Salem, Massachusetts: a quaint, sleepy, Puritan settlement 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 what drove reasonable townsfolk to utter hysteria on this perfectly planned day trip from Boston.
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.
Start your day of exploring with a visit to the Salem Witch Museum. Be transported back to 1692 and experience the history of the Salem Witch Trials. Take away important lessons from how the events played out and the key figures that drove the witchcraft panic, and examine how these themes are applicable to modern culture.
Once you leave the museum, enjoy some free time to grab lunch on your own in Salem Village, with recommendations from your guide.
After lunch, 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. 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 day with a visit to the First Church in Salem and the Witch House, both of which were significant to the Salem Witch Trials. Stay as long as you like and continue your own exploration of Salem before making your way back to Boston with one more ferry ride.
