I landed in Boston feeling confident… for about 15 minutes. Then, I immediately got confused about how to leave the airport. In my defense, it looked a lot closer in the pictures online. Instead of mastering the MBTA like a functioning adult, I panic-ordered an Uber to Salem. Yes, across-the-state-line Salem. Yes, it was expensive. No, I don’t want to talk about it.

Once I finally made it to Salem, we grabbed tacos downtown at The Howling Wolf Taqueria (which I absolutely recommend) and wandered through old cemeteries like academically curious ghosts. While wandering I formed a new core memory: I saw a skunk. Honestly, the highlight of the evening.

The next day I hit 10,000 steps before lunch. I also spent way too much money because apparently fall in Salem activates some kind of “buy every spooky thing you see” instinct. Also, a crucial travel tip: there are no bathrooms in Salem. None. If you need them, you must go all the way back to the visitor center. Lesson learned, if you need to go, just simply don’t. But the vibe? Absolutely immaculate.

The next morning we woke up way too early for being on vacation and finally braved the train back to Boston–where my Boston clogs betrayed me and fell off on the platform. Counterintuitive footwear behavior, truly.

We stayed in the Financial District and took on the Freedom Trail, which was gorgeous and only mildly torturous on my feet. We accidentally wandered into the French District, took cliché-but-worth-it photos on Acorn Street, strolled through Boston Common, and eventually made it to the Boston Public Library—where the blisters began to bloom like colonial-era flowers. This is a must see, the marble statues are worth the walk and the library was an essential spot to cool off in the September heat. 

Then, we walked alllll the way back to the hotel because for some reason we refused to take the train. (Side note: Apple Maps does not work in Boston. At all. It is navigating purely on vibes.) Back at the hotel, we collapsed into a nap, went out that night for one last hoorah, and then woke up at 5 a.m. for the airport—an objectively terrible decision.

But honestly? I had the best time. Spent too much money, made too many memories, and learned just enough lessons to make the next trip slightly less chaotic.

Boston, I’ll be back. 🛬