From the colonial-era ports that catalyzed America’s growth and the whaling communities that harvested the oceans’ bounty to the proud traditions of the U.S. Navy, the Northeast is steeped in seafaring lore. Let these stops be ports of call as groups “sail” the shore and learn how the sea shaped America.

The colonial ports dotting the Atlantic were vital economic engines for the 13 original colonies. The Maine Maritime Museum in Bath is a great stop before snagging a signature Maine lobster meal. “Groups can opt for a tour of a historic schooner shipyard led by one of our highly knowledgeable tour guides,” says Julianna Preston, group tour coordinator for the museum. “The shipyard is the only intact site of its kind in the country and provides unique insight on the tradition of wooden shipbuilding in Maine. Demonstrations including blacksmithing, ship launching, and carving also take place seasonally.”

The most popular add-on gets visitors on the water. The one-hour “Lighthouse & Nature Cruise,” a narrated trip on the Kennebec River, offers close-up views of two lighthouses and Bath Iron Works.

“In addition to these highlights, groups can explore our many exhibits and historic buildings—the Victorian-era shipbuilder’s home is a favorite—and enjoy a picnic lunch along the river,” Preston adds.

In nearby Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Strawbery Banke brings the evolution of a coastal village and its maritime trade vividly to life. Nestled along the Piscataqua River, this open-air living history museum allows visitors to explore Puddle Dock’s community, commerce, and culture over centuries, creating a hands-on learning experience.

Whaling in New England

The global whaling industry was centered in small island towns off the Massachusetts and Connecticut coasts.

Check out the New Bedford Whaling Museum in Massachusetts. An exhibition on Captain Paul Cuffe—an abolitionist, merchant, whaler, and navigator—presents a window into this profession’s most lucrative lifestyle. Because Cuffe’s iconic image is his silhouette, the exhibit also includes a silhouette interactive—a room in which visitors can create their own.

Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, Connecticut;
Credit: Mystic Seaport Museum

The Mystic Seaport Museum in Connecticut is America’s leading maritime museum. The grounds cover 19 acres on the Mystic River and include a re-created New England coastal village, working shipyard, and the Charles W. Morgan, the last wooden whaleship in the world. The museum is home to more than 500 historic watercrafts.

“I always recommend groups plan two to four hours so they can enjoy a boat ride on Sabino, one of four historic landmark vessels at the museum,” says Aisha Jones, group sales and custom events manager. “Another option is to book a whaling highlight tour, which is fascinating in itself, and you get to throw a harpoon. When will you ever get a chance to do that?”

Naval Might

No exploration of America’s maritime heritage would be complete without experiencing the time-honored traditions of the United States Navy.

In Boston, Massachusetts, groups can follow the Freedom Trail to sites like the Charlestown Navy Yard to tour USS Constitution. “Old Ironsides” remains an active-duty Navy vessel. “That means all the sailors on board are U.S. Navy seamen trained as interpretive historians to bring the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world to life,” shares Chris Kauffman, visitor experience director for the USS Constitution Museum.

A visit inside the distinguished USS Constitution Museum can help make the experience aboard even more meaningful. The museum shares the stories of “Old Ironsides” and its crew through hands-on exhibits and tours perfect for adults with a love of history. Join USS Constitution’s 1812 crew and set sail on a voyage of discovery! Fellow “sailors” will try everything from scrubbing the decks to balancing aloft to furl a sail.

Along the way, explore the stories of real Constitution sailors and their families through personal narratives and artifacts.

Kauffman also recommends the “Anatomy of Victory” tour for adults with a particular interest in naval history. He says, “Groups can also experience a new half-hour presentation by our Visitor Experience team member about the ship’s construction, a marvel of innovation for its time.”

In Norfolk, Virginia, groups go behind the scenes to explore the role of modern aircraft carriers, destroyers, and nuclear submarines. Nauticus is located along the waterfront, offering a unique form of experiential learning. The star of the show is the Battleship Wisconsin. One of the largest and last battleships built by the Navy, Wisconsin invites visitors to explore its deck through a self-guided tour or arrange a guided visit that will explore the stories that earned this ship five battle stars during World War II.

In Washington, D.C., visit the historic Washington Navy Yard along the Anacostia River. The campus has seen presidents, royalty, and other historical figures and has employed many civilian and military members. Their stories and those of historic artifacts, buildings, and homes associated with the Navy Yard are brought to life on a group walking tour. The National Museum of the United States Navy presents the branch’s enduring legacy and its contributions to the U.S. and the historical fabric of the nation’s capital city.


By Michael McLaughlin

Main Image: USS Constitution Museum, Boston, Massachusetts; Credit: National Park Service/Arlan Fonseca