Massachusetts

This trip started with two best friends inviting their childhood best friends for a girl’s trip to Massachusetts. There were really two reasons for the trip - to see the Rammstein concert and visit Salem. Allison and Caitlin flew from Central Florida, Desiree from Tennessee, and I came from Nebraska.

Boston

This was my first trip to the northeast and I was totally not prepared for the chaos of traffic and narrow streets. Thankfully Allison did all the driving because Boston would have been the death of me. Our first stop was The Black Rose for lunch and then spent the rest of the afternoon walking around Faneuil Hall Marketplace. We intended to spend a night in Boston so that we could explore more than what we got to. Unfortunately, our hotel was flooded and we ended up adding a night to our stay near Gilette Stadium. Before heading to the hotel we voted to go to Rhode Island for dinner at Barnaby’s Public House. Would not recommend the service was a disappointment and I believe there was some sort of mishap with our order.

OG Dunkin' Donuts

Who knew that Dunkin Donuts was from Massachusetts? We decided that we must check it out and we each ordered a Boston Cream. I feel like they were better than I remembered - I wonder if there is anything different at HQ versus every other Dunkin.

Rammstein

Before the show, we decided to get hibachi for dinner. I have some preshow pictures of both Caitlin and Allison really loving the texture of some walls we came across at the hotel and restaurant. I was so excited when I was invited to come on this trip. I have been listening to Rammstein for over 20 years and never thought that I would get the chance to see them in concert.

The concert was opened by Abélard a French Duo playing piano renditions of Rammstein’s songs. They have traveled the world touring alongside the band since 2019. This concert was a rescheduled tour from 2020 due to the pandemic. Foxborough was the final show in North America. This by far was the best performance I have ever seen and I am impressed as these guys are in their 50s and spent almost 2 hours entertaining. Till Lindemann does all of the pyrotechnics for their shows and there is no shortage of fire. Below you can find a setlist from that night.

Armee der Tristen
Zick Zack
Links 2-3-4
Sehnsucht
Zeig Dich
Mein Herz Brennt
Puppe
Heirate Mich
Zeit
Deutschland
Radio
Mein Teil
Du Hast
Sonne
Engel
Aüslander
Du Riechst so Gut
Pussy
Rammstein
Ich Will
Adieu

Salem

Since I am writing this post a couple of years after the trip I honestly do not remember the three museums we went to but it was a deal for about $30. Little did we know how far back in time they would take us. They were absolutely horrible but that is what made them so much fun. Sadly there were not many other people so we had the places mostly to ourselves. I hope you enjoy the creepy mannequins and depictions from the 1600’s.

The Satanic Temple

Doing everything to celebrate the upcoming spooky season we made our way to the satanic temple. They were very strict on mask-wearing as well as not letting too many people inside at one time. I was shocked to see how beautifully it was put together. From the velvet wallpaper, art, and library it was nothing that I would have expected. Our photos were only a fraction of what we saw and didn’t do it justice.

The Mission Of The Satanic Temple Is To Encourage Benevolence And Empathy, Reject Tyrannical Authority, Advocate Practical Common Sense, Oppose Injustice, And Undertake Noble Pursuits.

Ghost Tour

Continuing our night we ended up having tacos and drinks for dinner. A surprise to me a friend I went to high school with Shana showed up and accompanied us for the ghost tour. We rented an EMF reader to hopefully detect some activity that might not be visible. The only ghost we found was Caitlin’s boob according to the device. After an evening of drinking, we were an obnoxious group of girls who were hard to handle on this ghost tour. Our guide was monotone and had very poor delivery so we made the best we could with our shenanigans. I don’t think that the other people on the tour really enjoyed our company. If you take a ghost tour in Salem read reviews and make sure you book a good one!

Fancy Shirts

Caitlin and Allison made us all personalized glow-in-the-dark shirts for the tip. The front had a coffin with unique art and the back said “Get in loser we’re doing spooky shit”.

The Salem Witch Museum

Yay - another cheesy museum for the win. This museum was a little better than the other dungeon ones providing a little show. The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. More than 200 people were accused. Thirty people were found guilty, and nineteen were executed by hanging. What shocks me is that only 19 people died and it is what this city is famous for. Current day I don’t feel like the deaths of 19 people would do more than make headlines on the news. What happened to these people was atrocious and well-remembered.

Peabody Essex Museum

The first thing we learned as Southerners is that we didn’t know how to correctly say, Peabody. It is known to the locals as the Pee-buh-dee (said really fast). We had a blast with all of the interactive art and what seemed like endless exhibits for our exploration. This was 100% worth the time and money for people of any age.

Old Burial Hill

Old Burial Hill is one of the most picturesque graveyards in New England. It provides a view of Old Marblehead, the harbor, and the sea. Established in 1638 at the burial site of an estimated 600 Revolutionary soldiers. The graveyard has many well-preserved headstones, some dating back to the seventeenth century. Their carvings exemplify artistic and religious expression of the Puritan period, and their epitaphs reflect the times of these settlers, sea captains, fishermen, wives, and children.

Fort Pickering

Fort Pickering is Salem's most historical military landmark dating back to the year 1643. First used for military purposes in 1663, the site was a strategic coastal defense post and military barracks for Salem Harbor. We enjoyed a nice little hike out to the lighthouse and the beautiful iconic New England coast.