Salem Walking Tour: Dark History & Murder
4.7
242 Ratings
Salem
Explore Salem's dark history on a 90-min evening tour. Discover pirates, murders, curses, and ghost stories. Join us and uncover secrets better than fiction.
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • This marks the assembly point for the tour and the setting for our initial tale. The edifice situated here is a historic landmark where Harry Houdini staged an audacious escape from the Salem Jail in 1906.
  • A site of historical significance. Tracing its origins back to 1637, this is Salem’s earliest known burial ground. We will delve into narratives of the notorious deceased, arachnids, and misplaced cadavers.
  • A location steeped in history. This spot bore witness to one of America’s most notorious homicides. In 1830, Captain White was assassinated while asleep here, an incident that created ripples of shock across the country and persists in collective memory.
  • A place imbued with history. Our narrative unfolds near the hallowed site where the Old ‘Witch Gaol’ once housed individuals, an experience equated to earthly purgatory. In the vicinity lies the unrecognized location where Giles Corey was barbarically tortured to death in 1692.
  • While the building is a historic attraction itself, it also served as a shooting location for the much-loved 1993 Halloween movie, Hocus Pocus. Can you guess which scenes were shot here?
  • A location with a rich historical backdrop. Seen as one of the eeriest sites in Salem, it once hosted George Washington. Yet it’s the ground upon which the existing building stands that piques historical and supernatural curiosity.
What's Included
  • 90-Minute Dark History & Murder Night-Time Stories of Salem Walking Tour
  • All tours are led by professional storytellers
  • All guides are licensed by the city of Salem
  • Stopping at the oldest cemetery in Salem, a Hocus Pocus filming location, and a haunted hotel
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Often, when Salem is mentioned, it instantly evokes images of Witches, Halloween, ghosts, and eerie fun. However, there’s much more hidden beneath the surface. With a history spanning nearly 400 years, Salem has its own share of dark secrets. Full of tales that have stood the test of time, join us for a 90-minute evening excursion on foot as we journey through its darkness. You’ll hear accounts about pirates and pepper, secrets hiding in Salem’s oldest graveyard, harsh murders, weird legal combats, curses, spiders, punishment, and along with that, a few ghost tales. We cordially invite you to become part of our narrative and discover why real history outshines the tales of make-belief. Remember, all our guides are officially licensed by the City of Salem and are professional narrators.

Location
Houdini Way
Next to 15 Front St, across from the store Nocturne. (Look for the ginger in the hat) -use google maps for directions.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(242 Ratings)
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Jonathonbenjamin8
Jul 1, 2024
Amazing Tour/Tour Guide! - Went on a tour with Jeffery on June 30th. His tour led us all around Salem reveling many stories and secrets of the witch city. He spent time answering questions and making sure everyone on the tour had a great time. Looking forward to coming back to Salem to go on another tour! If you are looking for a tour to take while in Salem this should be on your list!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tena_h
Jun 22, 2024
Intimate and educational Salem tour - Great and knowledgeable tour guide. Even though it was sprinkling he kept going. Every engaging commentary. This isn’t one of the bigger, Commerical tours - so you had lots of time to ask questions and make jokes. ;)
Review provided by Viator
Helenpd6291zx
May 27, 2024
Amazing Tour - This was a brilliant tour, Jeffrey the tour guide was so informative, knowledgeable and made the whole experience so much fun. I would highly recommend taking this tour if you are interested in the darker side of Salem.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
586shannonc
Nov 13, 2023
Customer Service - Customer service was amazing. We had to cancel duo to a family emergency. Customer service was polite and my credit was returned fast.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lauren_l
Nov 13, 2023
Amazing and Unsettling! - Our guide Jeff was knowledgeable, entertaining, and truly made this one of the most educational and fun walking tours we have been on (our group of seven are no strangers to Salem and have been on nearly every tour available). We learned a great deal about Salem's murderous history, some hauntings, and plenty of dry humor to go around. Thanks Jeff!
Review provided by Viator
Richard_d
Nov 13, 2023
Great History Tour - Had a great time with my family during this tour (teen & under 10 year old). Our guide was great! We have done other tours & this was our fav!
Review provided by Viator
Jeremy_s
Nov 5, 2023
Fun and worthwhile - Tour guide was charming and engaging, spots and stories were different from other tours we've been on, and sound system was excellent- first time I've ever been able to hear everything the tour guide said.
Review provided by Viator
Laura
Nov 4, 2023
Better than fiction - Super entertaining and educational! Caroline shared information in a unique way, so it really brought the history to life.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tommin582
Nov 1, 2023
Weird tales from Salem - Jeffrey’s humorous yet entertaining one and a half hour tour told several intriguing stories from Harry Houndini to poor Captain White (which begs to be a Scorsese movie). Highly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tiffanyat1442ej
Nov 12, 2023
Informative - Tour was interesting, host was knowledgeable. We walked a lot and it was cold. It was 1.5 hours total.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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1 Adult
July 2024
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