The Best Museums in Salem… according to a local

I had the opportunity to visit almost all of the museums and attractions here in Salem Massachusetts over the summer. Most of them I had visited previously but it had been years and years. Here are my thoughts on each one along with a video I made about them…

Witch Dungeon Museum: This museum features a reenactment of a witch trial based on real 1692 transcripts, followed by a tour of a recreated dungeon that shows the small, dark cells where the accused were held. Overall I think they do a great job teaching about the Salem Witch Trials.

Edited 9/2/26: Note that Blackcraft Haunt is included in this first video. This is no longer here. It was replaced by The Warren Museum and I don’t plan to visit there.

 

Museum of Torture: This museum is relatively new and very well done in my opinion. They have authentic torture devices, each with stories and context. It’s chilling but educational. The ambiance has soft lighting and subtle sound which adds an eerie vibe. It takes about 30 minutes to go through and I highly recommend a visit.

Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery: If you love horror movies, go here. It’s not a haunted house and there are no jump scares (yay), but it’s surprisingly immersive. You’ll see life-sized monsters, movie props, masks, and more. The displays include trivia about film history and special effects. As someone who appreciates art and detail, I think it’s very cool.

 

Witch History Museum: I think you can skip this one. They do a very brief presentation about the trials, and then a guide takes you to a dim basement full of cheesy dioramas. Some of the information is blatantly wrong, and they don’t even say Giles Corey’s name correctly. Skip this one unless you purchase a combo ticket with The Witch Dungeon Museum and New England Pirate Museum and you’re bored and need a laugh.

Halloween Museum: You wear 3D glasses as you go through this museum and their floor is especially cool. There’s a nostalgic collection of Halloween memorabilia, from vintage costumes to classic decorations. It’s very family friendly and a pretty quick little museum that’s worth checking out.

 

The Witch House: Judge Jonathan Corwin one lived here so it’s very funny to me that they called it The Witch House. He’s probably mad and haunts it. 🙂  It’s the only structure still standing in Salem with direct ties to the trials. You walk through (self-guided) and see original architecture, period furnishings, and a bit of museum-type history pieces and information. It’s also really pretty from the outside and great for photos.

The Salem Witch Board Museum: Highly, highly recommend. It’s a small but fascinating museum filled with Ouija boards and spooky history. I kinda wish I had time to pop in here everyday. The owner, John, is a wealth of information and a great storyteller. I think he needs to write a book.

 

Real Pirates Museum: If you’re going to choose just one pirate museum to visit in Salem, I’d choose this one. This museum is filled with real artifacts from the wreck of a ship called the Whydah including coins, cannons, and pirate treasure. You learn a lot about the passengers aboard and what piracy on the east coast was really like.

New England Pirate Museum: This museum takes you through different dioramas of pirate scenes as a guide tells you stories. It’s pretty outdated and less authentic, but still fun. It does have some interesting information about piracy and privateering. This is also part of a combo ticket if you are visiting the Witch Dungeon Museum and Witch History Museum.

 

Salem Witch Museum: A classic Salem tourist attraction. It is very accurate but I really feel like it could use a refresh. You sit in a big room while scenes above you light up as a voice-over tells you history of the Salem Witch Trials. And then you get a short guided tour about the history of witchcraft, from the burning times to modern day witchcraft. I wish the latter part of the experience lasted a bit longer so you have time to read everything.

Salem Wax Museum: I think this museum is only worth your time if you’re buying a combo ticket for all the “Haunted Neighborhood” has to offer. It’s great bang for your buck if you want to visit their haunted houses, see a spell casting, or go on a walking tour. They’ve done a lot of updating recently but it still has that old outdated cheesy Salem attraction charm. For laughs, look around and count how many wax figures are missing their hands and fingers.

 

The House of the Seven Gables: This house was made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel. It’s been a tourist attraction in Salem for generations and I think it’s definitely worth a visit. A guide takes you through each room of the house telling stories and history, and there’s even a secret stairway and a secret liquor closet that once held souvenirs to sell. You can also visit Nathaniel Hawthorne’s birth place that was moved on to the property. And make sure you visit the gardens. They’re beautiful and right on the water.

The Peabody Essex Museum: This is one of the oldest museums in the country founded in 1799 by sea captains as the East India Marine Society. Salem used to be the biggest maritime port in the US and this museum is filled with art, history, and culture from all over the world. It’s beautiful, modern, and calming. They recently added a permanent exhibit for the Salem Witch Trials with real artifacts owned by the accused. I visit this museum frequently and I highly recommend it. Make sure to visit the Chinese House.

 

Professor Spindlewink’s World of Wizardry: You walk through a series of interactive themed rooms filled with lights, sounds, and fantasy creatures. It feels more like stepping into a storybook than a museum, and kids love it. It’s a nice break from all the witch trial history if you want something lighter and a little more magical.

Gallows Hill Theatre: The Main Show is a mix of live actors, holograms, ghostly projections, and 4D effects to bring witch history to life. It’s spooky and theatrical. A great stop if you want something that feels like part haunted house, part history lesson.

After Hours Ghost Hunt: My event! Every night in October. This is a real paranormal investigation with real ghost hunting equipment. If you love ghosts and Salem history, come see me. More info HERE.

 

And lastly, come see me at Celestial Navigation Astrology for a reading or healing session. I combine astrology, tarot, reiki, sound healing, and chakra work to give guidance, clarity, and a little magic for your day. I also give private walking tours, teach workshops, and more. You can read all about my in-person offerings HERE and book right on my website.

I hope you enjoy your time in Salem and I’ll see you soon. 🙂