Witch City Walking Tours — Local services in Salem

We did the History and Hauntings tour on August 9, 2024 from 12:30 - 2:30 (ended up completing at 3pm) with Heidi. My cousin and I are local to the area (she actually lives in Derby Square) and we considered this tour first because it literally stops below her apartment windows, but what actually solidified our decision was because the FAQ section of the website stated that we could bring our dogs (with enthusiasm) except into cemeteries which this tour didn’t go to. We were the first to check-in and were immediately met with resistance as Heidi backed away from us stating she was allergic to dogs and that the tour wasn’t recommended for dogs “because we would be walking by other dogs”. We’ve taken our dogs (4 year old Frenchie and 1 year old Aussie Shep) on walking tours from San Fran to Chicago to Toronto all summer and hadn’t had any issues. Luckily since we live right in the square we were able to bring the dogs home but we did actually consider cancelling or changing the reservation but we were already committed so decided to continue on. Heidi mentioned many times that she was new to touring with only 2 months experience and unfortunately it really did show. The tour was dry and slow and took an additional 30 min to complete. She repeatedly stopped in the middle of speaking because of the city noise instead of choosing to use her microphone even though nobody complained about not being able to hear her which didn’t help the pace of the tour. There was an odd moment when emergency vehicles were passing by and she stepped into the middle of a rotary to direct traffic while firefighters yelled for her to move. Upon reading on the site that part of her title is “security” her behavior and demeanor made so much more sense. Heidi did seem like she is very passionate about the history and is clearly well versed, but I think she would benefit greatly from more tour guide training. My rating is not based on Heidi exclusively as she has only been a tour guide for 2 months and surely she deserves the benefit of the doubt. My rating is based on the site saying dogs are welcome on the tour when apparently they are not and especially because after completing the tour, we didn’t find any reason why it would not be recommended for dogs and think they would have enjoyed it far more...

Salem "Hocus Pocus" Movie Locations Tour (31st Anniversary) with "Witch City Tours," was not worth the cost. Download the tour for a self guided tour. it's free. You may be better off paying $20 for a trolly tour of the same thing. Especially if you can't walk 3.5 miles. Very fast pace. There are no bathrooms on the way. If you have any issues with your back, feet, knees, or hips, this is NOT for you. It was unfortunate that my sister bought 4 tickets at $220. Sixteen hours before the tour, my husband and brother-in-law were not able to attend due to a knee injury with my husband. The tour guide manager said she could not give my sister a refund due to the policy. She would give us a voucher for another time. That is very inconvenient for us. We live in Sioux City, Iowa, and California. That was not going to work. My sister had to eat the $110. We both decided to take the tour and leave our husbands behind. The only nice thing I can say about the tour was that our tour guide Mike was very nice and knowledgeable about the history of the town. The houses are gorgeous. This tour was more about the history of the town rather than it being about Hocus Pocus. It did feel like we walked in a few circles. When we finished the tour, we were nowhere near our starting point. Come to find out, we were another 1.7 miles away from the starting point. So needless to say, we either had to call an Uber, which was going to be about a 20 min wait, or walk back. Talk about a doozie! Again, we decided to chief it out and walk back. When we got back to town, our watch said we walked a total of 6.27 miles. I feel bad for saying this, but I wished I wouldn't have been so excited to do this tour for the disappointment we felt after. So if you're reading this, TAKE a TROLLY! Get in your own car and go to the areas yourself. Save your money! Here are a few photos I took on the tour. Have fun 🧙‍♀️ ever way you choose.

#hocuspocus #tour #boston...

If you’re planning a trip to Salem, Massachusetts, taking a tour with Witch City Walking Tours is an absolute must, and if you’re lucky enough to have Sean as your guide, you’re in for an unforgettable experience!

From the moment we started, Sean was simply the best tour guide we could have asked for. His extensive knowledge of Salem’s history and the infamous witch trials was truly impressive. Sean shared fascinating stories and historical facts with such enthusiasm that it felt like we were transported back in time.

What set Sean apart was his incredible ability to engage with everyone in the group. He was personable, approachable, and made sure to involve us all in the experience. A particularly special moment was when he called on my daughter, Emma, to help during the tour. Her eyes lit up with excitement, and it’s a memory we’ll cherish forever.

Sean’s passion for Salem and its history was evident in every word he spoke. He answered all our questions with patience and provided insights that you wouldn’t find in any guidebook. His storytelling skills and interactive approach kept everyone captivated from start to finish.

If you want to truly experience the magic and mystery of Salem, make sure you book a tour with Witch City Walking Tours and ask for Sean. His knowledge, enthusiasm, and engaging personality make him the best tour guide ever. We can’t recommend this tour highly enough – it was the highlight of our trip!

Thank you, Sean, for an amazing and...