Salem: Witch Trials, Revolution & Maritime History Walking Tour

Salem's Real Story Goes Way Beyond the Witch Trials

You walk about one mile through Salem's downtown over 90 minutes, stopping at the Witch Trials Memorial, Old Burying Point cemetery, Lyceum Hall, and sites tied to the American Revolution and the Age of Sail. A local guide with an amplifier covers four centuries of history, from the 1692 trials to maritime wealth to George Washington's visit to Alexander Graham Bell's telephone work. The fixed 12pm departure time and frequent stops mean you see the major sites without arranging your own route or timing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Old Burying Point10m
2. Salem Witch Trials Memorial5m

Explore Salem's rich historic sites

• Discover Salem's founding and history
• Visit revolutionary meeting location
• Tour Old Burying Point Cemetery
• See Salem Witch Trials Memorial
• Explore Lyceum Hall history
• Learn about Salem's maritime past
• Hear stories of George Corwin and visitors
• Visit Rockafellas and Town House Square
• See Samantha Stevens statue in Lappin Park
• Visit Alexander Graham Bell's former home
• Tour the Witch House of Judge Corwin
• Learn about Leslie's Retreat at North Bridge

The experience

"The witch trials made Salem infamous, but there's so much more," the guide says as the group gathers at Central Street, and it's the kind of opening that sets the tone for the next 90 minutes. You're walking through a city that most people know for one dark chapter in 1692, but Salem's actual history is layered and strange in ways that don't fit a single narrative. The American Revolution nearly started here at the North Bridge, where colonists stopped British redcoats from crossing: two months before Lexington and Concord. From 1790 to 1812, Salem was the richest port in the country. Elias Haskett Derby became America's first millionaire in 1793. These aren't footnotes. They're the backbone of what made the United States possible.

The walking tour moves through about a mile of Salem's downtown, stopping at the places where these stories actually happened. You'll stand at Old Burying Point, the cemetery dating back to 1637, where judges from the trials are buried alongside Puritans and merchants who shaped the city's early centuries. The Salem Witch Trials Memorial comes next: 20 benches, one for each person executed in 1692, each bench engraved with a name, date, and method of execution. It's quiet and deliberate, the kind of memorial that doesn't perform emotion but lets you feel it. The guide points out the irony of Samantha Stevens' statue in Lappin Park, the witch from the TV show Bewitched, standing on land that once belonged to hanging Judge John Hathorne. You'll hear about Lyceum Hall, where Alexander Graham Bell demonstrated the telephone publicly in 1877, and where Bridget Bishop, the first woman executed for witchcraft, once lived. The Witch House, built in the 1660s and owned by Judge Jonathan Corwin, is the last Salem home with direct ties to the trials, though no witches actually lived there.

What makes this Salem walking tour different is the range of stops and the connections the guide draws between them. You're not just collecting witch trial facts. You're seeing how a single city held revolutionary meetings, built a maritime empire, and became the backdrop for Hollywood productions like Hocus Pocus. The guide uses an amplifier so everyone in the group can hear clearly, which matters on busy Salem streets. The pace includes frequent stops. You're covering one mile in 90 minutes, so there's time to look, listen, and ask questions. October is crowded with festival traffic, so the guide will note that upfront. Comfortable walking shoes matter. Salem's sidewalks are narrow, uneven, and made of brick and cobblestone in places.

What’s included

Your 90-minute Salem walking tour includes a local, professional guide with an amplifier so the entire group can hear, visits to the Salem Witch Trials Memorial and Old Burying Point cemetery, stops at revolutionary history sites and Age of Sail locations, and access to as many historic sites as the pace allows within the one-mile route. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and service animals are welcome.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00 and 12:00

AgesAdult (13 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Salem Historical Tours, LLC

Is this one for you?Best for travelers who want Salem's full history (witch trials, revolution, maritime wealth, and famous residents) covered in one walking tour without arranging separate stops or timing. The guide's amplifier and frequent stops mean you hear everything clearly even on busy streets, and the fixed 12pm departure takes the scheduling off your hands.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

How long is the Salem walking tour?

90 minutes, covering approximately one mile with frequent stops at historic sites.

What time does the tour depart?

The tour departs at 12pm daily. Check in 15–20 minutes early at the Salem Historical Tours office at 8 Central Street.

What attractions are included in the Salem history tour?

The Salem Witch Trials Memorial, Old Burying Point cemetery, Lyceum Hall, the Witch House, revolutionary meeting sites, and maritime history locations.

Are service animals allowed on the tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What's covered besides the witch trials?

The tour covers Salem's role in the American Revolution, the Age of Sail (when Salem was the richest port in the country from 1790–1812), famous residents like Alexander Graham Bell, and filming locations for TV and movies.

Is parking available near the tour start?

Yes. Parking is available in garages on New Liberty, Bridge, and Congress Streets, and in lots at Church Street, Front Street, and Klopp Alley. Metered parking is also nearby. Use the Passport smartphone app for meters.

Is October a good time to visit for this tour?

October is Salem's busiest month with festival traffic at LA levels. Parking and street navigation become difficult. Other months offer a more relaxed experience.

Can I do this tour if I have mobility concerns?

The tour involves 90 minutes of walking over one mile on narrow, uneven sidewalks with brick, cobblestone, and stairs. Salem is a historical city with challenging terrain. Contact the tour operator to discuss your specific needs.