Kim MacKinnon
She/Her
Based in Boston, Massachusetts
English
Kim MacKinnon
Ask me about
My Story
I am a long-time, award-winning travel writer, editor, and guidebook author, ready to share all my travel expertise with you! I have written several guidebooks about Massachusetts, including "100 Things to Do in Massachusetts Before You Die" (2025), "100 Things to Do on Cape Cod and the Islands Before You Die" (2022), and "Secret Boston" (2020), among others. While New England is my backyard, I have been to more than 50 countries and sailed on more than 50 cruises, so I can help plan your next adventure with ease.
Travel Style
I've done it all, from road-tripping all over the US (48 states to date) to indulging in luxe properties around the world to taking dozens of cruises (even one on the Nile). There's an adventure to be found everywhere!
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Reviews (26)
Jennifer H.
travel to Istanbul
10 days ago
Kim was super helpful and extremely prompt and communicative. 100% satisfied.
Ellen A.
travel by cruise
14 days ago
Kim's experience with traveling and communicating make her an excellent advisor. She listens, offers good advice, and follows up. A pleasure to work with.
Theresa F.
travel to Rome
24 days ago
Kim is very efficient and gives you advice about the choices you consider. She returns your correspondence in a timely manner. I have known Kim 20 years plus. Kim herself is an experienced traveler, and travel writer. She is very knowledgeable in her field and fun to work with!
Erin K.
travel to Costa Rica
4 months ago
We had an excellent experience working with Kim for our Costa Rica trip! She made sure to ask great questions in order to understand exactly what we were looking for, and was very transparent about what was and was not included in her service. She sent tons of options and was patient with us as we sifted through them. She found great hotels, suggested a car service instead of a rental (which we hadn't considered and turned out to be the perfect choice), and booked a horseback riding excursion for us. She created a helpful itinerary that included things both she and I booked. She also checked in before and during the trip and was very responsive when we needed to make a few small changes. Great service from start to finish—we’ll absolutely be using her again.
Sarah M.
travel by cruise
6 months ago
Kim really knows cruises. She made suggestions about small details that helped make this trip both fun and stress free. Trust her advice!
Jennifer H.
travel to Istanbul
10 days ago
Kim was super helpful and extremely prompt and communicative. 100% satisfied.
Ellen A.
travel by cruise
14 days ago
Kim's experience with traveling and communicating make her an excellent advisor. She listens, offers good advice, and follows up. A pleasure to work with.
Theresa F.
travel to Rome
24 days ago
Kim is very efficient and gives you advice about the choices you consider. She returns your correspondence in a timely manner. I have known Kim 20 years plus. Kim herself is an experienced traveler, and travel writer. She is very knowledgeable in her field and fun to work with!
Erin K.
travel to Costa Rica
4 months ago
We had an excellent experience working with Kim for our Costa Rica trip! She made sure to ask great questions in order to understand exactly what we were looking for, and was very transparent about what was and was not included in her service. She sent tons of options and was patient with us as we sifted through them. She found great hotels, suggested a car service instead of a rental (which we hadn't considered and turned out to be the perfect choice), and booked a horseback riding excursion for us. She created a helpful itinerary that included things both she and I booked. She also checked in before and during the trip and was very responsive when we needed to make a few small changes. Great service from start to finish—we’ll absolutely be using her again.
Travel ideas (2)
Martha’s Vineyard Snapshot: Island Overview
I’ve been going to Martha’s Vineyard for 30-plus years, first as a young tourist on the back of a moped (the one and only time doing that!), later spending summer vacations there with my family and introducing my daughter to the joys of swimming in the ocean, and then finally discovering the secret pleasures of visiting in the off-season, now one of my favorites time to go. The Vineyard, which is seven miles off Cape Cod’s coast and encompasses about 100 square miles, is made up of six different towns, each quite distinct from the other, each with its own compelling charms.
Martha’s Vineyard Snapshot: Island Overview
I’ve been going to Martha’s Vineyard for 30-plus years, first as a young tourist on the back of a moped (the one and only time doing that!), later spending summer vacations there with my family and introducing my daughter to the joys of swimming in the ocean, and then finally discovering the secret pleasures of visiting in the off-season, now one of my favorites time to go. The Vineyard, which is seven miles off Cape Cod’s coast and encompasses about 100 square miles, is made up of six different towns, each quite distinct from the other, each with its own compelling charms.
Boston Snapshot: Highlights of the Hub
As a local who has written several guidebooks to Boston, I am always evaluating my top picks for what to do, see and eat in the city. Rightly famous for its rich history, Boston is equally modern, with a youthful vibe, thanks to the thousands of students at the 50-plus colleges and universities in the region. Happily, the compact size of the city means you can skip driving and rely on public transportation or taxis and ride-share companies.
Boston is comprised of several neighborhoods, but for visitors, the Back Bay is the most convenient to many of the city’s prime attractions, with a long list of top hotels and restaurants within mere blocks. Staying at the Four Seasons, Raffles Boston or Fairmont Copley Plaza puts you right in the middle of everything. You can easily walk to other popular neighborhoods, such as Beacon Hill, the South End and Downtown, and if the Fenway, the North End and the Seaport are too far by foot (though they are completely doable), they are a quick ride away.
Boston Snapshot: Highlights of the Hub
As a local who has written several guidebooks to Boston, I am always evaluating my top picks for what to do, see and eat in the city. Rightly famous for its rich history, Boston is equally modern, with a youthful vibe, thanks to the thousands of students at the 50-plus colleges and universities in the region. Happily, the compact size of the city means you can skip driving and rely on public transportation or taxis and ride-share companies.
Boston is comprised of several neighborhoods, but for visitors, the Back Bay is the most convenient to many of the city’s prime attractions, with a long list of top hotels and restaurants within mere blocks. Staying at the Four Seasons, Raffles Boston or Fairmont Copley Plaza puts you right in the middle of everything. You can easily walk to other popular neighborhoods, such as Beacon Hill, the South End and Downtown, and if the Fenway, the North End and the Seaport are too far by foot (though they are completely doable), they are a quick ride away.
Martha’s Vineyard Snapshot: Island Overview
I’ve been going to Martha’s Vineyard for 30-plus years, first as a young tourist on the back of a moped (the one and only time doing that!), later spending summer vacations there with my family and introducing my daughter to the joys of swimming in the ocean, and then finally discovering the secret pleasures of visiting in the off-season, now one of my favorites time to go. The Vineyard, which is seven miles off Cape Cod’s coast and encompasses about 100 square miles, is made up of six different towns, each quite distinct from the other, each with its own compelling charms.
Martha’s Vineyard Snapshot: Island Overview
I’ve been going to Martha’s Vineyard for 30-plus years, first as a young tourist on the back of a moped (the one and only time doing that!), later spending summer vacations there with my family and introducing my daughter to the joys of swimming in the ocean, and then finally discovering the secret pleasures of visiting in the off-season, now one of my favorites time to go. The Vineyard, which is seven miles off Cape Cod’s coast and encompasses about 100 square miles, is made up of six different towns, each quite distinct from the other, each with its own compelling charms.
Boston Snapshot: Highlights of the Hub
As a local who has written several guidebooks to Boston, I am always evaluating my top picks for what to do, see and eat in the city. Rightly famous for its rich history, Boston is equally modern, with a youthful vibe, thanks to the thousands of students at the 50-plus colleges and universities in the region. Happily, the compact size of the city means you can skip driving and rely on public transportation or taxis and ride-share companies.
Boston is comprised of several neighborhoods, but for visitors, the Back Bay is the most convenient to many of the city’s prime attractions, with a long list of top hotels and restaurants within mere blocks. Staying at the Four Seasons, Raffles Boston or Fairmont Copley Plaza puts you right in the middle of everything. You can easily walk to other popular neighborhoods, such as Beacon Hill, the South End and Downtown, and if the Fenway, the North End and the Seaport are too far by foot (though they are completely doable), they are a quick ride away.
Boston Snapshot: Highlights of the Hub
As a local who has written several guidebooks to Boston, I am always evaluating my top picks for what to do, see and eat in the city. Rightly famous for its rich history, Boston is equally modern, with a youthful vibe, thanks to the thousands of students at the 50-plus colleges and universities in the region. Happily, the compact size of the city means you can skip driving and rely on public transportation or taxis and ride-share companies.
Boston is comprised of several neighborhoods, but for visitors, the Back Bay is the most convenient to many of the city’s prime attractions, with a long list of top hotels and restaurants within mere blocks. Staying at the Four Seasons, Raffles Boston or Fairmont Copley Plaza puts you right in the middle of everything. You can easily walk to other popular neighborhoods, such as Beacon Hill, the South End and Downtown, and if the Fenway, the North End and the Seaport are too far by foot (though they are completely doable), they are a quick ride away.
Travel photos
