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Offered languages
- English
Walk through Salem’s storied streets and discover its tales of witches, early settlers, and maritime history. A friendly guide voice shares stories at each stop, making the past come alive as you walk.
You can start when you want. Pause to peek into old homes, museums, and hidden alleys. Visit The House of the Seven Gables, Salem Witch Trials Memorial, Old Burying Point Cemetery, Salem Harbor, and historic merchant houses. The guide also points out lesser-known buildings and local legends that people often miss.
This tour works without internet. It gives you directions, fun facts, and helpful tips you can use again and again. It stays on your phone forever.
Download the tour, put on your walking shoes, and let the stories guide you through Salem’s haunted past and rich history—on your path, at your own pace.
*Download the Shaka Guide app to access the purchased tours*
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Start your tour at the Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center, located in the heart of downtown Salem. Armory Park is just outside with plenty of seating, and inside you’ll find maritime exhibits, rangers, a gift shop, water, and restrooms. For exact details, please check the app.
Waite & Peirce Gift Shop. This is a historic building and also an information center run by the National Park Service.
Itinerary
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1
Tour starting point. Outside are benches and a park with granite benches. Inside are National Park Service maritime displays and park rangers for info, a gift shop, water for purchase, free restrooms, and benches for sitting.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Turner's Seafood at Lyceum Hall -Salem
This historic building was once a prominent lecture space called Lyceum Hall. Today, it's the home of the well-regarded Turner's Seafood.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Salem Common
Salem Common is the oldest public park in Salem, dating back to 1803. It was a community space before that, and is known as the birthplace of the National Guard.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
The Hawthorne Hotel was established in 1925 and is named after Nathaniel Hawthorne, Salem's most prominent author. The show Bewitched and the film Joy filmed here. The lobby is elegant, and there's a restaurant and gift shop.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
This statue of author Nathaniel Hawthorne stands in a small pocket park in front of the Hawthorne Hotel. Nathaniel was born down the street and is one of Salem's most prominent figures.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Nathaniel Hawthorne's home was originally located near the Hawthorne Hotel, but it was relocated to the grounds of the House of the Seven Gables for preservation and is part of a historical complex. Entry into the home requires admission to the House of the Seven Gables.
Admission ticket free -
6
The House of the Seven Gables is one of the largest timber-framed colonial mansions in North America that still sits on its original foundation. It was built in 1668 for a sea merchant and ship owner named John Turner, and later ended up in the hands of relatives of Nathaniel Hawthorne's. There are a few additional buildings on the grounds, and a garden. You can just go in the gift shop free of charge or pay various options to tour inside the house, or just the grounds and garden.
15 minutes • Admission ticket not included -
7
Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie claims to be the oldest candy company in the United States. It's known for two local candy specialties: the gibralter and the black jack.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
8
The Derby House was once the home of one of Salem's wealthiest sea merchants, Elias Derby. The home is now part of Salem Maritime National Historic Site. You can just look at the front of the house, or walk around the backyard garden.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
9
The Custom House dates back to 1819, when Salem was a maritime powerhouse. Ship captains came to this building to pay duties on the goods they imported. Today, it's part of the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. You can just look at the outside of the building or spend a while exploring both floors inside.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
10
Derby Wharf was constructed in 1762 by sea merchant Elias Derby. It's 2,000 feet long and once held around 20 buildings. Today, there's the Pedrick Store House, the three-masted Friendship of Salem ship, and the Derby Wharf Lightstation at the very end. You can just take a look out on the water or spend time sitting by the water or walking to the lighthouse. The wharf is part of Salem Maritime National Historic Site.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
11
The light station is the only original structure remaining on the wharf. It's a small lighthouse, only 20 feet tall. It dates back to 1871 and has aided navigation in Salem Harbor ever since. To walk all the way to the lighthouse and back takes a minimum of 20 minutes roundtrip
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
12
This building holds a national park gift shop now, but it was once a warehouse for the wharf. You can just look at it from the outside, or enter and shop for souvenirs or park info
15 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Get Started Easily: • Book Your Tour: Receive a confirmation and easy instructions via email. • Download the App: Follow the simple steps in your email. • Redeem the Tour: Use the redeem code in your email to redeem the tour in the app. • Prepare Ahead: Download the tour using strong Wi-Fi.
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Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Get Started Easily: • Book Your Tour: Receive a confirmation and easy instructions via email. • Download the App: Follow the simple steps in your email. • Redeem the Tour: Use the redeem code in your email to redeem the tour in the app. • Prepare Ahead: Download the tour using strong Wi-Fi.
- Begin Your Journey: • Select Your Tour: Go to the My Stuff tab in the Shaka Guide app to launch the tour. • Start the Tour: Select the tour starting point and follow the GPS instructions. • Follow Shaka Guide: Stick to the suggested route and speed for the best experience.
- Why Choose Our Audio Tour: • Cost-Efficient: One tour for the entire vehicle—no per-person fees! • Ultimate Flexibility: Start, pause, and resume on your schedule. • Convenience: Use the tour any day, over multiple days if needed.
- Top Features: • Hands-Free: The tour works automatically - GPS-activated stories, directions, and music play as you drive for a seamless experience. • Works Offline: No need for continuous wifi or data. • Reliable Support: Get help via call, chat, or email.
- Private and Personalized: • Crowd-Free: Enjoy a private tour with just your group. • Customizable Stops: Pick the stops you want and skip the ones you don’t!
- The Ultimate Guided Tour: • Detailed Itinerary: Includes travel tips and recommendations. • Engaging Narration: Captivating stories and history.
- What Our Users Say: • “A fantastic way to explore! Easy to use and very informative.” • “Loved the flexibility to stop and go as we pleased. Highly recommend!”
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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