How to Plan a Group Trip to Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, Massachusetts is the ultimate group tour destination for motorcoach tours, student field trips, senior groups, corporate outings, family reunions, and any other occasions or events you may have in mind. With a downtown packed with history, shopping, and dining, plus a waterfront full of activities, Witch City is great for group day-trips and overnight stays.

Group Travel in Salem

Located on the Massachusetts coast, just 16 miles north of Boston, Salem is a perfect day trip from the city or an addition to your New England motorcoach trip.

Once in Salem, downtown is very walkable, with most museums, attractions, shops, and restaurants within about one mile. Guided tours and experiences are available through local tour companies, and Salem’s downtown shops, waterfront, and Salem Maritime National Historical Park offer flexible options for filling in free time during a group trip.

While some New England destinations slow down during the winter months, Salem is a magical place to visit all year long. Local restaurants, museums, and tours run through each season, so you won’t need to wait for summer or October to plan your trip.

Build Your Group’s Salem Itinerary

Salem Witch Trials

Start your group’s exploration into the Salem Witch Trials at the Salem Witch Museum. A visit to the museum includes a presentation on the history of the 1692 Witch Trials as well as a guided tour of the exhibition, “Witches: Evolving Perceptions”. The museum’s second exhibition helps contextualize events in the 17th century, presenting Salem’s history alongside other witch hunts.

Continue learning about the Witch Trials at the Witch Dungeon Museum, where a live trial reenactment is followed by a tour of the museum’s recreated dungeon. During the tour, groups can see visual representations of the conditions the accused were held in while awaiting trial.

The Peabody Essex Museum is packed with art and artifacts related to Salem’s history, and features an exhibit on the Witch Trials. On display here are items that belonged to some of the victims of the trials, as well as original trial documents.

Cry Innocent, presented by History Alive, offers groups an interactive opportunity to serve as the Puritan jury in a recreated Witch Trial. During the presentation, the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions and decide the outcome of the trial, offering an immersive way to learn about the Salem Witch Trials, and specifically, Bridget Bishop.

With the history covered, plan time for your group to reflect on the events of 1692 at the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, symbolically located next to the Charter Street Cemetery, where some of the trials’ judges are buried.

Halloween (in October & Beyond)

In Salem, Halloween isn’t limited to October 31; Select Halloween-inspired experiences run seasonally beyond the fall or year-round.

Salem has two group-friendly haunted houses, with Frankenstein’s Castle and the Haunted Witch Village. Both are located in the Haunted Neighborhood and can be combined with a visit to Salem Wax: A Halloween Experience.

While in the Haunted Neighborhood, don’t miss The Lost Library. This immersive gift shop, home to Salem’s largest pumpkin, is a must-see for its theming and uniquely Salem souvenirs.

Arts, Culture, & Maritime History

Beyond Halloween and Witch Trials history, Salem is known for its maritime past and its thriving arts and culture scene.

The House of the Seven Gables, located on Salem’s waterfront, is a must-see for fans of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel, and for those interested in architecture or maritime history. A visit to the museum includes guided tours of the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion that share the site’s history and connections to the novel, along with self-guided access to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s birthplace and the gardens.

In addition to the Salem Witch Trials exhibition, the Peabody Essex Museum houses art and artifacts that showcase Salem’s maritime history, as well as contemporary fashion galleries, rotating special exhibits, and Yin Yu Tang, a 200-year-old Chinese house.

Groups interested in pirate history will want to include a visit to Real Pirates Salem. This immersive museum features information and artifacts from the shipwrecked Whydah. The collection includes the world’s only fully authenticated pirate treasure ever discovered, with coins, jewelry, and weapons, recovered from the nearly 300-year-old wreck.

If your group includes aspiring artists, North Shore Glass School is a great addition to your itinerary. The school offers classes on glass blowing, sandblasting, stained glass, and more, with events and classes at their Artists’ Row location downtown as well as on Proctor Street by Gallows Hill.

Guided Tours & Experiences

Book your group on the Salem Trolley or with one of Salem’s local walking tour companies for a guided exploration into the city’s history during your trip. Salem’s walking tours cover every interest from Witch Trials history to Ghost Tours, and even tours specially created for fans of Hocus Pocus. Find available tour options for your group with Salem Historical Tours, Witch City Walking Tours, or Salem Night Tour. Explore a spookier side with Candlelit Ghostly Walking Tours or Salem Ghost Tours and Haunted Pub Crawls.

Tour companies must be licensed by the City of Salem, and many offer step-on guides and customized experiences for groups. And, receptive tour operators are available for your trip to Salem through Wolfe Adventures & Tours.

Salem Restaurants for Groups

Salem is a true foodie destination, with something for every taste and budget. Whether your group is seeking out locally-inspired menu items in a historic hotel, a stop with inventive cocktails and retro arcade games, or simply a good cup of coffee, Salem has you covered.

Mainstay Social, located inside the Salem Waterfront Hotel, serves up elevated American appetizers and entrees. Patio dining is available during the summer, and the hotel also has a ballroom for private events.

At the Hawthorne Hotel, group dining and private events may be booked in Nathaniel’s, The Tavern, or the hotel’s ballroom. Located right by Salem Common, the hotel is ideally situated, within walking distance of shops, museums, attractions, and meeting points for local walking tours.

Bit Bar is Salem’s own retro arcade bar, with iconic dishes like Loaded Tetris Tots and themed cocktails. And Jaho serves up coffee, tea, specialty drinks, pastries, and more right on Derby Street.

Planning Tips for Your Next Group Trip

• Make reservations early – Salem’s museums, attractions, restaurants, and accommodations may fill up depending on the time of year you plan to visit.
• Review the motorcoach guide to plan your drop-offs and pick-ups – View the guide here, or contact Destination Salem for a printed copy. In addition to parking and drop-zone information, this guide is a helpful resource for outlining available comps, group capacities, and more.
• Give your group free time to explore – Build time into your group’s itinerary for shopping around Essex Street or Pickering Wharf, or to explore self-guided areas like the Hocus Pocus film locations, or Salem Maritime National Historical Park.
• Consider staying overnight – Both the Hampton Inn and the Salem Waterfront Hotel can accommodate group tours.
• Need to book your own bus? CharterUP makes it easy to find and book a charter bus, minibus shuttles, and sprinter vans for your group.

Visiting Salem with a Group in October

Salem Haunted Happenings is the largest Halloween celebration in the world, featuring an entire month of ghost tours, costume balls, vendor markets, live music, psychic fairs, and so much more.

Advance planning is essential for group tours heading to Salem in the fall. If you plan to visit in October, we recommend checking hauntedhappenings.org for information on special events, street closures, changes to motor coach drop zones, and more.

Motorcoach & Group Tour Resources

Destination Salem provides dedicated resources for tour operators, including current information about motorcoach access, designated drop-off locations, parking, maps, public restrooms, and seasonal transportation updates.

Before your visit, be sure to review the latest group tour information and download the Destination Salem app for real-time updates.