K.J. R.United States
Donald is so incredibly knowledgeable and kind. If you want to dive into all the details of the area's history, this is the tour for you!
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Private tour in Boston Donald F
Salem through the Centuries
4.7
(17) reviews
-
2 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
2 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size
1
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
Donald F.
4.8
Guide rating
24
Reviews
Tours delivered
7 hrs
Avg. response time
Hello, I'm Donald. In the 16 years I've lived in Salem, I have shown the city to hundreds of people—personal friends, college classes, teacher enrichment programs, Historic Salem, Inc. special events. Although I had known Salem as a Boston native, a summer visitor to the North Shore, and a historian of colonial America, I turned familiarity to intimacy by walking every street in the city of Salem to observe its historic waterfront, its urban development, most interesting buildings from the 17th century to the 21st, and the special character that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. I will be happy to show you the Salem that I now know well. Let me tell you a bit about myself—born in Boston (19 miles from Salem), educated at the Boston Latin School (founded in 1635), Brown University (A. B. ) and University of Pennsylvania (Ph. D. ), college teacher, museum director, lecturer, tour planner and guide for several institutions, and longtime President of the Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Honorary Trustee of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, appointed member of the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and Director Emeritus of Historic Deerfield, a museum of New England history and life. A.B., American Civilization, Brown University Ph.D., American Civilization, University of Pennsylvania Appointed member, Massachusetts Historical Commission Fellow, Massachusetts Historical Society Elected member, American Antiquarian Society past President, Colonial Society of Massachusetts Licensed guide, City of Salem I find that walking tours are the most effective way to see a city or town.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Donald F.
An Introduction to Salem's Past and Present
Overview of your Boston tour
Is this your first visit? Do you have a lot of questions about Salem, past and present? Then, this is the tour for you! On our walking tour we will see Salem Harbor, once one of the busiest ports in the U. S. , sending sailing ships all over the world. Now full of pleasure craft from May to November, it is still surrounded by the grand mansions and public buildings here 200 years ago. We will hear about the tragic witchcraft episode in 1692 and how Salem has become "the witch city" in recent years. We will learn how the vast profits from global trade after the American Revolution were reinvested in manufacturing—textiles, shoes, Parker Brothers toys and games—and see what a tourist mecca Salem now is, attracting visitors from all over the world, especially at Halloween. See Salem with an expert! I'm not only a Boston native and resident of Salem's McIntire District since 2005, but an historian specializing in early America, who was Director of the Historic Deerfield museum for 28 years.
Recent Reviews
Amy G.United States
What a lovely introduction to Salem! Donald had more knowledge and details about Salem then we thought possible but if you look at his bio (one of the reasons we choose him for our tour) you would understand. Donald's personal service and customization of our walking tour such as meeting us right at the Salem Ferry boat upon our arrival from Boston was great. Highly recommend this tour with Donald.
Clyde K.
Donald is an amazing guide that put Salem’s history in the broader context of world events and global trade, while also tipping his hat to the witch trials.
Amanda B.United States
If you are looking for a great way to learn about the entire history of Salem then this is the tour for you. Clearly, Donald is an expert on local history and offers loads of insights about the architecture, historic homes and families. We all enjoyed it.
Laura F.United States
It was a great experience on a beautiful day. Don shared his knowledge of the history of Salem. Don was very accommodating to my schedule and is a very nice person. Not only did he provide history on the Salem witch trials but also on the maritime and family histories. I enjoyed my tour and recommend it if you would like to learn about historical facts and not just the "witch trial" stories.
Raylene S.United States
We enjoyed our tour with Donald. He is an historian, not a storyteller, but he has a very broad grasp of Salem history beyond the witch trials. The other thing I would mention is that we learned Salem was probably not the best place for us to visit in October, when there are hundreds of people wearing witch hats, tour buses coming and going, lots of kids and adults enjoying the Halloween festivities. It was a fun atmosphere, but it surprised our little group of older travelers.
Your Boston tour itinerary
This is an outdoor walking tour. We will not enter any buildings, most of which are not open to the public. Derby Wharf (1762, 1806). The Friendship, original built at Enos Briggs Shipyard, Salem, 1797. Naumkeag. U. S. Custom House (1819). Town Common or "Town Swamp, " renamed Washington Square in 1801. Hawthorne Hotel (1924-1925). Gardner-Pingree House (1804). Samuel McIntire, architect. Grimshawe House (c1770), home of Sophia Peabody Hawthorne and her family. Charter Street Burying Ground, grave of John Hathorne, a judge at the Salem witch trials. Salem Witchcraft Memorial (1992). East India Marine Hall (1825), now Peabody Essex Museum. Jonathan Corwin House (before 1675), aka the Witch House. Ropes Mansion (1720s; Colonial Revival renovations 1894). Chestnut Street (1796, widened 1804). Hamilton Hall (1805-1807). Samuel McIntire, architect.
Want to customize this tour?
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
Transport details
Type: Walking
Walking tour
What's included
Other: Detailed list of sites seen on tour.
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. For those who wish. Otherwise no cash needed.
Food Drinks Snacks
Meeting location
193 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: In front of Waite & Peirce Museum Store, 193 Derby St, Salem, MA 01970.
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
History
Off The Beaten Path
City Highlights
Tour reference number
821056
Languages
EnglishActivity level
Light
Traveller reviews
4.7
FAQs
Who is this private tour in Salem best suited for?
This private tour in Salem is perfect for first-time visitors who are curious about the city's rich history and its transformation over the centuries. It's also ideal for those who want to connect with a local expert, as Donald F. is not only a Boston native and Salem resident but also an historian specializing in early America.
What should I bring or wear?
Can this private tour in Salem be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?
How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?
Where does the tour start and end?
Is transportation included?
How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?
What languages is this tour offered in?
What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?
Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?
AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
-
2 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
2 hours
Walking
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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