1692 Salem History Tour
Discover the truly shocking history on one of Salem’s top-rated history tours. Our 1692 Salem Walking Tour takes you back in time to uncover what happened during the Salem Witch Trials. Walk the path of fear and superstition that sparked the most infamous chapter in American History. This is no Ghost story. It’s an eye-opening and truly shocking story of the real events that unfolded in 1692 Salem.
Learn what we believe led to a group of young girls accusing over 200 people of witchcraft. Hear the true stories of the 19 victims who were hanged and the one man who was pressed to death under heavy stones. Based on 30 years of research into historic 17th-century records, firsthand accounts, and court documents, this tour offers the most accurate retelling of the events that occurred 333 years ago.
Experience History on the 1692 Salem Walking Tour
Duration and Walking Distance
This walk through Witch City spans 2 hours and covers just under 2 miles, offering a leisurely pace that allows you to fully absorb Salem’s rich history and haunting beauty. We’ve meticulously planned the route to ensure accessibility for most fitness levels, enabling everyone to participate in this eye-opening historical experience.
Stops on the 1692 Salem History Tour
The Witch House
Built in 1675, this was the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, one of the magistrates who examined the accused during the Salem Witch Trials. Today, it stands as the only surviving building in Salem with a direct, documented connection to the events of 1692.
The Ropes Mansion
Built around 1727, this house was home to three generations of the Ropes family. Today, visitors often recognize it as Allison’s house from the movie Hocus Pocus, blending centuries of real Salem history with modern pop-culture charm.
Salem's First Church
Founded by Puritan settlers in 1629, this congregation is one of the oldest in America. The building you see today is Salem’s second Meeting House, constructed in 1836.
The Samantha Statue
Gifted to the city in 2005 by TV Land, this bronze statue of Elizabeth Montgomery honors the beloved 1960s sitcom Bewitched. The show filmed several of its episodes in Salem during its seventh season in 1970, leaving a whimsical pop-culture mark on the city’s historic landscape.
Howard Street Cemetery
Established in 1801 next to the old Salem Jail, this is Salem’s fourth-oldest burying ground. It is famously associated with the ghost of Giles Corey—though Corey himself is not buried here. This area is where he was pressed to death beneath heavy stones in 1692, a tragic event that has become one of the most haunting stories of the witch trials. The cemetery is also the final resting place of numerous Revolutionary War soldiers and prominent sea captains, adding layers of history to this solemn site.
Saint Peters Church
Founded in 1733 on land donated by accused witch Philip English, this church carries a powerful connection to Salem’s past. Its bell tower houses Salem’s oldest surviving bell, cast in 1740. The grounds were once an early burying place, and many of the original headstones were later moved to the front of the church, preserving a visible reminder of the site’s long and layered history.
Witch Trial Memorial
Dedicated in 1992, this memorial honors the 20 innocent victims of the Salem Witch Trials. It features three granite walls with stone benches, each inscribed with a victim’s name, execution date, and the method by which they were killed. At the center stand locust trees, believed to be the same type of tree used for the hangings, creating a solemn and reflective space that preserves the memory of those who suffered in 1692.
Charter Street Cemetery
Established in 1637, this historic burying ground is one of the oldest in the United States. It is the final resting place of several notable figures, including Mayflower passenger Richard More; Governor Simon Bradstreet; Witch Trial judges John Hathorne and Bartholomew Gedney; renowned architect Samuel McIntire; and Elias Hasket Derby, one of America’s first millionaires. This cemetery offers a remarkable walk through nearly four centuries of New England history.