Islands
1. Monhegan Island, ME
Every seagull, twig, and moss-covered rock on Monhegan must have been painted over the century or so since this fishing outpost off mid-coast Maine became a summer art colony. Once the summer folk have gone, the fishermen return.
2. Nantucket Island, MA
Thirty miles (48 km) off Cape Cod, Nantucket made its name through adventurous whaling and austere Quaker businessmen, who set the style with modest shingled homes. Pristine beaches, fascinating museums, and upscale shopping are among its present-day attractions.
Hyline Cruises • Ocean St. Dock, Hyannis • 508 778 2600 • www.hy-linecruises.com
3. Block Island, RI
Between Long Island and the Rhode Island coast, this tiny island looks like a tintype of a Victorian resort. Its beaches, nature reserves, and historic lighthouses are best explored on a bike (for further details see Block Island).
4. Isles of Shoals, NH
These nine unforested rocky islands stand so far offshore that they were first used by English, Basque, and Breton fishermen as camps to dry their catch in the summer sun.Portsmouth Harbor Cruises, Ceres St. Dock • 603 436 8084 • Jun–sep: Tue–Fri • adm • www.portsmouthharbor.com
5. Mount Desert Island, ME
This big island shaped like a baseball catcher’s mitt is home to the unspoiled paradise of Acadia National Park and the summer resort town of Bar Harbor (for further details see Mount Desert Island, Maine).
6. Thimble Islands, CT
Stories abound about the Thimble Islands, a cluster of diminutive islets located just off the Connecticut coast. On a narrated scenic cruise you’ll likely hear a few of those tales, including the legend that pirate Captain Kidd buried treasure on Money Island. His gold hasn’t been found – yet.Thimble Island Cruise • Stony Creek • 203 488 8905 • Jun–mid-Oct
7. Martha’s Vineyard, MA
Martha’s Vineyard has something for every taste, from proper Edgartown and the gingerbread architecture of Oak Bluffs to the sacred multicolored clay cliffs of the Aquinnah Wampanoag tribe.Steamship Authority • Woods Hole Terminal • 508 477 8600 • www.islandferry.com
8. Isle au Haut, ME
With primeval quaking bogs along the forested park trails and wild, wave-pounded bluffs, this craggy rock a few miles from Stonington offers the attractions of Mount Desert Island without the crowds.Isle au Haut Boat Services • Seabreeze Ave., Stonington • 207 367 5193 • www.isleauhaut.com
9. Boston Harbor Islands, MA
The Boston Harbor Islands have sandy hiking and nature trails, lifeguard-protected beaches, and even a few old forts to explore. Reach them by ferry from Boston’s Long Wharf.617 223 8666 • May–Oct • www.bostonislands.org
10. Burnt Island, ME
Cruise to this tiny island just outside Boothbay Harbor for a unique program illuminating the life of the lightkeeper and his family, who lived here circa 1950.Balmy Days Cruises • Pier 8, Boothbay Harbor • 207 633 2284 • 1:45pm Mon & Thu mid-Jul–early Sep • adm • www.balmydayscruises.com
Top 10 Lighthouses
3. West Quoddy Head
Iconic candy-striped light, 1857, marks easternmost point in US.Quoddy Head State Park, Lubec, ME
4. Marshall Point
Offshore light connected by walkway to keeper’s house, where there’s a small museum.Marshall Point Rd., Port Clyde, ME
5. Pemaquid Point
Built high on dramatic ledges in 1835, Pemaquid Point remains an essential navigational aid.Off Rte. 130, Bristol, ME
6. Portsmouth Harbor
Built in 1878, this is the latest of several on New Castle island since 1771.off Rte. 1B, New Castle, NH
7. Beavertail
Third oldest light on the eastern seaboard (1783).Beavertail State Park, Jamestown, RI
8. Highland
Highest light on New England mainland, atop bluff over Cape Cod National Seashore.N. Truro, MA
9. Nobska Point
Visible for 16 miles (26 km) at sea, Nobska sits on the Shining Sea Bike Path.Falmouth, MA
10. Great Point
Rebuilt in 1986 as a historic replica in Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge.Nantucket Island, MA
