Melanie Carden

Melanie is a freelance writer and former chef with decades of experience in travel, food, and adventure. Returning to university in adulthood, she graduated summa cum laude from UMass Amherst with a focus in food and culture journalism. Her bylines include Paste Magazine, Business Insider, The List, Film Fest Magazine, Explore, and Wealth of Geeks. She’s at the ready to explore cricket tacos in Mexico, snorkeling coves in the Galapagos, or undiscovered Main Streets across the US.

Latest Posts From Melanie

Walter E. Fernald Developmental Center

12 Creepy Abandoned Places in Massachusetts You Can Still Visit

Discarded asylums, graffitied lookouts, shuttered hotels, and other curiosities.

Best Restaurants in Boston

13 Restaurants You Shouldn’t Leave Boston Without Trying

Try Portuguese fare, Lanzhou noodle bowls, and local oysters all in Boston.

Channel Peak Fall Vibes at These Apple-Picking Spots near Boston

Perfect apples are within reach.

We Camped with Wolves Just Outside of New York City

We Camped with Wolves Just Outside of New York City

And you can camp with them too.

23 Things You Have to Do in Boston This Year, from Fluff Fest to Boston Calling

These are the must-hit festivals, concerts, events, and most fun things to do this year in Boston.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Romantic Things to Do on a Couples Trip to Boston

From low-key to over-the-top, these are the most fun and romantic things for couples to do in Boston.

Unique Things to See and Do at Boston Logan International Airport, Including a Craft Brewery in Every Terminal

Unique Things to See and Do at Boston Logan International Airport, Including a Craft Brewery in Every Terminal

A guide to the best pre-flight activities and meals at Boston Logan International Airport.

The Mysterious Desert in the Middle of Maine That's Attracted Travelers for a Century

The Mysterious Desert in the Middle of Maine That's Attracted Travelers for a Century

The origin story of this 100-year-old roadside attraction is 27,000 years in the making.

Restaurants by Fenway and Things to Do at Fenway Park

What to Know for the Ultimate Game Day at Fenway Park

Restaurants by Fenway, the intel on tailgating, and much more.

Best Dispensaries in Boston

The Coolest Weed Dispensaries in Boston

Along with cannabis favorites, check out cool collabs, loyalty programs, and fun events.

Head to Burlington for the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.

Right in the Path of Totality, Burlington Is Going All Out for the Total Solar Eclipse

Get ready for a jam-packed getaway of total-solar-eclipse fun in Vermont.

Where to See the 2024 Total Eclipse on the East Coast

The Best Places to See the Total Solar Eclipse on the East Coast

A state-by-state guide to the best watch parties, festivals, and gatherings to experience totality during the solar eclipse.