House of the Seven Gables

The basics

The site includes five historic houses, including the Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace. Besides the House of the Seven Gables, also known as the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion, they have all been moved to the site. Visitors can explore the site and grounds on a guided tour covering multiple levels of several houses, as well as the grounds and gardens. See some of the earliest Georgian architecture in the country and a secret staircase. Inside the Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace, learn about the life and works of the famous author.

Visit independently, or as part of a day tour from Boston, particularly around Halloween. Admission to the site is also included as part of the Go Boston Pass.

Things to know before you go

• The admission fee includes a guided tour and an audio tour app.
• Written translations of the tour are available in Brazilian Portuguese, Cantonese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, and Spanish.
• The house museums are not wheelchair accessible; the visitor center, grounds, gardens, restrooms, and parts of the museum store are.

How to get there

The museum site is located near Salem Harbor, at the intersection of Derby Street and Turner Street. There’s a small parking lot on site. From Boston, Salem can easily be reached by taking the high-speed Salem Ferry, the bus (number 450 or 455 from Haymarket), or the Commuter Rail (Ipswich or Rockport trains from North Station).

When to get there

The site has different opening hours throughout the year, with holiday closures for Thanksgiving (the last Thursday in November) and Christmas Day (December 25), and limited hours on Independence Day (July 4), Christmas Eve (December 24), and New Year’s Eve (December 31). The site is also typically closed for the first two weeks of January. Guided tours are available throughout the day, and usually last around 45 minutes.

Hawthorne Collections in Salem

Fans of Nathaniel Hawthorne will want to make several additional stops while in Salem. Find over 3,000 individual volumes by Hawthorne, as well as portraits and paintings of the noted author, at the Peabody Essex Museum. See where Hawthorne worked, and wrote about, at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. The Salem Maritime National Historic Site also offers information on different Nathaniel Hawthorne walking tours of Salem.

What is the history of the House of the Seven Gables?

The House of the Seven Gables was initially built in 1668 and was eventually left to Nathanial Hawthorne’s cousin, Susanna. The house inspired the author’s novel titled “The House of the Seven Gables.” It has been preserved over the years and now is a historic site where visitors can learn about the American past.

Do I need to buy a ticket for the House of the Seven Gables?

Yes, you need to purchase tickets to visit the House of the Seven Gables. There are different rates for different ages, members, Salem Residents, or NARM pass holders, so check the website before you go. You can also visit just a grounds pass, which doesn’t include the mansion.

Is the House of the Seven Gables worth visiting?

Yes, the House of the Seven Gables is worth visiting. Visitors of all ages will come away with new historical information about the Salem Harbor, witchcraft, Nathanial Hawthorne, the preservation of historic homes, and much more. Visit both the grounds and the mansion for a dynamic, memorable experience.

What tours visit the House of the Seven Gables?

Walking tours, ghost tours, Boston multi-attraction tours, and more, visit the House of the Seven Gables. Choose either self-guided walking or driving tours or choose a live-guided tour. It depends on how much flexibility you need and if you have lots of questions that need answers from a real person.

How much time do I need at the House of the Seven Gables?

Whether you want to visit the grounds, the mansion, or a combination of them, will help you decide how much time you need at the House of the Seven Gables. A self-guided tour will last a few hours, but check out which events are happening- some of these last all day.

Are there ghosts in the House of the Seven Gables?

It’s up for debate. There are a few ways to find out. Visit the mansion and grounds by yourself and see if you feel any haunted spirits, or join a ghost tour, where your guide shows you what to look for plus takes you to other haunted spots, like Witch House and Salem Old Town Hall.

Ways to explore

To see the inside of the House of Seven Gables, you must book the 45-minute guided tour, part of the Mansion Tour Package. It comes with a Grounds Pass, which includes a 30-minute audio tour of the grounds and access to the Nathaniel Hawthorne Birthplace and Counting House. Tickets are released once a month (for next-month visits), although there are two release dates in September for October visits.

Alternatively, you can purchase just the Grounds Pass or view the outside of the mansion independently on a self-guided audio tour of Salem, a city ghost tour, or on a day tour from Portland, Maine.

Accessibility

The House of the Seven Gables and the other historic homes in the complex are not wheelchair accessible; the visitor center, grounds, and shop are wheelchair accessible.

Age limits

Children under 5 can visit for free.

What to pack

Camera and battery pack, earbuds to follow the smartphone audio tour

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, battery pack

Not allowed

Large bags and backpacks, food and drink, smoking

Amenities

Restrooms, audio guide, visitor center, gift shop

Address 

The House of the Seven Gables complex is located near Salem Harbor, at the intersection of Derby Street and Turner Street. It’s easy to reach from Boston by car, train, or ferry and from sights in Salem on foot.

Driving

From Boston, take I-93 north to I-95, then follow signs to MA-128 and MA-114 to Salem. There is free parking at the site, but it can fill up quickly in the busy summer season and in October.

Public transportation

From Boston, take the MBTA Commuter Rail’s Newburyport/Rockport Line from North Station and get off at Salem. Walk through downtown Salem for about 15 minutes to reach the memorial. In the summer, ferries run between Boston and Salem.

Best times to visit

Visit in the early morning or late afternoon to enjoy the historic homes, grounds, and shop without peak crowds.

Best days to visit

This popular attraction is open Fridays to Mondays, but it’s often crowded with day trippers from Boston on weekends. Fridays and Mondays are the quietest days to visit.

Best months to visit

Salem and its attractions burst with tourists during the month of October; visit between May and September for mild weather and fewer crowds.

Special events

Salem celebrates Halloween for the entire month of October during the annual Salem Haunted Happenings, when the city throws spooky performances and other themed festivities.