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).
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.
Depending on the day of your tour, 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.
Meanwhile, at the Real Pirate Museum, you'll 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.
Throughout the day, you'll also retrace the footsteps of Salem’s famous history with a walk through town. Honor the innocent victims at the Salem Witch Trial Memorial, hear of the lasting impact the Witch Trials left on the town, and learn how the present-day community continues to respect its legacy. 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. Moving onto the Burying Point, your small group will visit the final resting place of notable Salem residents and some important figures from the Witch Trials.
Now that you’ve learned about the history, time to turn your attention to modern times and discover some seemingly out-of-place marks left behind by popular culture. Enjoy curious storefronts, historic homes, and more as you roam Salem’s streets. Take some photos at the Bewitched Statue, and then walk up a historic street to the setting of Hocus Pocus: Ropes Mansion. Wrap up your guided tour with a visit to the First Church in Salem and the Witch House, both of which were significant to the Salem Witch Trials.
After your guided stroll through Salem, you'll have some free time to grab lunch and go shopping on your own before returning to Boston.
Please Note: On Halloween, October 31st, we will visit the Salem Witch Museum instead of the Real Pirates Museum.
