see:
- Salem Old Town Hall
- Essex Street Pedestrian Mall
- The Burying Point
