Salem, MA: Witch City Broom Making Workshop

The best part of this Salem experience is that you do not simply buy a witchy souvenir, you make one. In 90 minutes, you choose broomcorn colors, ribbons, charms, and earthy details, then learn how to wrap them onto a handmade broom handle. Mykaela, Ashley, Samantha, and Makayla are among the local instructors praised for clear guidance and patient help.

I like the wide creative choice, especially the colored broomcorn and personal charms. I also like that the finished broom has real use as a Salem decoration, altar piece, or wall hanging rather than being another small trinket in your suitcase. The main drawback is the $135 price, plus the need to carry or ship a full-size craft afterward.

Key points before you book

• Handmade Salem souvenir: You build a broom rather than purchasing a finished item from a shop.
• 90 minutes of guided work: Instructors explain the wrapping, decoration, and finishing steps.
• Many personal choices: Select from colored broomcorn, ribbons, charms, botanicals, and other details.
• Small, relaxed workshop setting: The room is designed for hands-on help and creative work.
• Plan for transport: Full-size brooms may need to fit diagonally in a suitcase or be shipped.
• Stairs are required: The workshop is not wheelchair accessible and does not accept mobility scooters.

Making a Salem souvenir with your own hands

Salem has no shortage of witch-themed merchandise. You can buy a mug, a T-shirt, a spell book, or a broom from a retail shelf. This workshop takes a more satisfying route: you create the object yourself, with help from people who know how to make the process friendly even if you do not consider yourself artistic.

The finished broom is not meant for sweeping a kitchen floor. It is a decorative craft piece that can hang on a wall, sit near an altar, or mark your Salem visit in a more personal way. I find that distinction important when judging the price. You are paying for materials, instruction, a private creative activity, and a souvenir you have shaped yourself.

The basic package includes one broom handle, broomcorn, ribbon, color, and one or two decorations. You then add your own choices from the available charms and natural elements. The result can be simple and traditional or colorful and theatrical. You do not need to arrive with a firm design plan. The instructors help you make decisions as you go.

Finding the Old Town Hall meeting point

The meeting point is at the Old Town Hall building, near the three staircases. Take this detail seriously because the workshop is not at the retail store on Essex Street. Salem is compact in its central area, but its witch-themed businesses can look similar on a busy day, and arriving at the wrong address will cost you valuable time.

Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early. Latecomers cannot be accepted into the class, so this is not an activity to squeeze between two other plans with no margin. Early arrival also gives you time to find the building, use the restroom, and settle in before the materials are laid out.

The setting has been arranged to support a relaxed workshop atmosphere, with witchy decor and a prepared work area. Seating for people who are waiting is limited to one or two people. Parents should not leave children unattended in that waiting area, and unaccompanied minors are not allowed.

Choosing broomcorn, colors, and charms

The first creative stage is gathering your materials. You select the broomcorn and color scheme, then consider which ribbon and decorations fit the look you want. Available choices have included colorful broomcorn, ribbons, charms, florals, botanicals, and other small decorative pieces.

This is where the activity becomes more than a basic craft class. The colors and objects can carry symbolic meaning. Instructors explain ideas connected with protection, good luck, good fortune, warding off evil, and keeping unwanted spells away. You can treat that symbolism seriously, use it as playful Salem folklore, or simply choose the pieces that look good together.

The freedom is helpful if you enjoy making something personal. It can also slow you down. With so many choices, you might spend part of the 90 minutes deciding between colors or decorations. I suggest choosing a general mood before you arrive: natural and rustic, bright and theatrical, dark and traditional, or personal and sentimental.

One useful tip is to ask in advance about bringing a small charm of your own. A visitor who had an old skeleton key from a family home wished she had planned to use it, and an instructor said it could be brought to a future class. The supplied materials are the foundation, but a meaningful personal object could make the broom much more special.

Learning the wrapping technique

Once the materials are chosen, the instructor demonstrates how to arrange and wrap the broom. This is the part that can seem intimidating if you have never made one. The broomcorn needs to sit properly around the handle, and the wrapping needs enough tension to hold everything in place.

The instruction is hands-on without turning into a stiff lecture. Guides such as Samantha, Mykaela, Ashley, Amy, Haley, Makayla, and Hillary have been praised for giving clear steps, answering questions, and helping people who need extra time. That matters because the class includes different comfort levels with craft work.

You do not need to be naturally artistic. The instructors can suggest broom styles, help with the amount of material, and show you how to attach charms and natural elements. One person who did not consider herself creative was surprised by how well her broom turned out. That is a good sign for anyone who likes handmade objects but worries about getting the design wrong.

The 90-minute duration feels useful rather than rushed, but it is not a long studio session. You will want to stay focused once the construction begins. A few people wished they had more time, while others found the class length just right. The balance depends on how elaborate your design becomes and how quickly you make decisions.

Adding ribbons, botanicals, and protection charms

After the main wrapping, you personalize the broom. Ribbons can add color and movement, while charms and botanicals give the piece a more individual character. You might choose a decoration for its symbolism, its appearance, or simply because it reminds you of home.

The instructors explain how to attach each element and how to think about placement. This is useful because a broom can look crowded if every available object is added at once. A little restraint may produce a cleaner design, while a maximalist approach suits Salem’s theatrical side.

Supply levels can vary. One person found that some desired items had run out before she reached them. That is a small but real consideration, especially if you have your heart set on a certain flower, charm, or color. If a particular option matters to you, choose it early rather than waiting until the end.

The activity has a warm social quality, too. Friends and family can compare styles without needing to make matching brooms. Grandparents and grandchildren, parents and children, and groups of friends have all found a way to work at their own level. One family also found the staff kind and helpful when a participant needed extra support.

Finishing the broom and planning the trip home

The final stage is securing the decoration and checking that the broom is ready to display. You learn how to hang it at home, and the instructor can offer suggestions about the best way to carry it. At this point, you have a useful souvenir, but you also have a practical problem: brooms are awkward.

If you are driving, transport should be simple. If you are flying, think ahead before booking. The finished broom may fit diagonally into a large suitcase, depending on the size and style you select. Smaller options worked for some people, but you should not assume every broom will fit ordinary luggage.

The workshop does not ship brooms for you. A nearby UPS store can handle shipping, and some people arranged that after class rather than trying to take the broom through airport security. Build the extra time and cost into your plan. The $135 workshop fee does not appear to include shipping.

This is one reason I would avoid scheduling the class right before a flight. You will have more freedom if you can carry the broom around Salem for a while, return to your lodging, or visit a shipping store afterward. The broom itself can become part of your day, and it tends to attract attention as you walk through town.

Is $135 a fair price?

At $135 per person, this is not a casual drop-in craft activity. For two people, the workshop costs $270 before any shipping or other travel expenses. You should book it because you want the making process, not simply because you need an inexpensive souvenir.

The value improves if you appreciate local craft, guided instruction, and a keepsake with a story attached. Materials are included, the broom handles are handmade at a local farm, and the instructors spend time helping you build a design that works. You leave with an object that is more personal than a store purchase.

The value is less convincing if you are mainly looking for a quick Salem photo opportunity or a cheap decoration. You may also feel the price more sharply if your preferred decorations are unavailable or if you need to pay for shipping afterward.

I think the workshop makes the most sense as a special Salem activity. It can replace a standard shopping stop and give your group something to discuss and display later. The 4.9 rating from 142 reviews also suggests a very consistent experience, with repeated praise for the friendly instruction, atmosphere, personal choices, and final brooms.

Who will enjoy the workshop most?

This is a strong choice for friends, couples, families with older children, and anyone who enjoys making a physical souvenir. It works especially well for people who want more than a guided ghost story or a walk through historic streets. You leave with something you created during your visit.

It also suits people who are unsure of their artistic ability. The process is explained step by step, and instructors offer suggestions rather than expecting you to arrive with craft skills. If you need additional help, the staff have shown patience and flexibility.

Children can enjoy it, but the rules require adult responsibility. Unaccompanied minors are not allowed, and children cannot be left alone in the limited waiting area. Parents should also consider the stairs and the length of the class.

The workshop is not suitable for wheelchair users. The building requires stair access, and mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs are not accepted. Closed-toe shoes are required, so leave sandals and flip-flops at your accommodation.

How to make the most of your 90 minutes

Arrive 10 minutes early and go to Old Town Hall, not the Essex Street retail store. Wear closed-toe shoes, keep your phone ready for a few design photos, and think about the colors or symbols you might want before you sit down.

If you have a personal charm, key, ribbon, or small object you hope to use, ask about it before the class rather than bringing it as a surprise. Keep in mind that the workshop supplies include one or two decorations, while extra choices or larger designs may affect what you can build.

Listen closely during the first demonstration. Wrapping is the one part where a little care pays off later. Once the structure is secure, the decorative choices become easier and more enjoyable.

Finally, make a transport plan. If you are flying, leave room in a suitcase or allow time for a UPS visit. You can also choose a smaller broom style if that suits your luggage better, but confirm the size during the workshop.

Should you book the Witch City Broom Making Workshop?

Book it if you want an interactive Salem memory, enjoy choosing colors and charms, and are happy to pay for a handmade souvenir plus instruction. The patient guides, thoughtful atmosphere, local broom handles, and wide design choices give the class real substance.

Skip it if your budget is tight, you dislike crafts, or you cannot manage stairs. Also skip it if you need a simple item that fits easily into carry-on luggage.

For the right person, this is one of Salem’s more personal activities. You do not just leave with a witch-themed object. You leave with a broom that records your choices, your time in Salem, and the little bit of creative confidence you gained while making it.

FAQ

How long does the broom making workshop last?

The workshop lasts 90 minutes. Check the available starting times when booking.

How much does the experience cost?

The price is $135 per person.

Where do I meet the group?

Meet at the Old Town Hall building near the three staircases. The workshop is not held at the retail store on Essex Street.

What does the workshop include?

It includes the broom making class, one broom handle, broomcorn, one or two decorations, ribbon, and color.

What should I wear?

You must wear closed-toe shoes. Sandals, flip-flops, and other open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Is the workshop wheelchair accessible?

No. The building requires participants to use stairs, and wheelchair users, mobility scooters, and electric wheelchairs cannot take part.