Just 45 minutes from Boston, Salem is one of those towns that feels like stepping onto a movie setβpart colonial New England, part witchy theme park, and part foodie haven. Known for the infamous 1692 witch trials, Salem has leaned all the way into its spooky reputation, but donβt think itβs all cauldrons and cobblestones. This city has quirky shops, a surprisingly good food scene, and a harbor thatβs as charming as it is historic.
Hereβs how to spend the perfect Salem Day Trip from Boston (with a few notes on what Iβd do if I stayed overnight). If youβd like to spend more time here, my 3-Day Boston and Salem Itinerary adds even more local stops.
Driving from Boston takes about 45 minutes, and I recommend making a quick stop in Swampscott on the way. Itβs a little seaside town with a beach for strolling, boutique shops, and a laid-back vibe that sets the tone for your day.
Once youβre in Salem, know this: parking is tricky. Garages fill up quickly, especially in September and October, so street parking is your best bet. We parked near Hawthorne Blvd across from the Boys & Girls Club. Bonus: after 6 p.m. street parking is free.
When to go:
Early to mid-August β lighter crowds, perfect weather.
September β busy but not unbearable.
October β fun if youβre into Halloween chaos, but expect wall-to-wall people.
Kick off your Salem adventure with a walk down Essex Street, the townβs pedestrian-friendly main drag. This is where youβll find everything from quirky witch shops to colonial homes with flower-boxed porches.
Donβt miss:
Wynott Wands: For Harry Potter fans or anyone who secretly wants to wave a wand around.
Black Cat Curiosity Shoppe: Oddities galoreβthink unicorn horns, werewolf hair, and curiosities you didnβt know you needed.
Moons Gift Shop: Tourist central, but a good spot for witchy souvenirs and Salem t-shirts.
Salem Witch Museum: Even if you donβt go inside, the exterior with its creepy statue nails the Halloween vibe.
This artsy cafΓ© is a Salem staple. Expect live music, eclectic dΓ©cor, and a menu full of comfort food with a twist.
What I ordered:
Mocktail Autumn: Cranberry, lemon, cinnamon, and ginger beerβbasically fall in a glass.
Marinated brie (unique and delicious).
Mac and cheese (housemade and gooey).
The Philly (shaved beef, onions, peppers, provolone on ciabatta). Perfection, and it comes with a side salad so you can tell yourself you ate a vegetable.
Pro tip: wait times can stretch an hour in peak season, but theyβll text you when your tableβs ready. Browse Essex Street while you wait.
After lunch, dive into Salemβs history and sweets:
The Witch House: Former home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, the only structure still standing with direct ties to the witch trials. Admission is $12, but even if you just admire the exterior, it oozes spooky colonial vibes.
Allisonβs House (Hocus Pocus fans, this oneβs for you): Tour the gardens for free or pay a fee to go inside. Even if you skip the house, the surrounding neighborhood is full of beautiful colonial homes.
Salem Common: A leafy park across from the Salem Witch Museum. Fun fact: some outdoor scenes from Hocus Pocus were filmed here.
Kakawa Chocolate House: Do not leave Salem without stopping here. They specialize in small-batch truffles and sipping chocolates called βelixirs.β Get the flight of elixirs so you can sample multiple flavorsβmy favorites were the Tzul (milkier chocolate) and the five-spice. They also make incredible sea salt caramel fudge.
Ye Olde Pepper Companie: Americaβs oldest candy company. Stock up on chocolate coffins, flavored candy corn, and seasonal truffles.
For dinner, Settler is the star of Salem. Itβs one of the top three restaurants Iβve ever eaten at (and Iβve eaten at a lot). Every dish is layered with flavor, and the service makes you feel like family. Reservations are a must.
What to order:
Homemade sourdough bread with oil pairing.
Whipped ricotta with grilled sourdough.
Crispy herb falafel with harissa aioli.
The carrots with hazelnuts, golden raisins, and tzatziki. Theyβll change how you think about carrots.
Niman Ranch NY Strip with grilled eggplant, olive vinaigrette, and soubise sauce. Melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
Fresh pasta special with lobster and burst tomatoes (Bradβs order, equally incredible).
Pistachio gelato affogato. Sorry, Italyβthis one stole my heart.
Even the little touches stand outβour chilled veggie side came over ice so every bite was crisp and refreshing. The staff described each dish like a story, which made the meal feel like an experience.
Cap off the day with a Mahi Mahi Sunset Cruise around Salem Harbor. Itβs only about 90 minutes, but the views are unforgettable. Watching the sky light up over the water is the perfect way to end your Salem trip. They serve food and drinks on board, but I was still blissfully full from Settler. Book ahead (it usually sells out), and bring a sweaterβthe sea breeze gets chilly.
If you decide to stay, check into the Salem Waterfront Hotel. Nautical-themed, clean, and just a short walk to downtown. Salem comes alive at night on weekends, with bars and clubs open late, so staying overnight means you can join the fun instead of rushing back to Boston.
Salem is the perfect Boston day trip if you want a mix of history, quirky shops, and amazing food. Come hungry, wear comfortable shoes, and donβt skip Settler or Kakawa Chocolate House. Whether you visit in the lighter crowds of August or during the festive madness of October, Salem delivers on its spooky-meets-charming reputation.
And if you can swing it, stay overnightβbecause Salem after dark is a whole new experience. Donβt leave without dinnerβmy Settler Salem Restaurant Review covers my favorite spot in town.
The tulip fields in the Netherlands look exactly like the photos, except the photos donβt capture how massive the color blocks actually are stretching across the countryside. Or the windmills. Or the sheep randomly standing in the middle of everything like they donβt know theyβre in the most photogenic country on earth.
The honest caveat: tulip season moves fast, the fields rotate every year, and peak bloom is not a guarantee, it depends on the weather, the harvest schedule, and a little bit of luck. But thatβs also part of what makes it feel less like a tourist attraction and more like something you actually found.
Full driving route with towns, parking tips, and what to expect | linked in bio. π·
#netherlands #travelling #tulipfields #exploreeurope
Amsterdam has a way of making you feel like you need to see everything, and then rewarding you most when you slow down anyway. The museums and canal cruises are worth it, but so is just wandering neighborhoods, eating whatever looks good, and sitting along the canals with a grilled cheese and nowhere to be.
First-time visitor guide is on the blog. Link in bio. π·
#travelling #travel #amsterdam #visitamsterdam #traveleurope
10 stops. One very full day. Zero regrets. Amsterdam has one of the best food scenes Iβve experienced anywhere in Europe, but the honest caveat is that some of the viral spots come with lines that will genuinely test your character. I skipped a few. I regret nothing.
Hereβs what actually made the cut on my self-guided Amsterdam food tour:
Fresh stroopwafels at Hans Egstorf: made right in front of you, warm caramel, no line. This one won.
Lourens cookie croissant: flaky outside, gooey chocolate inside. Did not share.
CafΓ© Winkel 43 apple pie: one of the rare viral places that fully lives up to the hype.
Davieβs Amsterdam for the Lelie sandwich: pastrami, pickles, marbled bread. Deceptively simple. Absolutely excellent.
De Kaaskamer to end the day: 400+ cheeses, grilled cheese with what they call ketchup (itβs not ketchup, and itβs better), and bunker cheese aged in underground military bunkers.
The full route covers 10 stops through Jordaan, the 9 Streets, the canal district, and the flower market area with a Google Map included so you can just follow along.
Full guide with every stop, tips for beating the lines, and what Iβd skip vs. do again | link in bio.
#amsterdam #visitamsterdam #netherlands #travel #visitnetherlands #traveleurope
Thereβs a version of Gatlinburg thatβs all fudge shops and tourist crowds, and then thereβs the version that actually makes you want to come back.
Hereβs everything worth doing downtown, in the order Iβd do it: ποΈ
β¨ Start at @gatlinburgskypark before the crowds hit
β¨ Walk the strip mid-morning when itβs still manageable
β¨ @googooclusters stop (see my post from Tuesday: donβt skip it)
β¨ Dinner at one of the local spots off the main drag
β¨ Wander back out at night when the lights are on and it gets actually pretty
This isnβt your overscheduled Smoky Mountain itinerary. Itβs more of a βhereβs what Iβd actually do if I had one solid dayβ kind of list.
Full downtown Gatlinburg guide linked in bio. π
If someone told me Iβd spend five hours at SkyPark, I would not have believed them. And yet. π
Gatlinburg SkyPark sits above the strip and itβs one of those places that looks like a quick stop on paper and turns into most of your afternoon. The SkyBridge alone is worth it β longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, you will look down.
β¨ SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America)
β¨ SkyLift ride up with views of the Smokies
β¨ Walking trails with mountain views in every direction
β¨ Way less crowded than downtown
Fair warning: if heights genuinely freak you out, the bridge might not be your thing. The rest of the park is still 100% worth it. Full guide with tickets, tips, and what to skip linked in bio. π
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