Salem: Witch Q&A, 1692 Walking Tour & Night Ghost Stories

Summary

Three Salem tours in one day—meet a real witch, walk 1692, hear ghost tales after dark

You’ll meet a practicing witch for an unscripted Q&A, walk through Salem’s most storied sites from the 1692 witch trials with a local guide, then finish your day with chilling ghost tales after dark. Every step brings you closer to Salem’s tangled past — you’ll probably leave with more questions than answers (in a good way).

What’s the experience like?

“So, what does a real witch even do?” That’s how our afternoon started — someone in our group just blurted it out. Our guide (she introduced herself as Rowan, black boots and all) grinned and said, “Ask me anything.” The Wandering Witches tour was more like a conversation than a tour, honestly. We sat inside while rain tapped at the windows, and Rowan told us about her rituals and daily life. She passed around this little pouch of herbs — I still remember the sharp smell of sage mixed with something sweet I couldn’t place. At one point I tried to pronounce ‘Samhain’ right (Li laughed when I butchered it). It felt less like a performance and more like being let in on something private.

After that we had about half an hour to grab coffee before meeting up for Steps Through 1692. The air was damp but not cold — you could smell wet brick everywhere. Our guide for this part, Tom, led us through old streets past houses that looked like they’d seen every storm since the trials. He stopped outside Bridget Bishop’s old place and told us stories that made everyone go quiet for a minute. There was this bit at the Witch Trials Memorial where people left notes wedged between stones — some were just names, others were apologies or wishes. I didn’t expect to feel much but standing there actually hit me harder than I thought.

The last part was Salem’s Spooky Specters after sunset — we picked the 8:30pm slot because why not go full spooky? Lanterns flickered in doorways and you could hear distant laughter from other groups on Essex Street. Our guide cracked jokes between ghost stories so things never got too heavy (though there was this one story about the Old Gaol that gave me goosebumps). The night air smelled faintly of woodsmoke and fried dough from somewhere nearby. By then my feet were tired but honestly, I didn’t want it to end yet.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Salem Witch History and Haunting Tours

• Join Wandering Witches Q&A tour
• Walk Steps Through 1692 sites
• Attend Salem's Spooky Specters night tour

Top questions

How long does the Triple Threat Combo Pass take?

The three tours run consecutively starting at 3:30pm and finish around 9:00 or 10:00pm depending on your chosen ghost tour time.

Is there a real witch on the Wandering Witches tour?

Yes, the Wandering Witches tour is led by a practicing witch who answers questions in an unscripted format.

Are these walking tours suitable for wheelchairs or strollers?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible and infants or small children can use prams or strollers.

What places do you visit during Steps Through 1692?

You visit sites like Bridget Bishop's homestead, Sheriff Corwin's house, Old Salem Gaol and Courthouse, plus the Witch Trials Memorial.

Is lunch included in this Salem combo tour?

No meals are included; you’ll have breaks between tours to get food or drinks on your own.

Does the ghost tour get very scary?

The ghost stories are spooky but balanced with humor so it doesn’t get too intense for most people.

Are service animals allowed on these tours?

Yes, service animals are allowed throughout all parts of the Triple Threat Combo Pass experience.

What’s included

Your day includes an indoor or outdoor Wandering Witches Q&A session at 3:30pm with a practicing witch; a one-hour Steps Through 1692 walking tour at 5pm visiting key historic sites; and finally either a 7pm or 8:30pm Salem’s Spooky Specters ghost tour—all led by certified guides and spaced so you can rest or grab food between each part.