Haunted Massachusetts: Salem and Boston

The two cities we cover in Massachusetts

Massachusetts packs two very different haunted cities into one easy trip, a short train ride apart.

Salem

The 1692 witch trials made Salem the most famous dark-history town in America, and the crowds prove it every October. The real story is heavier and stranger than the gift shops suggest, which is exactly why a good guided walk beats wandering the kitsch. Our Salem guide points you to the tours that respect the history.

Boston

Founded by the Puritans in 1630, Boston has nearly four centuries of graveyards, gallows history and revolution woven into a walkable downtown, and its ghost tours double as some of the best history walks in the country. See our Boston guide for the picks.

Questions people ask

What is the most haunted city in Massachusetts?

Salem gets the votes on name recognition, though longtime guides will tell you Boston's burying grounds carry just as much weight with a fraction of the crowds. If you can, do both and decide for yourself.

Is Salem worth visiting for ghost tours?

Yes, with a timing caveat. October is an event unto itself, wall-to-wall and booked out weeks ahead. Visit in September or November and you get the same streets, the same stories and room to hear your guide.

When should you go?

Salem peaks in October and rewards the shoulder months around it. Boston walks run most reliably spring through fall, with winter tours at the mercy of New England weather. Evening starts are standard in both cities.

Round out the itinerary with our other haunted city guides, or come walk with the team that writes them on our Arizona tours in Flagstaff, Tucson and Prescott.