Here’s a gold-tinted look at ten of the prettiest coastal towns in New England, at least according to New England Today. You probably have your own favorites (I know that a couple of mine aren’t on this list) but at least it’s a start. Take a look:
1.Kennebunkport, Maine (pictured above). The Kennebunk River adds charm to the small shops, ship captain’s houses and fishing areas here. It’s no wonder the Bush clan enjoys it so much.
2.Bar Harbor, Maine. Part of Mount Desert Island and at the gateway to Acadia National Park, this historic resort town still captures the splendor of the Victorian age. Plus, you can easily get to the nearby (and certainly less crowded) boating communities of Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor.
3.New Castle, New Hampshire. There’s a great marina here, at the totally restored Wentworth by the Sea Hotel, a Victorian masterpiece. Located at the mouth of the Piscataqua River, New Castle (with all of 968 residents) is made up entirely of islands.
4.Camden, Maine. A tourists’ favorite, as well as a major cruising and vacationing destination. Camden calls itself the “jewel of the coast,” with good reason. With mountains as the backdrop, Camden is on Penobscot Bay and is usually filled with all types of vessels, from windjammers to jet skis.
5.Newport, Rhode Island. Historic, charming, and often bustling, Newport is on everyone’s list. The harbor is one of the best in the Northeast, while ashore there are great waterfront restaurants and boutiques as well as the mansions offering a glimpse into the Gilded Age. Definitely take the Cliff Walk.
6.New Shoreham, Rhode Island, AKA Block Island. Just 13 miles offshore, Block is a major boating destination for anyone cruising up or down the New England coast. It’s also a great spot to spend a weekend, or a summer, with a Victorian harbor front, iconic bluffs, bike paths and beaches.
7.Rockport, Massachusetts. An old fishing village now turned into an artists’ haven, Rockport is at the top of Cape Ann, with rugged shorelines and hidden coves. It also is a bustling, historic village.
8.Stonington, Connecticut. This coastal village is filled with 18th and 19th century buildings on a peninsula that juts into Fisher’s Island Sound. It offers views everywhere, and it’s enough off the beaten path so that you can enjoy the walking tours, or boat excursions, without the crowds.
9.Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. The gingerbread Victorian cottages make Oak Bluffs special, and one night every summer they all light up with Chinese lanterns. It also has the nation’s oldest platform carousel.
10.Provincetown, Massachusetts. At the outer tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is a boating mecca, with water on three sides and sand dunes on the fourth. It has a special appeal for fishermen, artists and writers. Read more:
