Situated on Derby Wharf, Salem Maritime National Historic Site is a regular tourist destination that depicts Salem's maritime past. In the 1600s, Salem was founded as one of the foremost trading ports in the world, linking the Americas to India and East Asia. The historical site has been reconstructed by the National Park Service to illustrate this past. Visitors are able to walk through the old Derby and Bowditch homes, the U.S. Customs House where Nathanial Hawthorne once worked in 1846, or take a ride on Friendship, a reconstruction of an old sailing vessel, on either guided or self-guided tours. Exhibits, featuring old sailing compasses and maps, are on display at the Regional Visitors Center, which also contains a small gift shop, where books and artwork are for sale.
Built by the famous architect Samuel McIntire and named for Alexander Hamilton, Hamilton Hall has been a gathering place and function hall since 1805. Today, the hall is commonly rented for weddings and corporate functions. In addition to the beauty of the soaring columns and detailed mirrors, one of the most innovative features of the hall is the spring floor which lets partygoers keep dancing through the long hours of the night. The ballroom can be used for both wedding ceremonies and receptions, and the neutral tones fit in perfectly with any event's décor.
Located along Salem's pedestrian walkway, The Peabody Essex Museum's glass-fronted entry offers passers-by a glimpse into the light filled atrium, a piece of art in its own right. The museum's collections aim to integrate art and culture, and include photography and architecture, as well as Korean, Japanese, Indian, Native American, maritime, oceanic, Asian export and American decorative art. One of the museum's most prominent and well known features is its 200-year-old Chinese House, called Yin Yu Tang. The house was deconstructed in China and rebuilt brick by brick in its current location. The Art and Nature Center is another space that is rather unique for an art museum. This area is devoted to bright colors, and tactile and interactive exploration, making the museum a great place to bring the whole family.