The 15 Best History Tours in Salem

1.History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14,564 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $36Our pick

Walk Salem with a local historian through the Witch Trials Memorial, Essex Street, McIntire District, Ropes Mansion, and Witch House. Choose daytime or lantern-lit evening departures. Expect lively storytelling, modern witchcraft, ghost lore, and outdoor stops only.

“Lisa was amazing!! We had a great time. The hand warmers were a great touch for our cold day. It was a good mix of witches, architecture and spooky ghost lore.”

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2.Wicked Awesome Tours: Witch Trial History and Salem Haunts!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,032 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $29

Meet your guide at Not Ya Mama’s Vegan Cafe for a brisk one-hour walk through Salem. Hear the true witch trial story at the Memorial and Burying Point, then visit Bewitched and Hocus Pocus locations, haunted sites, and historic squares. Guides include Allie, Chris, Misha, Jake, and others.

“Took Wicked Awesome Tours with a group of friends and it was a blast. The guide balanced Salem Witch Trials history with spooky lore and local humor, kept the group engaged, and covered key sites like the Witch Trials Memorial and nearby film spots in about an hour. Great value, clear storytelling, and a fun vibe for friends, would definitely book again!”

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3.2.5-Hour Salem History & Sightseeing Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 850 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40

Walk historic Salem with Kenneth, a local guide who connects Indigenous peoples, Puritans, Patriots, merchants, and seafarers to the city’s streets and homes. Expect a 2.5-hour outdoor tour with no interior visits, small-group attention when numbers allow, and stories told with care, humor, and occasional song.

“Fantastic history tour! While it felt like a lot of the Halloween Salem experience could be kitschy and frivolous, it was wonderful to take this superbly lead tour that took the history of Salem seriously and respectfully while still being exceptionally entertaining and informative. Very highly recommend.”

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4.Best Salem Witch Trials Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 743 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $30

Walk Salem with a local guide for 90 minutes, visiting the Witch Trials Memorial, Witch House, former jail and court sites, and more. Guides such as Bob bring the 1692 story to life, while old images help explain buildings that no longer exist. Expect standing, uneven sidewalks, and all-weather conditions.

“The guide was cool and knowledgeable. Good experience. This does focus on the witch trials. Not a hard walk at all.”

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5.Salem Night Tour: Haunt and History Guided Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 673 reviews · 1h 30m · from $30

Walk downtown Salem with a local historian and paranormal investigator. In 90 minutes, you’ll visit the Witch Trials Memorial, cemeteries, Salem Green, Old Town Hall, and other dark-history sites, with guides such as Penny, Elaina, Bob, and April bringing the ghost stories to life.

“Elaina was a great guide and very knowledgeable! For first timers in Salem we got to learn a decent amount of history and stories about Salem and the witch trials! Definitely recommend! We even got two photos of ghosts. Look at the pics and you decide.”

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6.Salem, MA: History and Hauntings Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 651 reviews · 2 hours · from $36

Walk from Old Town Hall through Salem’s McIntire and Chestnut Street districts with an English-speaking licensed guide. Expect witch-trial history, maritime stories, ghost tales, architecture, and film connections. Guides such as Joe, Diane, Dean, and Hilary are known for clear, lively storytelling.

“The tour was amazing!! Joe was very knowledgeable, and he's really good at his job. It was a great mix of history and ghost stories, which left us craving for more. We absolutely recommend it! It was worth every penny.”

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7.Black Cat Historical Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 355 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $28

Walk through Salem with Black Cat Tours for a 90-minute history lesson covering witch-trial lore, Nathaniel Hawthorne, the Peabody sisters, and lesser-known local stories. Meet at Lappin Square, where guides such as Daniel, Jeremiah, and Jack tailor the walk to your interests.

“This tour was awesome! We had Daniel as our tour guide. A great mix of witch lore & other Salem history such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, the Peabody sisters, and National Guard”

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8.Secrets of Salem Hidden History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 198 reviews · 2 hours · from $35

Walk through Salem with guides such as Mason, John, and Danielle, visiting nine historic locations in two hours. Expect clear stories about the witch trials, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Salem’s tourism trade, cemetery history, and film locations. Wear good shoes and prepare for rain or uneven streets.

“Mason was an awesome tour guide (plus he’s a local)! He really wove together a story out of the complex history of Salem. There was so much info and we learned so much on our tour but never once were we bored or overwhelmed with info. Mason’s tour was informative in a way that really made the rest of our stay in Salem all the more impactful and interesting!”

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9.Sailing on Historic Schooner Yacht in Salem, MA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 172 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Board a beautifully maintained classic schooner at 10 Blaney Street in Salem for a two-hour sail with Captain Seth and crew members such as Kos and Kate. Help raise the sails, hear stories about the vessel and nearby islands, enjoy Salem Sound views, and buy drinks from the onboard bar.

“Crew was great. Beautiful night and a beautiful boat. Had a gin and tonic and helped with the sails. Would highly recommend”

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10.Best Historic Overview of Salem Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 88 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $30

This 90-minute Salem walk covers the witch trials, American Revolution, maritime wealth, and local figures from Alexander Graham Bell to Amelia Earhart. Guides such as Bob, Anna, Amber, Glenn, and Stosha lead the route, with stories, humor, and stops across downtown Salem.

“Information given was good but you need to know history of the area in order for it all to fit together. More background needs to be given for non history buffs.”

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11.Historic Schooner Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 84 reviews · from $39

Board the gaff-rigged Schooner Fame at Pickering Wharf Marina for a 100-minute Salem Sound cruise. Captain Mike and crew members John and Ella may invite you to raise the sails, take the tiller, and hear about privateering, forts, lighthouses, and Salem’s busy maritime past.

“Fantastic tour, we had a great time!! The Captain and crew were great, something very relaxing about cruising across the water with no engine noise!! My young daughter had a blast!!”

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12.Salem History & Haunt Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 81 reviews · 1 hour 20 minutes (approx.) · from $30

Walk through Salem with guides such as Bobby, Elaina, Davey, and Dominick, learning about the 1692 witch trials, Giles Corey, the old jail, and local hauntings. This English-language tour costs $30, lasts about 80 minutes, and returns to 127 Essex Street.

“On the tour, we spent 85% of the time in the first location. Rushed through the next two locations. Tour Guide had several inaccuracies. Definitely wouldn’t do this one again”

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13.Ultimate Historic Salem and Witch Trials Self-Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 67 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $16Best value

Walk more than 1.5 miles through Salem with an English audio guide that starts stories automatically as you reach each location. Hear about Sheriff George Corwin, the witch trial victims, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Salem’s early leaders. Download the app and tour before arriving, since it works offline once set up.

“Amazing history of Salem and all the Halloween costumes. So much to see and take in. Beautiful century old homes. I'm a big fan of Bewitched as I grew up in the 60's and 70's. Elizabeth Montgomery's statue was my favorite.”

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14.Secrets of Salem Hidden Dark History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 55 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $32

Walk through Salem’s darkest chapters with guides such as Mason, Danielle, John, or Sam. Expect a small-group, English-language tour covering the 1692 trials, historic homes, Nathaniel Hawthorne, local rivalries, and ghost stories.

“Our tour guide was fantastic and SUPER knowledgeable on all the facts and history of the entire area! Let me tell you Danielle is the person to get for a great tour!”

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15.Double Trouble Combination Pass: 2 Tours (History & Ghost Tours)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 52 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $61

Spend about three hours walking Salem with guides such as Tom, Kat, Sara, and Pam. The first tour covers the 1692 witch trials, including Old Salem Gaol and the Witch Trials Memorial. The second brings after-dark ghost tales, eerie sites, and a change of mood.

“The tour guide was full of energy and informative! He was passionate about the tour and made the experience pleasant!”

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