Haunted Things to Do in Salem, Massachusetts: Ghost Tours, Witch History & Paranormal Experiences
- Desirae-Haunted Traverse
- Jan 23
- 6 min read
Salem, Massachusetts is one of the most famous haunted destinations in the United States. Known globally for its witch trial history, Salem also draws visitors seeking ghost tours, paranormal encounters, and eerie nighttime experiences that go far beyond its colonial past.
If you’re planning a visit and want to explore Salem’s haunted side, this guide highlights some of the most popular haunted things to do in Salem, Massachusetts: Ghost Tours, Witch History & Paranormal Experiences available — perfect for travelers curious about the unexplained.
Haunted Things to Do in Salem, Massachusetts: Ghost Tours, Witch History & Paranormal Experiences: Best Ghost Tours in Salem, Massachusetts
Salem Ghosts & Witch Trials Walking Tour
This guided, Experience Award winner, walking tour explores Salem’s most haunted, cobblestone streets while diving into the history of the Salem Witch Trials. Ideal for first-time visitors who want a balanced mix of 400 years of history, Salem Witch Trials, and Old Burying Point Cemetery.
Perfect Tour for guests that want a little bit of everything. Cemeteries, Historical Buildings, Lore of the Witch Trials. Nightime tours are go spookier for guests.
Salem Night-Time Ghost Walk
Focused on Salem ghostly tales after dark, this tour visits historic buildings, graveyards, and alleyways associated with paranormal activity. A strong choice for travelers who enjoy atmosphere and storytelling.
A strong choice for travelers who enjoy atmosphere and storytelling.
Salem Ghost and Pub Hopping Tour
This experience blends witchcraft history with reports of lingering spirits, offering insight into Salem’s reputation as both a historical and supernatural hotspot. Plus, the other kinds of spirits imbibed at the best pubs in town.
Best Combination of Salem's best craft made beverages and the paranormal tales.
Mysteries and Murders of Salem Guided Night-Time Walking Tour
Walk the streets of Salem after dark, but be weary of what may be following you. Sometimes, the most terrifying part of Salem is not the days of the witch trials, but the murders and mayhem that have unfolded since.
No Salem Witch Trials Subjects on this Tour. Perfect for guests that want to explore topics outside of the Salem Witch Trials.
Helpful Tip! If you’re planning a trip to Salem in the fall and holidays, booking tours in advance helps secure availability — especially during peak travel seasons.
Haunted Places You Can Visit in Salem
Bewitched Statue- A bronze statue honoring television's most famous practitioner.
Salem Witch Trials Memorial – Gather your sisters, and visit a solemn site often associated with lingering emotional energy from an unjust persecution of woman accused of witchcraft.
Old Burying Point Cemetery – One of Salem’s oldest cemeteries, frequently included in ghost tours.
The Witch House – The only remaining structure (1692) directly tied to the Witch Trials.
Essex Street & Historic Downtown – A hotspot for reported paranormal activity deeply rooted in the witch trials. The Witch House is located on this street.
Salem Inn- Stay a night at this haunted Inn and Katherine, a spirit known to haunt the halls along side a cat and a little boy. If you stay here, please let me know in the comments if you experienced a paranormal happening during your stay.
Helpful Tip! If you’re planning a trip to Savannah Georgia spring-fall, the humidity can get high. Be sure to pack an easily refillable water canister that is easy to lug about.
Planning a Haunted Visit to Salem
Ghost tours in Salem are extremely popular, especially during fall and October. Booking tours in advance is highly recommended to secure availability during peak seasons. Tours touching on the topic of the Salem Witch Trials will be easy to find, but spread your wings and explore some off the beaten path experiences. Here are some unique recommendations.
Broom Making Workshop
A fun, hands-on broom making experience. Channel your inner witch designing your own broom with materials provided. Then you can take that magic home!
Hocus Pocus Tour
Disney's Hocus Pocus filming locations in Salem are explored on this must-do iconic walking tour.
Explore More Than the Tours
For those drawn to witch history, paranormal symbolism, and spiritual meaning, I create art and tools inspired by the unseen in my Haunted Traverse shop.
Paranormal Exploration Through Haunted Cemeteries
Salem's cemeteries are a looking glass into colonial New England 400 years into its pass.
Charter Street Cemetery is the oldest European burial ground in Salem and among the oldest in the United States.
Old Burial Hill is a historic cemetery founded in 1638 that contains Puritan gravestones from as early as the 1600s as well as Wilmot Redd, victim of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials.
Broad Street Cemetery is the second oldest cemetery in Salem. It opened in 1655, and is the final resting place of two notable Corwins. The first, a judge that sat over the witchcraft trials, Judge Jonathan Corwin. The second, the Judge's nephew, George Corwin, who was the High Sheriff during the witchcraft trials.
Paranormal Experiences Beyond Tours and Cemeteries
For those who want to go beyond walking tours and Cemeteries, explore the paranormal in a more immersive way, Salem offers several unique experiences.
Gallows Hill (Salem): Known as the site where 19 people were hanged during the witch trials, with reports of spectral trees.
Mercy Tavern (Salem): Known for reports of ghostly pirates and bootleggers in its underground tunnels.
Turner's Seafood at Lyceum Hall (Salem): Built on the site of Bridget Bishop’s orchard, one of the first victims of the witch trials.
The Joshua Ward House (Salem): Renowned for the spirit of Sheriff George "The Strangler" Corwin.
Danvers State Hospital (Danvers, MA): A famously haunted, former psychiatric hospital.
Tips for Enjoying Haunted Attractions in Salem
Book in Advance
Popular tours and experiences fill up quickly, especially during Halloween season. If you love crowds, this is the best time to go. If not, try for the off season in November or Spring. Reserve your spot early to avoid disappointment.
Dress for the Weather/Stay Hydrated
Salem is located near the eastern seaboard and can get chilly and wet depending on the time of the year. September will have crowds but perfect New England Fall Season weather too.
Respect the Locations
Many haunted sites are private properties or active cemeteries. Follow all rules and guidelines provided by tour operators to preserve these historic places.
Bring a Camera and Helpful Items
You never know when you might capture something unusual. Some visitors report strange orbs or shadows in their photos. A good pair of walking shoes, comfortable clothing appropriate for a cool night or hot afternoon. Sunglasses and a way to secure your valuable belongings.
Stay Open-Minded
Paranormal experiences can be unpredictable. As a ghost tour guide, my heart drops when my guests say they are here for me to show them a ghost. I pack a full tour full of information. My hope is that my guests experience something strange and unusual -other than myself- but my spirits are not on my payroll. Ghosts choose when and how they will appear. So, whether you believe in ghosts or not, enjoy the stories and atmosphere for a memorable adventure.
Conclusion: Why Salem Stands Out for Haunted Adventures
Where to start! Salem is the the must do location for any witch, natural practioner, or paranormal enthusiast and let's not forget the history lovers. The cobblestone streets weave through a community that cherishes its history lest they forget. Visitors have the perfect combination of carefully preserved historic landmarks and the lore to live up to it. Enough supernatural atmosphere to sink into a paranormal history 400 years in the making.
Safe and spirited travels, my Dear Readers. ~Dez
More Haunted Destinations to Explore
Haunted travel doesn’t stop here. I’m continuing to explore some of the most paranormally active destinations across the U.S., including Savannah, Salem, Charleston, and beyond.
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Let's explore more if you have time!
I explore the emotional and personal side of haunted travel and spiritual curiosity in my Substack reflections. Substack Here.
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For those drawn to paranormal symbolism and spiritual meaning, I create art and tools inspired by the unseen in my Haunted Traverse shop.
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