Essex National Heritage Area
Salem mapNational Park Service Regional Visitor Center
Salem, MA


Salem Visitor Center exterior

The National Park Service's Regional Visitor Center is one of the largest and most beautifully designed spaces in New England. Formerly, the Old Salem Armory, the Regional Visitor Center features exhibits, a 27 minute film, maps and a large gift shop. It is one of the best places to begin your tour of the Essex National Heritage Area.

The National Park Service Regional Visitor Center in Salem is the regional Visitor Center for the Essex National Heritage Area. It provides information on Salem, Beverly, Marblehead, and Danvers, as well as general information about the Essex National Heritage Area.


Nearby Area Sites

  • Derby Street Historic Districtmaritime trail  Map
    An area of Salem prominent in foreign commerce during the late 1700's and early 1800's.
  • House of the Seven Gablessettlement trail  Map
    The house, built in 1668, was made famous by Salem author Nathaniel Hawthorne.
  • McIntire Historic Districtsettlement trail
    Features a walking tour that takes visitors past several of architect Samuel McIntire's significant houses.
  • Misery Islandsmaritime trail
    Misery Islands offer coastal views, rolling rocky terrain, diverse wildlife habitats, and interesting ruins that recall the Islands' past as an exclusive resort and summer colony.
  • National Park Service Regional Visitor Centermaritime trail
    Located in the old Salem Armory building, the ENHC Visitor Center offers information on Salem and the surrounding area and also features maps, exhibits, dioramas, movies and a gift shop.
  • Peabody Essex Museumindustrial trailmaritime trail
    A museum of international art and culture, the PEM is America's oldest continually operated museum.
  • Phillips Housemaritime trail
    A historic house museum with a unique collection from five generations of the Phillips family.
  • Witch Housesettlement trail
    The only house still standing in Salem with direct ties to the Witch Trails of 1692.
  • Salem 1630: Pioneer Villagesettlement trail
    This living history museum is a re-creation of the English colony established by Samuel Conant.
  • Salem Maritime National Historic Sitemaritime trail  Map
    This was the first National Historic Site in the National Park System and it preserves and interprets the maritime history of New England and the U.S.
    Heritage Business
  • Salem Witch Museum

  • Washington Square Salem, Massachusetts 01970 (978)744-1692
    The Salem Witch Museum brings visitors back to Salem in 1692. Visitors are given a dramatic history lesson using stage sets with life-size figures, lighting and a narration - an overview of the Witch Trials of 1692. Their new exhibit, Witches: Evolving Perceptions, examines the stereotypical witch, aspects of witchcraft in the 17th century, modern witchcraft and the phenomenon of witch hunts.
  • Schooner Fame of Salem
  • Pickering Wharf Marina, Salem, MA 01970 978-729-7600
    The full-scale replica of the 1812 privateer Fame sails three times daily from Pickering Wharf in Salem. Fame is also available for private charter and hosts summer camps for children.
  • Heritage Business


Places to Stay in Salem

    Heritage Business
  • Hawthorne Hotel
    18 Washington Square West Salem MA 01970 978-744-4080
  • Elegantly restored full service hotel located in the heart of historic Salem. The Hawthorne Hotel offers 89 individually appointed rooms and 7,000 square feet of meeting function space. Walking distance to all museums, cultural sites and waterfront makes it an ideal location. Proud member of the Historic Hotels of America, a designation of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.


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