For variety, you can't beat the coastal villages and shoreline stretching from Massachusetts, through New Hampshire and on up into Maine. Stop at beaches and fishing harbors, wander through artists' colonies and world-class museums, and marvel at the solitude and natural beauty of one of America's most popular National Parks.
Settled by English fishermen in 1629. Stroll through narrow 18thC streets to the yacht-filled harbor. The Georgian-style Jeremiah Lee Mansion, built in 1768, is a window into the lifestyle of well-off Colonists. www.marblehead.com
Learn about Salem's infamous 1692 witch trials at the Salem Witch Museum; admire the splendid old sea captains' homes on Chestnut Street and the Oriental treasures at the Peabody Essex Museum. Don't miss the Maritime National Historic Site, and the House of the Seven Gables, the inspiration for author Nathaniel Hawthorne's famous novel. www.salem.org
This rocky cape, with its sheltered coves, has both charm and history. Manchester-by-the-Sea has a fine beach; Hammond Castle Museum records the achievements of a great American inventor. www.capeannvacations.com
The locally based book and movie of The Perfect Storm put Gloucester in the spotlight, but the town also boasts the Cape Ann Historical Museum with its paintings by Fitz Hugh Lane. Trivia fact: Clarence Birdseye, who developed frozen food, started his company here at America's oldest working fishing port. www.gloucesterma.com
In this pretty artists' colony, the most painted and most photographed building is a 150-year-old red fishing shack on Bradley Wharf, nicknamed Motif No.1. www.rockportusa.com
The sea has retreated, leaving bird-filled salt marshes, but the Shipbuilding Museum recalls the days when 4,000 boats were launched here. Antiques shops abound, as they do in Ipswich, Rowley and Newbury, classic New England towns to the north. www.cape-ann.com/essex.html
New Hampshire's coastline boasts the popular seaside resort of Hampton Beach, plus Portsmouth. This bustling city, with its heritage as a seaport, has one of the region's most interesting museums. Strawbery Banke is a collection over 40 preserved buildings, many with period furnishings, dating from 1695 to 1955. www.portsmouthnh.com
From Portsmouth, take one of the regular summer cruises to see the harbor, lighthouses and the tiny islands. www.islesofshoals.com
New Hampshire's coastline boasts the popular seaside resort of Hampton Beach, plus Portsmouth. This bustling city, with its heritage as a seaport, has one of the region's most interesting museums. Strawbery Banke is a collection over 40 preserved buildings, many with period furnishings, dating from 1695 to 1955. www.portsmouthnh.com
Just over the Maine border, Kittery attracts bargain-hunters thanks to over 120 outlet shops clustered along US 1. But, take time to visit old Kittery, down on the water, and the Yorks, a nearby series of historic communities. www.kittery.org, www.yorkmaine.org
A string of family-friendly sandy beaches (York Beach, Ogunquit and Wells Beach) are popular in high summer, with their theme parks for older children. With lobster boats and colorful buoys, Perkins Cove has reminders of the past, as well as lively restaurants for today's visitors. www.ogunquit.org
Three communities in one. Kennebunk's historic district boasts fine old houses, while Kennebunk Beach is a summer playground. Kennebunkport has long been the family summer home of Presidents George and George W Bush. Further north, Old Orchard Beach has all the fun of the fair, plus a pier and seven miles of silver sand. www.visitthekennebunks.com
With glorious views over Casco Bay and its islands, the largest city in Maine is 'hot', thanks to small shops, galleries, restaurants and museums. As well as the busy Old Port, visit the boyhood home of the 19thC poet, Longfellow, the stylish indoor produce market, the top class art and children's museums. www.visitportland.com
The town is dominated by Bowdoin College, where the Arctic Museum honors explorer Robert Peary. Brunswick signals a change in the coastline. From here, drive down any of the long rocky peninsulas, covered in pines, and you are truly 'away from it all'. www.brunswickme.org
From the bridge over the Kennebec River, you can see the busy US Navy shipyard. Nearby, the excellent Maine Maritime Museum traces the 400 year-old tradition of shipbuilding, from sail to steam. www.visitbath.com
Historic towns punctuate Route 1. Wiscasset, with its steep hill, has little shops and restaurants. After Newcastle and Damariscotta, you reach Thomaston, the former site of the state prison that inspired the film, The Shawshank Redemption.
www.mainesmidcoast.com
At the end of a long peninsula is Boothbay Harbor, a vacation town for well over a century. As well as all sorts of watersports, enjoy whale watching cruises and deep-sea fishing. www.boothbayharbor.com
Ferries run from Port Clyde to this square mile of rock, with no roads, a handful of places to stay and a small resident population of artists and lobstermen. Visit studios, walk and relax. www.monhegan.com
The 'Lobster Capital of the World' is also 'the Schooner Capital of Maine'. But don't miss the Farnsworth Art Museum with its famed collection of paintings by three generations of the Wyeth family. Out at the Owl's Head Transportation Museum, many of the classic planes and cars are still in working order. Ferries cross to the islands of Matinicus and Vinalhaven. www.mainesmidcoast.com
Known for its crafts shops and galleries, tiny Rockport has all the charm of a picture postcard, complete with lobster pots and boats. www.mainesmidcoast.com
Looking over the blue sweep of Penobscot Bay and with Mount Battie rising behind, Camden is a lovely town year-round. Yachts anchor here before sailing off through the islands. Stylish B&Bs abound, as do restaurants and art galleries. www.mainesmidcoast.com
Londonderry or Belfast? When the Scots-Irish arrived in 1765, a flip of a coin decided the name of this shipbuilding town; today, sea captains' mansions line the main street. www.mainesmidcoast.com
The Blue Hill area has long been an artists' colony, with the photogenic and historic harbor of Castine a magnet for visitors looking for uncomplicated peace and quiet.
www.bluehillme.com
Although known as an enclave of artists, photographers and musicians (drawn by the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts), Deer Isle is also a fishing community. Stonington harbor is popular with yachtsmen and windjammers. Ferries run to Isle au Haut, with fine hiking in the National Park. www.bluehillme.com
In Ellsworth, the 1850 home of Cordelia Stanwood is now a museum and bird sanctuary dedicated to the pioneering ornithologist. www.ellsworthme.com
One of the world's great beauty spots, Acadia, on Mt. Desert Island, is America's second most popular national park. Drive the 27-mile Loop Road, then hike/bike or cross-country ski over 50 miles of panoramic car-free 'carriage roads'. A vacation destination for well over a century, Bar Harbor offers an engaging mix of old houses, B&Bs and art galleries. www.nps.gov/acad
|
Web Services by: The Destination Group