Salem Witch Trials Tour by Ferry from Boston

Summary Description

Explore Salem's witch trials & maritime legends with round-trip ferry from Boston.

Highlights
  • Sun-Thurs tours: Visit the famous Salem Witch Museum.
  • Fri & Sat tours: Visit the fascinating Real Pirates Museum.
  • Learn about the 1692 Witch Trials where it all happened.
  • Honor the legacy at two commemorative spots.
  • Stop for a photo op at pop culture spots.
  • Enjoy free time to explore Salem on your own.
Description

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.

Included / Excluded
  • Sun-Thurs tours: Entrance to the Salem Witch Museum
  • Fri & Sat tours: Entrance to the Real Pirates Museum
  • Round-trip Ferry tickets from Boston-Salem
  • Small group of 14 people max
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
  • Gratuities
  • Lunch
Itinerary

Generated Itinerary

Start

Boston - Salem Ferr

Start Location

Duration: 60 minutes Cruise Boston Harbor towards historic Salem
1

Museum Experience

Intermediate Stop

Duration: 90 minutes Visit Salem Witch or Real Pirates Museum
2

Witch Trials Walk

Intermediate Stop

Duration: 90 minutes Explore Salem’s haunted memorials and graveyards
3

Pop Culture Sights

Intermediate Stop

Duration: 60 minutes See Hocus Pocus sites and Bewitched Statue
End

Free Time in Salem

End Location

Enjoy lunch and shopping before return

Start / End Locations

Start Location: 200 Atlantic Avenue, 200 Atlantic Ave, Boston, US

Start Location Notes: 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, MA 02110 . From Tia's walk towards the water (Marriot on the right, Christopher Columbus park on the left) to Gate 5.

Start Location Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PNzZKT626QEzkuxT6

Important Information
Know Before You Book
  • This tour is in English.
  • This is a walking tour. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
  • This tour can accept wheelchairs/strollers. Please note that sections of this tour cover busy areas of the city & areas with brick/ cobbled roads.
  • Walks / Devour complies with all local government regulations. Please refer to local government guidelines for the most up-to-date information.
  • Sun - Thu tours only: Entrance to the Salem Witch Museum
  • Fri & Sat tours only: Entrance to Real Pirates
  • Lunch is not provided as part of the tour experience; however, there will be free time scheduled for you to enjoy lunch on your own. Your guide will offer recommendations.
  • Tours in April, May, & November will meet at North station and travel to Salem from Boston by MBTA rail instead of the ferry.
Know Before You Go
  • This is a walking tour on various terrains so comfortable walking shoes are a must. Guests should be able to walk at a moderate pace without difficulty.
  • Lunch is not provided as part of the tour experience; however, there will be free time scheduled for you to enjoy lunch on your own. Your guide will offer recommendations.
  • Weather Awareness: Salem summers can be hot and humid. Expect temperatures to rise, especially during midday hours. Dress in lightweight, breathable clothing to stay comfortable.
  • Sun Protection: Don’t forget your sunblock, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat or cap.
  • Hydration: Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout the tour.
  • Tours in April, May, & November will meet at North station and travel to Salem from Boston by MBTA rail instead of the ferry.
  • Sun - Thu tours only: Entrance to the Salem Witch Museum
  • Fri & Sat tours only: Entrance to Real Pirates
Cancellation

Cancellation Cutoff: 24 hours

Cancellation Notes: Cancellations received greater than 24 hours prior to tour commencement are fully refundable. Cancellations received within 24 hours of tour commencement are nonrefundable. Amendment requests are subject to availability and price changes. Late arrivals and no shows are nonrefundable. This is applicable to any tour participant that fails to arrive, or arrives after tour departure.

Options and Pricing

Seasonal pricing for Salem Witches Day Tour valid from Apr 1st until Sep 14th & from Nov 1st until Nov 30th 2025

Seasonal pricing for Salem Witches Day Tour valid from Apr 1st until Sep 14th & from Nov 1st until Nov 30th 2025 RETAIL PRICE
Adult (15 - 99 years) $129.00
Child (2 - 14 years) $129.00
Terms and Conditions

Before you travel, please read the "Know Before You Go" section for essential information, requirements, and possible disruptions regarding your tour.

Additional Information

Before you travel, please read the "Know Before You Go" section for essential information, requirements, and possible disruptions regarding your tour.

Redemption Information

Tickets will be held at the box office

About operator:

Walks (takewalks.com, walksofitaly.com) began over a decade ago (2008, to be exact) in Rome, Italy. We quickly became the premier walking tour company in 7 countries - Italy, Spain, France, the UK, Greece, and Portugal. Our US cities include San Francisco, NYC, Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans.

In 2021, we joined The Hornblower Group (cityexperiences.com) expanding our reach and working alongside this powerhouse travel brand.

Our tour products vary but predominantly we #takewalks, exploring the world by foot - we believe, the best way to get into the heart of a city and its incredible people. From introductory strolls to food tours, day trips, cooking classes, and below the surface, in-depth tours, we have our hand in everything a traveler could want. Oh, and we also like to give our clients exclusive access to the biggest attractions in the world...

Despite the big changes in our brand over the years, our focus has remained simple - to relentlessly create tours with the client experience at the forefront and anchored upon the dedicated, intelligent, and above all, passionate local guides who want to share their cities with you.

Basic Information
  • Duration: 7.5 hours
  • Trip difficulty: Easy
  • Max Group Size: 14
  • Category: Tours & Sightseeing
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