Sites and Attractions

Information, sales area, exhibits on early settlement, maritime era and leather and textile industry. View film on historic Essex County.

Regional Information includes:

Essex National Heritage Area
Follow the Essex Heritage Trails: Early Settlement, Maritime, and Industrial Trails through 34 communities. From earliest settlement through the nation's rise as a maritime power, to the early Industrial Revolution, Essex County offers an exciting American story. Inquire at the National Park Service Visitor Center for information.

Includes Custom House, Derby House, Narbonne House, West India Goods Store, Orientation Center and Wharves.

On the wharf nearby:

The Friendship, Salem's Tall Ship A reconstruction of a 171-foot three-masted Salem East Indiaman built in 1797.

The oldest cemetery in Salem. Contains the graves of a Mayflower pilgrim and witchcraft trial judge John Hathorne. Open dawn to dusk. Free.

A Registered National Historic Landmark, considered one of the most architecturally beautiful streets in America, is a showcase of grand antique houses. Part of Salem's McIntire Historic District.

Trolley Tours of the City. Contact CityView Trolley for route and schedule information.

The only structure still standing in Salem with direct ties to the 1692 Salem Witch Trials. Today, Witch House tours blend information about 17th-century lifestyles, furnishings, and architecture with fascinating insights into the events of 1692. Visitors gain a deeper comprehension of the lives of those involved in the Witchcraft Trials through examination of the material culture of the period.
Open Daily May 1 - early November 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Call for extended October hours.
Tours available by appointment during off-season. Admission is charged and there are reduced rates for groups, senior citizens, children and student groups. Ideal for motorcoach tours. Bus parking available.

Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery is a journey into the history of Horror Cinema. Over 20 different special FX artists from Hollywood have painstakingly reproduced life-sized creatures from over 30 different horror films. It's great for families because there are no "scares" waiting around the corner to give the little ones nightmares. It's great for the horror fan because they get to come face to face with their favorite horror movie character. We're always adding monsters so it never gets dull! Come and see the big monster museum! There's something for everyone!
Open year round, (weekends only November to June) daily during summer through October.

The People versus Bridget Bishop. The year is 1692. Bridge Bishop has been accused of witchcraft, and YOU are on the jury. Hear the historical testimonies, cross-examine the witnesses and decide the outcome. The actors respond in character, revealing much about the Puritan mind. Play your party in history.
Summer Schedule 2009: Late June through early November.

Open every day and evening in October. Admission charged.

Welcome aboard the schooner Fame of Salem, a replica of the successful privateer from the War of 1812. FAME sails every day -- weather permitting -- from Memorial Day through the end of September, and then weekends only through Halloween.

A Day in the Life of Early Colonists. Immerse yourself in Pioneer Village, a three-acre, recreated Puritan village, while you participate in activities from the lives of Salem's earliest English settlers. Perfect for a family outing, Pioneer Village is nestled next to the ocean and picnic area in Forest River Park.
Summer 2009: Late June through early November.

Family park with beaches, picnic areas, fresh water swimming pool (residents only). Non-resident parking fee in season. Open dawn to dusk.

Built between 1805 and 1807 as a social center for Salem's merchant families and designed by Samuel McIntire, this National Register historic landmark remains a unique setting for special functions and weddings.

Includes a guided tour of the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion (The House of the Seven Gables), a visit to the Nathaniel Hawthorne House, the Counting House, the Colonial Revival Gardens, and the waterfront. Daily, 10:00am - 5:00pm (including Sunday) with extended hours 10:00am - 7:00pm from July 1 - October 31st. The last tour of the day begins at closing. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, and closing at 2pm on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Admission charged.

Download iSEESALEM.COM's free walking tour podcasts and enjoy learning about Salem's history at your pace. You will discover tales of Salem's famous residents, long nautical history, haunted sites, witch history, and more!

The witch trials are a constant influence on this city's culture and attractions. But did you know that there's an even darker side to Salem's history? A long and cursed history of horrific murders and violent criminals. An odd history filled with freaks and unusual happenings. Join us on Life & Death's walking tours to learn more than the history books will tell you.

Our narrated, 1 1/2 hour, harbor tour visits Salem's historic lighthouses and islands. Just a few steps down to the dock and a step back in time. Enjoy stories of Salem's history of witches and maritime lore. Then we raise our lobster trap to discover the day's catch. This is a fun trip for all ages.

Browse, shop and dine in Salem's only enclosed shopping mall. Offers a variety of specialty and gift shops, fast food and full-service restaurants and a 3-screen movie theatre. Open air concerts by the fountain in summer. Located across from the Visitor Center.

Home of Nathaniel Bowditch from 1811 to 1823. Built in 1805, it is a National Historic Landmark, and is significant both architecturally and historically. It is located at the junction of Salem's famed McIntire Historic District and the City's downtown area. Owned by Historic Salem, Inc., the house is being restored.

Piracy flourished here post 1692. Notorious villains like Blackbeard and Kidd prowled our coast. Relive their adventures. Admission charged.

Try us and see if you don't agree that we are the most exciting Haunted House in Salem!

Built in 1816 after the land was donated to the City of Salem by John Derby III and Benjamin Pickman, Jr., it was the city headquarters until 1836/37 when the new City Hall was erected on Washington Street.

Explore 200 years of extraordinary art, architecture and culture from New England and the world! Described by The New York Times as "a cross-cultural marvel," the museum's preeminent collections contain over 1,000,000 objects to excite your curiosity and broaden your horizons. View the finest maritime art in the United States, art and cultures of North America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific Islands, and three centuries of American life in historic period houses. The Phillips Library houses the original court documents of the Salem Witch Trials. Museum shop and Cafe. Allow one hour or more.

Open year round. The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday and holiday Mondays, 10 am-5 pm. It is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day. Admission to the Museum Shop is free. Adults $15, Seniors $13, Students $11 Youth (16 and under) and Salem, Mass. residents admitted free. Members admitted free to all sites.

Located on picturesque Chestnut Street, this Federal style mansion contains a family collection that spans five generations, including antique carriages and cars. Enjoy artifacts from near and far, hear the stories of the Phillips family, and experience over two hundred years of history in the New England tradition.
Open: June 1 through October 31, Tuesday through Sunday,
10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with tours on the hour and half-hour, last tour at 4pm.
Open:November through May (Saturday + Sunday)
11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tours every half hour.
FREE to Historic New England members. Fees charged to non-members. Reservations for group tours are recommended. Please call (978) 744-0440.

Oldest house continuously occupied by the same family. Antiques, Washington's letters. Open Mondays 10 to 3 Call for in-season schedule and by appointment. Admission charge $4. Allow 20 minutes or more.

Salem's gateway to seafaring activities and harbor side village of shops. Harbor tours & cruises are available. Visit boutiques featuring gifts & flowers, clothing, antiques, arts & crafts, occult & wiccan goods. Stop in for a meal or snack at one of the waterfront restaurants.
Open year round.

Open June 28 - early November. "America's oldest living history museum" is a recreation of an English settlement established in 1626. The site was originally created in 1930 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Salem. It features a three-acre, recreated Puritan village, and allows visitors the opportunity to participate in activities from the lives of Salem's earliest English settlers. The Gordon College theater group History Alive! stages performances there and manages the museum's use as a set for hire. Visit the Pioneer Village web site for hours and admission fees.

The Ropes Mansion Garden was designed in 1912. It is owned and operated by the Peabody Essex Museum and open year-round, 24 hours a day. The adjacent Georgian-style mansion was built in 1727 and once housed three generations of Salem's Ropes family. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Nine-acre park which was the public land used to graze livestock and train local militia in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today it is used for concerts and community activities.

A series of annual free concerts to the public, concluding with a festival in August at the Salem Willows.
See the Salemweb Calendar for dates and times.

A quaint brick market area between Derby and Front streets with shops, art galleries, outdoor dining, and nighttime entertainment. Artists' Row stalls are open May 23rd to November 2nd, Thursday through Saturday 10-6, and Sundays 12-6. Some artist stalls may have additional days/hours.

There's no better way to see a city than on foot. When the city is Salem, Massachusetts, each step of the journey is packed with captivating surprises. Tours are given from . Reservations are not required. Tours go in sunshine, drizzle, and gentle rain. In case of severely inclement weather, call 978-741-1154 to check tour status.

The Salem Trolley, the oldest trolley company in Salem, starts its 26th year of operation April 1st 2009 with some new and exciting tours look for more information later.

Compelling multi-media presentation and marvelously-realistic wax figures, along with dramatic re-creations bring the past to life. A separate hands-on activity area for kids. Admission fee. Hysteria Pass covers admission to the Wax Museum and the Witch Village.

Shaded park, scenic harbor views, public pier with harbor cruises. Beaches, children's rides, amusement games, food & refreshments. March to October, 10 am -11 pm. Free parking and admission. SalemWillowsPark.com

The museum presents a dramatic look at one of the most important and tragic events in American history ... the Witch Trials of 1692. Walk through our doors and discover why we are Salem's most visited museum.
Open daily year round, 10 to 5; July and Aug. 10 to 7. Special hours in October.
Admission is charged. Group rates available.

Dedicated in 1992, the 300th anniversary of the Salem Witch Trials. Award-winning design creating a reflective environment evoking lessons of human rights and tolerance. Self guided. Open dawn to dusk. Free.

Take a journey back in time to discover both the myths and facts surrounding the subject of Witchcraft. Workshops and Special Exhibits on site. Call for Details. Group Tours Welcome. Admission fee. Hysteria Pass covers admission to the Wax Museum and the Witch Village.

Salem's #1 haunt is "spooktacular". A high-tech 3D walk-thru adventure with 3D walls and floors that come alive when you put on their 3D glasses. Live actors, animations and sound create a show that is a feast for your senses. The show is continuous day and night. Open only October 1st to November 1st. Buy your tickets online and enter without waiting. A combination ticket is available if you also want to go on an 8 PM ghost tour. Call 978-744-0013 in season only or email salems13ghosts@yahoo.com anytime.

Authentic historical, cultural and religious artifacts pertaining to the supernatural world. Experience America's only "GHOST GALLERY"! New England's only museum dedicated to the supernatural world and its mysteries. Admission charged.

Open mid-June through October, with extended hours in October. The Witches Cottage is a live, multi-media, interactive experience that will have you quaking in your seats! Learn about the Salem Witch Trials and other ghostly hauntings through superb acting and stunning special effects! Salem's most unique show! Check us out on TripAdvisor.com, we are ranked the #1 attraction in Salem!

A Marine Recreational Park. RV & Campsites from May through October. Reservations recommended.

Acclaimed presentation of a witch trial adapted from the 1692 historical manuscripts by professional actors - a chilling performance! Dungeon tour recreates the atmosphere and conditions of the original site. AAA approved. Admission charged.

Revealing Salem's Mysteries of 1692. "The untold stories" told through a live presentation and tour (including modern animated techniques). Group Tours welcome. Admission charged.