Salem Architectural History Walking Tour

All ages
Spring/summer only
Merchants & Mansions Architecture Tour

Salem has one of the most naturally varied collections of historic structures in the country, spanning nearly 400 years. Come learn about how the inhabitants of Salem have kept their city comfortable, livable, and beautiful for centuries! From First Period to Georgian, Federal to Brutalist, Salem has some of everything. Your guide will wind you through the cobblestoned streets, discovering hidden gems, and viewing dozens of historic buildings and structures, as well as learning the fascinating stories behind them, from Salem's days as the wealthiest city in the country in the 18th century, to the great fire that nearly destroyed it all!

Tours run RAIN or SHINE. We do NOT cancel for weather. For a full refund, you must cancel 24 hours prior.

Meeting Point

32 Derby Square

32 Derby Square, Salem, MA 01970, USA

We meet on the side of the Old Town Hall with 3 staircases

What's included:

• Architectural Guide of Salem
• Licensed Guide

Not included:

• Gratuity not included

What to expect:

Duration: between 1 hour, 30 minutes and 2 hours

Salem Old Town Hall

32 Derby Sq, Salem, 01970-3704, Massachusetts

Start of the tour

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Salem

Salem, Massachusetts

Duration of the tour

5 minutes

The Custom House

178 Derby St, Salem, 01970-5136, Massachusetts

This is where we touch on Salem's history of spice trade, her motto (and why we have it), point out where the old ship building yard used to be (near where the Adirondack chairs are located at the far end of the open space) and then discuss the mansions visible from near Derby Wharf.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

The Derby House

160 Derby St, Salem, 01970-5643, Massachusetts

This is a discussion of Georgian architecture, and how this simple building reflects the burgeoning wealth and power of Salem and New England merchants as a whole.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Narbonne House

71 Essex St, Salem, 01970-5252, Massachusetts

a perfect way to show how 17th century (First Period) architecture could be (and was) added to and modified to enlarge it.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

The Daniels House Historic Site

1 Daniels St, Salem, 01970, Massachusetts

Discussion

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Salem Common

Washington Sq, Salem, 01970, Massachusetts

We point out the Hocus Pocus location (the old school) but then talk about how Salem Common evolved, from a series of marshy pools and unusable ground in the 17th and early 18th centuries, to the manicured pleasure park of the 19th century, and how it became the new fashionable district starting in the mid-to-late 19th century, Salem's last gasp of wealth and mansions, with Second Empire and Greek Revival style buildings.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Hawthorne Hotel

18 Washington Square W, Salem, MA 01970, USA

Architecture

5 minutes

Peabody Essex Museum

161 Essex St, Yin Yu Tang House, Salem, 01970, Massachusetts

Variety of collection homes

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Church Street

Church St, Salem, MA 01970, USA

Architecture

5 minutes

Saint Peter's Episcopal Church

24 Saint Peter St, Salem, 01970-3820, Massachusetts

We touch on the unique religious heritage of Salem.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Witch City Mall

1 Church St, Salem, 01970-3737, Massachusetts

Architecture

5 minutes

Bewitched Statue of Elizabeth Montgomery

Essex and Washington Street, Salem, 01970, Massachusetts

Discussion

5 minutes