Peabody Essex Museum Salem, Massachusetts

| | | |

On a recent trip to Salem, Massachusetts (read my full review ) I was given a press pass to check out many of the local sites from Destination Salem. Check out salem.org for well researched resources for everything to see, eat, do, and where to stay in Salem. At the very top of my list of places to explore was the Peabody Essex Museum.  My parents, who live in Massachusetts, visit at least once a year and always share how much they enjoy the Peabody. It is bright, airy, and has lots of open spaces.

The Peabody Essex Museum is the oldest, continuously running museum in America;  parts of the museum date back to 1825. It’s located in downtown Salem in the hub of all things “witch” and “Halloween.” Park in the South Harbor Parking Garage on Congress Street; it’s a less than five minute walk to the museum and charges 25 cents per hour. On street parking meters are free on Sundays and have a four hour maximum every other day. If you’re planning on visiting several sites in the area, check out the Discover Salem pass, which will save you money on multiple sites. The museum also offers a variety of discounted admission tickets on various dates and for various groups. Click here for more information.

The museum is spread over three floors: most of the permanent collections are located on the first floor, along with the Atrium, and Cafe. Rotating exhibits are displayed on the second and third floors, along with a few permanent collections.

My Family’s Must-See Parts of the Museum:

  1. My children LOVED the foldable chairs often used in art museums. My children (under my constant, watchful eye) carried the chairs from gallery to gallery and sat in front of pieces (and a few interactive screens) to admire the art.

  2. The Art and Nature Center for Children: We could have spent an entire morning in this dedicated space for children. There’s a magnetic wall to make various designs, craft space, book nook, mosaic tiles creation station,  invent-an-animal section, and magnetic word tiles to create poems.

  • dsc00071-8358354
  • dsc00073-5388260
  • dsc00072-9695911

        3. The Ocean Liners exhibit, on display until mid October 2017, is spread throughout much of the third floor. See if                   your children can “I Spy”: 

  • Poster advertisements for famous ocean liners

  • The timeline of competition for fastest voyage across the Atlantic Ocean

  • Model replicas of the Queen Elizabeth

  • Interactive screens to explore various rooms of the Queen Mary

  • dsc00064-6609700
  • dsc00063-1001452
  • dsc00065-7997798

  • Full place setting for a first class passenger on an ocean liner (this was my favorite display!)

  • dsc00068-5128613

Would you like to save this?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later.

         4. All the Flowers are for Me, an art installation by Anila Quayyum Agha, on display until early December 2017. It              encompasses an entire room and it is breathtaking.

  • dsc00070-8382920

5. The permanent collection on the first floor has a replica of Cleopatra’s Barge, the main salon of America’s first private ocean yacht built in Salem in 1816, that my children loved walking through:

  • dsc00076-5270767

6. The Atrium is filled with sunshine pouring in from the soaring ceilings. There are lots of tables and a cafe, with plenty of  healthy choices, including many gluten free options. The museum allows parents to bring in food for young children.

  • dsc0007528129-7492516

7. I know it sounds odd, but I was impressed by the bathrooms. Traveling with young children, I am always on the hunt for clean bathrooms. The Peabody Essex Museum might win my award for Cleanest Public Restroom I Have Ever Seen (maybe it would tie with the Bryant Park bathroom). It’s spacious, has changing table spaces, and even has fresh flowers. There are several bathrooms on the first and second floors- so helpful when potty training.

Note: Like most museums, the Peabody Essex will ask you to coat check any large backpacks or diaper bags (to protect the artwork) but they will allow you to have strollers in the galleries.  Some exhibits have objects, not enclosed, on the same eye and hand-grabbing level as toddlers. Bring the stroller.

The museum encompasses several properties, including 22 historic properties throughout Salem, five of which are open to the public.  The historic homes are not recommended for young children, but middle school and high schoolers might enjoy the architecture and artifacts.  The Ropes Mansion has a Colonial Revival garden that is quite popular. The most popular home is the YinYuTang, an authentic Chinese house built during the Qing dynasty, dismantled, and brought to Salem.  Guided tours begin in the Atrium of the main building, and there is an additional fee.  For a full list of guided tours of the properties, click here.

Patrick’s Dougherty’s outdoor sculpture, Stitchwork, created out of saplings, was fun to explore. Sadly, the display was taken down this past weekend.

  • dsc00045-8702379

The Peabody Essex Museum has so much to see, and so many rotating exhibits, it’s worthy of frequent visits. I am planning on returning with my family this winter, when I imagine the sunshine will pour in through the Atrium and the entire museum will be filled with warmth, and beautiful art.

For 10 reasons why you should bring the kids to art museums, check out our adventures at the Guggenheim in New York City. And read about our adventures at the:

New England based, part high school English teacher, part non profit founder, part road tripper who LOVES hopping in the family SUV to explore America. Our bucket list includes National Parks, MLB stadiums, presidential libraries, and eating wherever the locals eat!

Similar Posts

Enjoying a New England Fall With Kids Without Looking at Leaves
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Enjoying a New England Fall With Kids Without Looking at Leaves

I love that I grew up in New England, and recent travels have confirmed I will always be a New Englander. One of my favorite things about living in New England is the change in seasons, and there is (arguably) nothing more beautiful than fall in New England. However, I would argue that it takes a more “mature” desire to spend significant time looking at foliage. I don’t know too many toddlers, children, or teenagers who enjoy going for long drives in the country just to look at leaves. If your children are anything like mine, they like to do things, especially when the weather is still warm enough to be outside for extended periods of time.

Here is a list of some of my family’s favorite things to do in the Northeast during the fall and links to full, detailed blog post. Yes, you’ll still see plenty of beautiful foliage while traveling to these spots, but your children will be happily engaged, entertained, and energized:

10 Things to Do at Earthplace in Westport, Connecticut
| | |

10 Things to Do at Earthplace in Westport, Connecticut

Founded as the Mid Fairfield County Youth Museum in 1958, Earthplace has grown and expanded into a 62 acre open space complex that includes hiking trails, a 120 seat amphitheater, indoor and outdoor animal exhibits, playground, and classrooms. Located in the lower Fairfield County town of Westport, Earthplace is the perfect spot for the toddler, preschool, and elementary crews with plenty of hands-on learning.

Nat’l Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame, Saratoga Springs, NY
| | | | |

Nat’l Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame, Saratoga Springs, NY

Day 3 in my week long series about Saratoga Springs New York:

Along with tens of thousands of racing fans, my family recently made the short pilgrimage to Saratoga Springs, New York for the first week of the Saratoga races. We attended the races on a Wednesday (they race six days a week- Tuesdays are “dark”) and you can read all about our adventures at the Saratoga National Historic Site here and the National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame here.

There was a break in the action between our morning tours and when our table at Turf Terrace was available, so we took a walk across the street to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. It’s a small museum, but it was the perfect way to spend about an hour and a half learning about the history of racing. Score: children will definitely be entertained.

Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut
| | |

Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut

Frequently awarded a top aquarium in New England by Trip Advisor and visited by over 700,000 people in 2017, Mystic Aquarium is a “must see” if you’re visiting the southeastern part of Connecticut. On a recent spring break trip, my family stopped for the afternoon and got up close and personal with all sorts of creatures!

Conveniently located right next to Interstate 95, it’s easy to get to with ample free parking. The aquarium is open all year, with plenty of exhibits both indoors as well as outdoors so the weather shouldn’t have too much impact on your visit. In addition to the permanent exhibits, the aquarium hosts a variety of special, seasonal events.

12 Things to Do at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science
| | | | |

12 Things to Do at the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science

The Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, which originally opened in 1972 as the Delaware Museum of Natural History, was renovated in 2020-2022 and reopened as the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science in May of 2022. The museum galleries offer dozens of hands-on activities and exhibits that showcase “how nature connected us all through exploring dynamic and diverse ecosystems.” (delmns.org) The museum galleries are inviting with plenty of space to spread out and lots of light, while still being easy for parents to keep a close eye on children. Be sure to leave time to explore the outdoor walking trails and sculptures.

Kykuit in Sleepy Hollow, New York
| | | |

Kykuit in Sleepy Hollow, New York

Kykuit is a Dutch word meaning “lookout.” John D. Rockefeller appropriately used it as the namesake for the 1908 mansion he built 500 feet above sea level on the banks of the Hudson River. “JDR” Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil and widely considered one of the richest men in history, originally purchased 400 acres at the start of the twentieth century.

Kykuit was home to four generations of Rockefellers until JDR’s grandson Nelson, upon his death in 1979, left Kykuit to the National Trust for Historic Preservation instead of his own children. Now, the Historic Hudson Valley nonprofit coordinates public tours and the house remains as it was in 1979. We’ve been members of the HHV for a couple of years and enjoy exploring their properties and program. One of our most favorite fall traditions is the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor. You can read about our adventures at the Blaze here.