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Salem Witch Trials Tour: Self-Guided Walk

Tour Details

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Welcome to the salem witch trials tour.

Uncover the truth behind the infamous Salem Witch Trials with this self-guided walking tour of Salem, Massachusetts! This quaint and picturesque town hides a seriously dark history, and you’ll dive deep into that past as you explore these hallowed grounds. Hear how the panic began, get to know the major players in this harrowing tale, and visit grim reminders of this deadly period of history. This walking tour of Salem is the best way to see, explore, and understand this haunting true tale.

About the Tour

This harrowing tour begins at 1 New Liberty St, Salem, MA. From there, you walk to the 1692 Memorial, where the victims of the witch panic are memorialized. Here, you’ll get to know many of the key figures who were swept up by the plague of fear and paid the ultimate price.

Next, you’ll see the Old Burying Point, where many of the trials’ victims and aggressors were laid to rest. As you walk through the gravestones, listen to the tragically heroic tale of Giles Corey, a man who refused to bow to the nightmare overtaking his town and was immortalized in The Crucible .

After that, you’ll pass by some of Salem’s spookiest architecture, including the Joshua Ward House and the Old Town Hall. You’ll also hear of the secret tunnels that run beneath some of these buildings, many of which still exist today!

Continue past the old jailhouse, where innocent people were subjected to cruelty so terrible that some suggest their spirits never really left. By this point, you’re bound to think some of these things look familiar, so it’s time to hear about Hollywood’s many forays into Salem, including hits like Hocus Pocus and Bewitched .

On your way back, you’ll pass by the Witch Museum and hear about how all the madness finally ended. The final stop is Salem Common, where you’ll discover some things you probably didn’t know about the aftermath of the trials.

But your tour doesn’t have to end there! If you want to keep the adventure going, you can continue toward the House of Green Gables. Along the way, you’ll hear all about author Nathaniel Hawthorne and his family’s connection to the witch trials, plus a few extra stories about some 18th-century kidnappings!

The tour also features an additional optional detour to a few more landmarks, like the Witch House, the Ropes Mansion, and Hamilton Hall. There’s no shortage of things to see on this walking tour of Salem, so buckle up your boots (and your Pilgrim hat) and get to walking!

Speak Spanish?

Hola, su recorrido Freedom Trail también está disponible en español.

Looking for a restroom?

Click here for a list of all of the local restrooms.

Important! Do not tour at night!

• This is a daytime-only tour. Do not begin after dusk.
• Cemeteries are off-limits after dusk.
• Use crosswalks and cross only when safe to do so.

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Where to start?

Starting Address: New Liberty St, Salem, MA 01970

How does it work?

• Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
• Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours.
• To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
• The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.

What You'll See

Welcome to salem witch trials.

Your tour of Salem begins just outside the Salem Visitor Center.

Salem Armory: The Bell

Take a closer look at the old armory's historic bell and find out how it connects to a Revolutionary War hero.

Salem Armory: The Arch

Visit the site of the Salem Armory, find out what purpose it once served, and learn what became of it.

Samuel Pickman House

Stop by a historic house which was also the site of a grisly crime... the effects of which some locals swear linger to this very day.

The 1692 Memorial

Pay your respects at a memorial to the innocent victims of the Salem Witch Trials and find out how all the madness began.

Bridget Bishop

Visit the memorial to Bridget Bishop, whose irreverent ways drew the ire of her neighbors.

See the memorial honoring Sarah Good, whose arrest and trial were particularly brutal for more than one reason.

Rebecca Nurse

Learn about Rebecca Nurse and how she went from respected member of the church to accused witch.

George Burroughs

Hear about the trial and execution of one of the few male victims of the Witch Trials.

Revisit the mistakes and heroism of Giles Corey, who was immortalized in the famous play The Crucible.

Old Burying Point

See the burial site of one of the primary perpetrators of the Witch Trials and find out how neighbors could turn against one another so easily.

The Peabody Sisters and the Grimshawe House

Visit a historic home renowned not for any horrors that took place therein, but for the art its one-time residents produced.

Do What Is Right

Step into the shoes of the frightened Salem settlers as you stroll these storied streets.

Old Town Hall

Find out where you might recognize this iconic building from and hear a harrowing tale of why parts of it have been sealed off.

Joshua Ward House

Stop by a house where once sat the home of the sheriff who oversaw most of the hangings during the Witch Trials.

Hollywood in Salem

Uncover Salem's more recent history on the silver screen, including why Hollywood seems to adore this picturesque location.

Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall

Learn why this seemingly unassuming restaurant actually hides a complex history behind its walls.

St Peter's Episcopal Church

Get to know the previous owners of the land on which this church is situated, as well as what they did when accused of witchcraft.

Old Witch Gaol

Visit the corner that once held Salem's infamous and inhumane prison, where accused witches were held.

Old Salem Jail

Stop by a luxury apartment building with unlikely origins as Salem's newer jail. Plus, hear about the jail's most infamous former occupant.

Martha Corey

Hear the tragic tale of Martha Corey, Giles Corey's wife and one of the last victims of the Witch Trials.

Howard Street Cemetery

Pay a visit to Salem's oldest cemetery, believed to be where Giles Corey was killed all those years ago.

Roger Conant & Witch Museum

Admire this impressive sculpture of Salem's founder and pop into the Witch Museum to learn more about Salem's past.

Discover how a few young girls inadvertently kicked off the witch panic in Salem.

Ann Pudeator

Revisit the life and untimely death of Ann Pudeator at the former site of her home.

Aftermath of the Trials

Walk the Salem Common and hear how all the panic and murder of the Witch Trials finally came to an end, as well as what followed in their wake. The tour concludes here, though there are optional stops beyond this one.

Hawthorne Hotel

Stop by the supposedly haunted Hawthorne Hotel if you're feeling brave.

Nathaniel Hawthorne Statue

Snap a selfie beside a statue of one of America's greatest authors and find out how he was connected to the Witch Trials.

Visit a uniquely Salem institution: A funeral home that became a speakeasy!

Mercy Tavern

Check out this upscale pub which was once a grim, unsavory establishment with a terrifying reputation.

Nathaniel Hawthorne's Birthplace

See the home where author Nathaniel Hawthorne was born.

The House of the Seven Gables

Arrive at the House of the Seven Gables, a dour building which inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne's supernatural Gothic novel of the same name.

Preview The Tour

  what were the salem witch trials.

The Salem Witch Trials, also known as the Salem Witch Panic, were a series of bogus trials resulting in the conviction and execution of 20 men and women during the late 1600s. These trials were fueled by a mass panic about witchcraft in the village, despite no concrete evidence ever being presented.

  Who was executed during the Salem Witch Trials?

The 20 victims executed as part of the Salem Witch Trials ranged in age from 30 to 77, and included 14 women and six men. Five others died in prison. One of the most famous victims was Giles Corey, who famously refused to plead guilty to witchcraft and was crushed to death via a torture method known as “pressing.”

  How many people were accused in the Salem Witch Trials?

Over 200 men and women were accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials . Most were able to beat the accusations, but those without social influence or who had angered those in power were not so fortunate.

  How did the Salem Witch Trials end?

The Salem Witch Trials ended as abruptly as they began. When someone accused the wife of Massachusetts Governor William Phips of witchcraft, the governor himself intervened and put an end to the madness. He ordered a halt to the trials, demanded an end to the admission of so-called “spectral evidence,” and brought the nightmare to an abrupt conclusion.

  When did the Salem Witch Trials end?

The Salem Witch Trials ended in October of 1692, the same year they began. Some trials would continue, but this time under the watchful gaze of Governor Phips, and they would result in no further executions.

  How many people died as a result of the Salem Witch Trials?

Official numbers put the total death toll at 25. 19 were executed, five died in jail, and one was tortured to death in an attempt to elicit a confession.

  Can you walk around Salem?

Salem is an excellent town to walk around. The town center is quite compact, having been built well before the invention of the automobile, and there’s plenty to see and do as you stroll through this historic district.

   How do you spend a day in Salem?

The first thing to do during any visit to Salem is to go to the cemetery where the Witch Trial victims are memorialized. After that, perhaps visit the Witch Museum, stop by one of the many cafes for a pick-me-up, and admire the historic architecture. Plus, visit important landmarks like the site of the jail where accused witches were once held. And be sure to end your day at one of Salem’s many excellent restaurants!

  What happened in the aftermath of the Salem Witch Trials?

Five years after the trials , a day of fasting was called to honor the victims. In 1702, the trials were officially declared unlawful, and in 1711 some of the victims’ families received £600 as compensation for their suffering. But it wasn’t until 2001 that the last of the victims were finally exonerated of their supposed crimes.

  Why is Salem, MA important in American history?

Besides the Witch Trials themselves, Salem has huge historical importance as one of the earliest settlements in New England. It was incorporated in 1626 and was at one time the home of Roger Williams, who later went on to found the state of Rhode Island.

  When did the Salem Witch Trials take place?

Salem’s infamous witch trials started in February 1692 and ended quite suddenly in May of the following year.

  How did the Salem Witch Trials begin?

The witch trials of Salem, MA, began in February of 1692. It all started with two young girls: Abigail Williams and Betty Parris. The two children suffered from fits of screaming and convulsions. Nobody knows for sure what the reason for their behavior was; it could have been food poisoning, sleep paralysis, or any number of other psychosomatic disorders. But the pious townsfolk of Salem immediately suspected the devil was involved.

  What caused the Salem Witch Trials?

Modern historians might point to any number of medical conditions, but at the time, there was only one explanation: the girls were possessed by the devil. Nobody can say for sure, but the prevailing theory is that paranoia and mob mentality are to blame.

  Can you visit the site of Salem Witch Trials?

A trip to Salem wouldn’t be complete without taking in its haunted history. A Salem walking tour is the ideal way to experience the witch trials.

  Is Salem worth visiting in October?

One hundred percent yes! Salem, Massachusetts, home to the infamous witch trials of the 17th century, is a spooky place to visit any time of year. But Halloween is when Salem truly comes to life!

  Were the Salem Witch Trial victims burned at the stake?

Despite popular conception, none of the victims of the Salem Witch Trials died by fire. How did they die instead? Mostly by hanging.

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Home » Blog » Do » Take a Self-Guided Audio Tour and Learn about Salem’s Black Heritage

Take a Self-Guided Audio Tour and Learn about Salem’s Black Heritage

A self-guided audio tour focusing on Salem’s African American history is available for download on your mobile device. Sponsored by Voices Against Injustice , the tour makes up one achievement of Salem’s taskforce for confronting racism, who support initiatives towards making the narratives of remarkable African Americans from Salem’s history more accessible to both visitors and locals.

The tour features 24 stops based on the legacies of African Americans throughout history from Tituba during the Salem Witch Trials in 1692 to the present day with contemporary author Stephen Hemingway. The stops along the tour may be completed in any order and in any amount of time. To access the tour, download the UniGuide smartphone app (it’s free!) and select “Salem’s Black Heritage.”

UniGuide provides users with a way to access self-guided tours for free. Consider keeping the app after you finish your tour, as additional Salem materials, as well as over 100 tours from around the country, are also available using the app.

Learn more about Voices Against Injustice and the development of the audio tour here.

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Choose the stop you want to listen to

Examinations of Sarah Good

Trial of George Jacobs Sr.

Valuables cabinet

Turned chair

Salem Stories

Hocus Pocus

Witch Spoons

Wooden poppet

Salem Witch Trials Memorial

Charter Street Cemetery

John Ward House

The Witch House

The Ropes Mansion

The Bewitched Statue

Let's explore

Exploring the Salem Witch Trials

T h e    s a l e m w i t c h    t r i a l s w a l k.

A self-guided walking tour

About the tour

Welcome to a self-guided audio tour about the Salem witch trials, produced by the Peabody Essex Museum. Our museum has the largest collection of original Salem witch trials materials and serves as a leading authority on the tragic events in 1692. More than 300 years after the Salem witch trials, we seek to provide a more complete story of what happened. This curator-led tour takes you inside the galleries and to six key sites in downtown Salem. Start inside the museum. The tour is free with admission.

Capture the historic spirit of America’s most bewitching city by the sea.  Discover Salem Massachusetts’s witchcraft trials, tall ship, literature, beautiful architecture, and connection to Hollywood by choosing from two self-guided walking tours or visit the Hocus Pocus 1993 movie locations with our free mini tour. All three tours give you the freedom to discover Salem’s historical charm and hidden secrets on your schedule and at your pace! Click on the Learn More buttons below for detailed information on Salem’s Grand Tour or The Essence of Salem tour.

Salem's Grand Tour

3 Days of Unlimited Access*

Includes Audio & Photos

*Access begins at midnight on the day you select and expires two consecutive calendar days later at 11:59 pm.

The Essence of Salem

24 hours of Unlimited Access**

**Access begins at midnight on the day you select and expires the same day at 11:59 pm.

It's Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus Locations

Unlimited Access

Info for the 1993 movie 

6 Salem Locations

2 Marblehead Locations

The Salem Witch Trials Walk

Enjoy our self-guided audio walking tour.

Buy museum tickets

It takes you inside the galleries and outside the museum to learn more about the infamous events of 1692. As you view authentic documents and objects and stop at key sites around Salem, PEM curators and experts share a behind-the-scenes perspective of some of the most compelling stories in Salem.

Tour starts in the museum and takes approximately 1 hour. Included with admission and available during regular museum hours.

Please note: A Wi-Fi enabled device is needed and use of earbuds or headphones is recommended. Some of this material is difficult for younger audiences.

The Salem Witch Trials Walk is generously supported by the George S. Parker Fund.

Stay up to date.

iseesalem Podcast Walking Tours.

See Salem from a whole new perspective, Your Own!

Witch Trials Walking Tour

Tour the sites associated with the Salem Witch Hysteria. The location of the jail where the accused were held. Homes and burial sites of those involved with the trials and the memorial dedicated to the victims.

Revolutionary War Audio Tour

Learn about Salem’s role in the Revolutionary War. See the site of the first act of the war. Homes of prominent war officers. Learn how Salem’s privateering played a part.

Salem’s Cemeteries Audio Tour

Explore Salem’s cemeteries!

See Salem From a Whole New Perspective. Your Own!

Salem, Massachusetts. Mostly known for the witch trials of 1692, Salem, MA is a lovely coastal city with a rich history.

Download these walking tour podcasts and enjoy learning about Salem’s history at your pace. You will discover tales of Salem’s famous residents, long nautical history, haunted sites, witch history, and more!

Why iSeeSalem Walking Tours?

• Learn about Salem on your Schedule. No rushing to certain place, at a certain time.
• Beat the Crowds! No crowds, No noise, and you can rewind and play again if you miss something.
• Learn about Salem’s history ANYWHERE. Even from your own home.
• Stop and Start when you wish. Feeling Peckish? Stop for lunch. Tour will begin again when you want.

About iSeeSalem.com Podcast Walking Tours?

iSeeSalem.com walking tours was founded 2008 with the intent of offering Salem’s tourists a new way to learn about the city and its history.

iSeeSalem.com offers downloadable podcast walking tours of some of Salem’s most popular sites.

The podcast walking tour format allows tour takers to participate at their own pace and on their own time.

Salem Walking Tours

Salem cemeteries walking tour, nathanial hawthorne walking tour, revolutionary war walking tour, salem witch trials walking tour.

Copyright 2016 iSeeSalem Inc. All audio and tour info is property of iSeeSalem Inc. Protected by U.S. and international copyright laws.

Self Guided Audio Tour 'Hawthorne's Haunts' Haunted Walking Tour Salem

• Smartphone Guided Haunted Walking tour on the WalknTours app
• Recap tour you can take after taking the in person tour
• You will see the House of the Seven Gables, Hawthorne's historical haunts and the Salem Witch Museum
• You will hear the tales of Hawthorne's life in Salem, MA
• Private self guided audio tour of Salem
• No in person guide, this is a smart phone navigated tour on the WalknTours app
• Nathaniel Hawthorne's Birthplace, 27 Hardy St, Salem, MA 01970, USA Nathaniel was born in Salem in 1804 and the Witch city had a profound impact on his work. Some say old Nathaniel never left Salem, and still walks its streets. And he is not the only ghost cursed to these grounds.
• The House of the Seven Gables, 115 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970, USA Nathaniel Hawthorne spent much of his youth in this house. During that time Suzzanne shared the stories of atrocities committed by their shared ancestors during the Salem Witch trials. Deeply influencing his writing.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travelers can participate
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Salem Witch Museum

Similar experiences

• You'll start at Nathaniel Hawthorne's Birthplace 27 Hardy St, Salem, MA 01970, USA Nathaniel was born in Salem in 1804 and the Witch city had a profound impact on his work. Some say old Nathaniel never left Salem, and still walks its streets. And he is not the only ghost cursed to these grounds. See address & details
• 1 Hawthorne Hotel Stop: 3 minutes See details
• 2 Salem Common Stop: 3 minutes See details Pass by Salem Witch Museum
• 3 St. Peter's-San Pedro Episcopal Church Stop: 3 minutes See details Pass by Gardner-Pingree House
• 4 Bung Hole Liquor Store Salem mass Stop: 3 minutes See details Pass by The Custom House
• 5 Mercy Tavern Stop: 3 minutes See details Pass by Morning Glory Bed & Breakfast
• You'll end at The House of the Seven Gables 115 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970, USA Nathaniel Hawthorne spent much of his youth in this house. During that time Suzzanne shared the stories of atrocities committed by their shared ancestors during the Salem Witch trials. Deeply influencing his writing. See address & details

• KatrinaMS 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Great option! Great way to find the stops. Wish there had been more substance to the facts given. Easy to follow directions. Would recommend. Nice to be in control of where we were going. Easy to stop and explore more along the way. Read more Written March 30, 2024
• Road786769 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Enjoyable experience on the Freedom Trail In Boston for a business trip. Wanted to do the self guided audio tour to fit my schedule. I initially downloaded the Chinese version by mistake. Called the number in the app and Greg quickly sent me another code to fix my error. Enjoyed the content of the tour and discovered some great restaurants that I went back to later in my trip. Will definitely use this service again when I visit a new city! Read more Written February 28, 2024
• kennyleitch 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great way to learn about Boston Great value audio tour. We could go at our own pace, skip or rewind, and had confidence that there was interesting information about all the places we passed along the route. Really simple to download and we now know so much more about Boston than we would have done. Read more Written February 28, 2024
• Crista W 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Perfect way to visit The perfect way to experience the freedom trail. You can stop and start as you visit various sites. The history shared at each location was just right! We loved it so much we did the underground railroad tour and the ghost tour. Read more Written February 28, 2024
• elizabethwV3741DY 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Walking Tour, Thumbs Up! Worth every penny! This is the second city I’ve used this walking tour app. I hope your company gets to all the cities! The Freedom Trail audio was perfect for my 13 year old daughter. We will look for these tours first in every city we visit. Read more Written February 12, 2024
• barbaravM5785ZD 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Very worthwhile! Excellent tour and Greg offered outstanding customer support to help get us started. Visitor’s Center, the starting point, is next to the new Embrace statue. Read more Written December 30, 2023
• Limerick47 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles smartphone walking tour easy to follow smartphone audio tour you can do at your own pace. tour of haunted sites in Salem covered events in last three hundred years. Read more Written November 11, 2023
• O7665HWstephenc 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Own your own pace, great detail and tons of history. Great sites pretty quick trip even though it was an hour or so. Great tour! Better than a group tour bc you go at your own pace and can stop to look at more around you. Tons of fascinating history! Read more Written October 30, 2023
• BiolaCPH 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Boston sightseeing at your own pace. Fantastic way to explore Boston if you're on your own, or in a small group! I did not wish to be dependent on a guided tour, and this was the perfect way for me to see the most important bits, at my own pace. Read more Written October 29, 2023
• Sarah H 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent tour! This tour was great because it allowed us to move at our own pace, in our own group. Narration and directions were fantastic. All the sites were within a very reasonable walking distance, so it was manageable with young teens. It also was the perfect length of time. Long enough to be interesting, not so long that everyone was getting bored. Would highly recommend to anyone! Read more Written October 29, 2023
• Larry K 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Freedom Trail Easy to use. For the most part straightforward instructions. Well worth the purchase. We used it over the course of 2 days Read more Written October 26, 2023
• X3792WXronw 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent tour for the money. For the price, it was a very good and informative walking tour of Salem. We learned a lot and the self-guided app was fairly easy to use. Every now and then we had to pause the narrative and make sure we were at the right location before we restarted it but we figured out how to use the app fairly quickly. Read more Written October 24, 2023
• Barbara P 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Easy Self-Paced Tour We were passing through Salem and we were on a tight schedule. The self guided tour was great! We were able to go at our own pace ( even stopped for a lunch break). The tour included just the right amount of information and was very easy to use! Read more Written October 22, 2023
• garyaZ2502NQ 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Oct 19, 2023 We had a great time the audio was great, the places we went to was very interesting. The whole family had a great time. Read more Written October 20, 2023
• Siobhan G 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Interesting self-guided visit The guide app is well-designed for what it offers. It even gives enough time for a person to get between stops. It would be good to either have another self-guided tour that covers other things in the Salem area. I say this because other guided tours are twice as long as this one was. Read more Written October 19, 2023

More to explore in Salem

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Self Guided Audio Tour 'Hawthorne's Haunts' Haunted Walking Tour Salem provided by WalknTours

• Salem Families

Salem’s Black Heritage Audio Tour

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News & Events

We invite you to follow and support the work of Voices Against Injustice. Join us, and receive announcements of all programs and news of interest regarding the Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice.

Free Audio Tour Highlights Salem’s African American History

Unlike a structured, timed tour, the 24 stories can be listened to in any order, from any location. They range from sites connected with the remarkable Remond family to Captain Luis Emilio of Robert Gould Shaw’s renowned all black 54 th regiment, from Tituba to contemporary author Stephen Hemingway. There are narrations about black mariners, Derby family slaves and the radical abolitionist president of what is today Salem State University (SSU), who lived on Federal Street and adopted two black daughters.

The tour is available through UniGuide, a free smartphone app offering hundreds of audio tours across the United States. To get the app go to uniguide.me and follow the easy instructions. After downloading, choose “Salem’s Black Heritage.”   A companion rack card is available at the Salem Visitor Center. The tour is also featured in Essex National Heritage’s 2017 Trails and Sails program.

The project began as a response to the Black Lives Matter movement, when the SAF established a confronting racism task force, which has since been incorporated into the city’s inclusion committee. One of the original initiatives of that group was to find a way to recognize the contributions of Salem’s African American community. UniGuide, which has produced audio tours for other Salem organizations, offered a no-cost way of publicizing Salem’s black history.

From the beginning, “Salem’s Black Heritage” was a community-wide project involving people from many Salem civic, educational, and non-profit organizations as well as interested private citizens. The logo was derived from a poster created by Salem Academy Charter School (SACS) students and refined through the generosity of George Courage Creative.

“This has been an incredibly rewarding experience, both in terms of the amazing stories we learned and as an exercise in cross-city collaboration,” said Shelby Hypes, the SAF board member who spearheaded the project. “If funds ever become available, we would love to do a website—there’s a wealth of material available.”

The working group included Lori Boudo (Salem State University); Ryan Conary (The House of the Seven Gables); Annie Harris (Essex National Heritage); Shelby Hypes (Salem Award Foundation) Patti Kelleher (City of Salem Planning Department), attorneys and interested citizens Tyson Lynch and Francis Mayo; local historian Jim McAllister; Elizabeth Peterson (The Witch House); Salem Academy Charter School students Ruby Cheresnowsky, Sia-Linda Lebbie, and Kelvin Bencosme; and Maryann Zujewski (Salem Maritime National Historic Site). In addition, the Salem State University History Department helped tremendously. Dr. Donna Seger provided an initial outline; Dr. Bethany Jay and her graduate students reviewed the tour in detail.

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Self-guided Audio Walking Tour of Salem

A walking tour of haunted places in Salem with the help of smartphone

This self-guided audio tour will take you through the haunted streets of Salem to learn about the famous novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne’s life and more. You will download the app on your smartphone and begin the tour at Nathaniel Hawthorne Statue, by pressing play.

You will see the Hawthorne Hotel, Salem Common – haunted by ghost of a band leader, Salem Witch Museum and Saint Peter's Episcopal Church. Passing by the spooky Gardner-Pingree House, your next stop will be Bung Hole Liquor Store Salem mass, once a funeral home, followed by Custom House, and Mercy Tavern.

Afterwards, you will pass by the haunted Morning Glory Bed & Breakfast, before ending the tour at The House of the Seven Gables. Throughout the tour, the music-infused spooky narration, will keep you engaged and informed about the haunted places you are visiting.

What's included

• Recap tour after the in-person tour
• Tales of Hawthorne's life in Salem
• Smartphone guided walking tour on the WalknTours app
• Private audio tour
• House of the Seven Gables, Hawthorne's historical haunts, Salem Witch Museum

What's Not Included

• In-person guide

Accessibility

• Accessible to strollers
• Service animals welcome
• Public transit links nearby

Health & Safety

• Suitable for all fitness levels

Audio-supported languages

Additional information.

One booking will work on two smartphones.

It is recommended to download the tour before visiting.

It is recommended to use headphones or earbuds.

The signal in Salem is weak and if you do not download before hand it will take time to download in Salem using your data.

After unlocking the tour it does not expire and can be taken anytime.

Itinerary information

User ratings, frequently asked questions, how do i book a ticket.

Select a date and time.

Choose the number of tickets.

Click through to the next page and enter your personal details.

After entering your personal details, select your payment method and enter your payment details.

Once you’ve entered your payment details successfully, you'll be redirected to your ticket page where you can check the status and details of your reservations.

You'll receive a confirmation email once the reservation is confirmed with the attraction operator. This could take some time based on the supplier.

You can view your tickets in your confirmation email or the Booking and Trips section of your account.

When do I pay?

Booking.com collects payment on behalf of the attraction operator when you book your ticket.

How do digital tickets work?

Each digital ticket contains a unique code. This is usually a QR or numerical code, but could be something else and can be found on your ticket or the PDF sent to you.

If your digital ticket contains a barcode or QR code, show it to the staff at the attraction's entrance or ticket collection point for them to scan.

For those with numerical codes, show your ticket to staff for verification.

Can I cancel or modify my tickets?

You’ll need to check the policy on the specific ticket you book. Last-minute bookings might not have free cancellation available.

When will I get my free cancellation refund?

After you cancel, we'll issue a full refund immediately. Depending on your bank or payment provider, it can take 3–10 days to be refunded to your original payment method.

Tickets and prices

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