Boston · BOSTON GHOST TOURS
Boston has burying grounds from the 1630s and Salem has 1692, so neither runs short of stories. These 15 ghost walks and trolley nights are compared on start time, how scary they try to be and what they cost.
Follow a licensed Salem guide on a 75-minute evening walk past the Witch Trials Memorial, Old Burying Point Cemetery, Gardner-Pingree House, and Hocus Pocus filming sites. Expect local history, ghost stories, and a lively downtown route. Guides such as Sebastian, Penny, Raymond, and Elaina have led tours.
“Nyxs was amazing loved the tour very informative but also entertaining! Definitely recommend this tour ❤️✨💫”
Spend two hours on a nighttime trolley tour led by a costumed 17th-century gravedigger, with stories of Boston’s notorious figures and stops at Copp’s Hill and Granary burial grounds. See Cotton Mather’s grave and Revolutionary-era tombs. Guides such as Petunia Pickman, Mercy, and Dr. Atticus Nobody bring the history to life, though your guide will vary.
“Don't go in winter! I was freezing! Guide was amazing, funny and very professional . It was a fun experience.”
Walk Salem’s historic center with a licensed guide who combines the 1692 witch trials with tales of voodoo, vampires, and reported hauntings. Stops include the Old Burying Point and the former Witch Dungeon site. Guides such as Dr. Vitka, Mike, and Vin have led tours, though the guide for your date may vary. Bring photos if you’d like help checking them for possible paranormal traces.
“Vin was amazing!! He was very knowledgeable and was a fantastic story teller - especially about his personal experiences and actual pictures from his crew and others that have taken the tour. A must-do in Salem.”
Spend 90 minutes riding a trolley and walking through Copp’s Hill and Granary burying grounds. A costumed guide mixes Boston history, ghost stories, dark humor, and tales of the grave-robbing scandal. The tour starts near Marriott Long Wharf and costs $52 per person.
“I truly enjoyed the tour of the different cemeteries. Truly a unique experience. Highly entertaining guides with wonderfully rich stories. Not to scary for the children either”
Follow a licensed guide through central Salem, from Bridget Bishop’s former home site to the Salem Inn and Ward House, ending at Wicked Good Books. Expect local history, reported hauntings, and time for questions on a one-hour walk. Guides such as Elizabeth, Jon, Erin, and William have been praised for lively storytelling.
“It was wonderful. Very informative and learned a lot of interesting history about the town. Our guide did a really good job explaining each stop on the tour and made it a lot of fun.”
At 8 pm, join a 90-minute, adults-only walk through Salem’s haunted past. Hear ghost stories and local history at the Old Burying Point Cemetery, the Hawthorne Hotel, Rockafellas, and Lyceum Hall, with guides such as John, Patrick, Jessica, and Stacey leading different tours. Expect outdoor stops, mature themes, and no entry into private buildings.
“Our tour guide John was extremely knowledgeable about the history of Salem and provided us with so much information I don’t think we would have learned anywhere else on our trip. We were very impressed and felt welcomed on the tour. John definitely exceeded our expectations for a ghost tour of Salem-you will not be disappointed!”
Meet a costumed local guide at 8 Central Street for a 90-minute lantern-lit walk past Salem’s haunted sites, including Old Burying Point Cemetery and the Ropes Mansion garden. Hear ghost stories, murder tales, and historical context, with dark humor along the way. You stay outdoors, and guide assignments vary. Scott, Stash, Bob, and Glenn are among the guides named by past participants.
“The tour was amazing. We were able to explore areas of Salem that we never would have ventured to on our own. Our tour guide was so fun and entertaining while also sharing the history of Salem and its haunting.”
Walk Salem’s haunted streets for 60 to 90 minutes with an English-speaking guide, stopping at places such as Old Town Hall and Old Burying Point Cemetery. Guides have included Sam, Patrick, Elizabeth, Topher, and Evian. Expect local history alongside ghost stories, not a promise of paranormal proof. The tour costs $24 per person.
“Really enjoyed the tour with Danielle. She was very fun to be around”
Meet at East India Square for a 90-minute Salem pub crawl with ghost stories, local hauntings, and planned stops at three bars. Guides have included Jenna, Kristen, Michael, Andy, Bella, and Susan, but assignments vary. Drinks are not included, and busy nights can affect which bars the group can enter.
“Great tour. Good locations. Guide was amazing. Drinks were good. One bar was a little crowded and hard to.get drinks.”
Spend two hours walking Salem with an English-speaking guide, hearing researched ghost stories at eight historic sites and stopping at up to four pubs. Routes may include Mercy Tavern, Rockafellas, Village Tavern, or Opus, depending on season and availability. Drinks cost extra. Guides such as Mason, Andy, Jena, and Bella have led past tours, but your guide is assigned on the day.
“This was the perfect activity to do solo. I met lots of cool people and learned some great info about Salem from the tour guide!”
Spend about 90 minutes walking downtown Salem with a certified guide, passing the Old Salem Gaol, Pickman House, Old Burying Point, Joshua Ward House, and other spooky landmarks. Expect local history mixed with ghost tales and a light, entertaining tone. Guides have included Kat, David, Carrie, Eden, and Trevor. The tour starts and ends at 29 Congress St.
“Really enjoyed this tour. It wasn’t too strenuous, the tour guide was very knowledgeable and I learned a good bit of history about Salem. I also appreciated that this was a local and female owned business.”
At 8 pm, join a guided 90-minute walk from 58 Tremont St to hear ghost lore and Revolutionary-era history at Boston Common, the Old State House, King’s Chapel Burying Ground, and Granary Burying Ground. The cemeteries are viewed from outside their gates. Guides have included Kimmy, Justin, Beth, and Harlan; your guide will vary.
“Fun and informative and the city at night beautiful. Our guide was fun and full of energy and knowledge”
At 8 pm, Ghost City Tours Salem leads a 90-minute walk from Old Town Hall to sites tied to the Witch Trials and local ghost lore. Expect an English-speaking guide, stories about the Witch House, the House of the Seven Gables, Old Town Hall, and the Burying Point, plus tips on ghost hunting. Stops and group size can vary.
“The guide was great. Tons of info. The group was small which made it even more amazing. We saw no ghost but know where to look now.”
Start at 8 pm at 139 Tremont Street for a guided, one-hour walk through Boston’s haunted lore. Hear stories tied to the Omni Parker House, burial grounds, Boston Common, and other historic sites. The route is on foot, with no motorized transport, and group size can reach 35. Guides have included Rachel, Noel, Amber, Lily, Timbo, and Vlad, though no particular guide is guaranteed.
“Our guide Noel was very friendly, knowledgeable and we really enjoy the tour despite the freezing temperatures! Highly recommended 😄👻”
WalknTours’ self-guided Salem ghost tour uses GPS and prerecorded audio to lead you from Ropes Mansion to the Salem Witch Trials Memorial in about 40 to 50 minutes. Hear stories tied to the Witch House, Salem Inn, Joshua Ward House, and more. Start when it suits you, pause for breaks, and download the app and tour before you arrive.
“Some of the building colors are different as owners changed perhaps , but new paint is not always the color noted. Also if doing with a partner, using the same account and sharing earbuds might eliminate variables heard by each individual, hubby would pause his whole walking and I kept mine going so we would have to wait up or catch up at some locations. My suggestion is if using two accounts, decide in advance to walk while it plays the whole time.”
Pick a trail, a boat or a town up the coast.
