Mass. has the best cultural and historical tour in America, according to Tripadvisor users

Visitors learn about the city's famous past, architecture, maritime history, and more.

History & Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour is the best in America. Tripadvisor

June 25, 2024

A seaside city on the North Shore once again boasts the nation’s top tour.

Tour an 18th century pig barn turned art studio and summer home on Nantucket

The Needham-based travel site revealed its best travel experiences for 2024 on Tuesday, and Salem’s History & Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour by Witch City Walking Tours ranked No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 2 in the world for cultural and historic tours. Last year it ranked No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 6 in the world.

“Experiences make a trip, and our Best of the Best Things to Do Awards offer some of the highest-rated activities from across the world, highlighted by our community of travelers,” said Kristen Dalton, president of Tripadvisor, in a statement.

Salem, famous for the 1692 Salem Witch Trials, welcomes more than half a million visitors in October for its monthlong Haunted Happenings. History & Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour takes place daily, year round, and participants meet at Salem’s Old Town Hall.

“What we love about this tour is that it’s a little bit of everything of Salem’s history and the Salem experience,” Beth Crowley, owner and guide, told Boston.com after last year’s No. 1 ranking. “A lot of tours will focus on just the witch trials or just ghost stories. We combine so our travelers will learn about our maritime history. They’ll also do a deep dive into the Salem witch trials of 1692. We’ll also expose them to three centuries of beautiful architecture as well. And, of course, we throw in the spooky ghost stories.”

Which cultural and historical experience ranked No. 1 in the world, edging out our Salem gem? An Amsterdam canal cruise in an open boat with a local skipper guide.

Two other local cultural and historical tours made the list of 25 best in the U.S.: Freedom Trail: Small Group Walking Tour of Revolutionary Boston ranked No. 4 and Downtown Portland, Maine City and Lighthouse Tour ranked No. 23.

The 2024 Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Things to Do Awards are determined based on traveler reviews and ratings posted on Tripadvisor between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024.

Check out the list of 25 best cultural and historic experiences in the U.S.