Many people include visiting New England in the fall on their "someday I'd like to" travel list.
Why not make this year the year? Not only is New England a great place to see the fall colors, but it is also chock full of history.
Sure, you could visit any number of towns, but, which historical landmarks are “musts”? Let’s do a quick list with some details here:
Maine
Portland Head Light can be found in Cape Elizabeth. Construction began in 1787 per the request of George Washington and was completed in 1791. Its history saw the first congress, Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of State and the American Civil War. The nearby maritime museum once was the home of the lighthouse keeper. If you like to hike, be sure to visit Acadia National Park. This famous 47,000-acre national park is home to some of the most exotic wildlife on the eastern seaboard.
New Hampshire
Portsmouth and Strawberry Banke. This area was first inhabited by two American Indian nations, then settled by Europeans in 1630. This harbor town’s west bank was settled first and is known as Strawberry Banke (home to wild strawberries), and the harbor served as a major point for trade. Paul Revere rode here in 1774 to warn the British Navy was coming to capture the port. To get the best views of the fall foilage, try taking a gondola ride to the top of one of the ski resorts.
Massachusetts
Walking The Freedom Trail will be 2.5 miles of visiting historical sites in Boston. It starts at Boston Common and winds through to the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. Along the way, you’ll stop at the State House, Old State House, Boston Massacre site, Paul Revere House, Old North Church, USS Constitution, and 10 others. Tours are available or grab a free map and wander independently. If you're a literature buff, visit Monument Mountain. Legend has it that Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne climbed the summit together before sheltering in a cave due to rough weather. While there, the inspiration for Moby Dick was born.
Vermont
You’ll find the Shelburne Museum on 45 acres near Lake Champlain. Founded in 1947, it’s home to 38 buildings, 25 of them rich with history (circa 1800s) It’s chock full of folk art and artifacts that span generations and has collections of great range. While in the state, you'll also want to stop at the farmer's markets and the original Ben & Jerry's.
Connecticut
Mark Twain (born Samuel Longhorne Clemens) House and Museum are in Hartford. It was here he wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, among others. Almost demolished in the 1920s, the property was saved and restored. Today, tours are available, and other special events are held throughout the year. As a destination, Connecticut offers the longest fall foliage season in New England,
Rhode Island
Newport Mansions and Cliff Walk – The famous mansions of Newport are products of the 18th century to the Gilded Age and served as “summer cottages” for some of the nation’s wealthiest families. Though it dates as far back as 1663, the coastline bordering some of the mansions went undeveloped. It remained this way until the mansion owners started building paths that, when put together, now make up Cliff Walk. The Breakers (owned by the Vanderbilt family and most popular), Marble House (also a Vanderbilt property), and Salve Regina University can be found here.
There are so many ways to visit this amazing part of the US.
Major cruise lines run a Canada and New England itinerary with stops in Newport, Rhode Island, Boston, Massachusetts, Portland, and Maine (or some combination of these). Tour companies have various itineraries throughout the area, and river cruises abound too.
If you want to visit this fall, give me a call or send me an e-mail and let's talk about the best option for you.