13 Spine-Chilling & Haunted Places In Salem!

Between old graveyards, witch houses, 17th century homes, and seriously paranoid former-residents… it’s no surprise Salem, Massachusetts is considered one of the most haunted towns on the East Coast. 

For ghost hunters, or simply those who love Halloween and all things haunted, the town of Salem is a can’t miss destination. Visiting Salem and wondering where the haunted happenings are?

Read on for some of the most haunted places in Salem, Massachusetts.

The Most Haunted Places In Salem, Massachusetts

Witch House

The Witch House is the only structure still standing in Salem with direct ties to the Salem Witch Trials. This alone makes it among top haunted places to see in Salem. 

Now a museum, this was the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, one of the condemning judges during the Salem Witch Trials.

The witch trials occurred in the late 1600’s, when the town successfully tried and executed 19 citizens for practicing witchcraft.

Proof of said witchcraft is nonexistent, and ultimately hearsay resulted in the deaths of quite a few innocent people.  

Naturally, many assume these innocent victims haunt the home today.

There are also some who believe it’s not the victims, however, but Corwin’s wife haunting the home. Elizabeth Gibbs gave birth to 14 children but only 4 survived into adulthood. 

Whether its the innocent hanged or a grieving ghost, those who visit the house have reported cold spots, ghost sightings, and eerie energy.

Old Burying Point Cemetery 

Old Burying Point is one of the oldest cemeteries in the United States, dating back to 1637. It’s the resting place of a few Salem Witch Trial judges and other notable 17th century Salem residents. 

Thousands visit this graveyard each year because it’s the home to the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, but it’s the nighttime visitors who most often report ghosts.

Visitors have reported Judge John Hathorne — one of the condemning Witch Trial judges buried here — appearing on their film after a night spent photographing the cemetery.

Another ghost believed to haunt this graveyard is Mary Bright Corey, who was the second wife of Giles Corey. Eight years after their marriage, Giles Corey became an unfortunate victim of the Witch Trials, dying a slow, torturous death by being pressed.

With a mixture of both those who supported and those who mourned the Witch Trials buried right next to each other, it’s no wonder this is considered one of the most haunted graveyards in New England. 

Samuel Pickman House 

Located right behind Old Burying Point is the historic Samuel Pickman House.

This is one of the oldest remaining homes in Salem, built in 1665, and is now owned by the Peabody Museum.

The dwelling is said to be haunted by a young girl who, along with her mother, was killed in this home by her father who had slowly gone insane. 

There is little historical evidence to back up the father’s manic murder-suicide. But nonetheless, multiple people have claimed to see a full-bodied apparition of a girl in the home’s upper-floor window.

Additionally, people in the area have reported incorporeal voices at night, which particularly sound like children. If the stories are true, this is certainly Salem’s scariest haunted house.

Joshua Ward House | The Merchant

In the late 1700’s Joshua Ward was a wealthy sea merchant who built a home so lovely George Washington himself stayed here.

The statuesque brick home was, however, unfortunately built on a plot of land which 100 years prior was owned by George Corwin.

Corwin, the nephew of previously mentioned Judge Jonathan Corwin, was also a critical figure in the Witch Trials.

At the age of 25 he was appointed high sheriff of Essex County, a role which involved signing arrest and death warrants, confiscating personal property, and carrying out executions.

Sheriff George Corwin was involved in every one of the Salem Witch Trial’s barbaric deaths. 

It should come as no surprise that the land in which Corwin lived and died is now believed to be one of the most haunted places in Salem. 

The home is thought to be haunted by two male spirits — possibly George Corwin himself and one of the trial’s victims, Giles Corey — in addition to one female spirit. 

Visitors have claimed to experience cold spots, untouched books and pictures falling from shelves, and candles melting even though they were never lit. 

Most famously, a mysterious female figure showed up in a photo during a holiday party held here in 1981. The photo shows the figure of a pale woman with a head full of dark, curly hair, someone who matched no party attendee. 

The home is now a hotel, The Merchant, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and yes, you can spend the night here.

Check hotel pricing and availability at: The Merchant Hotel.

Looking for more haunted lodging options? Check out these Spooky Haunted Hotels In Salem, MA.

Proctor’s Ledge

Proctor’s Ledge is believed to be the execution site of 19 of the Witch Trial’s victims. 

It took centuries for historians to finally solve the mystery of where the victims were hanged, as it was originally believed that Gallows Hill was the site. 

Proctor’s Ledge, wedged into a seemingly normal residential area, doesn’t exactly have the spooky appeal you might imagine. However, there are occasional reports of strange glowing lights and hovering orbs in the area.

Additionally, in 1914 a chemical fire started by Korn Leather Company, began just a short distance from the ledge.

The fire burned for over 12 hours, sweeping through Salem, destroying thousands of buildings, killing 3 people, and leaving 18,000 residents homeless or jobless.

A rather wicked spot if you ask me. 

Gallows Hill

With a name like Gallows Hill, it probably won’t surprise you to learn that this is a favorite among the haunted spots in Salem.

As mentioned above, this was once believed to be the location where the Witch Trial hangings took place. While that has officially been debunked, this still remains a hot spot for paranormal activity.

Unlike Proctor’s Ledge, Gallows Hill does have all the spooky vibes you’d expect from a rumored execution site. In fact, many believe this to be Salem’s scariest haunted attraction.

The eerie park has long been known to leave visitors with an unreasonable feeling of dread and despair. Some claim to have burst into tears for no apparent reason upon entering the park.

The question remains, if not the condemned “witches,” who exactly is haunting this park? 

Hawthorne Hotel 

The Hawthorne Hotel is an 80-room Colonial Revival-style building constructed in 1925. The hotel, named for famed author Nathaniel Hawthorne, was built on an apple orchard owned by Bridget Bishop, the first to be executed for allegedly practicing witchcraft in 1692. 

As you might imagine, it’s now believed to be haunted by Bishop’s ghost.

Guests have claimed to see ghostly apparitions in the hotel hallways, mysterious mists, moving furniture, and have heard unexplained noises.

It’s said that rooms 325 and 612 are the most haunted within this old building. 

The hotel regularly lands on lists of ‘Most Haunted Hotels in the United States’ and was even featured on a 2007 episode of Ghost Hunters. Unfortunately, the paranormal investigators didn’t find any unusual activity here — though there are plenty of guests who have experienced otherwise.  

You can book a night at the haunted hotel here: Hawthorne Hotel.

If you can’t snag hotel reservations, consider attending the hotel’s highly popular, annual Halloween Ball instead. 

House Of The Seven Gables

The most famous haunted house in American literature is the House of the Seven Gables. 

This colonial mansion, built for Captain John Turner in 1668, was made famous by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 1851 novel, The House of the Seven Gables. 

The book covers a somewhat fictional portrayal of the Witch Trials and the mysterious happenings surrounding this home.

As the book alludes, the home has supposedly been cursed by a victim of the trials. The novel’s overall theme being, “The sins of one generation are visited on by the next,” is an interesting one. Interesting because Nathaniel Hawthorne was the great-great grandson of the infamous witch trial judge, John Hathorne.

Today, the 350 year old home is open for paid tours.

Visitors of the museum claim to experience oddities such as lights mysteriously turning off and water faucets acting on their own accord.

Both museum staff and visitors have reported the feeling of an unknown entity or paranormal presence in the house. Not surprisingly, it’s the home’s secret staircase leading to the attic where most feel the presence of paranormal activity. 

Bunghole Liquors 

Bunghole Liquors not only gets the title of strangest business name, but also one of the most haunted places in Salem. 

During the prohibition days of the 1920’s Bunghole Liquors was a funeral home by day and speakeasy by night. The nightly bar was set up in the basement which also doubled as the company’s embalming parlour — ahem, that’s where they keep the corpses. 

When prohibition ended, Bunghole scrapped the funeral gig and became a legitimate bar. 

Today, Bunghole’s paranormal reports are commonly centered around the basement.

Could it be haunted by those laid to rest at the funeral home? Or simply ghosts of the men who used to attend the Prohibition parties there?

The Salem Inn

The Salem Inn is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a room with a ghost or two. 

The Inn started with the West House, owned by Nathaniel West, a Salem sea captain and merchant in the 1800’s. It eventually grew to include two other homes, the Curwen House and the Peabody House, the three of which now comprise the Salem Inn. 

Over the years, many guests have reported ghostly apparitions disturbing them in the night and items mysteriously moving or disappearing.

The sheer number of paranormal accusations here makes this quite possibly the most haunted hotel in Salem. 

If you’re looking for the most haunted room, 17 takes the cake. 

Pet owners note, this is the only haunted hotel in Salem that allows pets. Be warned, though, the hotel is home to a ghost cat. 

Wish to spend a night and meet the ghosts for yourself? Check pricing and availability at: The Salem Inn.

Old Salem Jail

From the outside, Old Salem Jail appears to be a beautifully restored historic apartment building.

But the not-so-distant past shows something quite different.

For starters, let’s dive into what happened on this plot of land before Old Salem Jail was built… This is believed to be the site where Giles Corey was tortuously pressed to death by Sheriff George Corwin during the witch trials.

Fast forward about 150 years, and Old Salem Jail was constructed in 1813.

During its time, Old Salem Jail held some of Boston’s most notorious criminals and it’s estimated that at least 50 men died here, either by execution or suicide. 

The building didn’t even have modern plumbing up until the late 1970’s, meaning both inmates and guards lived among their own filth. That alone would be enough motivation for me to stick around and haunt some people in my afterlife. 

For nearly 200 years this jail and its grotesque conditions served as a symbol of misery for many.

Thus, it should come as no surprise that this site has reported haunted happenings for decades now. 

Turner’s Seafood at Lyceum Hall

Turner’s Seafood (formerly Lyceum Restaurant) is a great place to grab a bite to eat and hang out with a ghost. 

Both Syfy’s Ghost Hunters and Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures have found energies of a woman here.

The woman is believed to be the ghost of Bridget Bishop, the first victim of the Salem Witch Trials, and owner of an apple orchard where the Lyceum Hall now stands. 

Aside from ghostly sightings, visitors and restaurant employees have told stories of doors opening and closing on their own.

Also, lights turning on and off, and boxes falling without explanation. 

Creepy happenings aside, this spot is definitely worth a visit from a historical standpoint.

The hall has seen speeches from the likes of John Quincy Adams, Fredrick Douglas, Alexander Graham Bell, and Henry David Thoreau. How lovely would it be if one of their ghosts were roaming the hall?

The Ropes Mansion

The Ropes Mansion is a gorgeous, Georgian-style home built in 1727 and served multiple generations of the Ropes family.

Unfortunately, there were a number of family members who died in this very home. Two of which have sparked rumors that this house is plagued with paranormal activity. 

Nathanial Ropes was an unpopular figure in Salem during the 1770’s. This is due to his loyalty to the British Crown and alleged advocacy against the United States’ independence. 

Angry colonists mobbed the Ropes Mansion, throwing stones and sticks at the windows while demanding that Ropes renounce his British allegiance.

Ropes, however, never had the chance, as he died the day after the incident, reportedly due to illness. 

Years later another dramatic death occurred at the home, that of Abigail Ropes, who burned to death after her nightgown caught fire in the fireplace. 

It’s said her screams can still be heard and her ghostly figure seen in the mansion’s upper windows. 

Does the mansion look familiar? It was a filming location for Disney’s Hocus Pocus. You can read all about Salem’s Hocus Pocus filming sites — and much more! — in my guide Day Trip To Salem, Massachusetts.

Salem Ghost Tours

There are many variations of the these ghost stories throughout Salem. A great way to learn more about the Witch City’s history is to go for a ghost tour or walking tour.

Some popular tour options include:

• Mysteries & Murders of Salem
• History & Hauntings of Salem Walking Tour
• Salem Voodoo, Vampires, & Ghosts Walking Tour
• Ghosts Of Salem Tour
• Salem Witch Trials & Haunted Sites Tour

Haunted Hotels In Salem

Wish to spend a night among the ghosts? Check out these popular haunted places to stay in Salem, Massachusetts:

• The Merchant
• Hawthorne Hotel
• The Daniels House B&B
• The Salem Inn

For more information, check out The Scariest Haunted Hotels In Salem, MA.

Books About Salem & The Salem Witch Trials

Wish to learn more about haunted places in Salem? Or the infamous Witch Trials that took place here? Check out these popular books.

Below are a few books detailing hauntings and Witch Trials in Salem.

If you’re really into the trials, check out The Salem Witch Trials: A Day-by-Day Chronicle of a Community, this is an extremely detailed guide.

Alas, I will leave you with this:

“Houses of any antiquity in New England are so invariably possessed with spirits, that the matter seems hardly worth alluding to” – Nathaniel Hawthorne in Mosses of an Old Manse, 1854.

I hope you’ve found this guide helpful in finding haunted places in Salem, and happy ghost hunting!

If you’d like to follow along with my travels in real time, check out @seen.by.amy on Instagram or @seenbyamy on TikTok!

Looking for more ideas? Check out my additional Salem and Massachusetts guides below.