Derby Wharf Light Station

Just stunning. She might not be mighty in size, but the vibes and views never disappoint. I strongly suggest grabbing a coffee at one of many nearby local shops and taking a stroll along the wharf. you won’t be disappointed. Even when it’s busy, it’s worth a visit every time. Plus, there’s public restrooms!! ‍♀️ definitely an underrated part of Salem that most miss when they visit!

Visited on 12/31/2025 while on a trip up to Salem, MA from Florida. It was freezing outside so we did not walk out to the lighthouse but the Wharf was beautiful, so many info plaques and history stuff! There is a small NPS shop with more info on the history of the Wharf and lightstation. There are public restrooms here too that are very nice and clean! Walking distance to a few shops like Ye Olde Pepper Companie, Ziggy's & Sons Donuts, Mercy Tavern and such.

Went on a cold Saturday (-10°C / 14°F), we were strangely the only ones. Really cool and calm place with great views on the bay near Boston.

Cute lighthouse. There is a walk out to it but it can also be viewed in the distance from the shore. There is a cute little beach right next to it and plenty of museums around it to check out. Bathrooms are located right before you walk down to the lighthouse. If you are a part of the US lighthouse passport program, there is a visitor center over by the Witch City Mall that has this stamp.

Not what I was expecting in size but it was cute and a nice walk out to a beautiful view. Sat on the ground/edge with my feet hanging over and took in the views for a bit. We appreciated the nice breeze be cause we were there during the recent brutal heat wave and sadly that cut our visit to this particular spot short.

Derby Wharf Light Station is the historical landmark that was one of the longest wharf front of Salem and at the same time amongst the busiest in the country. This place is so surreal to sit back and have a moment to breathe in the breeze of history and the present. We visited it during July and it wasn't that crowded but expect a little walk to reach the Light Station.

This cute little historic lighthouse was built in 1871 and is only 20 feet tall. Unfortunately, the interior of the lighthouse is off limits, so you can't go inside. You can only see the exterior after walking down the long gravel path. Once you get to the end, you have such great views of the water and surrounding area. If you are one who enjoys visiting old lighthouses like me, then this one is definitely worth checking out, even if you just take a couple of photos.