Shaka Guide's Historic Salem Walking Tour Itinerary

Salem has a history full of surprises, and this tour will show you some of the highlights. From a famous author’s story to a haunted hotel, seaside mansion, and lighthouse by the water, you’ll see how the city’s past still comes alive today.     

1. Salem Armory Visitor Center

• Duration: 15 min

Lizzie Gerecitano

Tour starting point. Outside are benches and a park with granite benches. Inside are National Park Service maritime displays and park rangers for info, a gift shop, water for purchase, free restrooms, and benches for sitting.

2. Turner's Seafood Lyceum Hall

• Duration: 5 min

Lizzie Gerecitano

This historic building was once a prominent lecture space called Lyceum Hall. Today, it's the home of the well-regarded Turner's Seafood.

3. Salem Common

• Duration: 15 min

Lizzie Gerecitano

Salem Common is the oldest public park in Salem, dating back to 1803. It was a community space before that, and is known as the birthplace of the National Guard.

4. The Hawthorne Hotel

• Duration: 5 min

Lizzie Gerecitano

The Hawthorne Hotel was established in 1925 and is named after Nathaniel Hawthorne, Salem's most prominent author. The show Bewitched and the film Joy filmed here. The lobby is elegant, and there's a restaurant and gift shop.

5. Nathaniel Hawthorne Statue

• Duration: 5 min

Lizzie Gerecitano

This statue of author Nathaniel Hawthorne stands in a small pocket park in front of the Hawthorne Hotel. Nathaniel was born down the street and is one of Salem's most prominent figures.

6. Nathaniel Hawthorne's Childhood Home

• Duration: 5 min

Lizzie Gerecitano

Nathaniel Hawthorne's home was originally located near the Hawthorne Hotel, but it was relocated to the grounds of the House of the Seven Gables for preservation and is part of a historical complex. Entry into the home requires admission to the House of the Seven Gables.

7. The House of the Seven Gables

• Duration: 15 min

Lizzie Gerecitano

The House of the Seven Gables is one of the largest timber-framed colonial mansions in North America that still sits on its original foundation. It was built in 1668 for a sea merchant and ship owner named John Turner, and later ended up in the hands of relatives of Nathaniel Hawthorne's. There are a few additional buildings on the grounds, and a garden. You can just go in the gift shop free of charge or pay various options to tour inside the house, or just the grounds and garden.

8. Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie

• Duration: 5-15 min

Lizzie Gerecitano

Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie claims to be the oldest candy company in the United States. It's known for two local candy specialties: the gibralter and the black jack.

9. The Derby House

• Duration: 5-15 min

Lizzie Gerecitano

The Derby House was once the home of one of Salem's wealthiest sea merchants, Elias Derby. The home is now part of Salem Maritime National Historic Site. You can just look at the front of the house, or walk around the backyard garden.

10. The Custom House

• Duration: 5 min to 30 min

Lizzie Gerecitano

The Custom House dates back to 1819, when Salem was a maritime powerhouse. Ship captains came to this building to pay duties on the goods they imported. Today, it's part of the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. You can just look at the outside of the building or spend a while exploring both floors inside.

11. Derby Wharf

• Duration: 5 min to 30 min

Lizzie Gerecitano

Derby Wharf was constructed in 1762 by sea merchant Elias Derby. It's 2,000 feet long and once held around 20 buildings. Today, there's the Pedrick Store House, the three-masted Friendship of Salem ship, and the Derby Wharf Lightstation at the very end. You can just take a look out on the water or spend time sitting by the water or walking to the lighthouse. The wharf is part of Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

12. Derby Lighthouse

• Duration: 30 min

Lizzie Gerecitano

The light station is the only original structure remaining on the wharf. It's a small lighthouse, only 20 feet tall. It dates back to 1871 and has aided navigation in Salem Harbor ever since. To walk all the way to the lighthouse and back takes a minimum of 20 minutes round-trip

13. Waite & Peirce Gift Shop

• Duration: 5-15 min

Lizzie Gerecitano

This building holds a national park gift shop now, but it was once a warehouse for the wharf. You can just look at it from the outside, or enter and shop for souvenirs, or park info