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Salem Witch Museum

Salem Witch Museum

Salem Witch Museum
3
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Were the Salem witch trials caused by moldy bread? Was anyone burned at the stake? What is a witch cake? Get answers to these questions and more, and immerse yourself in a key piece of American history at the Salem Witch Museum. Life-size stage sets, actors, and narrators recreate the drama of that dark time, while the Witches: Evolving Perceptions exhibit explores the evolution of the witch and the phenomenon of witch-hunting. Same-day tickets are available online; plan ahead for heavy traffic and limited parking during peak seasons in the summer and fall to avoid missing your time slot. – Tripadvisor
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  • Christine
    37 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Disapointed
    I came here about 10 yrs ago with my mother. We enjoyed it. I am hsre now with my husband who has never been to salem. Well we will NOT be visiting this attraction due to the fact you need to buy tickets ahead of time which only go onsale day of at 12;02am each morning meanwhile other same day attractions go on sale 8am. By time i got up today and went on at 7 am they were almost sold out. I am on vacation, sorry not getting up at midnight to go to this non museum that I see hasnt gotton the best of reviews laitly. It is a shame.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 9 October 2023
  • David5259
    London, United Kingdom56 contributions
    2.0 of 5 bubbles
    Just don't.
    So looking forward to it, so disappointed. This is old fashioned, with knackered old mannikins that have been there since the trials themselves. INVEST FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE. 80 people sitting in one big room, with 13 fixed cubicles high above and around you, some you cannot see from your chosen seat unless you are smack in the middle of the room and everyone had to swivel in their seat to see them during the 'presentation', which was opened by a middle aged introducer woman who ummed an aahed without really knowing what she was saying. If you have the faintest knowledge of the Salem witch hysteria you will learn nothing. Second room was overshadowed by the following group's announcer shouting at the top of her voice at her waiting masses such that we could not hear what our recorded presentation was saying. Really unprofessional. Good job it was only $17.50. Eighty people every 15 minutes for hours a day for months on end. Monster cash cow. Just don't. My shoulders are sagging with unfulfilled anticipation! Unfortunately the whole of Salem is a tacky tourist honey trap. Good, cheap and easy train connections from Boston, but trains kept being cancelled.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 10 October 2023
  • D B
    31 contributions
    2.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excited and then disappointed...
    I was excited to take my 11 year old to this. He did learn a lot from the story telling about the Salem Witch trials, but overall this could be so much better. They need some updating. The crowd standing outside to wait to get it made it seem like a "must-see" attraction. But unfortunately was a disappointment.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 15 October 2023
  • Judy Gokey
    83 contributions
    2.0 of 5 bubbles
    MEH
    If you know your Witch Trial History save your money! Museum is NOT what this is. The presentation in the 1st segment is the best thing about it. There is a gift shop you can visit without going into the “museum” for the entrance fee.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 17 October 2023
  • TammyS61
    Knoxville, Tennessee73 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Salem Witch Museum, not much of a museum
    This was disappointing. Not incredibly expensive for 2 of us, but still disappointing and felt a waste of our time and money. We really expected a bit of a museum, not just going into a room, sitting on horrible small round stools while listening to a narrated history, along with illuminating "still shot type displays". Then in the 2nd room, it's another automatic narration of some displays, but here you had to stand. We got way more information in our historical walking tour. The outside of the building is definitely cool to see, but don't have high expectations when you go in. Just our humble review.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 24 October 2023
  • Anna B
    Harrisonville, Missouri30 contributions
    2.0 of 5 bubbles
    Overpriced & Outdated
    The museums mannequins are old and outdated looking and the story is the same as you have heard over and over, nothing new. After finishing your tour, you exit through the gift shop( how convenient). It’s a tight space with lots of souvenirs and actually the best part of the tour if your in to those things. You cannot take ANY photos, something I cannot figure out. It’s nothing but old mannequins. Don’t waste your time or money unless your just very bored. Best thing about it is the looks of the building itself. Tickets must be purchased online, just fyi.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 2 November 2023
  • Libertyman
    Augusta, Maine15 contributions
    2.0 of 5 bubbles
    Ridiculous witch craze continues
    Seriously.This hokey thing is still there? I first saw it when I was about 10. It was ridiculous then and is the same today In fACT I WOULDNT GO IN. The whole witch thing in Salem is out of control That gets the emphasis instead of the maritime and historic heritage that Salem has. This comes from somebody whose ancestors were arrested as witch's at that time
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 24 December 2023
  • Nate080411
    Nashua, New Hampshire1,077 contributions
    2.0 of 5 bubbles
    A dated experience, maybe good for middle school kids
    I left feeling like it was just a dated experience. The staff was all friendly so there are no complaints there. The exhibit is an interesting way to get a high level review of the Salem Witch Trials in under 35 minutes. Maybe not bad for kids, but I wouldn't as an adult spend the money and time on this. There are other ways to learn about the history that I think would be more interesting and engaging. You have to buy your tickets online, you can't buy them in person (you will scan a QR Code if you show up and need tickets). I would recommend if you do go that you buy tickets ahead of time and get there 15 minutes before your time. It's a small place so you won't have much space to wait around if you show up earlier than that any way.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 14 January 2024
  • Rex
    Wellington, New Zealand69 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A very interesting place to visit in Salem
    It was such an interesting place to visit, I personally really liked the displays and the old school sounded audio / narratives Although I was told this was from like the 70s or the 80s and it is seriously dated. Again personally quite liked it. Nice gift shop with a lot of interesting books and souvenirs you can find. I would come back to take someone who hasn’t been there but probably not revisiting them by myself.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 6 February 2024
  • boatfitter
    Fort Myers, Florida26 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Stop in if you need to kill some time.
    It's not really a museum, it's kind of "campy". If you have an hour to kill, it's entertaining. You'll learn about the events leading up to the trials while looking at mannequin's dressed in costumes depicting the times. Wouldn't recommend making this a primary stop while in Salem.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 24 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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3.0
3.0 of 5 bubbles3,966 reviews
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1,137
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traveltheworld012
Rochester, MN17,080 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
What comes to mind when Salem, Massachusetts is mentioned? Witches! of course. Everyone knows about the witch trials. Naturally, when arriving in Salem, most people will want to check out what there is here to learn about that history. The witch trials were real and one can learn about it by what was written down here.
The building that houses this "museum" appears to be an old church. To obtain a ticket for entry, you MUST go online and buy your ticket (sorry if you do not have a smart phone with internet access, no entry for you!) The tickets are $15 each. Then you go to a staff person and they scan your ticket on your phone and your entry time. So for a couple like us you spend $30 to get in ($23 for seniors). NO photos are allowed inside the "museum".

Once inside, after waiting about 30 minutes (they never start the tour on time), we are ushered into a large room. They turn off the lights and the drama begins. Stuffed full sized mannikins are posed all around the room on an upper level in about 15 different dioramas. A voice sounding like Vincent Price booms at you over loud speakers as they highlight each diorama and tell the story. Then you are pushed into another room where they have posters of witches through the centuries up to movies and TV shows. We get another lecture. There is a lot of information covering an entire 25 foot wall, but we are pushed by it quickly without mention of it or enough time to read any of it. After that we are forced into a gift shop full of chintzy crap that isn't worth buying. I don't mean to be so negative, but this is NOT a museum by any stretch of the imagination. Whoever owns this place is raking in a lot of money for a 45 minute show.
Written 18 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Marie L
3 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
This is a timed production you buy tickets to - not a museum where you are free to ponder exhibits at your leisure. The main feature is in a theater where you sit and listen to a pre-recorded narration while viewing displays of scenes from the 1692 Salem witch trials. It is difficult to address all of the nuances of the circumstances that created the frenzy that was the Salem witch trials and this production drops hints as to the cultural forces behind the witch hunt, but it's hard to do a deep dive in such a limited time frame. But if you're looking for a good introduction to the witch trials, this is a good place to start.
Written 30 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kelly
Georgia159 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021 • Friends
If you’re in Salem, you need to visit the Witch Museum. It’s a staple of Salem with the glowing red windows. It is very cheesy with the mannequins and dramatic story telling, but it is informative. I think little kids (under 5) may be afraid of the show.
You can only buy tickets online the day of- I recommend going online early morning to reserve the time slot you want.
Written 18 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gypsy Rose
Buffalo, NY649 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Friends
Tickets in October must be purchase beforehand and go on sale the day before at midnight. At midnight, the day before we wanted to go, we set an alarmed and hopped on the website. You are put into a queue online to purchase tickets. The wait in the online queue at midnight in October is about 30 minutes. Tickets were sold out until 4 o’clock by the time we were able to purchase. But, we managed to get tickets.

The day of we arrived at our tour time and only waited briefly. The staff very friendly and they move things along nicely.

This museum is a “Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean meets Salem Witch Trials” production. It is not a museum. The term museum allows you to think that you will see documents and historical memorabilia relating to the witch trials. This is a repeat of the events that led to the trials. You sit in an open auditorium where narrated scenes depict the happenings that led up to the trials. To note: images may be graphic for young viewers (hangings and scenes that could be viewed as gruesome). Seating around the outside has limited view of what is above you. Sit toward the center of the auditorium if possible.

After the auditorium viewing you are moved to another room to hear a narrated discussion of the trials versus the modern day green witch. Interesting, to say the least and something nice.

You then are let out by way of the gift shop. The gift shop is filled with Hocus Pocus, Harry Potter, and other witchy themed trinkets and what nots.

A good overall experience, but not a museum for those looking for a document, historical type museum.
Written 25 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Fred B
128 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Couples
When I mentioned we might be able to work this into our vacation, wife jumped at the chance.

Got there, found parking...NOTE - download the Passport Parking app, makes it a lot easier. On Sundays, parking is free until noon and ahain after 6p. I needed to add two hours while walking through town and had no issue with the app.

Bought my tickets online and took the tour.

This is not a museum in the traditional sense. There are no artifacts or displays of historic relics. Instead you are ushered into a large auditorium where a prerecorded program plays and using lifesize dioramas, the story of the Salem Witch Hysteria is dramatized in 13 scenes. It does do an excellent job of explaining the timeline, background and final outcomes.

Then you are ushered out a back door into the small bookstore to wait for the second presentation in a second, smaller room which seeks to educate on the wider history of the witch and their evolution through time.

We were a little put out as we had paid 14 bucks a ticket for the chance to read this second room history when we were told the next group needed in and if we were interested we could read the same literature in a book in the bookstore. Not very friendly on their part, wife and I would not have bothered that next group.

This was especially hurtful as they had been extremely helpful up front when I had concerns when my tickets did not come through right away.

Photography is not allowed inside the building so, no pics.

The bookstore did have a large selection of materials to choose from. But we will not revisit.
Written 11 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Fleishum
Gaithersburg, MD154 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2021
Overall a decent experience though I left wanting more. Tickets are only sold online so be sure to check their website prior to going. They start tours frequently which is very accommodating, and the museum itself is very interesting. You start in a theater to listen and watch a presentation set to lights and narration explaining the timeline of events while also giving names to those affected. It was easy to follow, and I appreciate how they really tried to emphasize the human experience, however I would have prefered a documentary or film if I had to sit in the space again. After that the group was split into two groups to allow more spacing in the second presentation room that highlighted other examples of witch trials around the world. I would have liked more time in this room to read all the exhibits though we had to leave to allow the second group to enter.
Written 8 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Matt M
Cape Coral, FL500 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
You can hear the whole story here but it isn't a museum in its true definition. You spend time in a in the round theater type setting where different sets are lit up as you are given the entire witch trial history and the history of witches elsewhere. The scenes are very dated and not animatronic so you are listening to a tape of the story. The second room is too disorganized and too full to even see what they are talking about when they are. This is not very expensive and can give you the whole history or you can take any ghost tour and hear the same story without the 1960 something scenes. Great story in a touristy kind of way!
Written 8 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dana Beyer
South Elgin, IL105 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
Seemed a bit chaotic, but this was an interesting way to experience the history of the Witch Trials.
Firstly, you need to get your tickets on the same day you are going. You could wake up at midnight and get the very first tour (I happen to wake up naturally around 1AM and noticed a few earlier tours were already sold out!) but I don’t think that’s necessary unless you need to have an early tour for some reason. The earliest tour I saw was 9:45am (your tour started at 10am, then.)

Everyone on your tour went into a dark room and narration played. As history is being told, large dioramas would light up around you. These scenes were created with what looked like crude wax figures in period appropriate clothing. The figures themselves were not the greatest, but it seemed fitting for them to be a bit off-looking. The narration told a brief history of the witch trials: how they started, what sort of people were charged, life in jails, deaths, etc. Nothing was too graphic, but there was a hanging scene (a noose over a man’s neck) and a man being crushed to death by rocks. I can’t speak for myself, but that may not be right for younger children (you know your kid.)

After that half of the tour group went to the gift shop while the other half got to go onto the next part of the tour. This part talked more briefly about the witch hunt in Europe and how modern witches got the characteristics they have today. There is a timeline along the back wall, which would have been nice to read, but we only had 12 minutes in the room before the other group came in and we had to leave.

It was very informative about the witch trials, a bit chaotic, but I would go again!
Written 26 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Linda R
2 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021 • Couples
This is an average event and might be worth $5.00. You go in with a large group and sit in a room with scenes that light up and a narrator tells the story. The scenes are nicely done. Then you go into gift shop for 12 minutes and into last room for a quick wrap up. Total for us 40 minutes. Just read about it online and save your money.
Written 29 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MattyFitzAK
Vermont243 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021 • Couples
A total scam. You could learn as much from reading a page or two in any halfway-decent book. The “exhibits” or “shows” or whatever they call their trash Chuck E. Cheese reject displays are totally static, lifeless statues in a large room. A narrator speaks gravely in a dull British monotone to you about the history of the witch trials. There’s another “exhibit” about witches through history; skim the Wikipedia entry for witches and you’ll learn more. Then you exit through the gift shop, having wasted your time and $15 per person. Spend your cash on a walking tour instead of this kitschy trash.
Written 12 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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