Sailing

Coastal New England is quite literally awash in sailing culture—from spectators who merely use its proximity as an excuse to don preppy gear to lifelong, bona fide seadogs. With New England winters as harsh as they are, sailing communities tend to come alive in the late spring, summer, and fall. For the largest concentrations of charters and docks (public and private), sailing schools and outfitters, head in the direction of those towns with a long tradition of seafaring. Newport, Rhode Island [1]; Nantucket, Massachusetts [2]; and Portland, Maine [3], are examples of such well-known spots, but even the smaller and less touristy communities up and down the coast often offer excellent waters and perfectly accommodating berths.