8 Must-See Museums in Salisbury, MD
Are you ready to soak in the culture and the local history with our favorite museums in Salisbury, MD? We’ve put together this list for the everyday traveler so there’s something for everyone. Whether you love history or you are more interested in nature, we’ve got you covered.
Salisbury, MD is certainly doing well when it comes to museums. There are multiple great places right in town and we will also show some amazing museums nearby.
So, without further ado let’s get into it. As always, we mention the opening times and give you links so you can easily find these museums. Prices are always full-priced adult tickets, most of the time discounts can be applied for children/veterans/seniors.
1. The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art
Hours: — CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE —
Price: Free
Website: https://wardfdn.org/
The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art is one of the most famous museums in Salisbury MD. It’s a museum that’s centered around bird-related art and nature itself.
If you want to see what kind of birds visit Maryland and specifically this area then it’s a good place to learn something new. They’ve got tons of interesting displays and the art of the Ward brothers never fails to amaze visitors.
The museum can be visited as a self-guided tour with information provided by plaquettes and video displays.
2. Poplar Hill Mansion
Hours: Fri & Sun 12 – 4 PM
Price: Free (optional donations)
Website: http://www.poplarhillmansion.org/
A 1732 Mansion in pristine condition and guided tours. Sounds like fun? If yes, then you are in luck as the Poplar Hill Mansion in town is just the place you should visit!
The mansion is restored almost entirely to its original state. It is in fact one of the oldest mansions around these parts of the nation and if you visit you will be able to learn the interesting history of this place and the family who resided here.
We’ve found the staff very well prepared and the free tour was really enjoyable. No questions left unanswered so if you are into old mansions then we can safely recommend a visit.
The mansion is available for weddings as well so it’s always best to call in advance if you want to visit. Just to make sure you’ll find the place open to the public.
3. Salisbury University Art Galleries
Hours: Mon – Fri 10 AM – 4 PM
Price: Varies
Website: https://www.salisbury.edu/discover-su/community-outreach/galleries.aspx
Salisbury University or SBU is home to a number of different exhibits and even a museum. It’s a nice place to explore.
One of the most interesting exhibits is definitely the SBU Galleries. They have art from contemporary and new artists and it’s always a pleasure to check these out.
Another place to visit inside SBU is the Franklin P. Perdue Museum of Business & Entrepreneurship which is a real treat for anyone who loves learning about businesses.
4. Eastern Shore Baseball Hall of Fame
Hours: When the team plays home
Price: Included in your ticket
Website: http://www.esbhalloffame.org/index.cfm?ref=40100
Baseball fans rejoice, there is a museum just for you in Salisbury. As you would expect this museum is dedicated to baseball players from this particular area of Maryland. Whether it’s amateur, semi-amateur, or pro you’ll find plenty of memorabilia and interesting items here.
The museum is only open when there is a game for the home team and you can visit it along with the stadium with your ticket. If you would like to visit in the off-season then you must call ahead and schedule a tour.
5. Pemberton Hall
Hours: May through Oct via Appointment
Price: N/A
Website: https://pembertonhallfoundation.com/
Pemberton Hall is a colonial plantation home that has been restored and refurbished into an excellent museum that you can visit today.
Not only is the house interesting but the guided tour is great. You’ll learn so much about the early days and how life was on the plantation. Add to that, Pemberton Hall is in the middle of a huge garden.
Walking trails run along the garden where you can explore and enjoy some nature. It is a laid-back place to visit.
If you want a guided tour then you should go to their website and call ahead to arrange a visit.
6. Salisbury Zoological Park
Hours: Mon – Sun 9 AM – 4:30 PM
Price: Free
Website: https://salisburyzoo.org/
Now this might not be a museum in the traditional sense but the Salisbury Zoological Park is one of the best activities in town for families.
It’s free to visit and the Zoo houses more than 100 animals. You and your family can meet a variety of amazing animals and if you want you can even sign up for an animal encounter (paid – goes to charity).
The animal encounter is definitely a unique experience. Meeting these creatures up close is something that’s hard to forget.
The Zoo itself offers multiple walking paths, a nice café, and even a playground for the kids. This is a good place to spend a day and a great place for the kids to take their energy out.
Oh, and they even have free parking. What’s not to like?
7. Julia A. Purnell Museum
Hours: Tue – Sat 10 AM – 4 PM | Sun 1 PM – 4 PM
Price: $3
Website: https://www.purnellmuseum.org/
Julia A. Purnell Museum is a museum near Salisbury, MD. It’s just 20 miles from Salisbury so you can easily get here by car.
The museum has two major parts. One is dedicated to Julia A. Purnell herself. She made over 1000 pieces of artwork. A nice selection of some of her best work is on display at the museum.
Then the other part is a treat for history lovers. The museum also collects historical items and artifacts from the area. You can learn a lot about the history of Maryland through the items on display and you can see how people used to live, work, and relax back in the day.
8. Delmarva Discovery Museum
Hours: Tue – Sat 11 AM – 4 PM | Sun 11 AM – 3 PM
Price: $10
Website: https://www.delmarvadiscoverycenter.org/
The Delmarva Discovery Museum is another great place if you are interested in local history and if you want a more interactive place. It’s a 30-minute drive from Salisbury.
As the name suggests the objective of this museum is to show visitors the rich culture and history of the Delmarva Peninsula. They do this through various displays and historical items.
However, it’s more than just the history. The museum also has some live animals and fish that children especially love to see.
