Points of interest in the Port Cities for New England

Boston, Massachusetts  Known as "the Hub" since its pre-revolutionary days as "the Hub of Civilization," Boston is still an exciting, vibrant city. Home to some of the world's greatest universities and colleges, there is always something happening there. It's an extremely walkable city with an easily accessible public transportation system, making it easy for tourists to explore.  Drive through the distinguished Back Bay neighborhood, past Newbury Street's fashionable boutiques and restaurants.  Visit the splendid Trinity Church, the Boston Public Library, Boston's Chinatown, South Station and the Public Garden, Beacon Hill, once home to such esteemed residents as John Hancock, Daniel Webster, Louisa May Alcott and Henry James. The area boasts lovely brick houses, purple glass window panes, and ornate black iron grillwork. You'll also want to visit the State House with its landmark gold-leaf dome put in place by Paul Revere and his sons in 1800.  In Charlestown, snap a quick photo of the USS Constitution, better known as Old Ironsides, the undefeated 1797 wooden ship is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat in the world.  Follow the Freedom Trail of historic sights, past King's Chapel, the Old South Meeting House and Old Corner Bookstore. See the Old Granary Burying Ground, the final resting place of John Hancock, Paul Revere and Samuel Adams. Visit Faneuil Hall, now the city's main market, but known as the "Cradle of Liberty" in the mid-1700s. On the way back to the historic waterfront, stop at Old North Church where lanterns were hung to initiate Paul Revere's midnight ride. Visit Cambridge across the Charles River, passing through Harvard Square, the Kennedy School of Government and Longfellow House with a short stop at Harvard Yard en route to the ship. Explore Boston's North Shore, a craggy stretch of Atlantic shoreline rich in history and scenic beauty. Stop at Marblehead, a delightful port with clapboard houses, cobblestone streets, and first-rate nautical heritage settled in 1629. Wealthy sea captains built lovely Federal and Georgian homes here, still set amid ancient elms on quaint, winding streets. At Marblehead Neck, admire the summer homes of 19th-century millionaires, and the historic Marblehead Light. Visit Salem, a thriving maritime community best known for its infamous 1692 witch trials. Stop at the Salem Witch Museum for a complete multimedia presentation, and learn of some macabre American history or take a tour of Salem's splendid 17th-century mansions, including Pickering House, and visit Chestnut Street, often called the "most beautiful street in America."  Consider a tour of Dorchester Bay, home of the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum. After extensive refurbishing, the museum is better than ever, with a dramatic glass-walled building, set in park-like grounds by the ocean. You'll enjoy many stirring exhibits, starting with a film introducing Kennedy and outlining his early political life. Watch the first televised debate and hear President Kennedy's inspiring Inaugural Address. You'll even be able to stand in a re-creation of the Oval Office, and experience the drama of his historic address to the nation on civil rights. The exhibit covers the entire Kennedy family, including Robert Kennedy. 

Portland, Maine The Old Port Exchange is really the heart of downtown Portland. It's a collection of 19th-century brick buildings originally constructed to support the vast export and fishing industries. Today, this quaint, restored area houses specialty shops, restaurants and pubs.  Visit the Victoria Mansion, one of America's most significant Victorian homes, dating back to 1858. The interior is all original, with antique furniture, carpets, ceramics and wall decorations. 19th-century poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was raised in the Wadsworth-Longfellow House in downtown Portland. Tour his home, and see an interesting collection of Maine's historical artifacts.  Discover Kennebunkport, a truly classic Maine village. See Victorian-style mansions built by sea captains and 19th-century merchants. Stroll the same quaint streets as famous resident, former President George Bush. Visit the center of town, Dock Square, and immerse yourself in the fashionable boutiques, shops, galleries and small restaurants.  Shop 'til you drop in Freeport, home of the world-famous L.L. Bean® and over 100 other stores, from designer boutiques to unique Maine artisan shops.  Get a Taste of Local Flavor Portland has the most breweries per capita in the country. The seven breweries, all of which offer tours, include Allagash Brewing Co., Casco Bay Brewing Co., D.L. Geary Brewing Co., Gritty McDuff's, Shipyard Brewing Co., Sebago Brewing Co. and the Stone Coast Brewing Co. These local microbreweries cater to diverse tastes. Robust ales, light pilsners, creamy stouts and flavored specialty beers are all produced here.

 Saint John, New Brunswick Founded by Loyalists escaping the Revolutionary War in 1785, Saint John has emerged as a thriving port city. Its restored historic waterfront and surrounding natural beauty have made Saint John a wonderful destination. Experience the amazing Reversing Falls Rapids, Saint John's best-known attraction. Twice daily the powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy rise faster than the river can empty. When this happens, the tide attempts to push the river back upstream, then the tide ebbs and the river appears to reverse itself and flow over the rocks, creating the appearance of reversing rapids. Visit the historic Trinity Anglican Church, which dates from 1877, when the original structure was destroyed in the Great Fire. Shop at your leisure in the antique and specialty shops located along Prince William Street, then through the Old City Market on Germain Street. Downtown, you can explore Kind Square and walk past the Imperial Theater, Old Country Courthouse and the Loyalist Burial Grounds. Visit St. Martin's Sea Caves and Beach, where you'll see caves carved out by the pounding tides, as well as the rock-covered beach. St. Martins' twin-covered bridges, harbor area and lighthouse are favorites with photographers and painters. Explore Fort Howe, built in 1777 to serve as both protection for the harbor and as the city jail. The building itself is now closed, but the rocky promontory on which it sits offers an excellent panoramic view of the city and harbor.  Due to the cool waters, the area is most known for its lobster and other shellfish, including oysters, scallops, clams, crabs and mussels. Traditional fish and chips are also quite popular with the locals.

Halifax, Nova Scotia Breathtaking ocean scenery and delicious food promise a memorable day in the Nova Scotia countryside. Begin with a sightseeing drive through Halifax and along the coast to Peggy's Cove. The rustic and charming fishing village, situated on a narrow ocean inlet with huge granite boulders, is one of Canada's most photographed sites and inspired renowned marine artist William de Garthe. Visit the lighthouse and gift shops, or simply relax in this enjoyable setting. A visit to Peggy's Cove will be complemented by a delectable lobster lunch (or chicken if you prefer) at popular local restaurants offering commanding views of the craggy coastline and picture-perfect lighthouse, which also functions as a post office. Travel back in time to the turn of the century as you explore Halifax by horse and carriage, clip-clopping through the historic streets, riding past St Paul's church, Canada's oldest Protestant church, the Old Burying Ground--the oldest founders' cemetery and the final resting place of 1812 British War heroes. You will also see the magnificent Halifax Fortress, the Town Clock and the Public Gardens during this delightful and relaxing tour of Halifax, past and present!  Visit Grand Pre Wines, where you you will be greeted by a very knowledgeable staff member who will then take you on a delightful tour of the winery. Learn all about the grapes, then enjoy an excellent winetasting experience followed by a delicious lunch in elegant surroundings. Tour the upper reaches of the Annapolis Valley to the quaint fishing village of Halls Harbour, a picturesque fishing village on the renowned Upper Bay of Fundy. Here, you will witness the awesome evidence of the highest tides in the world (they reach some 49-54 feet), while perhaps catching a glimpse of the famous denizens of Fundy--lobsters! Learn how the lobster trap works, and how these hardy fisherfolk make a living from the relentless sea. Visit one or two of the charming little art studios or make a brief stop at the dramatic Blomidon Look-Off (weather permitting).  Experience Nova Scotia's legendary South Shore, renowned for its quaint fishing villages and rugged coastal beauty, including Mahone Bay, land of wooden boats and wooden churches. Further along the coastal route is the striking waterfront town of Lunenburg (1753)-a UNESCO World Heritage Site admired for its meticulously restored buildings, colorful waterfront and charming, narrow streets. You'll also enjoy the Lunenburgers' unique accent (German was spoken here until well into the 1800s). Perhaps you would enjoy a visit to the Fisheries Museum of Lunenburg or enjoy a special tea at the Halifax Citadel.  Tea-what could possibly be more British? Upon arrival at the Citadel, your guide, dressed in historic costume, will lead you across the drawbridge and back in time to 1870. Walk the walls and view the vast expanse of the harbor, hear the skirl of the Bagpipes as the 78th Highlanders and Royal Artillery recreate the duties and military ceremonies of Queen Victoria's Redcoats.  You will be treated to a delightful cup of tea in one of the Citadel's historically restored rooms, with a selection of pastries and scones, as your guide describes some of the traditions and rituals that sprang up around the service of tea in the Victorian Age. The Halifax Citadel is one of the most visited sites in Canada-the crown jewel among the most advanced British military fortifications of its day. Halifax is Nova Scotia's vibrant capital city founded in 1749. Stunning 18th and 19th century buildings are interspersed with ultra-modern glass towers. Passing through bustling downtown Halifax, you'll see Province House, the seat of government and Canada's oldest legislative building, referred to as "a gem of Georgian architecture" by Charles Dickens, who passed through here in the 1840s.  Consider being a "Soldier for a Day," where you will march in the boots of one of Queen Victoria's soldiers and learn the weaponry and tactics used by the Redcoats to defend British North America. As part of your initiation, you will learn the duties and traditions of the Victorian Redcoats, and share a soldier's meal in the barracks with your fellow Highlanders.

Sydney, Nova Scotia

Bar Harbor, Maine Charming cobblestone streets and quaint storefronts make Bar Harbor a delightful New England vacation destination. But it's what's just down the road that makes it truly unique. Acadia National Park, just a short drive from downtown Bar Harbor, is a triumph of the Parks System Conservative Program and offers a spectacular display of nature at its finest. Rocky cliffs and jagged coastline open to beautiful ocean views and stony beaches.  Mountains, lakes, streams and ponds make up the landscape here, along with Somes Sound-a splendid glacier-carved fjord. The park is home to moose, black bear and white-tail deer and more than 300 species of birds. Watch for hand-cut stone bridges and other evidence of the Rockefeller family's elaborate carriage trails built at the turn of the century, and you'll stop at Thunder Hole, where ocean swells converge against the granite cliffs to create a thunderous roar. Tucked into a cove in the shade of Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor is the quintessential New England coastal town. Enjoy the great outdoors with a bike ride or kayak adventure, participate in a lobster bake and chew on hand-stretched taffy from an upscale boutique. Discover the spectacular natural beauty and fascinating history of one of the most gorgeous islands in America. Walking along the rockbound coast provides the perfect setting to introduce you to all the wonders of Acadia National Park. As waves crash against granite, you'll learn about the powerful glacial activity that gave the Maine coast its unique identity, the variety of wildlife that abounds, and the flora and fauna that make this such an island paradise. Learn the role that barons such as John D. Rockefeller played in forming the park. You'll also learn about the fishing industry and the "golden age" of Bar Harbor, when Mount Desert Island was the playground of America's fabulously wealthy.  Take a tour that includes a drive by the Jordan Pond House and, weather permitting, to the top of Cadillac Mountain and through Bar Harbor, an exclusive resort community, with opulent mansions owned by some of the country's most prominent citizens. You will see some of these grand summer homes, many of which have now been converted to elegant bed-and-breakfast inns.  Enjoy a Maine lobster bake consisting of a whole Maine lobster, mussels, chowder, side dishes and a Maine dessert.