Salem Walking Tour: Explore Historic American Birthplace
4.6
37 Ratings
Salem
Discover why Salem is the true birthplace of the United States of America with the best history tour in the city. Explore over four centuries of Salem’s remarkable history, from the witch trials to its critical role in the American Revolution and the Age of Sail.
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Salem Historical Tours & Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour - Discover why Salem is the true birthplace of the United States of America with the best history tour in the city. Explore over four centuries of Salem’s remarkable history from its illustrious founding in 1626, to its place as a thriving 21st Century city. The witch trials made Salem infamous, but there’s so much more. Explore Salem’s critical role in the American Revolution, how it led the great Age of Sail, and all about the many important and famous people who’ve called Salem home. The United States just wouldn’t be the same without Salem.
  • The Custom House - Listen as your guide weaves together the town’s fascinating past, beginning with its illustrious founding in 1626. Walk past buildings, monuments, and other sites like the US Custom House while you learn about the early colonial struggles of the citizens. Hear harrowing tales of the Salem Witch Trials and the fear that the accusations and executions
    mostly by hanging
    brought to the Puritan village. Continue your tour as your guide narrates the revolutionary industrial growth of the town and modern-day expansions up to recent changes.
What's Included
  • Use of an amplifier for clear audio during the Salem History tour
  • 90-minute Historic Salem Walking Tour
  • Guided by a local and professional expert
  • Stories of Maritime and Revolutionary importance
  • Exploration of historically significant locations unfamiliar to many residents
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off
  • No food and drink offered, but snacks available for purchase
Additional Information

Uncover why Salem is considered the true cradle of the United States of America through our top-rated historical city tour. Traverse through more than 400 years of Salem’s fascinating history, from its notable establishment in 1626 to its prosperous status in the 21st Century. While Salem’s witch trials brought notoriety, the city offers much more than that. Discover Salem’s significant influence in the American Revolution, its leadership during the prominent Age of Sail, and the variety of renowned individuals that have made Salem their residence. Witness the breadth of Salem’s history in our 90 minute journey. We’ll dive into a mix of topics, from the well-known Witchcraft Trials of 1692, the significant Age of Sail, revolutionary narratives, inventors, celebrated visitors, television and films filmed in the location and more. Salem’s significance to the United States simply cannot be overstated.

  • Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
  • Parking available in garages on New Liberty, Bridge, and Congress Streets
  • Parking available in lots at Church Street, Front Street, and Klopp Alley. Metered parking near us. Use Passport Smart Phone App for meters. Bus parking available on New Derby Street and Hawthorne Boulevard.
  • Tour departs at 11:30am. Check in 15-20 minutes before your tour time at Salem Historical Tours office, located at 8 Central Street
  • The City of Salem has rescinded its face mask and proof of vaccination order. You no longer have to show proof of vaccination or wear a face mask to enter our office and gift shop. It is subject to change in the future.
  • Traffic and parking in October can be very difficult. Give yourself extra time to get here and park no matter what your GPS is telling you. Check Salem.org for details on where to park.
  • Our public walking tours can pose challenges for participants with mobility and accessibility concerns. Tours are 90 minutes long and about one mile in length. Each participant must be able to complete the one-mile tour within 90 minutes, providing for frequent stops to view sites and for information from the tour guide. As Salem is a historical city, there are narrow and uneven sidewalks, bricks, cobblestones, and stairs. During events and festivals (and particularly October), with crowds and street vendors, the streets can become difficult to navigate.
Location
8 Central St
Central Street
We are part of the pedestrian walkway downtown at the corner of Essex and Central Streets. We are next to Emporium 32 and across from the New England Dog Biscuit Company. Look for our purple sign.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.6
(37 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Bianca_f
Jan 29, 2024
So glad I did this - So much history! Bob tied everything together so well with such enthusiasm 👏 The town is incredibly interesting
Review provided by Viator
Robyn_m
Nov 11, 2023
Salem historic walking tour - Had an amazing tour of Salem and such an enjoyable experience in the town our guide was helpful and informative to that experience.
Review provided by Viator
Victoria_b
Oct 30, 2023
Great tour - Unfortunatly the day of our tour it rained in buckets. But our tour guide was so fun and knowledgeable about Salem’s history, it made the experience so much better. We got a great overview of the town and learned some great history about Salem.
Review provided by Viator
Joe_f
Oct 28, 2023
Must do history tour of Salem!!! - Amber was great presenter of Salem and we really enjoyed the story of Corwin and the family history. Her knowledge of the history can answer all of questions.
Review provided by Viator
Judy_g
Oct 20, 2023
A good guide makes the difference - Bob had some unique stories and makes places come alive with the telling of tales. We all learned some new things about the area.
Review provided by Viator
Debra_g
Jul 30, 2023
A closer look at Salem - Our tour guide was fun and informative and the sites prompted a nice mix of historical facts, narratives, and lore.
Review provided by Viator
Gayle_c
Jul 26, 2023
Awesome historical. - Great tour. Stosha was very friendly and knowledgeable. Would recommend him to everyone. Great exercise with the walk
Review provided by Viator
Susan_s
Jun 16, 2023
Great time! - Beth was great! Informed and fun to listen to…..had answers for every question. Took us to places no other tour went. .
Review provided by Viator
Debi_s
Nov 3, 2022
Amazing historical tour - This was a wonderful tour. The guide was informative and knowledgeable. This guide had so many great stories about the history of Salem. This tour was an hour and a half, but I could have listened to our guide for another hour. He had so many stories. This is not a witch trial orientated tour, but focused on other history that happened in Salem.
Review provided by Viator
Dkeith
Oct 10, 2023
Reasonably good tour - Took this tour as it was one of the few not focused on witches and the witch trials. Entertaining with good pacing that covered a nice bit of ground in Salem and was never boring. The topic did shift to the trials on occasion but not unduly so. Would have liked a bit more information on the seaport aspect of Salem and its very early history. So reasonable tour overall but could have been better.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today