Life in the beautifully-preserved ‘Sailing Capital of the U.S.’ revolves around one thing: its rich maritime culture. Sitting at the heart of Chesapeake Bay – the largest estuary in the country – the charming state capital of Maryland is abuzz with seafaring glamour. From the countless boats that line its City Dock, to the U.S. Naval Academy students strolling through the cobblestoned streets in their starched white uniforms, maritime heritage is everywhere you look.
Lying below the steeple-rich skyline of Charleston is an architecture buff's dream. Founded in 1670, the port is now host to eight distinct building styles. It also claims the country’s first museum and the harbor where the first shots of the American Civil War were fired from Fort Sumter, accessible via a pleasant ferry ride. Antebellum history is revealed at Boone Hall Plantation, famous for its stunning avenue overarched with moss-draped live oak trees more than two centuries old.
With an average temperature of 75 degrees and 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, Fort Lauderdale’s gorgeous beaches are just the beginning of the city’s attractions. Venturing into the water allows for scuba diving, deep-sea fishing or an airboat tour of the Everglades with a live gator show. Often called the “Venice of America” for its many canals and waterways, Fort Lauderdale is also a lovely place for a stroll. A trek along the Riverwalk reveals a tropical landscape lined with restaurants, art and entertainment and continues down Las Olas Boulevard for a posh shopping spree.
Closer to Cuba than to Miami, the southernmost city in the continental United States can feel like a country all its own. Home to free spirits, scuba divers and six-toed cats, Key West is defined by its quirky charm. People go barefoot, chickens roam the streets and eclectic culture rules. Architecture lovers will appreciate classic Caribbean villas, unique Keys conch houses and Victorian and Queen Anne gingerbread homes. Shopping opportunities range from many music and book shops to trendy designer boutiques.
Situated on one of the world's largest natural harbors, New York is a global power city with a nearly endless “to-do” list. Journey to the Statue of Liberty, experience the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and take in the lights and sounds of Times Square. Revel in a Broadway show and gaze up at the iconic Flatiron, Chrysler Building and Empire State Building. Visit the countless museums starting with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, among the world's largest and finest museums, the Guggenheim, or MoMA.
Once called Man-es-ayd'ik, or “clam-gathering place,” by the Wabanaki people, Bar Harbor is relaxed and fun but still retains an air of elegance from its history as an enclave for elites including the Morgans, Vanderbilts and Astors. It was the Rockefellers who convinced big landowners to donate the land to create Acadia National Park – over 50 square miles of mountains, lakes, hiking, biking, scenic vistas and dramatic coastline. The restaurants and boutiques of Main Street and the neighboring villages on Mount Desert Island offer the simple to the spectacular.
Founded in 1630, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States and arguably America's greatest walking city. Step along the cobblestones in any direction and you'll run into history. The Freedom Trail connects 16 significant sites, including the Paul Revere House, Boston Common and the USS Constitution. Once dubbed the “Athens of America,” this cultural capital is rich with museums, libraries, music venues and art galleries. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum houses a world-renowned art collection, famously heisted in 1990.
Breathtaking shorelines, gorgeous sunsets, sparkling waters, fresh seafood and world-famous sailing are the just the beginning of what's on tap in Newport. From the Cliff Walk to the Ten Mile Drive, there's no shortage of amazing experiences in the “City by the Sea,” but the opulent mansions built by wealthy industrialists must top the list. Gloriously styled after Italianate palazzi, French châteaux and Elizabethan manors, these impeccably restored homes, known as the summer “cottages” of the elite, are filled with priceless antiques and must be seen to be believed.
Established in 1633 as a fishing village, Portland grew to become not only the largest tonnage seaport in New England but also a charming destination of cobblestone streets, delectable seafood and history galore. The Old Port district is the center of it all with its restored brick warehouses bustling with shops, galleries, cafés, bars, and restaurants serving the freshest possible lobster. The Portland Museum of Art showcases works by Homer, Picasso, Matisse, Monet and more, while the views of the city from Portland Observatory are a work of art in their own right.
The Abenaki people once called this town Catawamteak, meaning “great landing place,” and Rockland certainly remains exactly that. This gateway to island-dotted Penobscot Bay is a thriving port of fishing boats and tall-masted sailing ships. Main Street is the hub with an array of specialty shops, antique stores, historic storefronts and the Center for Maine Contemporary Art. Other museum stops include the renowned Farnsworth Art Museum and the Maine Lighthouse Museum. The charming lighthouse and fascinating transportation museum in nearby Owls Head also merit a visit.
