Start Planning!
You’re about to go on an epic adventure with the Haunted Salem: Witch Trials & Ghosts Walking Tour! Here’s what you need to know before you go.
- The tour takes about 1.5 hours, with 12 stops and 24 total audio tracks.
- Starts and ends at the Salem Armory Visitor Center—forms a full loop.
- The walking route follows a single direction and is fully walkable.
- No car needed—Salem is walkable and easily accessible by train or ferry from Boston.
- Ferry operates Memorial Day through October 31—book early in peak season.
- Trains from Boston are available year-round and often faster than driving.
- Avoid driving—traffic and parking in Salem are difficult and expensive.
- October is extremely crowded; book hotels, restaurants, and ferry tickets far in advance.
- Wear supportive walking shoes—cobblestone paths and long walking distances.
- Best time to visit is May–September for ideal weather and smaller crowds.
- Reserve dining ahead on busy nights; walk-ins may not be available.
- To visit interiors like the Ropes Mansion, book tickets in advance (weekends only).
Budgeting and Hours of Operation
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Budget
How much you spend truly depends on what you do along the tour route, but here are some costs:
- Peabody Essex Museum & Essex Street Pedestrial Mall:
- $20 for adults
- $18 for seniors
- $12 for college students
- free for 16 and under
- free for Salem residents
- The Ropes Mansion
- $15 to enter, or $5 to enter if you've already purchased a ticket to the Peabody Essex Museum.
- The Witch House
- $12 per adult
- $10 per senior
- $8 for children ages 6-14
- The Witch Dungeon Museum
- $13 for adults
- $12 for seniors
- $10 for children 4 - 13
- Old Town Hall: $4 per person
Advanced Reservations
The only advanced reservation you’d need to make to reach Salem would be if you want to take the ferry there and back. Click here for the advanced reservations to Salem.
On the tour route itself, no reservations are required. But if you’re considering dining in Salem on a busy evening, you should consider making a reservation.
And if you want to go inside any of the places we’ll see on our tour, you’d need an advanced reservation to see the inside of the Ropes Mansion (which you can only do on weekends in high season).
Hours of Operation
The tour stops have seasonal hours of operation. The site’s facilities and restaurants also have varying hours of operation.
- Salem Armory Visitor Center: Daily 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Peabody Essex Museum & Essex Street Pedestrial Mall: 10 am - 5 pm, closed some weekdays
- The Ropes Mansion:
- Self-guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays with timed entries available.
- Last entry of the day is at 3:15 pm.
- Hamilton Hall: Typically Monday through Friday from 10 am - 2 pm.
- The Witch House:
- Hours vary, but typically 10 am - 5 pm for self-guided tours.
- Off-season, it's only open Thursdays through Sundays Noon - 4 pm, but check before you go.
- The Witch Dungeon Museum: Open daily April 1 - Nov. 30 from 10 am - 5 pm
- Old Town Hall: Currently being renovated so check the website to see when it will be open for visitors. When it is open, it operates on typical city office hours.
- Charter Street Cemetery: Open year-round, but hours vary. In the high season, it's open 10 am - 5 pm daily.
Get Packing!
Here’s our packing list for this tour. It may seem a little long, but remember, what you bring depends on the activities you choose to do for the day.
- Sun protection (sunscreen, hat)
- Comfortable, supportive, broken-in walking shoes
- A phone charging cable for outlets at cafes or hotel lobbies to boost your battery life
- A backup phone battery
- A jacket/layers for cooler or windy days
Best Time to Visit
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The best time to visit Salem is from May through September, when the weather is warm. Summer, unlike most tourist destinations, is not Salem’s busiest season.
Peak Season
October is the most popular month to visit Salem, thanks to its month-long “Haunted Happenings” festival.
Expect big crowds, packed trains, and sold-out ferries—so reserve tickets well in advance.
Parking is tough, and hotels in Salem book quickly, though Boston’s many options are just a 30-minute train ride away.
If you love the spectacle of witches, ghouls, and zombies roaming the streets, October is the perfect time to experience Salem.
Slowest Season
From December through April, Salem enters its slowest season. You can still enjoy Shaka Guide walking tours year-round, but many attractions close or reduce hours in winter.
January and February bring the coldest weather, with ocean winds, icy streets, and snow, making it slippery to get around.
Safety Information
Just be aware of your surroundings, since you’re in a sometimes crowded tourist destination. Dress appropriately to avoid sunburn in the summer and frostbite in the winter.
The gravel path to the lighthouse can be hard on your ankles if you’re not wearing supportive shoes, and black ice in winter can be slippery and make it difficult to walk around.
Additional Need to Know Information
The best way to reach Salem from Boston is by train or ferry—both are affordable and convenient. Skip renting a car; traffic, gas, parking, and rental fees make it costly and slower.
Once in Salem, you won’t need a car. The city is small, walkable, and feels like a quaint town. To go beyond the main sights, hop-on/hop-off trolleys and the low-cost Salem Skipper rideshare are easy options.
With an early start, you can cover all the must-see spots in one day with both Shaka Guide tours, so an overnight stay isn’t necessary.
If you want to explore museums and historic homes, plan for two days and book a hotel in Salem or Boston. The Salem ferry operates from Memorial Day through October 31.
Leave No Trace
While exploring Salem, we encourage you to follow leave-no-trace principles. Embrace the city responsibly with our commitment to preserving its historic charm.
Respect public spaces, minimize your footprint, and create memories, not waste. By following Leave No Trace principles, you help protect Salem’s streets, parks, and landmarks for generations to come.
Take the Haunted Salem with Shaka Guide and explore at your own pace with stories, directions, and must-see stops along the way.
Still planning? Check out our Haunted Salem Itinerary to prep for an epic day.
Need help? Email us anytime at aloha@shakaguide.com!
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