Peabody Essex Museum

Address:	161 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970, USA
Phone:	+1 978-745-9500
Site:	pem.org
Rating:	4.6
Working:	Closed 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM 10AM–5PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 10

Amy Lynne

We had such a great time during our visit to PEM yesterday - we werent sure what to expect, but I can definitely say that we were very impressed with the whole experience!!! The exhibits were breath-taking, the staff was very friendly and helpful, and the museum itself is just beautiful. Also, the admission was very reasonable- $20 for adults, and my 15 year old daughter got in free!! We were there for a good 2 hours and probably would have stayed even longer if we werent hungry for lunch (there is a cafe in the center of the museum- premade salads, soups, probably sandwiches- and the food did smell good but we were just looking for a different type of dining experience). Also, we didnt do the special tour of the Chinese House, which was an extra $6, so we could have really spent even more time there. The extra charge does seem well worth it, if you are considering adding on the tour of the Chinese House- the exhibit looks huge with a lot to see. I wish we had stayed to do that instead of wasting $24 at the Salem Witch Museum (RIP OFF!!). If the $20 admission seems a little steep, please be assured that you will definitely get your moneys worth. I think the PEM is the only place to visit in Salem that is actually WORTH the admission that they charge!!! The museum was just supposed to be a side-attraction to the other (way more cheesy and touristy) activities available in Salem, but it ended up being the highlight of our day!!! We will definitely be back!!!

Dan Villarreal

When I was 16 years old, I was hired for a summer internship at the Peabody Essex Museums AV department. Being 16 years old, and that being my first real job, I never really understood the privilege of what it was to actually work there. What I had initially thought would be a boring and mundane occupation just to fill up my summer had turned out to be one of the best things thats happened to me and where I truly found the passion to travel and explore different areas of our globe. Every week, a new event was happening building up to an up-and-coming new exhibit, and every week I saw different people, different cultures, new worlds of which I had never heard of brought right before my feet. It was a great feeling to indulge on a daily basis in such an environment. I am not much older now (only 20) but, yet, between the vast collection of ancient Asiatic pieces and remnant artifacts of the golden age of maritime, I still to this day get lost with an insatiable interest within the both modern and quaint halls of the museum.

marc bouchard

Excellent museum experience, in every respect. Very people-friendly, with reasonable rates, inexpensive parking, plenty of helpful staff, well-labeled exhibits and large, open spaces. Standard exhibits of Asian and other artifacts from Salems past are generally less interesting, but are beautifully arranged and easy to navigate. Special exhibits are truly outstanding. We caught the Avant-garde Japanese fashion show, and it was spectacular. The exhibit of Impressionistic seaside paintings was a little light on content, but the curators did an exceptional job of filling in the details. You could pretend that you were Claude Monet, paddling down the river on your studio boat, painting as you went. Everyones favorite exhibit is the room filled with Zebra Finches who create music as they land/pluck the strings of eclectic guitars. You have to see it to believe it.

Joseph Martineau

Ive lived my whole life in Salem and Ive seen this place grow from a mild maritime-era arts museum to a real metropolitan-class museum. The stigma of Salems witch-based tourism is definitely redefined with this museum. It has a greater variety of art and exhibits than what it used to have and also rotating exhibits to keep things fresh. They also have a variety of programs to show that they arent just a place where art and statues are put on display. Last, but not least, they have the Yin Yu Tang house; brought over piece by piece from China to be reassembled and put on display to give the other side of the world another culture. If youre looking for a break from the usual tourist trap and want a good dose of culture, this is the place to go.

Ruthie True

Many new, exciting, interactive exhibits since last visit ! Animals and Art was a huge hit with my 6 yr old grandson! The Insect Museum especially cleverly fascinating ! Being part of the exhibit drew patrons together who may never had acknowledged each other ! Kudos ! Unfortunately, I was not told on entry to the Museum that tickets for the Finch installation were necessary........so it was a disappointing and frustrating journey up to the third floor, and down to the ticket desk to find out that it was sold out for the day . Love the new changes, even the older exhibits feel new. Thank you for the Sketch book in the Dutch Room ! A wonderful idea ! We will be back....earlier in the day :)

Richard Brown

What a fab museum! We were parked in the multi story across the road doing the tourist thing and only intended to pop in quickly on the way out as we noticed it was the late Thursday open day and we had a reciprocal art museum membership to get in. We ended up spending 1.5 hours and could easily have spent a couple more hours. The exhibits are nicely laid out with information and well lit. The kids (5 & 8) really enjoyed the place, especially the Asian house. Plenty of classes offered and a fantastic gift shop. They also offer free lockers to store a bag which is great. Well definitely be back to this gem of a place!

Douglas Julian

I live in the city so I am used to the Museum of Fine Arts or big museums like the Field in Chicago. This is the little museum that could... it offers many exhibits in a small area. It is known as a Maritime museum with many exhibits that involve maritime paintings or large merchant ship models. The coolest thing about the Peabody Essex is that it has a complete 200 hundred year old chinese house that they shipped into the museum. It is known as the "Yin Yu Tang" house and is quite amazing. It is a tactile way to see and feel the architecture of a period home of this chinese merchant. Tickets are 15 bucks!

Sarah Benoit

I spontaneously visited the Peabody Essex Museum over the holidays when I took a surprise trip to Salem while visiting friends in Boston. I was thoroughly impressed. We spent a long time visiting all the exhibits we could and I truly enjoyed all of them. The diversity of style, medium, and history of the works displayed was epic and the overall atmosphere was beautiful and more metropolitan than I expected. It is not the cheapest place to visit in the area, but the quality and uniqueness of what you will experience and see is worth every penny.

Kit Ligand

Dynamic, inteiguing museum. They started with specific Salem trade and broadened to the cultures the trade with. Everything from ancient Oceania up to modern fashion and, most recently, horror movie posters. This is a thoughtful and creative museum in a lovely building. Smaller than MFA but still more than enough for a whole day or more. As a bonus, has a yummy sandwich shop and has a gift shop that solves many a holiday shopping rush. Parking nearby, wheelchair accessible, reasonably priced, does have a coatroom.

candace harewood

I am at the PEM every week as I have incorporated it into my child S.T.E.A.M program. Pem pals during the week is great for young children and we also do kids craft corner which most of the time reflects a new exhibit. Also each month on a thursday the PEM is open late. The after dark program offers food ( grownup),dancing, and a chance to relax with friends and enjoy the ARTS. They also allow children into this events where they can create a crafts or two. And the clam chowder is top notch.