Did you know that Salem's name has a meaning that contradicts its reputation? The 17th-century settlers decided to name the town Salem, after Shalom, the Hebrew word for peace and harmony.
If only the residents of Salem knew what the future had in store for them. A small girl feeling sick would lead to some of early America’s darkest times. The girl’s fits, convulsions and babbling, incoherent sentences, would confuse and worry local doctors. This would have deadly consiquences. It was not until other young women started experiencing the same symptoms that the town council started to worry. The unanimous culprit of these symptoms… witchcraft.
The diagnosis spread fear and sparked a Puritan inquisition that filled a prison with innocent people, and shattered the lives of 25 people and their families. This small town with one of the most infamous reputations in the country has shifted from trying to hide its dark past to accepting and embracing it, and in the process becoming a top tourist destination for history buffs, seafood lovers, and those infatuated by the stories of witchcraft!
"What a fun way to deep dive into the nitty gritty of Salem's past- I had a blast!"
Salem is famous for the 1692 Witch Trials, but most history books are silent about the details of the years immediately after. Few know the what the rest of the community went through to first try and erase the dark stain on their past while still trying to survive life in a colonial settlement. Uncover rarely-told stories of how Salem handled the aftermath of its horrific deeds on this tell-all walking tour which highlights the infamous untold stories and dark secrets of Salem's tragic history and rebirth.
Our walking tour takes you through 1.5 miles of Salem real estate, where you will visit different sites connected to Salem's haunted past, amongst them:
We will stop at each historic site and learn the thrilling history behind this enigmatic city. With a city full of so much history and so many secret stories beneath the surface, there is so much more than just witchcraft waiting to be uncovered.
Our Dark Secrets of Salem tour takes you through all the unbelievable details of Salem's sordid past as your expert local guide leads you through iconic, can't-miss destinations and reveals the true history of the Witch City that will be as unforgettable as it is entertaining!
"History is not a burden on the memory but an illumination of the soul."
- John Dahlberg-Acton
Meeting point address: Outside Salem Five Savings Bank, 210 Essex St, Salem, MA
Duration: Approximately 2 hours
Parking: We recommend parking near 210 Essex Street. To see options, click below.
Use parkme.com for more parking locations.
Samantha Hoyt
Verified Customer
September 25th 2023
"Tour guide, though new, was able to share a bit of history with some new haunted stories. Lovely tim ... "
Michelle Janicek
Verified Customer
September 24th 2023
"We were fortunate to have John all to ourselves! The tour was so good , informative and off the bea ... "
Please arrive to the designated meeting location before your tour’s start time, or they may leave without you! Your email confirmation will verify map and meeting location.
No need to print anything out. Just show up, and the tour guide will mark you present! Please save your email confirmation handy on your phone for reference.
Press “book now” to view current time and date availability.
Looking for a private or large group tour? Contact us for details
This tour is a walking tour.