Salem Ghosts

I found Hocus Pocus Tours while seeking things to do in Salem on Yelp and TripAdvisor. Fellow…read moreYelpers' rave reviews did not disappoint! In messaging Hocus Pocus Tours with a couple questions about the tour and travel to and from Salem, the owner Susan replied immediately and suggested that I call her. This led to a one hour phone conversation where Susan was so gracious with her time, knowledge, and suggestions, not just about how to make the most of the tour, but how to appreciate a day in Salem. I can see why those who had the opportunity to take the in-person tour with Susan really enjoyed it. Covid changed the business model and Hocus Pocus now offers a self-guided tour by purchasing one of two tour apps. I opted for the $19.99 grand tour and it was well worth it. It has 37 points of interest. The app is user friendly and well designed. It provides a map of all stops, tracks where you are, and guides you to the next stop that you select on the tour. When you get to your stop, you can confirm you're at the right spot by comparing a photo of the site with what you see. Then you click on a 2-3 minute audio recording that provides a great snapshot of the significance of the site. As Susan had pointed out to me, there is much more to Salem than the historic witchcraft trials. It includes author Nathaniel Hawthorne's The House of Seven Gables, America's oldest candy company, and other interesting sites. Of everything I visited, I experienced a very deep emotional connection with the 1692 Witchcraft Memorial with 20 stones dedicated to each of the victims of the witchcraft trial. The tour includes brief descriptions of some of the victims including those written about in Arthur Miller's The Crucible. If you plan to visit Salem, I highly recommend this tour. All sites can be visited on the outside and some on the inside at no charge. Some sites, such as The House of Seven Gables, charge separate admission fees. If you want to travel to Salem and don't have a car, the ferry from Boston offers a nice, scenic, and entertaining 50 minute ride. The commuter trains run more frequently and can come in handy if the ferry schedule coming or going doesn't meet your needs. There are plenty of good places to dine at to break up the tour. We had lunch at FINZ and really enjoyed it (I'll post separately about that).

This was legit SO much fun! The name Hocus Pocus kinda throws you off because you may be thinking…read moreabout the movie, but this tour really is amazing. Start off with the tour guides, extremely friendly and beyond knowledgeable. They really know their history for Salem. The tour itself was a few hours and you walk to all of the sites in Salem with historical significance. There is so much to learn from Salem. So much history and heartbreak. It really is eye opening to hear the stories oof the witch trials and how the witch trials began and who all was wrongly persecuted. The tour guides were so nice and explained everything with such great details. This tour was definitely the highlight of our trip in Salem. I highly highly recommend Hocus Pocus Tours, I learned so much regarding Salem, the witch trials, the history behind the two, and a little bit of Hocus Pocus and Bewitched. So much fun!

Bix's House

Allison's House

See all

Max's House

Bewitched Tours

4.9(179 reviews)

This was a great walking tour of Salem!! I went in knowing basically nothing about the witch trials…read moreand left knowing a lot more about- and with some local restaurant recommendations. We got plenty of steps and saw a lot of Salem. I carried my baby around, and he got a great nap!!

Fantastic Tour guide. She was very knowledgeable and friendly. It's a difficult subject and she…read moregave some made it educational and enjoyable.

Leaving the old Salem Armory site

See all

Salem Witch Trials memorial

Salem Black Cat Tours

4.7(123 reviews)

Such an amazing tour with our guide Jack. He was so knowledgeable, answered questions, and was…read morehighly entertaining! Highly recommend to anyone who is looking for the history of the Salem Witch Trials. You get to stop at some of the key places during your tour, plenty of time to take photos to see if you catch a spirit, or two.

2nd time on this tour! Jack was an amazing storyteller and had all kinds of insights and historical…read moreinformation! The tour had to circle around and miss a stop due to emergency vehicles- but he offered to tell us after the tour. Highly- highly recommend this tour.

See all

Witch City Walking Tours

4.6(254 reviews)

0.0 mi

Henry was our guide. He did a fabulous job all the way around! Great storyteller and everything…read morewas well organized and well presented.

We had the pleasure of having Dawn as our guide Friday afternoon. From the beginning of the tour…read moreshe set a wonderful tone. I lean towards introversion, but her welcoming energy made me more inclined to engage with and enjoy group. I was worried two hours was too long for a tour, but I was shocked by how quickly it flew by and it felt like the perfect amount of time. I felt there was a good balance of trivia, facts and local lore. Dawn left plenty of room for questions, which she readily answered. My partner and I had a fantastic time. Would definitely recommend

Allison's House.

Witch house

See all

Our awesome guide!

Salem Historical Tours & Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour

3.3(64 reviews)

Tried to take a walking tour provided by this company, but no one was there…read more I called their customer service number and was given a description of a person, but that didn't match what the operator ended up telling me. They continued to harass me after requesting a refund, which they denied. Just a gross company.

It was unfortunate that the thing we were most excited about turned out to be the worst part of our…read moretrip. Mainly it was so disappointing because it was what our birthday girl was hyped about. We went on a sibling trip to Salem. The sister we were celebrated loves ghosts tours and was so excited to learn more about the history of Salem. The only history we learned was about the tour company. Our tour repeatedly told us about how old the tour company was. So I guess that was the historical element. We also learned a lot about her personal life. We were repeatedly reassured that once other groups moved she'd take us closer to the buildings so we could see them (often we were either across the street or half a block away) but then never followed through on any of those promises. She did however lead us into the backyard of one of the properties where we were chased out by security. Two of our sisters got frustrated and dropped out to get a beer after they watched an elderly man in our group fall off the sidewalk trying to keep up with our tour guide who the people in the back could neither hear or see. I haven't been on other tours and it was just kind of meh. But my sister who is passionate about both history and ghost tours was very let down. We went in very early September and it wasn't very crowded. But I can't imagine the quality of tour you'd get when there's more crowds to contend with. I think the guide really makes or breaks the tour and hopefully it was just a really off night.

Across from the ticket shop.

Salem Historical Tours & Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour

See all

The Daniels House Inn

4.6(44 reviews)

0.4 mi

Didn't get to take the tour, it seemed a little expensive to me... but I felt like it did offer…read moremuch more bang for your buck then some other near by attractions. And honestly I would have paid it but we were almost out of our fun money for the trip. I will probably do it next time, or honestly staying here would be really cool!

Great day for a visit! Worth the drive Spent the day in…read moreSalem. Very comforting! conveniently located.

Leaving their stuff in the shower

See all

Salem Trolley

3.5(153 reviews)

The trolley experience is a must if you want to know more about this city. The local ghost walking…read moretours are also nice, but you get more out of the trolley. I did both. The trolley takes you further out. The staff was knowledgeable. They made the experience nice. It was nice to just sit and enjoy a nice historical ride. This was perfect. It is too hot to be walking around. The experience was nice. Tips are welcome by the staff.

Get on the first tours of the day if possible. You get a whole overview of the city, and it will be…read moreeasy to decide what place you want to visit later. Most of salem is walkable; within 10-20 minutes. They take you up to the waterfront parks which are further away, too.

See all

Real Pirates Salem

4.8(32 reviews)

0.2 mi

The staff are the nicest people and they had real artifacts inside. I had to touch everything for…read moresome reason. Lol. I heard someone say they didn't like it right before going in so I wasn't expecting much. I was pleasantly surprised. It is a museum so you have to stop and read all the things otherwise you won't like it either. It's not a scary place where people jump out at you, if you want that you should go to one of the haunted houses. The guy at the gift shop was dressed up too and was good at staying in character. He added the fun aspect and he told us he is one of the Jason's during October. He even makes masks you can buy. Cool guy.

This well exceeded expectation! The story telling In The beginning, setting the scene made the…read moreattraction even more special. The real life artifacts and pirates treasure were top tier... this is a NON CHEESEY WORTH THE MONEY attraction. My family loved a little something different in Salem and not the same regurgitated witch stories. This did not disappoint. 10/10. Will come back! #worthit

See all

The Hawkes House

5.0(1 review)

0.4 mi

You can easily find this house along the salem which self tour. This house has been well preserved…read moreand is a vision with it's large elevation and beautiful trimming.

Better Than Fiction

5.0(16 reviews)

Wonderful walking tour through Salem! We wanted to hear stories and the history of the buildings,…read moreand this was perfect for a busy October when we couldn't get into the museums! The guide was a wonderful story-teller and took us all around Salem.

Learned about Jeff's tour from his podcast "Salem the Podcast" when researching for my trip. Jeff…read morethe owner and tour guide is extremely knowledgeable, engaging, and a natural presenter and entertainer. The tour was funny, mysterious, informative and frankly one of the best tours in Salem given by a true insider and lover of Salem. My group left the tour buzzing with energy cause his energy was so contagious! I highly recommend!!

See more unrecommended reviews

See all

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

70 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Haley S.

3 years ago

I recently had the pleasure of embarking on the Salem Ghost Tour in Salem, MA, and let me tell you, it was an absolutely unforgettable experience. As a lover of history and the paranormal, I couldn't resist exploring the spooky legends and haunted tales that surround this historic city, and I was not disappointed. Sam was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about Salem's haunted past, and his enthusiasm was contagious. He skillfully wove together historical facts, chilling ghost stories, and local folklore, painting a vivid picture of the supernatural side of Salem. One of the aspects that impressed me the most was the variety of locations covered during the tour. We visited notable landmarks such as the infamous Witch House, and The Ropes Mansion. Each location had its own unique aura and spine-tingling tales associated with it. Sam brought these stories to life, creating an immersive experience that sent shivers down my spine. What truly set Salem Ghost Tours apart was the attention to detail and the commitment to authenticity. The guides wore period costumes, adding an extra layer of ambiance to the tour. They seamlessly blended historical facts with supernatural occurrences, painting a comprehensive and fascinating picture of Salem's haunted history. Throughout the tour, I felt safe and well taken care of. Sam was attentive to the group's needs and ensured that everyone could hear and see the important details. He also encouraged questions, interactions, and some trivia making the experience interactive and engaging. The highlight of the tour was undoubtedly the chilling ghost stories shared by Sam. His storytelling abilities were superb, and he had a knack for creating an eerie atmosphere that made me feel like I had stepped back in time. The tales were spine-chilling, leaving me with goosebumps and a lingering sense of awe. Overall, Salem Ghost Tours exceeded my expectations and left a lasting impression on me. It is the perfect blend of history, storytelling, and the supernatural. Whether you're a history buff, a fan of ghost stories, or simply looking for a unique and unforgettable experience in Salem, I wholeheartedly recommend Salem Ghost Tours. Be prepared to be transported into a world of mystery and the unknown, as you uncover the ghostly secrets lurking within the historic streets of Salem, Massachusetts. read more

Eliana K.

1 year ago

Incredible tour with our tour guide Danielle. She is absolutely amazing, she spoke so clearly and was so engaging, even with my auditory processing disorder I understood every word she said! She was engaging, and she knows her history, hearing her tell us about the events of the past, it was as though we stepped back in time to the witch trials, we learned so much. And on top of all of that, we actually saw ghosts, not just us, but another nearby tour saw it too. It was unreal, and the whole tour my hair was standing on end, I can see why this may well be one of the most haunted cities in all the new world. I would highly recommend this company, we loved our guide and the ability to rent an EMF that was so fun, but also scary when it would go off the charts around specifically haunted areas. This was truly one of the biggest highlights of our trip to MA, and it was just me, my 13 year old daughter and Danielle our tour guide, I told my husband that our daughter didn't check her phone once, Danielle kept her engaged through the entire duration of the tour AND my daughter told me that this is a memory that she will never forget, and will cherish for the rest of her life, I feel the same way. Do this tour, it is a MUST DO! read more

Melissa T.

3 years ago

I was pleasantly surprised with this ghost tour. The tour guide was on time and ready with flameless candles and EMF detectors. I got the biggest lessons about the history of Salem from this. We went to spooky places and the guide told us all about the past residents and haunts. It was amazing and the storytelling was super compelling. You can imagine my surprise when the tour included the bed and breakfast I was staying in! And honestly I can confirm that my room IS haunted! All in all, the ghost tour was my favorite part of my trip to Salem. When I come back to visit Salem, I'm going to do the extended tour! If you're in Salem, don't miss it! read more

Cyndi D.

2 years ago

From the beginning they were with booking. They were very accommodating with our group of six! Our tour guide (forgot his name-sorry) was very knowledgeable with all the locations & great sense of humor. All of the pubs that he took us to were amazing, great drinks.....fell in love with my 1st Pistachio Martini! Our group wanted to book for the Boston tour, but our schedule just didn't work out. We closed Salem down with a phenomenonal evening with lots of memories made with great friends! We'll definitely be back again! Thank you US Ghost Adventures!! read more

Mary W.

3 years ago

Booking & paying for the tour was easy. We enjoyed our tour guide (Bri) and the tour itself. Bri did a great job on the busiest day of the year (Friday, Oct. 13). I encourage anyone visiting Salem to take tours that interest you and learn more about the history, the culture, the people, etc. in addition to self-guided tours. We learned alot from our guide that we wouldn't have known otherwise. Seeing the places as you learn is such a bonus. I hope to visit again and again...... read more

Alyssa G.

4 years ago

We had Shannon for our tour tonight, and we had a wonderful time! She was very informative about both the history and activity at each location. We really appreciated how respectful she was about the history, particularly at the memorial, where she shared the history but did not partake in ghost stories at that location. the way she spoke was engaging and enjoyable at every location and we'd love to tour with Shannon again! read more

Leslie J.

4 years ago

My son and I have been on a number of ghost tours, but this tour guide added details we had not heard before. Without yelling, her volume was easily heard despite traffic and other visitors around us. She was articulate and easily understood. She was conscientious of safety and courteous of other groups. Her pace was manageable. The weather was foggy and the city damp enough that it added to the experience read more

David M.

5 years ago

Great way to spend time getting to know the haunted history of this old town. Despite the pouring rain it was still no less interesting, the rain adding to the dreary atmosphere. Lots to see and take in, even spooked me a bit and really, I'm not too much of a believer. Wouldn't mind doing it again, with better weather. Nate was our guide and he was great. Very knowledgeable. I highly recommend it. . . read more

Scott S.

2 years ago

Second time doing a walking tour with Salem Ghosts. Our tour Sam was phenomenal, we loved every minute. He was very knowledgeable, personable and passionate about his job. We will for sure be booking again with this company. ALSO, they do not overpack their tours. Not sure if it's an off season thing as I have never been in Salem during October, but it's nice not having a large crowd. read more

Hailey S.

1 year ago

Kristen was an amazing tour guide!! Our group was the only one on the tour and she definitely made the most of our time. She knew so much about the history of Salem, and was very fun to hang out with. If you want an informative, exclusive look into Salem's haunted past, book a tour with her!! We loved hanging out with her and her awesome self very much :) read more

Sara P.

7 years ago

My husband and I had a great time walking around Salem with our tour guide Bridgette! She was very knowledgeable, kind and entertaining! The stories/facts were very interesting! She showed us so many places that we added to our list of places to see while visiting here in Salem. A must to book and experience. Thank you Bridgette! read more

Dev C.

5 years ago

Nate was our tour guide last night for the ghost walking tour. He was amazing!!!!! so Amazingly knowledgeable about the history and ghosts he brought this tour alive. Being a tour guide myself it was delightful being on the side of the guest. I will be back with more friends and hope to have him again. Thank you Nate!!!! read more

Emily S.

5 years ago

My husband and I loved this tour! It was the perfect amount of spooky hauntings and Salem history. The tour guide, Zach, was passionate and engaging, telling many stories and even showing a picture that someone on a previous tour had taken of one of the famous spirits that haunts Salem. I would highly recommend! read more

Laurie W.

3 years ago

My friend and I had a really fun time on this tour. Our guide was enthusiastic and informative. We were fortunate to have a smaller group (less than 10) so we all were able to chat together, hear all the information easily and really bond as a group;a great experience that I would highly recommend. read more

Fernanda G.

2 years ago

Mason was an absolutely fantastic tour guide! Great story teller and full of knowledge of the Salem area. Provided the perfect atmosphere for the tour. A great blend of the supernatural and the historical. Took us to some great bars with great drinks. Would highly recommend this tour. read more

Angie G.

2 years ago

We had a great time on the Booze and Brews Tour. Andy was a great tour guide. His ghost stories were very entertaining tying them into the tavern stops along the way. He also gave great drink recommendations too! Would definitely recommend this tour and him! read more

Tara H.

2 years ago

Kristen was so much fun. She took us to the bars and haunted places but also threw in other fun facts and local stuff. Bestt tour we did here in salem. We had a great time. The whole group was fun, and Kristen was the glue bringing us all together. read more

Elizabeth P.

2 years ago

Jena was an amazing guide! Super sweet, great places for a cocktails and banter about spirits and history. Not the usual local hokey witch tour which I appreciated! Started on time, easily walkable and enjoyable group! Thanks Jena! You Rocked it! read more

Arrie M.

5 years ago

Sam was a good dude. Very personal and took time to get to know most of the group one on one. He was clearly very passionate about his job and was very knowledgeable about the area. He even shared his own experiences with ghosts! Amazing tour! read more

Tiffany G.

5 years ago

Our tour guide tonight was Nate. It was pouring down rain but Nate was so entertaining that we barely noticed. He was very knowledgeable about both past and present Salem, and was very eloquent with his story telling. Highly highly recommend! read more

Salem Ghosts - walkingtours - Updated August 2026

People who viewed Salem Ghosts also viewed

Hocus Pocus Tours

4.9

(203 reviews)

Sinister Stories of Salem

4.5

(16 reviews)

Ken really brought this city to life in an authentic and detailed way that other tours lack. It's…read morenot full of Disney fluff but is instead representative of all the true history and culture here- including the native Americans, the Caribbean influx, the culture of sailors as well as (of course) the witch hysteria of 1692. I've been coming to visit Salem since I was a little girl and I can't believe how much I learned and appreciated in a new light! Ken carefully answered all questions, and was diligent about taking any he couldn't answer down so he could find the answer and email us later. He was so thoughtful and knowledgeable!

When we decided to come to New England for a trip, I knew I wanted to stop in Salem and learn a bit…read moreabout the history of the witch trials. However, I did not want a tour that was tacky or strange. The morning stroll tour of Salem with Kenneth got good reviews and seemed legit and not too cheesy. I definitely have to say that he delivered! The tour group was about 25 people, which was a good size and did not feel too big. We walked around Salem and learned about not just the witch trials, but also many other stories of the history of Salem and important people who lived there. We spent some time at the memorial site for those that were executed and he brought some flowers to place on the stone, which was a tad cheesy but also kind of nice. Kenneth is very informative and was willing to answer any and all questions. He very obviously has a passion for Salem history. The only thing I would say is a bathroom break and maybe even a snack break would have been nice. The tour went at least 2.5 hours even though it was supposed to be 2 hours. We appreciated the extra time he gave us and it was nice that he wasn't in a rush. However, we had traveled over 4 hours that morning to make the tour and could have used some food and a bathroom. The tour is reasonably priced and a recommended thing to do to see Salem and learn some actual history!

1692 Before and After

(11 reviews)

We elected to take this tour among the others in town because this felt more real and not…read morecommercialized to take advantage of things like Friday the 13th or Halloween and we are so glad we did! This was a very realistic, historical, knowledgeable tour with amazing bits of humor and dad jokes considering the pretty heavy topic of the 1692 witch trials. We loved that our tour guide sprinkled in restaurant recommendations and personal experience having lived in Salem most of his life! The weather was a bit chilly however we still pushed through and we're so glad we did. This tour is absolutely one of the top highlights of our trip!

My husband & I visited Salem on Labor Day weekend and booked a walking tour. Jeff was oir guide and…read morehe was amazing! I learned so much on his tour! He is extremely knowledgeable and well-versed in the history of Salem. I would recommend booking a tour with Jeff on your visit to Salem. Honestly, the tour with Jeff was my favorite part of our trip without a doubt! Jeff - If you'rereading this, thank you for a memorable tour. I can't believe how much information you shared. The best tour we have been on by far!

Salem Trolley

3.5

(153 reviews)

Vampire Ghost Adventures

(1 review)

Recently went on the tour with my wife and friends from Miami Florida on Saturday September 21st on…read morethe 7pm tour. This was one of my favorite tours I have been on in many years. Our guide was dressed like a revolutionary vampire and definitely looked the part. He was very knowledgeable of everything he said based on history, others experiences and his own. We had to walk everywhere "walking tour" but he was very fast and efficient to be able to show us a lot of spots in a considerably short time. He really cared about everyone in the group and made sure everyone was having a good time. I recommend this tour to anyone looking to hear and see the history of Salem including the haunted items in their store.

Salem Food Tours

(36 reviews)

This was my second Afternoon Food Tour with Karen and can't say enough about the wonderful day…read morespent with Karen and her warm personality sharing history and food of Salem. She makes it so comfortable every time - wlll definitely be doing another tour in the Fall. Thank you Karen! Judy C

This weekend Salem Food Tours had their first immersive experience, with a Food at 400. They had a…read moreTown Hall exihibition, trolly tour, restaurants taking part plus I saw Scott Conant in discussion with Karen at Salem State Theater. This was an amazing set of experiences, which continue all this week. Salem Food Tours go above and beyond.

Cape Ann Foodie Tours

4.0

(15 reviews)

What a fun way to spend the day!…read more The guides are so knowledgeable, friendly and have a way of making learning fun! Definitely recommend booking a tour if you're spending time in the Cape Ann area!

Great tour to get familiar with Gloucester food, shopping, and some history! Cindy does a great job…read moreand I always send folks her way. If you've never been to Gloucester it's a lot of fun. It's not a ton of food but more like having a bunch of tapas. Great experience overall!

Better Than Fiction

(16 reviews)

The Revolutionary Story Tour