I love to plan. Whether it’s an evening out with friends, a party, a day trip, or a weeklong vacation, I love to take the reins on putting together an agenda.

Couple that with my love for travel (I even worked professionally in Travel PR in New York City for nearly 7 years), and it’s no surprise that the trips I take are generally pretty organized. When embarking on a vacation, I typically spend hours on sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp researching the best places to eat, the most comfortable places to stay, the can’t-miss attractions and the most unique local shops – and then plan itineraries to ensure I can check everything off my list.

When I first moved to Massachusetts back in 2010, I remember telling a colleague that I was excited to plan a summer vacation. When I told him I was researching exotic locales, his response to me was, “But why would you leave MA? There is so much to do and enjoy right here.” And when I stopped to think about it, I realized how right he was.

Whether you like the beach, the mountains, the city or the country, Massachusetts offers all of that and more, right here in our backyard. I’ve made it a point over the past few years to get out and experience as much of it as I can, from the neighborhoods of Boston, to the Berkshires, to the Cape and Islands, up to the North Shore and everything in between.

So when my sister, who runs Travel Like a Local: Vermont suggested that I join her in this project, it seemed like a natural fit. Whether you’re local to Massachusetts, or just dropping by for a visit, I hope you find some helpful recommendations and maybe even something new to explore.

About Me

I grew up in New Jersey, went to Villanova for college (go Wildcats!), and lived and worked in New York until I met a boy from New Hampshire and we settled in Massachusetts. Boston has been my home for the past 8 years, and I love the little neighborhood of Charlestown where my husband and I currently reside.

I studied English and Communications in school, and have worked in Public Relations for nearly 15 years. I’ve worked on the agency side, representing destinations and hotels, as well as in-house for brands like Zipcar (where I learned a ton about cities and urban transportation) and Invaluable (where I learned a lot about art, antiques and collectibles). I’ve always loved to read and write – something which runs in my family – and you can generally find me strolling somewhere along the water, often with a good book in hand.

Say hello and let me know what you think of Travel Like a Local: MA. Want to share your favorite places to visit in Massachusetts? Have an idea for a place to review or a locally-made product to try? Looking for specific recommendations or itineraries? Contact me any time. I’d love to hear from you: travelikealocalma@gmail.com.