Sinister Streets: Witch Trials, Murders & Literary Legends
Date & Time
Thu, 02 Jul, 2026 at 12:00 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Peabody Essex Museum | Salem, MA
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Details
Join us for a behind-the-scenes guided 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 used on all tours.
Want to combine this tour with a museum visit? See our Sinister Streets & Salem Stories combination ticket.
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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Know before you go
1 hour, 0.5 miles
Meet at the anchor in front of East India Marine Hall on Essex Street.
This is an indoor/outdoor tour. Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes. We’ll see you rain or shine!
$35 Adults (ages 17+)
$32 Seniors (ages 65+)
$25 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:
Online at pem.org
In person at the Admissions desk
Outside the museum on tour days (161 Essex Street)
This walking tour ticket does not include museum admission, but our combination Sinister Streets & Salem Stories ticket does.
This is a Weekly Recurring Event
Runs from Jul 2, 2026 to Aug 31, 2026 and happens every:
Mondays: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Mondays: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Mondays: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Thursdays: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Thursdays: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Thursdays: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Fridays: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Fridays: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Fridays: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Saturdays: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Saturdays: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Saturdays: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Sundays: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Sundays: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Sundays: 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Event Location
Peabody Essex Museum, 150 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970-3701, United States
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Event Host
Vesta Events
