Things To Do
Salem
It's SALEM, people. It's cute. It's spooky. It's goth. It's gay. It's an actual town where people live, so please be respectful. We can't go to New England without a visit to Salem. Places we like: The Ossuary and Die With Your Boots On - Goth clothing, merch, and local organizing. Jolie Tea Company - Cute! Nice macarons, good tea, beautiful atmosphere. Flying Saucer Pizza - Strong allergy safety! Laurel can eat there. Gulu Gulu Cafe - Excellent coffee. Wicked Good Books - Self-explanatory. Peabody Essex Museum - Some good ol' non-campy history and art. Salem Witch Musem - Some good ol' campy history. The Salem Witch Trials Memorial - Maintain a quiet and respectful atmosphere in this historic graveyard for people condemned as witches. The Witch House in Salem - It's in a lot of insta photos. Black, with peaks. The House of Seven Gables - Count 'em. They're there. Nate Hawthy wrote about it. It's a good history of New England, and talks frankly about the uncomfortable parts.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
You will never see another museum like this. It's an incredible story of a philanthropist-socialite who had a vision of how to witness and immerse ourselves in art, without sterile white walls. The framed art, the tiles you walk on, the pillars and walls of the museum itself are all art. You can drive (there's a parking lot), or take the Green line to the Museum of Fine Arts (going outbound) or Longwood Medical (going inbound). You can also take the 39 bus (the 3rd-most-frequent bus in Boston).
Freedom Trail
If you want to do some of the more traditional historic tourism, here's a great way to hit a bunch along a 2.5-mile walk. Accessible from all T lines.
Boston Common
Lots to do in the heart of Boston! Plus, you can check out the statue dedicated to the children's book "Make Way For Ducklings" - in one of the photos we've used on this site! There's a parking garage under the Common, too, and can be a great jumping-off point for the Freedom Trail. Accessible from all T lines.