When you have only been on one "Salem Witch Walk" it really is difficult to say that the tour you took was the best in town. With that said, I can't imagine that any of the dozens of witch, ghost, or haunted tours could even match what The Salem Witch Walk provides.
My wife and I took the afternoon tour with Tom. As you have read from other reviews the tour starts with a ritual right behind the Crow Haven Corner Witch Shop. Don't expect slaughtered lambs, drums, and special effects. There were about 20 people in our group and everyone had a brief chance to be part of the presentation (maybe 8-10 seconds worth). I'm sure if you didn't wish to take part they wouldn't turn you into a toad.
The walk itself proceeds at a leisurely pace with Tom bantering with all the guests as he walks between lecture stops. What I liked most about the narration was that it was mostly history, with just enough of the "tales of the town" to keep everyone's taste for information satiated. Some of Tom's humor may have sailed over the heads of a couple of the children in the group, but it wasn't what I might describe as "adult" humor. Don't get me wrong as Tom's responses to questions from the children in the group were answered in the same serious manner as the adult inquiries.
My favorite stop was of course the cemetary as I have to admit there were dozens of photo opportunities while Tom kept the information flowing. I noticed a number of people (not part of the tour) hanging around our group listening to Tom's narration. Tom managed to find a couple of spots in the shade to talk, a fact which was greatly appreciated by those in the group.
Over the course of my several day stay in Salem I saw a lot of tour groups walking around and yes I did approach several of the groups to hear what was being said. Some group leaders were in period costume, some had "witchy" outfits, some carried candles....but I didn't hear anything from the guides that came close to the interesting material presented by Tom on the Salem Witch Walk.
Spend your time and money wisely, take the Salem Witch Walk.
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Jul 2014
Your review was a lot of fun to read. Thank you for sharing! Tom really is one of the best local historians in Salem and has such a way of weaving history and magic. And we promise we will continue our no slaughtered lambs policy. *grin*. Many blessings, Christian Day