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Salem History Lovers Walking Tour
5.0
13 Ratings
Salem
Join our engaging and informative Salem Walking Tour to explore the city’s rich history, stunning architecture, and iconic Hocus Pocus filming locations. Discover the secrets of the Witch Trials, early American Revolution events, and haunted sites. No scripts, just fascinating stories and great food recommendations!
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Witch House - An authentic Salem house restored to what it looked like in 1675 when Judge Jonathan Corwin of the Witch Trials lived there.
- Bewitched Sculpture - Statue of Elizabeth Montgomery gives an opportunity to learn about how Salem became the Halloween Capital of the World.
- Rockafellas Restaurant - Popular restaurant at the site of the original First Church of Salem, the oldest Protestant congregation in America. Important events of the Salem Witch Trials and the American Revolution happened here.
- Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall -Salem - Popular restaurant which was the site of Bridget Bishop’s apple orchard and the Lyceum, a lecture hall where many important literary and scientific events happened.
- John Ward House - A beautiful First-Period house built in 1684. At the time of the Witch Trials, it was located across the street from the Witch Gaol.
- Salem Witch Museum - The most popular tourist attraction in Salem. It’s located in a building that was built as the East Church and the towers used to be twice as high.
- Salem Common - Birthplace of the US National Guard. Great collection of Federal style homes. Hocus Pocus High School. Location of stocks, pillories, and whipping post. Site of a tar-and-feathering.
- Hawthorne Hotel - Grandest hotel in Salem. Considered one of the top ten haunted hotels in America.
- Gardner-Pingree House - Beautiful example of Samuel McIntire’s architecture. Site of the most famous murder in American history, up to that time.
- Peabody Essex Museum - Top ten art museum in North America. Oldest continuously operated museum. Started by Salem sea captains.
- Old Town Hall - President James Monroe visited at its opening in 1817. Site of Hocus Pocus Halloween party.
- Joshua Ward House - President George Washington slept there. Considering the most haunted building in Salem.
- Hamilton Hall - Samuel McIntire designed this clubhouse for the rich Federalists of Chestnut Street in 1805. Named for Alexander Hamilton.
- First Church in Salem - All the accused and accusers of the Witch Trials belonged to this church.
What's Included
- All taxes and fees included
Additional Information
A two and a half hour history and architecture tour given by a former guide on the Salem Trolley. The route is less than two miles. We will see 3 Hocus Pocus filming locations, and sites related to Puritans, the Witch Trials, Charter St Cemetery, great architecture (First-Period, Georgian Colonial, Federal), maritime trade, early events of the American Revolution, first-period homes, the most haunted building, the Lyceum, the evolution of Halloween, the culture of modern Salem, and great restaurants. The tour is not scripted, and hard questions are welcomed.
- The tour will happen even if it’s raining, short of a hurricane.
- Will not enter the attractions and will just stay outside.
Location
7 Summer St
Summer Street
Meet outside the Salem Inn, which is very close to the Witch House at the corner of Essex Street and North Street. Look for a gentleman with a top hat and a walking cane.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(13 Ratings)
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Teri_v
Jul 6, 2024
Great tour - We took a tour with just our family. The guide was very informative and did a great job answering questions. Highly recommend this tour. It was a great way to learn about Salem.
Review provided by Viator
Amy_p
May 24, 2024
Great tour!!! - Ray is an awesome tour guide. His knowledge is amazing and so is his ability to tell the stories of what happened and where!
If you want the actual details, then this is the tour for you.
Review provided by Viator
J2401wqdebbieb
Nov 13, 2023
Love Salem - Our tour guide was awesome he knew so much history . He took his time and make sure we saw everything that we all wanted to see. Our time ran over as he had so much to show . We are going back next year and hope to get the same person . The only thing I wish was we could tip through the TripAdvisor as everyone knows who carries cash. I wish there was a way I could send him a tip he so deserves it but none of us had cash I felt so bad
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Justin_r
Oct 29, 2023
Perfect small group tour! - Ray was absolutely amazing. Not only was he incredibly knowledgeable about his city, but he was so kind and personable. I loved that he only takes small groups. When we saw passing tours with 40+ people, it was nice to look at our little group of 8. We walked and talked for just under three hours, and he even stopped in the middle and told us where all the good bathrooms were that we could use(and the ones to avoid!). Hands down an experience we will recommend to anyone we know coming to Salem!
Review provided by Viator
Mbaker68
Oct 27, 2023
Raymond was a great tour guide. - Raymond was a great tour guide. He took us to so may places and went into great detail about the history of Salem. We were told about the architecture and buildings, the books, tv shows, and movies that put Salem on everyone's radar, as well as some of Salem's part in the battle for our independence. The stories in the graveyards were very interesting. I enjoyed the witch trial memorial and his explanation of the symbolism of the structure and surroundings. I recommend his tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sabina_a
Oct 21, 2023
Great walking tour - I am more into history then “mystery”, so that tour was perfect for me. A lot of interesting facts about witch trials and history of Salem.
Review provided by Viator
Susie
Oct 20, 2023
Worth every pence! - My husband and I really enjoyed this tour. Richard, a self proclaimed history buff, was quite amazing in his knowledge of Salem and surrounding areas and his storytelling abilities were quite impressive. We would recommend this tour for anyone. After the tour was over, we had opportunity to talk to a few folks who had taken other tours and Richard gave us quite a bit more information on Witch City than other tours gave.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susan_s
Oct 20, 2023
Great experience - Richard was a terrific guide and story teller. We enjoyed the entire tour. After speaking with folks that took other tours, there were a lot of things he covered that the othera didn’t know. The tour lasted over two and a half hours. Thanks Richard for guiding us through Witch City.
Review provided by Viator
412joshk
Oct 16, 2023
Ray is the Real Deal - Take. this. tour. Ray lives up to the title of his own tour and is truly a lover of local history and a student of Salem. Highly recommended whether you're visiting or live around here, and you're guaranteed to learn a bunch of things about this town that you didn't get from other tours. Plus Ray will gladly take the time to answer all the questions you have.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alex_p
Oct 6, 2023
Had a very nice time w... - Had a very nice time w Ray- he was very knowledgeable about the town of Salem and its history. My girlfriend and I were very thankful for his patience with me since my back was hurt. Would 100% recommend him to any of my friends and family.
Review provided by Viator
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