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
The tour begins at the Salem Visitor Center. Outside, you’ll find granite benches and a small park to relax in. Step inside for maritime displays, friendly park rangers, a gift shop, free restrooms, and even water for purchase before you set out.
2. Turner's Seafood Lyceum Hall
- Duration: 5 min
Lizzie Gerecitano
Turner’s Seafood isn’t just a great place for chowder — it’s housed inside the historic Lyceum Hall, where Alexander Graham Bell once demonstrated the telephone. Today, you can enjoy fresh New England catch in a setting filled with local history and, some say, a ghostly presence or two.
3. Salem Common
- Duration: 15 min
Lizzie Gerecitano
Salem Common has been the town’s gathering place for centuries — once a grazing field, later a militia training ground. Today, it’s a peaceful green park where locals walk their dogs, kids play, and festivals bring the community together year-round.
4. The Hawthorne Hotel
- Duration: 5 min
Lizzie Gerecitano
The Hawthorne Hotel is a Salem landmark, welcoming guests since 1925 with its classic New England charm. Known for elegant interiors and a few lingering ghost stories, it’s a favorite stop for history buffs and curious travelers alike.
5. Nathaniel Hawthorne Statue
- Duration: 5 min
Lizzie Gerecitano
Bronze and watchful, Nathaniel Hawthorne stands in the heart of Salem, a quiet tribute to the city’s literary son. His presence connects modern visitors to the author of The Scarlet Letter and The House of the Seven Gables.
6. Nathaniel Hawthorne's Childhood Home
- Duration: 5 min
Lizzie Gerecitano
Tucked along Union Street, this modest home is where Nathaniel Hawthorne spent his boyhood years. Step closer and it’s easy to picture the future author wandering these rooms, gathering impressions that would later shape his classic works.
7. The House of the Seven Gables
- Duration: 15 min
Lizzie Gerecitano
Dark eaves and secret staircases make the House of the Seven Gables one of Salem’s most intriguing landmarks. Immortalized by Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel, this 17th-century mansion still whispers of Puritan life, family drama, and stories carved into its walls.
8. Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie
- Duration: 5-15 min
Lizzie Gerecitano
Said to be America’s oldest candy company, Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie has been delighting sweet tooths since 1806. Step inside and you’ll find classic treats like Gibralters and Black Jacks, flavors that carry Salem’s history in every bite.
9. The Derby House
- Duration: 5-15 min
Lizzie Gerecitano
Once home to Elias Hasket Derby, one of America’s first millionaires, the Derby House reflects Salem’s prosperous maritime past. Its Georgian brick walls and elegant details tell the story of a port city thriving on global trade.
10. The Custom House
- Duration: 5 min to 30 min
Lizzie Gerecitano
Sea captains once checked in here after voyages that stretched across the globe. Today, the Custom House stands as a stately reminder of Salem’s seafaring wealth — and the place where Nathaniel Hawthorne once worked before turning full-time to writing.
11. Derby Wharf
- Duration: 5 min to 30 min
Lizzie Gerecitano
Stretching half a mile into Salem Harbor, Derby Wharf offers sweeping waterfront views and a glimpse of the city’s maritime heyday. Walk its length and you’ll find the red-roofed Derby Wharf Lighthouse, a small but striking beacon at the end of the pier.
12. Derby Lighthouse
- Duration: 30 min
Lizzie Gerecitano
How did such a tiny lighthouse become one of Salem’s most photographed spots? Built in 1871, Derby Lighthouse still marks the harbor’s entrance, its white tower standing bright against the sea and sky.
13. Waite & Peirce Gift Shop
- Duration: 5-15 min
Lizzie Gerecitano
Packed with nautical trinkets and Salem-inspired keepsakes, Waite & Peirce feels more like a curiosity cabinet than a gift shop. From handcrafted goods to maritime treasures, it’s the perfect place to pick up a piece of the city’s seafaring spirit.
Explore Salem with Shaka Guide
It sure is great to learn all about Salem's maritime history, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and the oh-so-many things that began right here in this city. With Shaka Guide’s Salem Tour, you’ll uncover these stories at your own pace, exploring the city’s rich past while strolling its historic streets and waterfront.
Take the Historic Salem with Shaka Guide and explore at your own pace with stories, directions, and must-see stops along the way.
Still planning? Check out our Know Before You Go guide to prep for an epic day.
Need help? Email us anytime at aloha@shakaguide.com!
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