Salem is a city that’s brimming with stories, spooky lore, and unique crafts. It’s a place where history, mystery, and witchcraft come together in a way that makes exploring on your own just the start.
We particularly enjoy interactive experiences like the Witch City Broom Making Workshops — where you can craft your own souvenir— and the Ghosts of Salem Tour, which brings to life Salem’s haunted past. These tours offer hands-on fun and stories that stick with you long after you leave town.
Salem offers a wide range of city tours, whether you’re interested in making something tangible like a witch’s broom or exploring its chilling hauntings. This list highlights some of the best options, balancing creative workshops with spine-tingling ghost stories. From intimate craft classes to longer, spooky excursions, there’s something here to suit different tastes and schedules.
1. Salem, MA: Witch City Broom Making Workshop
At number one, the Salem, MA: Witch City Broom Making Workshop stands out for its combination of creativity and local flavor. For around $135, you spend 1.5 hours learning how to craft your own witches broom, which makes for a memorable keepsake or gift. The experience is highly rated—77 reviews give it a perfect 5/5—highlighting how personal and engaging it is.
The workshop begins with gathering your materials, followed by step-by-step guidance from experienced instructors who will teach you how to assemble a personalized broom. You get to add your own touches—ribbons, trinkets, and decorations—making each broom truly unique. The small group setting ensures plenty of individual attention, which many reviews praise as making the experience special.
This tour is perfect for those who enjoy DIY projects, want a souvenir that’s more meaningful than a typical gift shop item, or simply love hands-on activities.
Bottom line: If you want a creative, fun, and authentic Salem experience that results in a tangible keepsake, this workshop offers excellent value and a chance to learn a new craft.
2. Witch City Broom Making Workshop in Salem
In second place, the Witch City Broom Making Workshop in Salem offers a similarly immersive experience, priced at $134.70 and lasting about an hour. Like the first, it focuses on making a witch’s broom, but with a slightly more streamlined format that appeals to visitors who prefer a quicker, yet still hands-on, activity.
This workshop emphasizes personalization—choosing handles, broomcorn, ribbons, and decorative items. Many participants highlight how the instructors, including Sabrina and Mykaela, make the process relaxed and fun, often sharing stories of Salem’s witch trials and local lore along the way.
The small-group setup, with detailed guidance, ensures you don’t feel rushed, and you leave with a one-of-a-kind Salem souvenir.
The reviews are glowing, with one describing the experience as “SO fun,” and noting how the instructor’s patience and creativity made it memorable.
Bottom line: This tour offers a quick but meaningful craft session, ideal for travelers who want to make something special without a large time commitment. It’s perfect for families, couples, or anyone wanting a hands-on souvenir.
3. Salem: Ghosts of the Witch City Ultimate Extended Tour
For those intrigued by Salem’s darker side, the Ghosts of the Witch City Ultimate Extended Tour offers a two-hour journey into Salem’s haunted past for just $30. This tour dives into stories of witches, bootleggers, and vengeful spirits, making it a great choice for fans of ghost stories and spooky history.
Led by a seasoned guide, this experience takes you to historic sites like the John Ward House and Old Burying Point, uncovering true accounts of ghostly activity and tragic events. You’ll also visit filming locations for popular movies like Hocus Pocus and Bewitched, adding a pop-culture twist to the haunted tales.
The reviews reflect a solid experience, with many visitors appreciating the lively storytelling and the spooky atmosphere.
The tour’s affordability makes it an easy add-on after a day of sightseeing or as a standalone adventure for your evening plans.
Bottom line: Perfect for night owls and paranormal enthusiasts, this tour provides a fun, spooky peek into Salem’s eerie corners. It’s an affordable way to explore Salem’s ghostly legends with a lively guide.
How to Choose the Right Salem Tour
When deciding between these options, consider your budget, interests, and time. If you love DIY and want a creative keepsake, the Witch City Broom Making Workshops are hard to beat. For a quick, personalized craft, the second workshop offers similar fun in less time. If ghost stories are more your thing, the Ghosts of Salem Tour delivers spine-tingling tales and historical intrigue.
Think about your group too—families often enjoy the hands-on broom making, while couples or solo travelers might prefer the ghost tour. Planning ahead is wise; these experiences tend to fill up during peak seasons, so booking early ensures you don’t miss out.
Final Thoughts
Salem’s city tours range from interactive craft workshops to haunting ghost walks, making the city a rich destination for diverse interests. For a memorable keepsake, the broom-making classes stand out, especially if you enjoy creating your own Salem souvenir. Meanwhile, the ghost tour offers a great way to explore Salem’s darker stories and enjoy some spooky fun.
If you have the time and curiosity, combining a broom-making session with a ghost tour can give you a well-rounded Salem experience. Both activities are engaging, reasonably priced, and highly rated, so don’t wait too long—book early to secure your spot in one of Salem’s most memorable adventures.