SalemSights

Museum sights in Salem

  1. A

    Salem Maritime National Historic Site

    The witch phenomena obscures Salem’s true claim to fame: its glory days as a center for clipper-ship trade with China, started by Elias Hasket Derby. The Salem Maritime National Historic Site comprises the customhouse, the wharves and the other buildings along Derby St that are remnants of the shipping industry that once thrived along this stretch of Salem. In all, the site comprises ten different historic locations within a two-block area. Start at the visitors center to pick up a map and to see the informative film To the Farthest Ports of the Rich East. Of the 50 wharves that once lined Salem Harbor, only three remain, the longest of which is Derby Wharf. Visitors ca…

    reviewed

  2. Tall Ship Friendship

    Of the 50 wharves that once lined Salem Harbor, only three remain, the longest of which is Derby Wharf. Visitors can stroll out to the end and peek inside the 1871 lighthouse. The most prominent building along Derby St is the Custom House, where permits and certificates were issued and, of course, taxes paid. Other buildings at the site include warehouses, the scale house, and Elias Hasket Derby’s 1762 home. Stop by at the West India Goods Store, a working store with spices and other items similar to those sold two centuries ago. You can also board the replica of the tall ship Friendship to see how the sailors lived.

    reviewed

  3. B

    New England Pirate Museum

    Relive the adventures of Captains Kidd and Blackbeard at the fun-filled Pirate Museum. The museum includes an artifacts room with authentic pirate treasures, interactions with pirate characters in costume and a walking tour through the port and a visit to a pirate ship. Get a discount if you purchase tickets to the Pirate Museum, the Witch History Museum and the Witch Dungeon Museum together.

    reviewed

  4. Yin Yu Tang

    Predictably, the Peabody Essex Museum is particularly strong on Asian art, including pieces from China, Japan, Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia. The collection from pre­industrial Japan is rated as the best in the world. Yin Yu Tang is a Chinese house that was shipped to the museum from Huizhou province.

    reviewed

  5. C

    Witch History Museum

    Museum containing the history of witches.

    reviewed

  6. D

    Salem Witch Museum

    One of many witch museums around town.

    reviewed

  7. E

    Witch Dungeon Museum

    Another witch museum.

    reviewed