There’s More to the Story Than What’s Between the Covers

The House of the Seven Gables, Salem’s famous 17th-century harborside mansion, inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel of the same name. Follow in Hawthorne’s historic steps as you wander through the stunning gardens overlooking the scenic views that inspired the story.

The House of the Seven Gables earned a significant distinction in August 2025, winning the Newsweek Readers’ Choice award for the #1 Best Historical Home Tour in the U.S. The majestic 357-year-old mansion is a sight to behold and is conveniently located within walking distance of many unique shops, restaurants, and attractions in downtown Salem. We suggest that you start your visit at the Ye Olde Pepper Candy Company, the oldest candy store in the country. Taste their signature “Gibralters,” made with molasses and following the original recipe. This distinctive treat was the first candy made in the US, offering a deliciously sweet introduction to Salem’s history.

Continue your literary tour of Salem with a stroll along the waterfront that will bring you to Salem’s Maritime National Historic Park, known for being the first National Historic Site established in the United States. History buffs will appreciate how Salem’s 600-year maritime history has been thoughtfully preserved for the enjoyment of millions of annual visitors. Some of the preserved history includes unique historical structures, such as the U.S. Custom House and the Derby House, as well as maritime structures, including wharves and a replica of an East Indiaman merchant ship, the Friendship. The Park Service has played a critical role in preserving the port in an urban setting, while maintaining the rich historical stories of international trade, American slavery, and the struggle for equality.

Born in Salem, MA, in 1804, Nathaniel Hawthorne was not only known for writing House of the Seven Gables, but also for the publication of The Scarlet Letter, which drew heavily on his hometown’s past to create the setting for the novel. While set in 17th-century Boston, it focuses on strict moral codes, public shaming, and community judgment, mirroring Salem’s own Puritan era. Through Hester Prynne’s story, Hawthorne offered a searing critique of the very same moral rigidity and hypocrisy that fueled dark chapters like the Salem Witch Trials. To explore this and other fascinating, real-life mass hysteria horrors, such as those that inspired Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, be sure to visit the Salem Witch Museum.

While in Salem, take in an exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum, discover pirate lore at Real Pirates Salem, and capture your visit with a portrait from Witch Pix! Salem offers fabulous year-round dining options, including al fresco dining at Finz for fresh-off-the-boat seafood, the Tavern at the Hawthorne Hotel for delicious comfort food, and Maitland for farm-to-table fare.

Gloucester’s Literary Setting: Where The Sea is the Story

Take the Essex Coast Scenic Byway, or the MBTA Commuter Rail north into beautiful Cape Ann, five towns of such historic beauty and maritime charm you’ll want to leave plenty of time to explore each one!

The salty seaside town of Gloucester set the stage for such literary treasures as The Perfect Storm, The Last Days of Dogtown, and A Walker in the City. In this book-turned-movie, Sebastian Junger’s The Perfect Storm tells the true story of the fishing boat, the Andrea Gail, which was lost at sea during a massive October 1991 storm. It received its moniker, “the perfect storm,” due to a rare meteorological event: a hurricane colliding with two robust weather systems in the North Atlantic. The book paints a vivid picture of Gloucester’s tight-knit fishing community, where nearly everyone knows someone who has been lost to the ocean. While in town, be sure to visit Gloucester’s Fisherman’s Memorial or the Fisherman’s Wives Memorial on the Boulevard, walk along the harbor, or take a picnic to beautiful Stage Fort Park overlooking the ocean.

The Perfect Storm movie buffs can grab a drink at The Crow’s Nest Bar, where George Clooney’s crew set sail. The real bar exists, even if the movie fictionalized the location! Or perhaps you might want to head over to the Essex Shipbuilding Museum for a peek into the region’s maritime heritage. While in Essex, be sure to stop at Woodman’s, an iconic roadside eatery where the fried clam was invented. Take a tour at the Hammond Castle Museum or the Beauport, the Sleeper McCann House for a glimpse at the real lives of Gloucester’s summer scene in the early 1900s.

While in Cape Ann, we suggest sampling some fresh lobster rolls, chowder, and the “catch of the day.” Don’t miss Virgilio’s for Italian sandwiches on freshly-made homemade bread or the authentic Italian cookies at Café Sicilia. After a stroll through the Rocky Neck Art Colony, treat yourself to the views and delights at the 1606 Restaurant and Oyster Bar located in the gorgeous Beauport Hotel, overlooking Gloucester Harbor. Before you head out of town, don’t forget to pick up your next great read at one of the many local bookstores!

From the literary roots of Salem, home to Hawthorne’s inspired tales and historic maritime sites, to Gloucester’s rugged oceanside beauty, immortalized in The Perfect Storm, be sure to explore the rich history, captivating stories, and vibrant attractions of these two distinct New England seaside towns, proving there’s truly more to their stories than what’s found between the covers.