Uncover the story of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials at the Salem Witch Museum. Get the 2026 visitor guide, ticket prices, and opening hours.
The first time I walked into the converted Gothic church on Washington Square in Salem, Massachusetts, I wasn’t prepared for what followed. You stand in a darkened auditorium surrounded by thirteen life-size stage sets arranged in a circle.
As the narration begins at the Salem Witch Museum, each tableau lights up in sequence — Betty Parris having fits, Tituba the enslaved woman confessing, Bridget Bishop hanged at Gallows Hill. It’s theatrical, occasionally cheesy, but surprisingly effective at conveying the hysteria that gripped Salem in 1692.
The second presentation, Witches: Evolving Perceptions, examines how witch stereotypes developed. Allow 75 minutes for both presentations.
Quick overview
The Salem Witch Museum charges $19 for adults, $17.50 for seniors 62+, and $16 for children aged 6-14. Tickets in October, when Salem goes Halloween crazy, must be purchased online only. At other times they’re sold at the door, though online booking is strongly recommended.
The museum opens daily 10am-5pm year-round, with extended hours (10am-7pm) in July and August, and even later in October. Presentations run every half hour with check-in 15 minutes before your time.
At a glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | $19 adults; $17.50 seniors 62+; $16 children 6-14 |
| Opening hours | Daily 10am-5pm; July-Aug 10am-7pm; October extended hours – check the museum website |
| Address | 19½ Washington Square North, Salem, MA 01970 |
| Free for | Children under 6 |
| Last entry | Final presentation time |
How much does the Salem Witch Museum cost?
Standard admission includes both presentations. Prices are straightforward with no hidden fees.
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $19.00 | Ages 15-61 |
| Senior | $17.50 | Ages 62 and older |
| Child | $16.00 | Ages 6-14 |
| Under 6 | Free | Children under 6 |
Group rates are available for 15+ people — contact the museum directly. School groups qualify for special educational pricing.
Is the Salem Witch Museum free to enter?
No. Only children under six enter free.
The museum is privately operated, not publicly funded. Admission charges support operations, maintenance, and educational programmes.
What time does the Salem Witch Museum open?
The museum opens daily at 10am. Standard closing time is 5pm year-round.
July and August extend closing to 7pm. October sees dramatically extended hours, sometimes until 10pm on weekends.
The museum closes Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. It closes at 3pm on Christmas Eve and shuts for two weeks in January for maintenance.
These ticket prices and opening hours were checked and verified in January 2026.
Do I need to book Salem Witch Museum tickets in advance?
Yes for October — online booking us mandatory and tickets sell out. For other months, advance booking is strongly recommended but not required.
Presentations run every 30 minutes. Check-in is 15 minutes before your time slot.
Choose your time wisely. During peak season, the museum cannot switch your reservation or refund tickets if you arrive late. Allow 1 hour 15 minutes total for your visit.
History
The Salem witch trials began in January 1692 when Betty Parris (age 9) and Abigail Williams (age 11) suffered strange fits. Village doctor William Griggs couldn’t explain their symptoms medically.
The girls blamed Tituba, an enslaved woman from the Caribbean owned by Reverend Samuel Parris. They also accused Sarah Good and Sarah Osborne of witchcraft.
Hysteria spread rapidly. More girls exhibited similar symptoms and made accusations.
Over 13 months, 156 people faced accusations. Nineteen were hanged at Gallows Hill—fourteen women and five men.
Giles Corey, an 80-year-old farmer, refused to enter a plea. Authorities pressed him under heavy stones for two days until he died.
Two dogs were executed, accused of giving the “evil eye.” By September 1692, doubts about the trials’ validity grew.
Governor William Phips finally ordered the trials stopped. In May 1693, he pardoned all remaining accused persons.
The Salem Witch Museum opened in 1972 inside a former East Church building. The Gothic Revival structure dates from 1846.
The museum’s founders created the theatrical presentation to educate visitors about this dark chapter. The format remains largely unchanged fifty years later.
What to see and do
The main presentation uses thirteen stage sets arranged around a circular auditorium. Visitors stand in the centre as lights and narration bring each scene to life.
You’ll see Betty Parris convulsing on her bed. Tituba confessing under pressure. Rebecca Nurse, a respected 71-year-old, arrested despite protests.
The hanging scenes are sobering. Nineteen people died at Gallows Hill, their bodies left dangling as warnings.
Giles Corey’s death by pressing receives particular attention. The old farmer’s only words: “More weight.”
The second presentation occupies smaller galleries. Witches: Evolving Perceptions traces stereotypical witch imagery from medieval Europe through modern times.
You’ll learn about European witch hunts that killed tens of thousands. The evolution of the pointy-hat, broomstick-riding stereotype emerges.
The presentation connects historical witch hunts to modern scapegoating. McCarthyism, Japanese internment, and other persecution examples illustrate ongoing patterns.
Multilingual options exist for the main presentation — French, German, Japanese, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese. The second exhibit conducts in English only.
The museum shop sells books, souvenirs, and witch-themed merchandise. You may wait outside on the front plaza before entry — come prepared for bad weather.
What’s included with your ticket?
- Main theatrical presentation on the 1692 witch trials
- Witches: Evolving Perceptions second exhibition
- Access to both presentations with timed entry
- Multilingual audio options for main presentation
Things to do near the Salem Witch Museum
Salem Witch Trials Memorial (200m, 3-minute walk) – Solemn memorial featuring stone benches inscribed with victims’ names and death dates. The 1692 trials’ only memorial designed by victims’ descendants. Free access 24/7.
The Witch House (Jonathan Corwin House) (400m, 5-minute walk) – Salem’s only remaining building with direct witch trials connections. Judge Jonathan Corwin examined accused witches here. The 1642 house features original architecture and period furnishings.
House of the Seven Gables (1.2km, 15-minute walk) – Historic 1668 mansion that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel. Seaside grounds include Hawthorne’s birthplace and colonial gardens.
Peabody Essex Museum (400m, 5-minute walk) – World-class art museum with one million works spanning global cultures. Asian export art, maritime collections, and rotating contemporary exhibits.
Old Burying Point Cemetery (300m, 4-minute walk) – Salem’s oldest cemetery, established 1637. Judge John Hathorne (great-great-grandfather of Nathaniel Hawthorne) buried here. Witch Trials Memorial adjoins the cemetery.
Practical tips
- Book tickets online for October visits — they sell out weeks ahead
- Arrive 15 minutes before your time slot for check-in
- Very heavy traffic and limited parking in summer/fall — use public transport
- Commuter rail from Boston North Station stops in Salem
- The presentation isn’t suitable for very young children — some scenes are intense
- Photography not permitted during presentations
- Allow 75 minutes total for both presentations
- Museum may close during severe winter weather — ring ahead
- Combination tickets available with other Salem attractions — ask at ticket desk
Frequently asked questions
Is the museum scary for children?
The main presentation depicts hangings and pressing death. It’s educational but intense. Most children 8+ handle it fine, though very sensitive kids might find it upsetting. The museum sets minimum age at 6.
Can I take photos?
No photography during either presentation. Photos permitted in entrance areas and outside only.
How long does the experience take?
Allow 75 minutes total. The main presentation runs approximately 30 minutes, the second presentation 15-20 minutes, plus transition time.
Is it historically accurate?
The museum presents facts about the trials, though the theatrical format feels dated. Some visitors find it cheesy. Educational value remains solid despite the 1970s-era presentation style.
More Massachusetts travel
Other Massachusetts travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Guide to visiting Hopkinton State Park.
- A first time visitor’s guide to Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Why visit the Back Bay neighbourhood in Boston?
- 5 really good reasons to visit Boston.
- Why leaf-peeping is not just for old people.
