Boston to Salem Witch Trials Historical Tour

Salem, Massachusetts: a quaint, sleepy, Puritan fishing village where nothing exciting happened...until peculiar things began to frighten the otherwise quiet community, and the fear of witches among them drove the village to its breaking point. Known for the infamous 1692 Witch Trials, Salem offers the unique opportunity to dive into the true history of what actually happened in the very setting where these stories took place. Visit eight significant sites and learn about the town's seafaring past as your guide reveals what drove reasonable townsfolk to utter hysteria on this perfectly planned day trip from Boston with a small group of 14 people. Depending on the day of your tour, you'll visit the Salem Witch Museum (Sunday-Thursday tours) or the Real Pirates Museum (Friday & Saturday tours).

Meeting Point

200 Atlantic Ave

200 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02110, USA

Please arrive 30 minutes prior to the start of your tour, your guide will be holding a green Walks sign. This tour meets at City Cruises Boston, GATE 5 - 200 Atlantic Ave, Boston.

What's included:

• Sun-Thurs tours: Entrance to the Salem Witch Museum
• Local English-speaking guide
• Small group of 14 people max
• Fri & Sat tours: Entrance to the Real Pirates Museum
• Round-trip Ferry tickets from Boston-Salem

Not included:

• Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
• Lunch
• Gratuities

What to expect:

Duration: 8 hours, 30 minutes

Salem Ferry

10 Blaney St, Salem, 01970-5603, Massachusetts

Meet your guide and begin your voyage in the same way early settlers did: by boat! Board the Salem Ferry in Boston and enjoy the scenery as you pass the Boston Harbor Islands and head up the coast of the North Shore before docking in Salem in just about an hour. Your roundtrip ferry ticket is included in the cost of your tour.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Salem Witch Museum

19 1/2 Washington Square North, , Salem, 01970-4096, Massachusetts

If your tour is Sunday-Thursday, your experience includes either the Salem Witch Museum (Sunday-Thursday tours) or Real Pirate Museum (Friday & Saturday tours). At the Salem Witch Museum, you'll be transported back to 1692 and experience the history of the Salem Witch Trials. Take away important lessons from how the events played out, meet the key figures who drove the witchcraft panic, and examine how these themes are applicable to modern culture.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Real Pirates Salem

Charlotte Forten Park, 285 Derby St #5, Salem, MA 01970, USA

If your tour is on Friday or Saturday, you'll visit the Real Pirate Museum to explore Salem's maritime past. Originally a fishing village, the town prospered as a major seaport. You'll hear the surprising ways piracy and trade shaped Salem's history—even before and after the Witch Trials.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Salem

Salem, Massachusetts

Retrace the footsteps of Salem’s famous history with a walk through town. As a bustling seaport, the town was home to merchants, sailors, and even pirates. Some of these figures played surprising roles in the town’s history, both before and after the trials.

1 hour

Salem Witch Trials Memorial

24 Liberty St, Off Charter Street, Salem, 01970, Massachusetts

Next, you'll pause for reflection at this powerful memorial honoring the innocent victims of the Witch Trials. Dedicated in 1992—the 300th anniversary of the trials—by Elie Wiesel, the memorial commemorates the 20 victims in their own words, featuring proclamations of innocence taken from the court transcripts. You'll also visit the nearby Burying Point, the final resting place key figures of the trials, as well as notable Salem residents.

15 minutes

Bewitched Statue of Elizabeth Montgomery

Essex and Washington Street, Salem, 01970, Massachusetts

After learning about Salem's dramatic past, you'll switch gears for an exploration of witches in modern pop culture. One can't-miss site is the famous Bewitched Statue, commemorating the famous sitcom, which filmed several episodes in Salem in 1970.

15 minutes

Ropes Mansion and Garden

318 Essex St, Salem, 01970-3257, Massachusetts

Visiting this spot, featured in the Disney movie “Hocus Pocus”, will put a spell on you! Explore the gardens that are open to the public. Please note entrance to the house is not included in this tour. You'll also swing by the First Church of Salem as you begin to wrap up your day of sightseeing.

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

The Witch House at Salem

310 Essex Street, Salem, 01970-3257, Massachusetts

Pause outside the only building still standing with direct ties to the 1692 Salem Witch Trials: the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Salem

Salem, Massachusetts

Before returning to Boston, you'll have free time to do some shopping or grab lunch on your own. Your guide will provide recommendations for the best restaurants and shops to check out.

2 hours

Salem Ferry

10 Blaney St, Salem, 01970-5603, Massachusetts

Board the return ferry for the journey back to Boston. Note: Tours in April, May, & November will return to Boston by MBTA rail instead of the ferry.

1 hour, 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included