Self Guided Audio Tour Hawthorne's Haunts Haunted Walking Tour Salem

The journey, in full

Over the years it has been a favorite spot of celebrities while staying in the Witch City including George Bush, Liza Minelli, and Johnny Cash. Guests have consistently noted ghostly occurrences while staying at the Hawthorne Hotel. The Salem Common is said to be haunted by the ghost of a band leader. You'll see the bandstand and the grounds they walk. Nathaniel Hawthorne had a strong family link to the Salem Witch Trails. He was related to several accused witches and a Judge. You'll hear about his link and his remorse. The headstones you see on the corner are just that, headstones. With nothing but dirt underneath. You'll hear about the ghosts that now haunt the grounds and the church. On April 6th, 1830, Captain White, a wealthy slave trade merchant, was found murdered in this house. And the story became the biggest event since the Witch Trials. Once a Funeral home turned speakeasy turned liquor store this spot is as haunted as a lobster roll is full of mayo. On April 9, 1846, Hawthorne was sworn in as surveyor of Salem at a salary of $1,200 per year, a decent salary at the time. The position was so prestigious that his appointment was noted in the New York Tribune saying “the popular writer” has been named surveyor. But things did not end well. You'll hear his story here, why the Scarlet Letter was a hit, and the ghosts that walk its halls. In the basement of the Mercy tavern, and below the city of Salem runs an underground secret tunnel system that was built by local merchants to smuggle goods to and from the wharf. And you'll hear the stories of the ghosts that now haunt them. Its guests have reported otherworldly residents that haunt here including the spirit of a young teenage girl in turn-of-the-century clothing walking the halls. The most notable encounter is that of the spirit children that frequent the rooms.