As you plan your boating travels in the New Year, consider Waterway Guide's Preferred Destinations: 24 captivating areas on America's Waterways rich in local culture, breathtaking views, history and unique things to do.
Belfast, Maine, should be on your list of places to visit. And don't let winter discourage you. It may just be the best time of year. Community leadership and foresight for achieving distinction are evident in this latest Waterway Guide Preferred Destination.
Boaters have always been drawn to the remarkable sailing, cruising and comfort of summertime along the Maine coast. Belfast is at the north end of Penobscot Bay at the mouth of the short Passagassawakeag River in a comfortably navigated harbor. Moorings await and there are some quiet spots to drop an anchor if that's your fancy.
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Nantucket lies just 26 miles south of Cape Cod. Once known mainly for its whaling port, Nantucket is now a popular destination amongst travelers longing for something more out of a vacation. Its beautiful landscape features magnificent beaches, windswept moors, salt marshes, and coastal dunes. Set against all this beauty is Nantucket Boat Basin, a full-service marina that offers seafarers a unique glimpse of the island.
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Provincetown, MA, P-town, is a charming community at the end of the Cape Cod peninsula. It's so popular even the Pilgrims came here first!
There is a large natural harbor that's mostly 30 to 90 feet deep and stretches roughly 1 mile from northwest to southeast and 2 miles from northeast to the southwest with one large, deep basin.
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Monmouth County, located along the Jersey Shore, is just about one hour away from both New York City and Philadelphia and is easily accessible by boat, car, train, or bus. Fifty-three municipalities are located within the county, each with their own attractions and year-round events that are sure to draw back visitors year after year.
Visitors should take advantage of the Monmouth County Park System, which has achieved national accreditation status among park and recreation agencies. The park system includes 141 miles of trails and more than 30 park areas to explore, as well as numerous public golf courses spread throughout the area.
If dining, shopping or live music is what you're looking for – Monmouth County has plenty of that, too! Work up an appetite as you shop in one of the downtowns. Then, head to one of the best restaurants in New Jersey where you are likely to find the produce on your plate has been grown locally. After dinner, take in a show and listen to local talent at one of the many indoor or outdoor music venues.
For arts and culture enthusiasts, check out the captivating art galleries and enjoy a live theater performance at one of the renowned theatres. For those interested in history, there are many historical sites to explore, including locations that played a role in the American Revolution.
To learn more visit www.tourism.visitmonmouth.com or search for "Monmouth County Tourism" on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Explore all Monmouth County has to offer during your stay and find out why it is "the place you want to be!"
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Formed in 1653 from Northumberland County, Westmoreland County is the birthplace to George Washington, and James Monroe, and home to Declaration of Independence signers Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee. George Washington Birthplace National Monument, James Monroe Birthplace, and Stratford Hall are all welcome the public and provide the context and stories of those who lived and worked in Westmoreland County centuries ago.
The county seat of Montross recently was designated an historic district, and hosts a Courthouse Green, town park and playground, restaurant, coffee shop, local fine art and jewelry, a brewery, and the Westmoreland County Museum. Outside of Montross is Westmoreland State Park, an historic district due to its history as one of the original Civilian Conservation Corps constructed state parks. If you want to stretch your legs on another beautiful trail, the Voorhees Nature Preserve has overlooks onto the Rappahannock River.
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It's time to unplug, stop the noise and vanish into the peace and seclusion of a scenic destination where we don't have to fight for a slip or fend off the noise of eternal Spring Break. Let's go to Northumberland County, Virginia.
Sometimes we get on the boat to go somewhere action-packed and fill our days with an exhausting, break-neck schedule of activities. Now is not that time and this isn't the place for high-octane schedules. This is where you dock the boat, drop the hook that has bait on it, grab a cocktail and soak in the total absence of social noise of the digital age.
Smith Point Light holds the story of this area's resilience. In 1802 Thomas Jefferson appointed a lighthouse keeper to manage the lighthouse at Smith Point (the latest version is seen above). Erosion threatened the lighthouse, and in 1808 it was replaced with a lighthouse further inland. It was replaced in 1828 with a third lighthouse. During the Civil War, it was destroyed. A new lighthouse was finally built in 1896 and lasted until 1936. The Smith Point Light was automated in 1971. In 2005, the lighthouse was sold to a private owner.
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Lancaster County's marinas, waterfront parks and public access points beckon as a haven for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and anyone longing to connect with the beauty of the Chesapeake Bay and the Rappahannock River. Whether you're casting a line, picnicking by the shore, or simply basking in the serene landscapes, Lancaster County invites you to embark on a journey where land and water unite in perfect harmony.
Nestled at the confluence of the Rappahannock River and the Chesapeake Bay, Lancaster County is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. With 330 miles of shoreline, this picturesque locale is a haven for nature enthusiasts and those seeking the perfect blend of rural tranquility and small-town charm. It's a place where rolling countryside meets serene waterways and where bustling small towns of Irvington, Kilmarnock, White Stone and Lively provide a warm welcome. We invite you to where the beauty of nature and the spirit of community converge.
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A deep-water port, the town offers safe harbor to pleasure boats cruising the Chesapeake Bay and put-in convenience for kayakers and day sailors. There's also a 13-acre oasis in town for recreation, exercise and walking the Nature Trail along the Onancock Creek.
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Deltaville, Virginia is a hidden gem that offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With over 35 marinas and service facilities, it's easy to see why this charming waterfront town has become a mecca for boaters.
One of the greatest draws of Deltaville is the picturesque shorelines. The views are breathtaking, and the tranquil waters provide a sense of serenity that is hard to find anywhere else. Deltaville's location out of the hurricane belt makes it an excellent boating destination all year round.
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From tall ships to blues, brews and BBQ, Riverwalk Landing along the Yorktown, Virginia, waterfront is the latest Waterway Guide Preferred Destination. The breezy beach and riverfront promenade make this a perfect stop whether from land or from sea. One of the most historically significant Revolutionary War sites, the National Park Service maintains the Yorktown Battlefield nearby with earthworks and exhibits that retell the turmoil of Americas beginning.
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Hampton, Virginia, is for Space Lovers. This Coastal Virginia Preferred Destination welcomes visitors with the most breathtaking span of historic attractions we have ever seen, from this years 400th-year commemoration of the 1619 arrival of the first Africans to the Hidden Figures of NASA. Located in the middle of the Hampton Roads region and the heart of the Mid-Atlantic, Hampton is a destination that offers an atmosphere of discovery.
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Nestled on the picturesque banks of the Pamlico River, Washington, North Carolina, holds a special allure for boating enthusiasts in search of a coastal adventure. With its rich historical significance, scenic waterfront, and abundant natural beauty, Washington, NC presents an enticing destination for boaters of all levels of expertise.
First called Forks of the Tar, the city name was changed in 1776 in honor of Gen. George Washington. Because it was America's first city to be named for Gen. Washington, it is sometimes referred to as "The Original Washington" or "Little Washington" to avoid confusion. "Little" does not, however, describe the amenities here.
Whether you're an experienced captain or a novice sailor eager to dip your toes into new waters, Washington, NC promises tranquility, scenic beauty, and a warm hospitality that will make your boating experience truly memorable.
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It's easy to relax into a visit to the Town of Manteo, North Carolina, a welcoming community where everything is easygoing from the moment you drop the hook or tie up at one of the local marinas.
Manteo wraps around Shallowbag Bay on the eastern side of Roanoke Island. The island lies between the beaches of North Carolina's Outer Banks and the sparsely populated low-lying mainland to the west.
In the town's early days, every store lining the waterfront had two doors – one dockside for those coming by boat and the other streetside for those coming from the courthouse or one of the inns on Water Street.
Visitors to town today still conduct business, and are offered immersion into the island's history, including the representative 16th-century ship Elizabeth II at Roanoke Island Festival Park, the George Washington Creef Boathouse and Roanoke Marshes Lighthouse. The town also welcomes singers, dancers and actors back to Waterside Theatre each summer, where they perform the nation's oldest outdoor symphonic drama, The Lost Colony, now in its 86th year.
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Tucked into winding, historic streets framed by natural foliage and centuries-old, moss-draped live oak trees, Beaufort is more than a hidden Lowcountry gem – it's a transformative destination that has charmed visitors since 1512. Breathe in the salt air. Breathe out, transformed.
From convenient marinas and stunning natural beauty to authentic culture and cuisine, reset in historic Beaufort, SC. Experience a place that has turned overnight anchorages into week-long retreats – and cruisers into locals.
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Coastal Georgia's waters are some of the most secluded and natural environments remaining along the U.S. eastern seaboard. Boaters and outdoor enthusiasts value the serenity and wide open low country for its wildlife, seafood and access to charming towns and cities perched along the numerous rivers, creeks and channels.
With a little over 100 miles of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway coursing along the state's coast, you could spend a lifetime exploring its rich culture and history. Navigate off the beaten path of the AICW and you will find communities like Darien, which has just announced a new addition to the city's riverfront.
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When Commodore Ralph Middleton Munroe was sailing and exploring the Keys at the turn of the 20th century from his home on Biscayne Bay, he ducked in and out of Hawk Channel through the myriad channels along the islands and spent many nights anchored in their lees.
The Commodore's reminisces of the settlements and people of that time are delightful reading and portray Florida as a new frontier and destination for visitors seeking warm weather and a tropical paradise.
Today, the Keys remain worthy of discovery and those who make the journey are seldom disappointed. Boating, kayaking, cruising and biking in the Florida Keys are just as magical as they have always been.
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This Waterway Guide Preferred Destination is just two hours south of Florida's capital (Tallahassee) and remains a remote and quiet family-friendly destination famed for its fresh seafood and shell-rich white sand beaches. There's never been a better time to visit this safe haven, known by locals as "Apalach."
The Apalachicola River and Bay is one of the most ecologically diverse systems in the United States. Many of Apalachicola's wide tree-lined streets are graced by picturesque homes from the nineteenth and twentieth century. Over 900 historic homes and buildings are listed in its extensive National Register District.
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