Walking Tour
Sinister Streets: Witch Trials, Murders & Literary Legends
Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 12—1 pm
Tours run multiple times per day Thursdays-Mondays through November 23
Know before you go
In-person guided tour.
Location: Meet outside at the anchor in front of East India Marine Hall on Essex Street.
$25 Adults (ages 17+)
$23 Seniors (ages 65+)
$18 Students (with school ID), military, veterans, MTA/Teachers
$15 Salem residents, museum members and members’ children ages 6-16 years old
No charge for children 5 years or younger (ticket still required)
Tickets can be purchased at:
- Online at pem.org
- In person at the Admissions desk
Walking tour tickets do not include museum admission.
Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour featuring architectural treasures from PEM’s collection! The only walking tours in Salem that offer entry into historic buildings, PEM’s tours cover five centuries of happenings and characters from Witch City, including the infamous trials of 1692.
Sinister Streets: Witch Trials, Murders and Literary Legends starts by painting the picture of life in 1692 by examining the Ward House, which stood within sight of the hangings on Gallows Hill, and within earshot of the cries of the accused from the Salem jail. Winding through more dark secrets from the city’s past, it finishes by following the steps of a notorious murderer into the Gardner-Pingree House. The killing of Joseph White gripped Salem and the country in 1830 with its brawling brothers, custom-built murder weapons, conspiring family members and a body that was autopsied three times. Follow PEM’s expert guides into the room where it happened – if you dare!
This is an indoor/outdoor tour. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. We’ll see you rain or shine!
This tour involves walking around 0.5 miles, standing on hard surfaces and the use of stairs. Historic structures are not ADA accessible. Strollers may be used on the tours, but may not be brought into any of the historic structures. Historic houses may include areas of low lighting and uneven surfaces. Assisted listening devices are available, and tour guides will use microphones.
You can also follow our expert guides on Brick by Brick: Salem's Hidden Architectural Stories for an in-depth look at architecture across downtown Salem, from a millionaire’s mansion to a working-class sailor’s house.
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