Castles & Curses: Hammond Castle & Salem Semiprivate Day Trip from Boston
free_cancellation Free Cancellation up to 1 week before
shield Trip Protection available for more flexibility
star Tour Highlights
- check_circle Explore a real castle with an 8,000-pipe organ - second largest ever in a private home
- check_circle Learn about "The Father of Radio Control" John Hays Hammond Jr., mentored by Nikola Tesla
- check_circle Hear the true story of Giles Corey's "More weight!" and the legendary Corwin Curse
- check_circle See filming locations from Hocus Pocus including Ropes Mansion
- check_circle Enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off in a comfortable passenger van
- check_circle Small group experience (max 9 guests) for personalized attention
routeTour Itinerary (17 stops)
Pick-ups begin
Your guide will do a loop around Boston, picking up all guests at their hotels! Keep an eye out for a notification the day before with your expected time.
Transfer to Hammond Castle Museum
After all guests have been collected, enjoy a comfortable ride to Hammond Castle in Gloucester!
Hammond Castle Museum
Explore "Abbadia Mare" (Abbey-from-the-Sea), built 1926-1929 by inventor John Hays Hammond Jr. See the 8,000-pipe organ - second largest ever installed in a private home - and medieval artifacts collected from across Europe. The ocean views are spectacular!
Transfer to Salem
Hop in the van and head to Salem for lunch!
Break
Enjoy an hour for lunch at one of Salem's many excellent restaurants!
East India Square
Sail back into Salem's past and learn how the sea trade made it one of the wealthiest cities in Colonial and Early America.
reviewsReviews
descriptionTour Description
You'll never forget this incredible day trip from Boston! Start with a pickup at your door in a comfortable van as the guide loops through Boston to get all guests! Then get to know the group on the ride to Hammond Castle Museum, where you will enjoy a tour of the unique former laboratory and house. Then enjoy free time to explore Hammond Castle, look out over the ocean cliffs, explore the library, bedrooms, or Tuscan-style courtyard, and take stunning photos! Learn about the eccentric inventor who designed it and his high-class visitors that he loved to prank!
After your morning at Hammond Castle Museum, hop in the van for a drive back to Salem, where you will have free time for lunch, with a variety of food options.
After lunch, explore historic Salem with your guide! See Derby Wharf, where some of the first spices from Asia came to the colonies. Do you know how many victims of the Salem Witch Trials were burned vs hanged? Have you heard of the "Corwin Curse"? Learn about both as you see the locations tied to that infamous time. See filming locations for Hocus Pocus, drive through the prestigious Chestnut Street District, and see legendary Proctor's Ledge!
checklist What's Included
Included
- check_circle Professional local guide
- check_circle Air-conditioned passenger van transportation
- check_circle Hotel pickup and drop-off in central Boston
- check_circle Hammond Castle Museum entrance tickets
- check_circle Bottled water
- check_circle Small group experience (max 9 guests)
Not Included
- cancel Lunch (1-hour break provided)
- cancel Gratuities (industry standard is $20-30 per person)
infoDetails & Pricing
- Start Times: Saturdays & Sundays, 8:30am (pick-ups start at 7:30am)
- Season: May through early September
- Massachusetts law requires proper car seats until children are 8 years old or 57 inches tall. We do not provide car seats, and refunds will not be available day-of for lack of proper seating. All passengers, regardless of age, must be registered as separate guests.
- Our booking platform adds a 6% service fee for online bookings. Call us to book with no service fees!
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Adult (18+) | $195 |
| Youth (13-17) | $180 |
| Child (12-) | $165 |
help Frequently Asked Questions
Do we go inside Hammond Castle?
Yes! Your ticket to Hammond Castle Museum is included. You'll enjoy a guided tour of the castle followed by free time to explore the library, bedrooms, Tuscan-style courtyard, and take photos overlooking the ocean cliffs.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes! Children of all ages are welcome. The stories about Hammond Castle's eccentric inventor and Salem's spooky history are engaging for families. Note that Massachusetts law requires proper car seats until children are 8 years old or 57 inches tall, and we do not provide car seats.
Please note: Hammond Castle Museum is not handicapped accessible. The castle has multiple levels connected by stairs, uneven stone floors, and narrow passages. We cannot accommodate wheelchairs or strollers at this location and do not recommend this tour if such access is required.
What if it rains?
Tours run rain or shine. Much of the tour takes place inside Hammond Castle or in the van, so weather has minimal impact. We recommend bringing an umbrella for the walking portions in Salem.
Can I book a private tour instead?
Absolutely! We offer a private version of this tour: Salem & Hammond Castle Private Day Trip. The private tour can be customized to your interests and scheduled on any day that works for you.
Where do you pick us up?
We offer complimentary hotel pickup within central Boston (see the map above for the pickup zone). If you're staying outside this area, we can arrange pickup at Copley Square, North Station, or South Station. You'll receive exact pickup time and instructions the day before your tour.