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    Derby Wharf Lighthouse

    4.1 (7 reviews)

    Derby Wharf Lighthouse Photos

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    Derby Wharf
    Brian S.

    A tough little lighthouse The Derby Wharf Lighthouse is a little light. Only about 25 feet above the water it sits at the very end of Derby Wharf and is exposed to sea, wind, salt and an occasional careless ship. Salem has a long tradition of maritime activity and the very first wharf was constructed here back in 1762. Over the centuries all kinds of ships came and went from this wharf and it was gradually expanded to it's present length. Since ships kept either smashing into the wharf of failed to find it at all it was decided a lighthouse at the end of the wharf would be a good idea. So in 1871 the little lighthouse was completed and had a fifth order Fresnel lens and served well for decades. Occasional a huge storm would damage it and on occasion a ship would smash into it but the tough little lighthouse managed to survive. It eventually fell into disuse like many of the old lighthouse but in 1983 it was restored and once again became a private aid to navigation. The little light was again restored in 1989 and in 2009 the light was once again lovingly fixed up and repainted as a boy scout project. Dozens of scouts made sure the lighthouse was as good if not better than new. So the diminutive lighthouse still sits at the very end of Derby Wharf. Still guiding ships, entertaining people and defying everything nature and humans can throw at it.

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    8 months ago

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    7 months ago

    Neat little place to visit. Be careful if yoi bring your dog as there was a lot of broken glass on the side of the pathway and the coast.

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    10 months ago

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    4 years ago

    Helpful 2
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    12 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    9 years ago

    It's a nice walk to the end of the wharf to see the lighthouse, and when the ship is actually there you can see that as well

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    Ropes Mansion

    Ropes Mansion

    (32 reviews)

    As a fan of Hocus Pocus (it's one of my favorite Halloween movies!), I was very much looking…read moreforward to visiting Allison's house. While I didn't enter the house, it was great to see the exterior and take photos from outside. The Ropes Mansion garden is free to enter, and is accessible through an arched pathway at the side of the mansion. The garden, while small, is beautiful and tranquil to walk through, complete with plenty of roses and a small pond. It's a great spot to take tourist photos as well. A must-visit for Hocus Pocus fans!

    We almost didn't make it see the Ropes Mansion before heading back home last week, but we decided…read moreour trip wouldn't be complete if we didn't see it. Do you remember in the movie when Dani and Max are outside the mansion just staring up at it in awe? That was me. The infamous mansion where Allison lives is a sight that can't be missed! It is located in a residential neighborhood at the very end of the street, but it is worth the quick detour away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist area. We came later in the evening so were only able to get a couple of night time shots - we wanted to get one of us in front of it, but a tour group was coming through at the same time and we didn't want to be too distracting. I'm not sure if they ever do tours inside, I believe the Ropes Mansion is owned by the Essex Museum, but the outside was definitely enough for me. If you're a fan of Hocus Pocus, this is a must stop!

    Salem Witch Museum - A really cool dusk photo of the outside amongst Salem crowds.

    Salem Witch Museum

    (812 reviews)

    ​If you've seen photos of Salem, you've seen this building. The massive, gothic, red-brick church…read moreexterior is easily the most iconic photo op in the city. Inside, however, the vibe is a bit of a time capsule. It feels like a mix between a theater and a history classroom--very "vintage 1970s" but in a way that feels like a Salem rite of passage. ​ ​The museum is divided into two parts: ​The Main Show: You sit in a large, darkened room while life-sized dioramas light up around the perimeter to a narrated soundtrack. It tells the story of the 1692 trials with a lot of drama. It's definitely "campy" and a bit dated, but it's a solid, digestible overview of the history. ​The Guided Exhibit: After the show, a staff member leads you through a second area that explains the evolving image of "the witch" through time. This part felt much more modern and actually touched on some interesting social themes like scapegoating. ​Duration: Plan for about 1 hour total. ​Booking: This is the most important tip--book your tickets online in advance! Especially in the shoulder seasons or October, they sell out hours (or days) ahead. Don't expect to just walk up to the door and get in. ​Price: At around $19, it's a bit pricier than the smaller museums, but it's the "big one" that most people feel they have to check off their list.

    I thought this was great. We arrived just in time for the 12pm start so had a few minutes to use…read morethe restroom. Upon starting you're in a large room which has various mini displays that are highlighted as the story goes along. Sadly people were talking during the presentation so it kinda ruined part of the vibe. The history was easy to digest and informative. The second pet was a lady speaking about the various exhibits in the room. The timeline was interesting to see when different events occurred in relation to others. Took about 40 min for the entire thing and found a cool monopoly type game in the gift shop!

    Witch City Walking Tours - Allison's House.

    Witch City Walking Tours

    (221 reviews)

    This was my first time in Salem, and I booked this tour with 8 of my coworkers--we had an absolute…read moreblast. From the moment it started, it was spooky, fun, and incredibly entertaining. Our tour guide was great: super knowledgeable, hilarious, and very interactive. They kept everyone engaged while sharing tons of fascinating and spooky history. The Hocus Pocus and Bewitched references were a huge bonus and added such a fun, nostalgic vibe. Seeing the Witch House in person was especially cool and definitely a highlight. For the price, this tour was 100% worth it. $37 for a 2.5-hour tour felt like a steal for how much you see. The only downside was the other group that was paired with ours. They were loud and kept interrupting the guide, which took away from the experience at time but that had nothing to do with how great the tour itself was. Overall, we still had an amazing time and would absolutely recommend this tour, especially for first-time visitors who want a spooky, fun, and memorable Salem experience

    Anne's tour was excellent and the perfect way to start our day in Salem! My guest and I aren't huge…read moreon ghosts, so we were looking for a more history-focused tour, and the History and Hauntings of Salem tour was the perfect balance. The two hours truly flew by. Would recommend to anyone visiting! PS - we went the first weekend AFTER Halloween. It was pleasant weather and not crowded at all. Anne showed us a picture of the crowds during peak Halloween season...that was the spookiest part!!! People packed in like sardines, a la Disney world in summer. Consider going in November if that's not your style.

    Derby Wharf Lighthouse - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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