Top Ten Ghost Tours in Salem

Posted: 04.09.2025 | Updated: 04.09.2025

There are few towns in the United States with such a renowned haunted history as Salem, Massachusetts. Even those who are not into tales and legends of the macabre have heard about the disturbing history of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.

So, what better place to go when you want to experience the most haunting ghost tours of them all than the town that locals refer to as Witch City?

If you are interested in touring this historic area and want to learn more about Salem’s celebrated and dark history, be sure to check out the tours offered by Salem Ghosts.

What is the Best Ghost Tour in Salem?

Salem is home to many great ghost tours that not only focus on the Salem Witches but also pay attention to other important areas of Salem’s past with daytime tours of historic landmarks, as well as the city’s grand future with tours celebrating causes such as the LGBTQIA+ community. If you’re looking for the one that truly stands above the rest, look no further than Salem Ghosts.

Salem Ghosts

Salem Ghosts is one of the best ghost tours in Witch City because it combines all the fascinating details of the town’s history with some of the most sinister and disturbing tales you will hear during your stay.

The company was founded by a former Marine who wants to preserve the history of America while also giving something back to the community. This ghost tour company is part of the US Ghost Adventures family and provides the same level of high-quality spooky entertainment that the brand is known for.

The tour is designed to give locals and out-of-towners all the exciting details on popular legends as well as the true facts regarding events such as the Salem Witch Trials. It is an ideal tour for anyone who is brave enough to venture into Salem, Massachusetts’s haunting past.

Some of the haunting tales you will hear about while on the extended Salem Ghosts tour include the story of The John Ward House, where a phantom face shows up in the windows, casting an unnerving presence over the town.

You will also learn about the Garner Pinegrace House, where the ghost of a former resident doesn’t appreciate strangers on their property. Any intruders will have to succumb to the wrath of this vengeful spirit.

And no ghost tour of Salem is complete without learning about the Salem Witch Trials. On this tour, you will visit the memorial dedicated to the victims of those accused during the tragic events of 1692. It is said that the spirits of those who were burned alive remain there and will occasionally make themselves known.

Witch City Walking Tours

Walking ghost tours like those offered by Witch City Walking Tours offer a unique opportunity to take a slow and peaceful stroll throughout the town as you learn about the rich history of one of the towns that helped shape colonial America. While you go along on this Historical journey learning about important Salemites and landmarks, you will also be treated to the dark and mysterious tales that have haunted Salem for centuries.

Witch City Walking Tours was founded by the current owner, Beth, in 2014. She started the company as a way to share her love for the culture and history of Salem with others. She is a native of the North Shore area and has spent time traveling all throughout the country.

The company has multiple tours available for their guests to enjoy, including a History and Hauntings of Salem tour that takes a closer look at the unique architecture of the city’s historic homes while offering a glimpse at the lesser-known sights of Salem. They also offer a Mysteries & Murders of Salem tour that provides a much darker perspective of the town’s history, which includes true crime tales of murder and mystery.

Salem Uncovered Historic Walking Tours

Salem Uncovered Historic Walking Tours is a fairly new addition to Witch City ghost tours; they were established in 2020 and originally went by the name of Better Than Fiction Tours. They decided to change their name in 2024, stating on their website, “history is better than fiction; the real fun is uncovering the secrets of the past.”

The company believes in the art of storytelling, and they craft together fascinating tales of Salem’s former residents in a way that is entertaining and intriguing. They offer two different tours, including the 1692: Salem and Witchcraft tour that uncovers the dark details of the Salem Witch Trials. This tour focuses on the religious extremism and political discourse of the time. Their other tour, The Dark History of Salem, offers an intriguing story time that includes a little magic and a lot of mayhem.

Wicked Awesome Tours

The owner of Wicked Awesome Tours, David Mulhern, has a deep appreciation for Salem’s history, which helps to make each tour a fun and unforgettable experience for all. The guides at Wicked Awesome Tours are very enthusiastic about sharing the haunting tales of Salem with their guests. 

You can expect to hear everything from the true tales of the Salem Witch Trials to the spooky secrets of local cemeteries. There are even some fun and lighthearted locations on the trail, including a visit to the town’s Bewitched statue.

If you love ghost stories, enjoy learning about our country’s haunted history, or simply want to learn more about Salem’s past, the guides at Wicked Awesome Tours will provide you with all that and so much more.

The Salem Witch Walk

Known as the town’s only magical tour, the Salem Witch Walk is a fun and thrilling opportunity to learn about the old and mysterious legends of this town. You start off at the oldest witch shop in Salem, the Crow Haven Corner, and then embark on your tour toward the Garden Alley, where you have the chance to take part in a traditional Witches’ Circle dance.

Guests can learn more about modern-day witchcraft while also gaining knowledge of all the witches of Salem’s history. Near the end of the tour, the guides perform a blessing for all those who were lost during the 1692 trials. The company and its staff believe that all the magic they perform is done for the good of all people and for harming none. Three tours are available to participate in each day.

Spellbound Tours

Spellbound Tours was established in 2000 by two experienced ghost investigators. The company is locally owned and operated, offering a combination of real hauntings and real history.

Said to be the original and best ghost tour in Salem, MA, Spellbound Tours provides an experience hosted by Dr. Vitka, the area’s ultimate tour guide. Along with visiting the site of the Salem Witch Trials, guests on the tour have the chance to learn about the history of voodoo in Salem and even hear true tales of modern-day vampires.

The staff at Spellbound Tours encourages their guests to capture any apparitions or strange sightings on camera so they can enjoy the full experience. They have 25 years of experience in the ghost tour industry, and each tour is led by master storytellers who know everything about Salem’s haunted past and are more than willing to answer any questions you may have. Along the way, tour guests will learn about true crime, vampire folklore in Salem and even hear mysterious tales of UFOs.

Salem Night Tour

Salem Night Tour offers several ghost tours that provide their own unique experience for every type of guest. If you would like to explore the town during the holidays, the company offers a special Anti-Valentine’s Tour as well as a Twisted Christmas Tour focusing on tales of broken hearts and winter mysteries.

This top-rated company has more than twenty years of experience in the ghost tour industry. They were featured by the Today Show as one of the World’s Top 10 Ghost Tours and have collected more than 2k 5-star reviews.

Along with tours that focus on the most haunted locations in town, Salem Night Tour offers other varieties of inspirational tours to partake in, including The Salem Rainbow Stroll. This tour celebrates pride and the LGBTQIA+ community, speaking on their history in Salem and throughout New England.

Ghost City Tours

The Requiem for Salem Ghost Tour, offered by Ghost City Tours, is an Adults-Only tour that covers spooky tales containing mature themes and language. This tour delves into many topics that are not family-friendly, allowing guests to explore the darker side of Salem by visiting the most haunted locations in the dead of night. All of their tours are walking tours, and participants must be 16 years of age or older to join. This is also a pet-friendly ghost tour.

Some of the locations you will visit while on this tour include The Burying Point Cemetery, which is known as the most haunted cemetery in Salem. It also has a very strong connection with the Witch Trials.

Another Salem Witch Trials stop on this tour is at The Witch House, which has been rumored to be haunted for centuries. The tour also leads guests to The Hawthorne Hotel, where you can book your stay while in town to enjoy the full haunting experience. This old hotel is known to be haunted by a multitude of ghosts.

Salem Historical Tours

Salem Historical Tours has a little something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you are a history buff or someone who loves a good ghost tale, this company offers the best of both worlds.

They are the original and oldest Salem Ghost tour and have captivated guests with tales of murder, tragic death, and ghostly activity since 1997. Their popular 1692 Witchcraft Walk is a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

But if you would rather go on a tour that strictly covers the non-frightening history of the town, you can check out their Salem 101: General History Tour, where you have the chance to explore four remarkable centuries of the Witch City’s past and how it made a place for itself during the early days of American colonization. Their haunted footsteps ghost tour is especially fun, allowing guests to go along on a lantern-lit walking tour while learning about the city’s authentic past.

Black Cat Tours

Black Cat Tours has been voted one of the Best Ghost Tours in the US for two years in a row by USA Today Readers. This tour company offers a unique adventure that delves into the legacy of Salem and all its haunting secrets. Their guides are professional storytellers and immerse the guests in the fascinating tales of the city’s past.

This ghost tour company is owned and operated by Lara and Daniel Fury. They have around 30 years of combined experience in the industry, working as historic guides. Their areas of expertise include romantic literary figures, pirates, and other areas of maritime history.

On the tours, guests are accompanied by the owner’s feline companions Kaoru and Hikaru. They also have an older cat, Rameses The Great, who is a part of the company but no longer goes on the tours. Their departed black cat Gypsy is no longer with them physically, but rumor has it, you may see her out exploring during your tour.

Haunted Salem

Salem, Massachusetts, is home to tales of unspeakable crimes, murder, mystery, and plenty of horror. There is an abundance of ghost tours available in the area for you to choose from. If you want to experience the best that haunted Salem has to offer, you should check out one, or more, of the ghost tour companies in our Top Ten list, including Salem Ghosts.

Be sure to check out our blog for updates and information on the most haunted locations in Salem and the surrounding areas.

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Sources:

• https://salemghosts.com/
• https://www.witchcitywalkingtours.com
• https://www.salemuncoveredtours.com
• https://www.wickedawesometours.com/
• https://www.crowhavencorner.com/witch-walk
• https://spellboundtours.com
• https://www.salemghosttours.com
• https://ghostcitytours.com/ghost-tours/salem-ghost-tours/requiem-salem-tour/?srsltid=AfmBOopsiZj5MQr0-39Nvj0YrJjFw0Qy2PReij24p9TE7Ifamr9oDJ8_
• https://www.salemhistoricaltours.com/
• https://www.blackcatsalem.com/nighttours