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Peabody Essex Museum

161 Essex Street · Salem, MA

Why you should go…

The Peabody Essex Museum anchors downtown Salem with exhibitions ranging from maritime and Asian export art to contemporary work and the region's witch trials history. The museum's campus includes historic houses, gardens, and an arboretum alongside its main galleries, drawing on collections built up over four centuries.

  • #art museum
  • #salem
  • #history
  • #maritime
  • #architecture

Good to know

General museums guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Check the special exhibition separately

    Touring shows usually carry their own ticket and their own opening hours, listed apart from general admission.

  • Look for the free window

    Many museums run community days, member evenings, or discounted late openings. It is worth a look before you pay full price.

  • Travel light through the door

    Large bags and backpacks often have to go to a coat check, and lines for it move slowly at opening.

  • Weekday mornings beat weekend afternoons

    School groups clear out by early afternoon midweek, while weekends stay busy from late morning on.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Peabody Essex Museum, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Tours
    Family Favorite

    Salem Trolley

    $25–$50

    A narrated hop-on hop-off trolley tour covering nearly 400 years of Salem history.

    Right next doorSwitch it up: Tours

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    Real Pirates Salem

    Under $25

    Interactive Salem museum showcasing authenticated pirate treasure and artifacts recovered from the wrecked ship Whydah.

    Steps awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Salem Witch Museum

    Under $25

    Life-size staged retelling of the 1692 Salem witch trials.

    Steps awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Witch Dungeon Museum

    Under $25

    Live witch-trial reenactment and dungeon walkthrough in Salem.

    0.3 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Salem

    Free

    Massachusetts' famous 'Witch City,' blending 1692 witch trial history with a working harbor and a lively arts and dining scene.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Attractions
    Quirky Fun

    Witch Pix

    $25–$50

    A costume photo studio in Salem offering witch-themed portrait sessions with historic backdrops.

    0.5 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions