Visit
Welcome to PEM! Plan your visit
Today's hours:
10 am–5 pm
Monday
10 am–5 pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10 am–5 pm
Friday
10 am–5 pm
Saturday
10 am–5 pm
Sunday
10 am–5 pm
Monday
10 am–5 pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10 am–5 pm
Friday
10 am–5 pm
Saturday
10 am–5 pm
Sunday
10 am–5 pm
Resources for visitors
How big is PEM?
We have nearly 130,000-square feet of guest-accessible space.
How many works are on view?
More than 2,000
How long will it take to visit PEM?
Your admission ticket grants you all day access to PEM. For a first-time visitor, we suggest allowing for at least two hours to get the most of your visit. But if you only have an hour to explore, check out our highlights tour for can’t-miss stops.
How many galleries can I see?
More than 25 galleries and spaces to explore (including traveling shows).
Directions & Parking
PEM is located about 16 miles north of Boston, at 161 Essex St. in historic Salem, MA (corner of Essex and New Liberty Streets). For recorded directions, call 978-745-9500, ext. 4145.
Parking at PEM
Museum Place parking garage on New Liberty Street
MBTA Commuter Rail Garage, 252 Bridge Street
South Harbor Garage, 10 Congress Street
Municipal parking lot on St. Peter Street
Limited on-street parking is available around Salem Common and at two-hour meters.
Take Route 128 North. NOTE: I-95 and Route 128 North share the same loop around Boston. When I-95 and Route 128 North divide, stay on Route 128 North to Exit 40A. Take 114 East into Salem, following signs for the Peabody Essex Museum and Route 114. Approximately one mile after entering Salem, you will cross an overpass. As you come off the overpass, take the exit on your right. This puts you on Route 107/Bridge Street. Go straight through the light and take the second right onto St Peter Street. Go left at the stop sign and right onto New Liberty Street. PEM is straight ahead and a parking garage is on your right.
From Boston: Take the No. 450 Haymarket/ Salem Depot bus to the stop at the intersection of Washington and Federal Streets in Salem. From the bus stop, walk back down Washington Street, turning left onto the Essex Street pedestrian walkway. PEM is on your right at the end of the walkway.
From Revere/Wonderland Station: Take the No. 455 Wonderland/ Salem Depot bus to the stop at the intersection of Washington and Federal Streets in Salem. From the bus stop, walk back down Washington Street, turning left onto the Essex Street pedestrian walkway. PEM is on your right at the end of the walkway.
From Salem Depot: Take the No. 450 or 459 bus to the North Street stop at Lynde Street in Salem. From the bus stop, walk down Lynde street, taking a right at Washington Street. Proceed down Washington street, turning left onto the Essex Street pedestrian walkway. PEM is on your right at the end of the walkway.
Take the MBTA Commuter Rail (Newburyport/Rockport line) to Salem station. Follow the pathway indicated from the station, up the stairs or access ramp, until you have reached the street level (Bridge Street). At the intersection at Bridge and Washington Streets, proceed down Washington Street. Follow Washington Street, turning left onto the Essex Street pedestrian walkway. PEM is on your right at the end of the pedestrian walkway. PEM is approximately half a mile from the Salem station. To take a bus from the station, see the directions under "From Salem Depot."
From Boston, board the Salem Ferry at the Boston Harbor City Cruises dock on Long Wharf for a relaxing 50-minute trip aboard a high-speed catamaran. The ferry docks at the Blaney Street Wharf on Salem’s historic waterfront, a short walk or cab ride from the museum. The ferry runs seasonally from mid-May through October.
Dining
Today's Café hours:
10 am-4 pm
Monday
10 am-4 pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10 am-4 pm
Friday
10 am-4 pm
Saturday
10 am-4 pm
Sunday
10 am-4 pm
Monday
10 am-4 pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
10 am-4 pm
Friday
10 am-4 pm
Saturday
10 am-4 pm
Sunday
10 am-4 pm
Enjoy entrees, soup, sandwiches, sweet treats and beverages, along with gluten-free and child-friendly options. Members receive a 10% discount.
FAQs
Yes, Salem residents receive free general admission.
Visit our exhibitions page to see a current listing of all special exhibitions on view.
All permanent exhibitions, including most special exhibitions, are included in your general admission ticket. Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home is also included in the general admission price but requires a separate timed reservation. PEM's Ropes Mansion is open seasonally on weekends for self-guided tours. Timed reservations are required and entry is an additional $5 with museum admission.
Please visit pem.org/tickets to purchase your general admissions ticket. Timed tickets to Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home are included with museum admission and may be selected as part of your online checkout process. Please note that tickets to Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home are limited and may sell out. For an additional $5, you may also purchase timed tickets to tour PEM's Ropes Mansion which is open seasonally on weekends. Please be advised that tickets to PEM's Ropes Mansion are limited and may sell out, particularly in fall.
PEM may photograph or record video of visitors for educational and promotional purposes. Attendance on museum property is implied consent for the use of visitors’ likenesses for marketing purposes. Visitor photography without flash, for personal use only, is permitted, except where noted. Flash photography, video and the use of tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted by the general public.
PEM considers external filming and photography projects, including Engagement and Portrait Photography Sessions, Student Filming and Photography Projects, Media Filming and Photography Requests, Documentary Film Shoots, Feature Films, and Large Filming Projects on a case-by-case basis. To learn more and to submit your project request, please use the form found HERE. All submissions will be reviewed and a response provided within 2 weeks.
Yes, service dogs are allowed at the museum, provided they are leashed and under the control of their owner, as required by law. In compliance with Massachusetts ADA regulations (MGL, C. 272, s. 98A), visitors with dogs may be asked if their dog is a service animal and what service/work/task they are trained to perform. At no time will the answers require disclosure of medical information.
PEM is certified Sensory Inclusive™ and partners with KultureCity to promote an accessible and positive experience for visitors with diverse sensory needs. Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are experienced by 1 in 6 individuals, including people with autism, dementia, PTSD and other conditions. The annual KultureCity certification process ensures that PEM staff members are trained on how to recognize and best serve guests with sensory needs, including how to appropriately and safely handle a sensory overload situation. Prior to your visit, adults and children can download the free KultureCity app to view the available sensory features and how to access them.
Please visit pem.org/accessibility to see our full range of services.
All parcels, including handbags, brought into the museum are subject to search. Parcels 18 x 13.5 x 10 inches or larger may not be brought into the galleries without a security inspection and pass. Backpacks and backpack baby carriers may not be worn on your back in the galleries. If permitted to carry your bag, you will be asked to wear it on the front of your body. Umbrellas are also not permitted in the galleries.
PEM considers external filming and photography projects on a case-by-case basis. Engagement and portrait photography sessions, student filming and photography projects, media filming and photography requests, documentary film shoots, feature films and large film projects may incur fees. To learn more and to submit your project request, please use our request form. All submissions will be reviewed and receive a response within two weeks.
Out of consideration for others, set cell phones to silent at all times. Please refrain from talking on cell phones and using flash photography or flashlight modes in the galleries.
PEM is supported in part by grants from the Barr Foundation, the Mass Cultural Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Keep exploring
Exhibition
Draw Me Ishmael: The Book Arts of Moby Dick
On view through March 29, 2026
Blog
Behind the scenes of PEM’s Witch Trials Walk
8 min read
Art
Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home
Blog
‘Beyond words’: PEM’s garden team shares excitement over new arboretum certification
8 Min read