Salem Maritime National Historic Site - Plan Your Visit (U.S. National Park Service)

An ebony, ivory and brass sextant used for navigation.

NPS photo

Before GPS, navigation was done by hand with tools like this sextant.

From the creak of Friendship's rigging as she gently rolls in a gust of wind to the scent of spices wafting out of the West India Goods Store, Salem Maritime NHS recreates the Golden Age of Salem. For a few exciting years when the country was young, Salem was one of the most important ports in the United States. On our tours, in our special programs, and through our Junior Ranger program, you can walk in the footsteps of Elias Hasket Derby, America's first millionaire; Nathaniel Hawthorne, one of America's great authors; or one of the thousands of sailors who left from Salem for adventures at sea and in ports around the world.

Please allow at least three hours to visit our site. During the fall, winter, and spring, Salem Maritime offers two different hour-long tours of the site, guided by one of our rangers. In addition, we have several self-guided exhibits, and a free eighteen minute long orientation film.

During the summer, Friendship is self-guided and staffed by rangers and volunteers, and hour-long ranger guided tours are offered of our historic buildings.

For more information on our tours and hours, click here.