the custom house

ygNYC

This is the customs house where Nathaniel Hawthorne worked and also a very important part of US history. National Park guides give informative tours and it's very centrally located.

michaelm461

The staff was great and full of knowledge. This is a free attraction and worth visiting. I wish that you could go to the top to see the view from the highest point, I'll bet it's amazing. The park rangers made the history of this custom house very interesting and understandable. Close to the harbor and a short walk to the harbor to some great restaurants. Nice job by the parks department!

DouglasT857

The tour included both the Custom House, made famous by National Hawthorne but important in its own right during Salem's heyday, and the nearby privateer. The Ranger was, at once, relaxed and very knowledgeable.

Cheersfornow

The guide was very enthusiastic and gave us a wonderful tour which showed some of the goods that used to be imported, the place where Nathaniel Hawthorne worked and the weights and measures used for assessing duties.

optiman32

We took the ranger led tour of this building and it was very informative. It is a great old structure that has a marvelous view of the harbor. I only wish you could climb up to the cupola, that would be an awesome view. I can imagine standing up there searching the horizon for ship masts in the days of old.

Delynsmom

We had the NPS tour of the Custom House. She was very knowledgeable and presented the entire history in a very interesting way. We learned a lot about the history of Salem's Maritime history as well as more information about Hawthorne.

TravelBud24

The staff here were great and full of knowledge and very caring. The park rangers made the history of this custom house very interesting and understandable. This is a free attraction and worth visiting. Close to the harbour and 5min walk on the harbour to some great restaurants.

GwenM100

We visited on a weekday in the afternoon and had a private explanation of the downstairs rooms in the Custom House. It was very educational.

BHTravelbug

Good way to get the history of Salem when it was a Maritime hub. Such an amazing story that I had no idea about before visiting.

121sw

Well done with volunteers providing information. Provides information showing how much money the city historically provided and how it worked. Ties into the Hawthorne the author as he worked there at one time

bmk1459

Very good tour by an experienced National Park Service guide. Great local NE and Salem history preserved and presented in an engaging and professional manner. Kudos!

Arizonakett

We heard that it was rare to have it open for tours so this was a real treat. It is an interesting building and the history that goes along with it. It is in amazing shape.

Augustfoodies

The tour is WELL worth signing up for!! Our guide Jeff was SO informative!! This is truly an amazing gem in Salem AND it's free! Salem has SO much more to offer than just Hocus Pocus kinda stuff. The Maritime History is fascinating!! :)

Grendyl

Bob, our intrepid driver told us of the history of Custom Houses. As far as these facilities go, this one was grand and well preserved on the outside; but that's as far as we got - you need to book the tour in advance and those of us who believe in touring with serendipity, well, that just doesn't work. If you are really into history and taxing of foreign goods, ask the kind folks at the Visitor Center about tour times - I see from previous travelers that you might just get a tour on the "Friendship of Salem" too!

970esthers

The tour of the Custom House was given by a Young man named John Clarke who also took us on board the Friendship! Very knowledgeable. He deserves a raise!