The Custom House

The Custom House

The Custom House
4
About
This U.S. Custom House is a historic building within Salem Maritime National Historic Site, the National Park in Salem. The building is open by tour only.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles182 reviews
Excellent
70
Very good
86
Average
24
Poor
2
Terrible
0

Grover R
Pensacola, FL22,545 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2024 • Couples
Today Salem is most renowned for witches; however, there was a time when shipping and commerce were its calling cards. The waterfront is a National Maritime Site and the centerpiece is beautiful 19th Century Customs House. We only had time to see the exterior as we walked to the House of the Seven Gables. The entire building is ornate and beautiful in every aspect; however, the highlight is the golden eagle above the door. It is impressive.
Written September 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Have Camera, Will Travel
South Bend, IN3,804 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Family
After checking out the wharf, we noticed that the Custom House was open. It is a really good stop if you are interested in history. You can wander in most rooms and check out the artifacts. Go upstairs and check out the wharf from the second floor. It's an excellent view.
Written November 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cynthia E
Springfield, MO153 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022
Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote sarcastically about working here. I believe at one time it was open to visitors, but it wasn't during my stay. An imposing structure you'll no doubt see on your way to the House of 7 Gables.
Written September 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jake23
New Jersey6,823 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
Interesting house across from the maritime site. Check out the amazing architecture on the custom house and then see the rest of the site.
Written August 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KathyM1986
New Milford, CT39 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016 • Couples
The House is huge but you only get to see the lower 3 rooms due to renovations. Our guide was wonderful and full of information
Written November 18, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Naomi C
St. Michaels, MD68 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2015 • Couples
We had strolled down to the harbor and saw the tall ship docked there. Someone told us that we could have a free tour of the boat and the Custom House by calling the number listed and reserving a spot through the Rangers from the Visitor Center. John our guide was extremely knowledgeable and gave us a full, non-wicca history of Salem as a port and why it was such an important place at one time. The boat tour was very interesting - you do get to go below and had a chance to imagine what lifes was like for the sailors on a year long cruise to the orient.
We then strolled up to the Custom House and had a chance to see Nathaniel Hawthorne's desk and to hear more about the politicalclimate at the time that he was working there. Excellent tour - lasted an hour and was abolutely free!
Written May 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LaraParker
Dallas6 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
The guide provided informative info on the connection of the custom house and Hawthorne's novel , "The Scarlet Letter."
Peaked my interest and I re-read the novel. The building itself was nothing special. If it hadn't been for my interest in Hawthorne, I would not have found it interesting. Great view of the wharfs from the building.
Written November 22, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Judy C
Holly Springs, NC51 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019
Good information about how the commerce worked in the colonies; information on Hawthorne who is probably most noted employee. Well maintained and great National Parks folks to answer questions.
Written November 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

happicamperSF
SF152 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2019 • Friends
It's free to visit and has interesting information about the early days of the Customs service. Millions of dollars in trade passed through the port of Salem. Those duties financed our early nation. Salem has a rich and interesting history if you are interested in learning about it. The NPS historical district is a great free option.
Written September 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

travelinfamsd
Sioux Falls, SD170 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019 • Couples
There isn’t a lot to see/do in Salem that doesn’t cost sometimes quite a it more than its worth. This was a great little museum we visited after going down the wharf and see the
Written July 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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The Custom House - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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