Salem Witch Trials: Insightful Boston Day Tour

Uncover the dark history of the Salem Witch Trials on a day trip from Boston. Explore the sites where the hysteria unfolded and learn about the events that drove a quiet community to the brink of madness.

Duration: 8 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Salem Ferry - Begin your adventure just like the early settlers did: by boat! Embark on the Salem Ferry in Boston and enjoy the picturesque views as you pass the Boston Harbor Islands, heading up the North Shore coast before arriving in Salem in about an hour. Your roundtrip ferry ticket is included in the tour price.
  • Salem Witch Museum - For…
What's Included
  • Entrance to the Salem Witch Museum (Sun-Thurs tours)
  • Entrance to the Real Pirates Museum (Fri & Sat tours)
  • Local English-speaking guide
  • Small group of 14 people max
  • Round-trip Ferry tickets from Boston-Salem
What's Not Included
  • Hotel Pick-up/Drop-off
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Salem, Massachusetts, once a peaceful Puritan fishing village, became the center of attention when unusual events began to unsettle the calm community, leading to a widespread fear of witches. Renowned for the notorious 1692 Witch Trials, Salem provides a rare chance to explore the authentic history in the very location where these events unfolded….

Location
200 Atlantic Ave
Atlantic Avenue
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.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(136 Ratings)
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Brian_b
Jun 6, 2025
Elizabeth was the best guide - My tour started on the dock where Stephanie was sitting on the bench. Total unfriendly not inviting zero hospitality. When I greater to ask if she wasn't was with the Salem tour because I noticed she was wearing green lanyard not holding up a green sign as the instruction said she would be she said yes ask my name. she explained that I was with the elizabeth. How would be a long soon. Then she told me about her being. A maratime specialist in pirates. I guess she thought I would care because I was from Florida were she gave speech. She seemed very bothered by the fact she was greeting the other guides guest. Our guide Elizabeth was great. .she gave us tons on information about Salem. The witch trails. Local shops and restaurants. Stephanie at one point walk right thru our group as we stood on the sidewalk being talk to be our guide. Very rudly saying excuse me and cutting right thru our group as Elizabeth talked. I think she was probably upset because Elizabeth had to call her to ask her where she was when her people were standing outside the witch museum wondering where their guide was. Again, Elizabeth did an amazing job. She met us back at the ferry at the end of the tour after we had our lunch and just like she told us she would pretty sure. I never saw Stephanie on that boat going back but I imagine she went home early again. Elizabeth went out of her way to make sure we had a great experience. Had I been in Stephanie's group I probably would have left after the way she acted on the dock in the morning.. Just not a friendly person.
Review provided by Viator
Robin_w
Jun 3, 2025
Elizabeth our tour guide... - Elizabeth our tour guide was amazing! Very personable and knowledgeable about the area and history. Would recommend
Review provided by Viator
Scott_b
May 31, 2025
The guide Elizabeth was... - Our guide Elizabeth was very knowledgeable and willing to adjust the tour to cater to our small group needs. Her insight and interesting details about the buildings and people that lived there and the period enhanced the experience.
Review provided by Viator
Melissa_r
Dec 16, 2024
Great tour! - Fantastic tour, our guide Elizabeth was so knowledgeable and friendly. Thanks to the structure of the tour and our incredible guide, we were able to see a lot of Salem. Elizabeth’s knowledge of history and the area was outstanding and we were so thankful for such an amazing guide!
Review provided by Viator
Janet_s
Jun 8, 2025
Interesting to know the full history - Very interesting to know the whole history of what happened. The museum was very good and reccomend a visit.
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Snow
Jun 7, 2025
All day trip. If you want... - All day trip. If you want to have time to truly explore everything you may want to also go back on a self guided tour another day.
Review provided by Viator
Sarah_r
Jun 7, 2025
A little not what was expected but AMAZING guide - We absolutely loved our tour guide. Stephanie was so knowledgeable and kind and she went out of her way to make sure we truly understood the history of Salem. Everyone should be so lucky to have her as their guide! We were surprised, though, that the tour of the he pirate museum and the return to the ferry was solo, and by the time we figured out where to have lunch, we ended up not having time for the pirate museum, so in that regard, this ended up being a very expensive tour. But the overall experience was good and our guide was fantastic
Review provided by Viator
V8515qnjennifers
Jun 3, 2025
Paying for convenience - Expensive but convenient to avoid separate bookings for the activities. The info shared by the ferry captain was interesting. The ride was easy. The actual walking tour was hard to hear and if you struggle with a brisk pace (we didn't but others did), you're missing things. Most of the landmarks have QR codes that will provide info for a self-guided tour. The witch museum is interesting. It's definitely not for young children as it's a little creepy and the performance part is in the dark. We didn't get to see the pirate museum but maybe could have if had done my own bookings rather than a guided tour. Had an excellent lunch at Rockafella's when we were done. Shopped at the candy company and hopped back on the ferry.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Audrey_m
May 29, 2025
Do it on your own! - One can actually do that alone: organize the ferry and go to the museums. The guide was not really into it. So I really enjoyed Salem, but it is just because it is a nice little coastal town with lots of history and beautiful buildings.
Review provided by Viator
Cathy_b
Jun 10, 2025
I would take ferry ride to Salem but would do self guided tour - Do not take tour if it is raining. Our tour guide just kept walking and it kept raining harder. Would just stop and talk on and on show pics and then say will tell you more when we get to it.
Review provided by Viator
From $129
up to 14 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).