With its rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and legacy of arts, culture, and education, Boston, Massachusetts has something for everyone. Take a walk along the Freedom Trail, visit one of Boston’s many fine museums and restaurants, or be the ultimate tourist and have a beer at the iconic Cheers.
Boston offers world-class dining and shopping options as well as spread of local, artisan, and ethnic restaurant favorites. There’s a handful of popular theaters and music festivals to view plays, films and concerts. You really can’t claim to have experienced Boston’s real culture until you’ve been to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park or what locals call “the Green Monster”.
To see a whole lot of waterfront — and waterfront attractions — meander along Boston’s Waterfront. Today’s waterfront includes a vibrant mix of hotels, restaurants, residences, and recreational spaces, from Atlantic Wharf on the Fort Point Channel to Battery Wharf in the North End.
Exploring history-rich Boston, on Massachusetts coast, is one of the best summer cruising adventures on the East Coast. The area has been home to a wealth of significant events throughout the centuries, from the Boston Massacre to the Boston Tea Party to the Battle of Bunker Hill. It's a one-of-a-kind destination that makes for an exciting weekend you won't forget.
Tie up your dinghy along the Charles River at Community Boating Inc., and enjoy a delightful day wandering down Newbury Street. The charming eight-block area is filled with salons, boutiques, and spectacular dining choices. Swing by the Flour Bakery (617-437-7700) for the excellent pastries, sandwiches and salads.If you fancy exercise, you can run, skate, or ride bikes along the historic 18-mile-long Charles River Esplanade, which runs parallel to the entire basin on both the north and south sides of the Charles River waterfront. If you're a baseball fan, don't miss a tour of or better yet, a game at Fenway Park (617-226-6666, boston.redsox.mlb.com), the oldest major league park in the U. S. and home to the Boston Red Sox. When it's time for dinner, you'll be spoiled for choices, as Boston is full of top- notch restaurants. One perennial favorite is the Top of the Hub Restaurant & Lounge (617-536-1775), which features contemporary New England dishes and stunning views of downtown. If you're near the area on the Fourth of July, relax along the banks of the Charles and catch the annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular (july4th.org).
Great dockage can be found in the city's famed North End neighborhood at Boston Yacht Haven (617-367-5050, thebostonyachthaven.com), or at Constitution Marina (617-241-9640, constitutionmarina.com), which is set along the historic Freedom Trail.
For a quick trip through the city by water, travel down the Charles River through the locks to Cambridge, home to Harvard and MIT, and visit the Galleria Mall, Central Square, and Harvard Square.
Located just 35 miles south of Boston, the quaint town of Plymouth was one of the first colonies founded by the pilgrims in 1620. The town is best known as the setting of the original Thanksgiving feast and is filled with historic buildings, museums, and monuments, including the 1749 Court House and Museum, the First Church, Burial Hill, and the Mayflower II (a replica of the original Mayflower).
Stroll along the cobblestone walkways of the Village Landing Marketplace, a shopping district of boutiques, specialty shops, restaurants and cafes. Hungry? Hit the Plymouth Harbor waterfront and stop at the East Bay Grille (508-746-9751), to enjoy live entertainment Wednesday through Saturday. Another fun experience is joining a ghost and legends walk with Colonial Lantern Tours (774-454-8126). Dock at Brewer Plymouth Marine (508-746-4500, byy.com/Plymouth) a full-service marina within walking distance of town.
About 45 miles north of Plymouth is Gloucester, the center of New England's fishing industry. The city is home to the oldest seaport in the country. Ever seen the popular National Geographic show Wicked Tuna? That's exactly what this town is all about: bluefin tuna.
Soak up the rays at Good Harbor Beach or Wingaersheek Beach, both of which are kid friendly. Bring your appetite to take advantage of one of the state's best seafood restaurants: the Gloucester House (888-283-1812). Prefer to dock and dine? Head to Rudder Restaurant (978-283-7967), known for its wicked-cool atmosphere and creative yet affordable menu. Visit during the 33rd annual Gloucester Waterfront Festival (Aug. 17-18) for crafts, live music and food. Whenever you visit, tie up at Cape Ann Marina Resort (978-283-3293, capeannmarina.com), which provides transient dockage for vessels up to 150 feet.
The final destination of the weekend is Newburyport, a historic seaport 17 miles north of Gloucester that was the birthplace of the coast guard in 1965. Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is teeming with more than 800 species of birds, plants, and animals. Plum Island, 11 miles long, is great for birding and swimming. Hit Ten Center Street (978-462-6652) for a quick bite, especially if it's Wednesday, when oysters are $1. Michael's Harborside (978-462-7785, michaelsharborside.com) has great seafood and a lively outdoor bar. If you can, visit Newburyport during the annual Yankee Homecoming ( July 28Aug. 4) for concerts, sidewalk sales, food vendors, and magnificent fireworks. Dockage is available at Newburyport Harbor Marina (978-462-3990, newburyportmarinas.com)
NEW YORK CITY bagels, New England clam bake, Boston cream pies, Maine lobster rolls, maple syrup, johnnycakes, baked beans, seafood chowder, coffee milk, whoopie pies and blueberry everything who needs more reasons to spend time in the Northeast?Aside from the amazing cuisine and the obvious historical significance, there are many more incentives to visit. The diversity of culture and terrain, the changing seasons, the world's most dynamic cities surrounded by small villages striking in their simplicity all invite deeper exploration.Yachts escaping the southern heat, port-hop during the summer months between popular tourist spots and secluded anchorages along the coastline. From New York City to Bar Harbor, enjoy shopping, dining, sightseeing and breezy nights along the way.We put together an itinerary of destinations, with many top-notch marinas and facilities that can accommodate large yachts (more than 80 feet). Enjoy cruising the Northeast this summer!
The pages of a thesaurus would be worn ragged finding enough adjectives to describe New York City. It's anything and everything and no specific thing. Any description will be passé by the next day in this dynamic environment, especially when it comes to restaurants. The variation in dining is staggering, and over the last few years the restaurant scene has undergone a seismic shift as Old World giants give way to more accessible food in casual atmospheres.Dockage is available in Manhattan at MarineMax at Chelsea Pier for vessels up to 320 feet (18-foot dock depth) or North Cove Marina, offering eight megayacht berths for vessels up to 175 feet (18-foot dock depth). Across the Hudson River in Jersey City is Liberty Landing Marina, accommodating vessels up to 200 feet (12-foot dock depth), and Newport Yacht Club and Marina which offers 12 berths for vessels up to 180 feet (10-foot dock depth).
Within easy access from the cacophony of Manhattan are the world-class beaches, seaside restaurants and upscale atmosphere of Long Island's Hamptons. En route, Brewer Capri Marina (can accommodate up to 150 feet) offers a great stop-over in beautiful Port Washington on the Long Island Sound. Farther east, Hamptons villages such as Sag Harbor, Southampton, and East Hampton offer not only favorite seaside resorts but some of the most luxurious and expensive real estate properties in the nation.A historic whaling town, Sag Harbor prides itself on being unHamptons. The Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum promotes the area's rich culture. Foster Beach on Noyack Bay is a great place to unwind after a long day of fishing, clamming, or paddle-boarding in the harbor. Dockage is available at Sag Harbor Yacht Club for vessels up to 200 feet (12-foot dock depth), which is walking distance to town. There is an abundance of restaurants nearby, including the American Hotel, the Corner Bar, Dockside Bar & Grill, Nello Summertimes, and Cittanuova.
The site of world-class festivals music, seafood, tennis, polo and more. Steven Sullivan, a retired mega yacht captain and the manager of Newport Marina on Lee's Wharf, says docking in the city is a bargain given how much there is to see and do. Visit Cliff Walk, the 3.5-mile path that traces the edge of the sea, the famous mansions of the Gilded Age, and the storied Tennis Hall of Fame. Explore the Coastal Wine Trail, or visit Rhode Island's only operating rum distillery before dining on dishes made from ingredients from local farmers, foragers and fishermen at such places as Midtown Oyster Bar, Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant, Tallulah on Thames, and Pasta Beach.Dockage is available right in the heart of town at either Newport Marina accommodating vessels up to 140 feet (9-foot dock depth) or Newport Yachting Center for vessels up to 180 feet (22-foot dock depth).
Nantucket is noted for its dune-backed beaches and stunning shingled buildings. Steepled churches, designer boutiques and phenomenal eateries line the cobblestone streets and old wharves. Visiting yachts have many restaurant options, such as CRU and Slip 14.The centrally located Nantucket Boat Basin can handle boats up to 300 feet (12-foot dock depth). Grab a bicycle to explore the island or catch a cab to visit Cisco Brewers, Triple Eight Distillery and Nantucket Vineyard. Rent a 4x4 SUV for an off-road adventure along the 16 miles of sand roads and beach at Coskata Coatue Wildlife Refuge. En route to Provincetown, stop in Hyannis, Mass. at Hyannis Marina which can handle yachts up to 200 feet and is located within walking distance to town.
Located on the outermost tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is a vibrant oceanfront community with walkable dunes and a thriving arts scene. Many stores offer exquisite, locally hand-crafted merchandise and unique finds acquired during winter buying trips. Stop for coffee and a homemade treat at the Wild Puppy, an award-winning European style espresso cafe, then head for the museum commemorating the pirate ship Whydah, which wrecked off the coast in 1717 with the riches from 50 plundered ships.In the center of town is Provincetown Marina, now open under new ownership, offering 60 slips for vessels up to 300 feet (15-foot dock depth), along with Long Point Marina accommodating vessels up to 140 feet.
Founded in 1630, Boston is a fascinating city where the historic and the futuristic are in ongoing conversations. Skyscrapers meet cobblestone streets, and the historic Freedom Trail passes trendy hotspots. The dining scene is equally eclectic, with ethnic eateries and traditional New England fare in abundance. Each neighborhood has its own unique character. Back Bay's ornate Victorian townhouses are a short distance from the college vibe of Cambridge and the narrow 17th-century North End streets, where red checkered tablecloths magically appear for Sunday sidewalk suppers.Constitution Marina on the Charles River accepts vessels up to 150 feet (20-foot dock depth), along with Charlestown Marina, handling yachts up to 500 feet (15-foot dock depth). Another option is Boston Yacht Haven, located in Boston's historic North End, which has dockage available for vessels up to 225 feet (25-foot dock depth).
Boasting more coastline than California, Maine deserves several stops over an extended period. The classic seacoast town of Portland has a cosmopolitan edge with museums, galleries, and the charming Old Port district. Historic buildings have been revitalized into boutiques, brewpubs and restaurants. Portland was recently voted America's Foodiest Small Town by Bon Appetit magazine. Try Boone's Fish House & Oyster Room, Liquid Riot Bottling Company, or David's Opus Ten. Dockage is available at DiMillo's Old Port Marina offering fuel and accommodating vessels up to 250 feet (25-foot dock depth).
With its stunning rocky coastline and quaint seaside village, Boothbay Harbor characterizes Maine's mid-coast. An abundance of mom-and-pop style stores and restaurants preserve the destination's small town charm. Discover excellent clam chowder, lobster stew, ice cream, chocolate oose (yes, moose) and salt water taffy. Some of the best can be found at the Lobster Dock.Hop on a harbor tour to explore nearby islands and have close encounters with puffins, seals and whales, or take to the water by kayak. The Maine State Aquarium and Boothbay Railway Village are both crowd pleasers.Located on the quiet side of the harbor within walking distance of downtown, Hodgdon Marina provides 750 linear feet of space on their new pier, (8 to 18-foot dock depth). Their service yard can haul boats up to 170 feet.
The mountains truly do meet the sea at Mt. Desert Island (MDI), one of the most spectacular settings on the entire East Coast. It's best known for Acadia National Park, the second most-visited national park in the U.S., with a landscape marked by woodlands, rocky beaches and glacierscoured granite peaks. Bar Harbor is the center of activity for visitors with its myriad shops and taverns. Check out Cabbage Island Clambakes, Bet's Famous Fish Fry, and Dunton's Doghouse.Dockage is available at Harborside Hotel, Spa and Marina for vessels up to 165 feet (9-foot dock depth). Northeast Harbor is a quiet enclave of the rich and famous and home to Northeast Harbor Marina (12-foot dock depth). Southwest Harbor, a town on the quiet side of the island, has maintained its maritime heritage and is home to Dysart's Great Harbor Marina, with slips for vessels up to 180 feet (15-foot dock depth). mlService Centers for Large Yachts