7 Haunted Spots in Salem You Must Visit for a Spooky Experience
With its dark history, ghostly lore, and spook-tacular vibe, Salem, Massachusetts, is a bucket-list destination for any fan of the supernatural.
You’re here because you want to check out Salem’s spookier side, where history haunts the present with ghostly legends and haunted sites.
Why this article matters: This one gets you beyond the usual tourist attractions and deep into the haunted sites that make Salem so much fun for ghost hunters and the merely curious.
Thus, I penned this guide to encourage you to explore the darker corners of Salem, home to several haunted pasts and smattering of goosebump-inducing yarns.
And inside, you’ll find seven haunted places that have inspired countless ghost sightings, paranormal investigations and whispered stories shared from generation to generation.
Visiting these spots is sure not to only give you a bit of a taste into Salem’s history, but to give you a spooky experience that you won’t forget, whether it’s the Halloween season, or any time of year.
A skeptic or a believer, these haunted spots can make for a thrilling adventure that you won’t soon forget.
So, let’s explore some of Salem’s most haunted locations and see what ghostly experiences you’ll find waiting for you.
1. The Witch House (Jonathan Corwin House)
The Witch House, the one-time home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, is one of Salem’s most iconic and ghostly landmarks and is directly linked to the notorious witch trials of 1692.
The only surviving structure that had direct connections to the trials, the dark, gabled house has a chilling aura that visitors detect the moment they step inside.
Guests frequently describe the feeling of a strange presence, unexplainable cold spots, and even have claimed to see shadowy figures gliding through dimly lit rooms.
The house’s deep history, coupled with its association with the tragic events of yesteryear, make it a magnet for paranormal activity.
A walk-through of the Witch House provides a chillingly authentic experience of Salem’s dark history and the spirits who may still haunt its halls.
2. Old Burying Point Cemetery
The Old Burying Point Cemetery dates to 1637, making it one of the oldest cemeteries in the United States — and the final resting place of many prominent Salem figures.
Among the graves is one belonging to Judge John Hathorne, one of the presiding judges of the witch trials, whose spirit is said to wander the grounds in search of redemption.
Visitors have a reported ghostly apparitions, flickering lights and disembodied voices whispering amongst the ancient tombstones, mostly at dusk.
The aura of this ancient cemetery is cloaked in time, a hotspot for ghost tours and those interested in the paranormal.
Drifting around the cemetery is a dark reminder of the lost lives and awkward history that haunts Salem’s past.
3. The Salem Witch Trials Memorial
The Salem Witch Trials Memorial is a somber tribute to the 20 innocent victims of the witch trials of 1692, but it’s also a place where the past still feels very present.
Many of those who visit report being filled with a profound sadness and sense of discomfort as they stand among the stone benches that bear the names of those who were condemned.
Others have even claimed to hear whispers or a slight breeze in the air even on a perfectly calm day, as if the spirits of the damned still seek their place of peace.
The memorial’s spooky atmosphere reminds us all of the hysteria and injustice that gripped Salem so many years ago.
It’s a pilgrimage for those wanting to connect with the human element behind this dark chapter in history.
4. The Hawthorne Hotel
The Hawthorne Hotel is one of the most haunted places in Salem, and it is said that ghosts will prefer to visit a hotel and haunt you—guests and staff—some even experiencing constant banging noises or unexplained ghoulish whispers.
The hotel was built in 1925 and has hosted many travelers over the years, but it’s the ghostly ones that seem to stick around, particularly on the sixth floor and in room 325.
Ghostly sightings of a woman in white, unexplained voices and objects that seem to move by themselves are just some of the paranormal activities that have been recorded at the place.
The hotel’s proximity to historic attractions, like the Salem Witch Museum, only adds to its sense of mystery.
Overnighting at the Hawthorne Hotel is an exercise in both indulgence and a visceral connection to Salem’s ghostly legacy.
5. The Ropes Mansion
Each year the Ropes Mansion, a gorgeous colonial home with an unfortunate history, fills with the spirits of Abigail Ropes, who died in the house in the 1830s.
Visitors frequently claim to witness her apparition in the windows, particularly on the second floor, where her curtailing demise took place.
The mansion’s lovely gardens and grandly furnished chambers feel at odds with an unsettling atmosphere in the air, especially at night.
Some believe that Abigail’s spirit remains, imprisoned by grief and that she occasionally makes contact with the living.
The Ropes Mansion isn’t just a historical site; it’s where the barrier between bygone and contemporary makes for an uncomfortably thin line.
6. Joshua Ward House
The Joshua Ward House, built on land previously owned by the nefarious Sheriff George Corwin, is one of the most haunted places in Salem, with a dark legacy that seems to linger today.
Corwin, nicknamed “The Strangler” for how he tortured the accused during the witch trials, haunts the house, along with the tormented spirits of his victims, they say.
Photos shot in the house frequently capture orbs, bizarre mists and apparitions that are difficult to explain.
Some visitors say that they feel tightness around their necks, like Corwin’s evil spirit is still trying to dominate.
The Joshua Ward House is, in many ways, a harbinger of Salem’s dark past, where the shadows of history still seem to float.
7. The Turner-Ingersoll Mansion (The House of the Seven Gables)
The Turner-Ingersoll Mansion aka The House of the Seven Gables is not just famous for literary connections but for its ghostly legends.
Visitors have described hearing children’s laughter, having footsteps follow them up empty staircases and glimpsing figures in period clothing walking the halls.
Its long history — and the stories of tragic deaths and strange occurrences that follow it — have made the mansion a common site for paranormal investigations.
Its ties to Nathaniel Hawthorne and the brooding dos of old Salem only heighten the ominous ambience that infuses the house.
Whether you’re a history buff who loves a good haunt or just enjoy a good ghost story, The House of the Seven Gables provides a spine-tingling experience like no other.
Conclusion — 7 Haunted Places in Salem
The haunted locations in Salem present a mix of generations of legacy and the supernatural that provide a singular experience to anyone brave enough to probe the guarantees that lay in between the living and the dead.
From historic homes to eery cemeteries, haunted hotels and ghostly memorials, these sites memorialize the spirit of Salem’s past in a way that’s equally thrilling and haunting.
Whether you’re an experienced ghost hunter or simply in search of a scary evening adventure, these haunted spots offer a glimpse into the stories and spirits that still haunt Salem to this day.
Popping into these places adds a dose of the supernatural to your trip, while also rooting you in Salem’s complex and fascinating history.
So if you’d like to meet the ghosts of Salem, these haunted sites are waiting for you to visit — if you dare.
