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Salem Maritime National Historical Park, Salem, MA

Photo: Jesse Lee Tucker, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingHistory BuffFree

Salem Maritime National Historical Park

160 Derby St · Salem, MA

Why you should go…

Established in 1938 as the first National Historic Site in the country, this park covers about nine acres and twelve historic structures along Salem Harbor. You can walk out on Derby Wharf, see the Georgian Derby House from 1762, and visit the Custom House that Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote about in The Scarlet Letter. The Friendship of Salem is a replica of a 1797 merchant ship that traded with Asia.

  • #national park
  • #maritime history
  • #historic wharf
  • #tall ship
  • #salem

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

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

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Salem Maritime National Historical Park, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    Iconic

    House of the Seven Gables

    $25–$50

    A 1668 seaside mansion and museum campus in Salem that inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic novel.

    Steps awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Museums
    Family Favorite

    Real Pirates Salem

    Under $25

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

    0.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Museums
    Iconic

    Peabody Essex Museum

    $25–$50

    Salem's museum of art and culture, spanning four centuries of collections and historic houses.

    0.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • 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.

    0.5 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    History Buff

    Marblehead

    Free

    A pre-Revolutionary harbor town on Boston's North Shore, regarded as the birthplace of the American Navy and a top U.S. sailing hub.

    2.2 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Cape Ann

    Free

    A rocky Massachusetts peninsula of working fishing harbors and artist colonies, anchored by Gloucester and Rockport.

    11 mi awayMore like this