The tour was amazing! The guides were very nice and knowledgeable, and seemed very passionate about what they do! From start to finish it was entertaining, even in the rain!!! read more

Don't choose any other tour - Susan and Rich are the pros! They work so well together as a team and it is a fantastic tour! The tour covers history, literature, fun facts about the town, architecture, witch history facts, 2 movie sites and a perfect amount of walking, seeing many sites around this beautiful, quaint town and finished off with a broomstick pencil - so fun!!! They attend to every detail and were perfect for my group of 40 high school students from California. I have been to Salem and yet learned so much from Susan and Rich on this tour. You can tell they love Salem (which is a huge bonus when going on a walking tour) and they have perfected a great presentation and tour. Thank you so much Susan and Rich - keep up the amazing work!!! read more

Hocus Pocus Tours - Historical Tours Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Now this was a good tour! Suzanne and Rich are super passionate and knowledgeable of the history of Salem. Suzanne was energetic with great story telling abilities. If you can do only one tour make it this one! read more

This whole experience was amazing. We lucked out and had a very small group the other night which allowed Susan to speak even more and point out some things she doesn't normally have the chance to talk about. She knows so much about the history of Salem and the witch trials, and it shows how passionate she is about what she does. She answered any questions we had, and took the time to focus on the things she knew we wanted to hear about, and even gave me info on other areas she knew we would enjoy visiting in Salem, along with restaurant recommendations. Everyone in my group had a fantastic time and loved Susan :) highly recommend this tour to anyone ! read more

So happy we took this tour! Last night was our last night in town and wanted something laid back but still out and fun! Susan and Richard were very personable and knowledgeable and made learning about the amazing town that is Salem...fun and educational. Such a tragic story that took place there but so happy to have a clear understanding now and see the passion that Susan and Richard put into every stop along the way!! read more

When searching for tours of Salem, I wanted the real thing -- I didn't want anyone dressed up in a Halloween costume telling me ghost stories. I wanted facts, stories about the real witch trials, nothing sugar coated and preferably no pointy hats -- a tour guide who knew what they were talking about. Being from Oregon, I wanted to learn as much as possible in the short time I'd be there. After research, I figured the Hocus Pocus tour would be my best bet. I went with my boyfriend and we both really enjoyed it. The tour guide is kind and friendly and very knowledgeable! It was a very fun and interesting historical tour with just the right amount of humor and ghost stories thrown in. I also noticed we were the only tour walking around not jam-packed with people, so that was nice. There's no fancy costumes or anything, but with a past as interesting as Salem's, you really don't need it. Definitely worth the $32 for the both of us! read more

Very informative tour! The guide, Susan, gave all the details of all the old houses and buildings in Salem. She also gave a lot of info on the history of the witch trials and the memorial. We did the 5pm tour and it was dark out. I'm glad Susan gave us the tip to check out the cemetery and the memorial before the tour. I would advise everyone to do this because you can't enter the cemetery after 6. Although she does mention the movie Hocus Pocus during the tour, the only film location we passed on the tour was the town hall. She did tell me prior the addresses of Max and Dani's house and Allison's house and advised us to check it out before the tour. I got much more historical info from this tour than if we just walked around ourselves, so I'm glad we did it. I just would advise everyone to get your pics of the cemetary prior to the tour and also warn Hocus Pocus fans that this is not a film location tour. read more

Wow! I'm only the 2nd review?! Just like the first reviewer, I had an awesome time and highly recommend it! Recommendation *I think they estimated the tour length to be 1.5 hours, but I think ours ended up to be 2 hours, which just meant more knowledge for my buck! :D *They will charge you $4 extra if the tour group doesn't met a minimum of 3 participants, so bring friends! It's a great opportunity to exercise, buffer up your American history knowledge, and bond with your buddies :) *f you're a student she will give you a student discount. I believe it's $13. General Admission is $16 (methinks). Yeah, it seems sorta expensive, but for 2 hours of entertainment, this is very reasonable! *Carry your cell phone on you and keep this number: (781) 248-2031 in case you're running late or feel lost. You meet in front of a mall under a sign, so you might feel kind of out of place, but YES you're in the right place! *Our tour guide is super passionate and knowledgeable about Salam and if you're up for an excellent introduction to this historic city, this tour is the best! Website Official Site: https://hocuspocustours.com/tickets.htm Other reviews: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60954-d1207711-Reviews-Hocus_Pocus_Tours-Salem_Massachusetts.html read more

I had never been to Boston or Salem until this trip so we don't have anything to compare it to in town, BUT the hosts of Hocus Pocus were very entertaining and knowledgeable and love doing what they do. NO ONE will to the extra mile like they do -- providing hand warmers for everyone on a cold December night and even giving a gift to everyone at the end (sorry for the semi spoiler)! Ghost tours I have been on in other cities have not been so quality. Glad we made the choice to do this! read more

Best $13 investment I have made in a while! The hour-long walking tour is guided by an adorable married couple that really should be History Channel's newest experts on the Salem/ Marblehead area. They know all the insides of Salem's dirty past and are realistic about its ironic future of condo development. Any question you need to know, they have the answer to. What I really loved about this tour though was how fun and entertaining it was. The lady let us bring our dog and even thanked her at the end for being great. They were really sweet and I especially loved all the stuff they knew about the filming of the beloved Disney classic 'Hocus Pocus'. If your in the area I would definitely recommend it, just don't come on Halloween unless you wanna get SPOOKEDDD!! read more

Very enjoyable walking tour. The couple who run it are super personable & clearly work well together & take pride in their tour, which is nice to see. There's nothing over the top, theatrical, or cheesy about this tour & that's quite refreshing. At first I was a little worried about it being 90 minutes of walking because my feet were killing me from walking around all day, but this was an easygoing pace, no problems there. The stories were told well & with a lot of respect for the history. We even got to see some alleged ghost photographs taken in the area, which was awesome to see & something most tours totally neglect. It was great & couldn't have had better weather. read more

We went with Susan in the evening and it ended up a personal tour for three of us. She was very engaging and knowledgeable and would also be great with a larger group. We've done plenty of historical tours on the east coast over the years and enjoyed this one very much. I would have been disappointed if she didn't reference ghost stories, but the focus was on the history and who did what when - what we'd expect from a tour of an historical place. She also treated the witch trials and executions with the solemnity and respect required for such a tragic historical event. Someone left early and someone else didn't like the "corny jokes" - they're wrong! Susan understood my references to Monty Python and witches, so she was AOK by any standard! read more

Susan and Richard were outstanding! We learned so much, the tour was entertaining, and Salem was wonderful!

Last May, my fiancé and I took a trip to Salem to celebrate our engagement and took this tour. No one else signed up and we had Susan and Rich all to ourselves. We had a great time! The dynamic duo are amazing storytellers, jokesters, and very knowledgeable about all things Hocus Pocus and Salem's history. If you want a low key, informational walking tour this is it for sure! Thank you so much Susan and Rich, you made our trip special. read more

The tour was different from what I expected. Susan told very specific stories and spoke about architecture a little too much for me but she was so enthusiastic that it made up for any lulls. She provided us with pictures, spooky tales and even gave us some helpful tips on where to eat. It was a long tour for the cold weather, and we chose the pm tour so it probably just felt a little too long because it was late and I was cold. But other than that very entertaining and informative. read more

Hocus Pocus Tours - Historical Tours Near Me - Salem, Massachusetts

Great Tour!! I loved walking around town and finding out the history behind different buildings and spots. We had a 11 and 8 year old with us. I was hoping they would get into the story but they did not even though my 11-year old was the one who found this tour and really wanted to do it. So, even though the material is appropriate for kids, I don't know if I would recommend it for kids. Susan is very knowledgeable and friendly and I love the way she told the stories. Great tour, you've got to do it at least once!! read more

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By my gf: This evening tour takes you through many highlights of Salem, MA, and doesn't focus solely on the Witch Trials. We visited the Old Burying Grounds, Salem Jail, Hawthorne Hotel, First Period and Colonial homes, and eventually ended up at the Witch Trial Memorial. Our tour guides were well educated, articulate, and set the pace to suit the slowest in the group so that no one is left behind. What we enjoyed so much about this set of tours, other than the simply wonderful staff, was that we learned so much about things OTHER than the Salem Witch Trials. Sure, that is a major part of their history, but it isn't THE ONLY thing that happened in this beautiful city. Differences in architecture were hit on, the moving of famous buildings, homes of famous people, as well as popular ghost stories were all part of the tour as well. These people really know their stuff and made the 90 minute walking tour the highlight of our Salem experience. They answered any question thrown at them and offered reference materials for further reading if they were unable to answer them. Step away from the hype of the trials and take a few minutes to see the REAL Salem! (Make sure to dress warm (layer) because it may not seem cold but 90 mins of walking and stopping starts to wear on your internal temperature.) read more

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The tour is given by Susan and her Husband. I enjoyed the fact that Susan ws very knowledgeable and a good story teller, not theatrical. (Could have left out the corny jokes and the pictures examinations). Susan is engaging and kept our attention, even on a very cold night....and I mean very cold.....wanted to bail several times due to the cold, but she kept drawing us in:) The stories were good, baed on history and seemed pretty factual. It was nice that she built upon the movie True 1692, that we had just seen. I didn't realize that she was going to tie the tour into the movie, "Hocis Pocus", which we did not see. Would have been nice to have seen it ahead of time. Not sure why they asked us to arrive at 7:00pm, half hour before our tour, fifteen minuts before would have been fine........Was too cold to wait out a half hour before. Thank you Susan for not wearing a costume and being hokey. read more

Yup, exactly what everyone else thinks! This is an amazing tour, with an amazing tour guide!! You can tell she really loves her job. It had humor, intrigue, and almost made me cry at the end (and my sister actually did cry). This is a tour I would highly recommend to anyone. I heard another tour guide talking when our groups crossed paths and just heard a little snippet of his speech and it made me very very glad to be on the tour we were on! Really amazing! read more

Susan and her husband made me fall in love with Salem. After waiting years to visit Salem, my parents surprised me with a trip to Massachusetts for Christmas... Finally! The only downside? It was in January, which is considered off-season for the town of Salem. Mostly everything was closed, but luckily, we noticed a poster for Hocus Pocus tours. First of all, let me just say, what an experience!! I have never seen a woman so passionate about a town in my life. Susan really brought Salem's history to life and made me appreciate it so much more than I did when I first arrived in the beautiful town. The tour itself is long and extremely interesting. You will definitely be engaged the entire time and learn fun, scary and even (some) upsetting facts. This tour goes through areas of Salem that partook in the Salem Witch Trials and the truth behind the entire historical event. It was so interesting that I wouldn't mind going on this tour again when I return to Salem. And yes, this tour takes you to some of the spots that Hocus Pocus was filmed :) If you have the opportunity to go on a Hocus Pocus tour.. Take advantage of it!! read more

This was such a fun tour, and we learned so much about the history of Salem. Would recommend doing this tour!

I had heard that this was the best tour in Salem, and I'm glad I went. I was not looking for a cheesy "spooky" tour, and this was a great historical tour where I saw all the places I'd read about before, which was "spooky" enough in itself. The guide(s) are very nice (though she did tell some rather corny jokes), and I would not be surprised at all if this really were the best tour in Salem, even though this is the only one I've taken. I don't really want to take the time to find out otherwise. Also: At least sometimes, the guides will give you tickets to Rebecca Nurse's homestead in Danvers. I haven't gone yet, but I'm hoping I'll get to! read more

I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Salem. Coming from Florida, I was hesitant about the cold weather as this was a walking tour. Susan and Richard were very accommodating in providing hand warmers to help make the weather more bearable. This tour encompassed history, humor, and made you feel that Salem charm. Definitely learned a lot and was able to reflect on the events that occurred. If you want to get a more in-depth perception of what occurred the year of 1692, then this tour is a definite must. read more

Our guide was a great storyteller. She really helped us understand the historical value of this tragic event. Thank you.

My parents were visiting from Florida, so I wanted to show them Salem for the day. We spent the evening with the fine folks hosting the Hocus Pocus Tours. Susan and Richard were so kind and very welcoming. The group was smaller (maybe 20 or so) which made it even more personable. Susan has a unique way of telling a creepy story but not exaggerating and sticking to the facts. Susan also wears a small microphone/headset so everyone in the group can hear her. The tour lasts 90-100 minutes. They take their time, give a lot of history of Salem, but also keep it very interesting. I highly recommend the tour!! read more

Such a wonderful experience. Susan and her husband were so kind and knowledgeable. You get really into the stories and it gets you asking so many questions about the towns history. Loved it! read more

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Susan and Rich are amazing guides! They were engaging, warm, and very knowledgeable. My only regret is that we couldn't spend more time with them learning about the history of the city. This tour is definitely worth your time and money...it's a great value and wonderful experience! read more

I wish I could give Hocus Pocus Tours 10 stars! My fiancé and I signed up for a tour on what seemed like the coldest day ever. Our tour guides, Susan and Rich, came prepared and provided us with hand and feet warmers (no charge - so thoughtful). We learned quite a bit about the history of Salem. Susan and Rich were extremely knowledgeable and willing to answer any and all of our questions. Their enthusiasm to teach us about Salem was quite evident and made the tour so much more enjoyable (versus a lecture). If you are looking for a fun yet informative tour of Salem, Hocus Pocus Tours is the place to go! read more

I am a person who like's to do research before I put forth money to a tour. After reading countless reviews, we ultimately decided to book a Saturday night tour with Hocus Pocus Tours. The positive reviews that lead me to the tour couldn't have been more accurate! Susan and Rich are a joyful, personable and pleasant couple that run this great tour. There were no costumes, gimmicks or "spooky" scares. The tour focused on the history of Salem, MA, and not only the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The near two hour tour was very informative and fun at the same time. It was absolutely worth the $16 per person!! read more

Great tour. Lots of information but it wasn't boring. Would definitely recommend this tour if you are in Salem!

Truly enjoyed this tour! It was entertaining, educational and just the right length of time. I really enjoyed talking with our guides; they inspired me to learn more about the history of Salem, thank you so much! read more

Susan and Richard were very inviting, knowledgable, passionate, and real. This is a wonderful tour if you are looking to learn about the history of Salem without all of the added cheesy "scary" stuff, there is still a "dark side" to the tour, it's Salem, or course there is, but there is no build up of all the commercialized Party City Halloween goblins and ghouls. Susan captures your attention and maintains it throughout, she would be a great history teacher because she makes it fun and intriguing. Recommend to anyone! read more

My daughter wanted to do this tour for her birthday so I decided to make it an overnight trip to accommodate her wishes. I am so glad we did it! Susan and Richard did a wonderful job leading us around, telling us stories, and making sure we could all hear. I use a walker to help me get around and Susan made sure I was close by and safe during the entire tour. Some tours let the "weak" or "slow" ones fall behind but not Susan and Richard! One of them was always in back as we walked to each destination and made sure everyone was mindful of each other and other people walking the streets. I just cannot say enough about them! read more

Our tour was on 4/15/18, and it was a bitter cold night! Our tour guide, Susan, was unfazed by the cold and unpleasant weather. She was extremely knowledgeable and was a wealth of information. She included my 2 young boys into her stories, and confirmed with me before the tour that they would be ok with certain stories she was going to tell. I recommend this tour to anyone interested in Salem's history! Thank you, Susan! We had an awesome time!! read more

I had read dazzling reviews on yelp and so I booked a tour for our first time to Salem. We had SO MUCH FUN! Susan was so animated and theatrical but very informative as well. I had toured Salem in the day and would have never known the history behind any of it if it weren't for the Hocus Pocus Tour! Afterwards I had some questions regarding Susan's opinion of the historical (in)accuracies of the film The Crucible and Susan took quite awhile discussing everything with me--a hearty friendly discussion. I really appreciated that. She sensed we were very into the historical side of Salem (vs. the commercial stuff) and she produced 2 free passes to tour Rebecca Nurse's Homestead in nearby Danvers. We were thrilled and took that tour the next day. I would have been pretty disappointed in the gross commercialism that has become Salem if it weren't for the Hocus Pocus Tour. It's a MUST in Salem! read more

Amazing, Amazing tour! Susan and Richard are wonderful tour guides and you could just see their passion for the town as they spoke. It was just my husband and I on a freezing and windy winter night and they still did not miss a beat. Because we were the only party with them that night they personalized the tour for us. They gave us dinner recommendations, informed us of other places to visit, and gave us AWESOME broom pens. I would definitely recommend them and we will for sure be back in the future. read more

The tour guides are personable, nurturing, and above all fluent in the history and shadows of Salem. I highly recommend this tour. It gives you a history of the most fascinating corners of Salem history with Hocus Pocus landmarks sprinkles throughout. For an intro (and crash course in Salem) pls do not miss Hocus Pocus. Weve been to Salem numerous times in the past (Ive lost count) and the guides showed me places Ive never seen and they shed new light on places with which I was familiar. ( I assumed we were looking at the Witch House but it was an entirely diff bldg!!! )You can see the guides not only respect the history but are moved by it, sharing with you the emotional side of the tragic history of witch hysteria. The tour group was much smaller and being from NY appreciated the intimate nature. Thank you for a very crucial part of our magical evening. read more

there is no other Salem walking tour that comes close to hocus pocus in terms of quality... none... zero... I've been on at least 4 of their walks, and although none of the information changes- it is presented passionately every single time. I've been on at least 5 DIFFERENT companies' tours- so, I speak from experience when I say that this IS the best walking tour of Salem, hands-down. read more

Every year, my mother and I choose a spooky city to visit in October -- this year, it's Salem. Thanks to history books and Arthur Miller, the two of us knew the basics of what happened in 1692, but we wanted to take a walking tour to see the setting of these stories in person and to learn more about the rest of Salem's past. Hocus Pocus Tours was the perfect fit for us. The tour is a great mix of the Salem's witch trials, maritime history, grisly murders, and ghosts. The man who led our tour was half-guide, half-storyteller: very engaging and incredibly well-spoken. He easily transitioned between giving the tour, answering guests' questions, and giving recommendations for other sights to see in Salem (and nearby Danvers). It was clear to us both that he knew Salem well and was genuinely interested in what he was sharing with the group. As for the group itself, ours was a manageable size. I'm so grateful Hocus Pocus considers this when allowing guests to buy tickets because some of the tours we passed were packed with people. I can't imagine how they all managed to hear. We, on the other hand, had no issues -- our guide had a mic, could project, and patiently waited for traffic to pass before continuing, all of which was very considerate. We didn't miss a word. If you're able, take this tour your first night in town like we did. The ninety minutes we walked took us all over Salem. As a result, my mother and I now feel that we can navigate the city with ease. We even discovered some cool shops that we'll be stopping in over the weekend! All in all, this was a great experience. I would recommend this tour to families, friend groups, or solo Salem visitors who want to hear Salem's history told in an entertaining way. read more

Best. Historic. Tour. Period! Some friends and I came to Salem and wanted to do a historic tour. Susan and her husband were absolutely fantastic! I normally am not into walking tours, but I wanted to make my fiancée happy as well as our friends. We went. I loved it!! She was funny, insightful, knowledgable and you could tell she enjoyed what she did. She answered everyone's questions and didn't seem bothered by people asking them and was happy to answer away! Highly recommend! read more