Back in 1846, a candle factory was built by the Mitchell family just shortly after Nantucket’s Great Fire. Less than two years later, two island businessmen put their mind and money together in keeping the candle factory running until the end of the island’s whaling era in the 1860s. The building remained a warehouse before it became the New England Steamship Company’s offices and then finally converted into the NHA’s Whaling Museum in 1929. Since then, it has been dedicated to the history of whaling and restored for prime exhibition space, a fully accessible rooftop observation deck overlooking Nantucket harbor, and the sperm whale skeleton. In 2008, the whaling museum received accreditation from the American Association of Museums, which only 22 other museums have been awarded across the nation. Inside the museum you’ll find a vast array of whaling artifacts and memorabilia, including longboats, harpoons, and scrimshaw, but the centerpiece is the complete skeleton of a 46-foot bull Sperm whale suspended from the ceiling. They’re only open for a short period of time: September 7-October 31 from 10am to 5pm for $15 a person and an extra $3 to see the other historic sites around the area (Hadwen House, Oldest House, Old Mill, and Quaker Meeting House).

A 46-foot skeleton of a sperm whale that washed ashore on New Year's Day in 1998

The Trail of Inventiveness

Many people seem to forget that Connecticut is a proud member of New England. Just like every other New England state, they’re filled with history at every corner you turn. The Trail of Inventiveness runs through Connecticut at the places where creativity blossomed and became a part of our history. The following places, if taken in order, begin at the New Haven area, and continue northward toward Hartford and then west into Litchfield. Start at the New Haven Green, where, in 1920, Yale students tossed empty pie plates from Mrs. Frisbie Pie, and invented the Frisbee. At Louis’ Lunch, in New Haven, enjoy a burger at the place where the hamburger was first made. Moving on, in the town of Hamden, visit the Eli Whitney Museum, honoring the inventor of the cotton gin. In the town of Cheshire, visit Lock 12, one of Farmington Canal’s original locks. The site includes a museum of the history of the waterway. In the town of Terryville, stop at the Lock Museum, devoted to locks that come on doors and safes. In nearby Bristol, visit the American Clock and Watch Museum. You’ll learn the history of Connecticut clockmaking and see 1,400 clocks and watches. In Hartford, stop at the Museum of Connecticut History to see the Colt Firearms Collection. Finish your tour in Manchester at the Cheney Homestead (1785), the birthplace of the brothers who founded the silk industry.

The Trail of Inventiveness

For exact directions and phone numbers click here.

American Cruise Lines tours all the nooks and crannies of the magnificent inland waterways, bays and rivers of the east coast United States where all those big, commercial cruise ships can’t get to. This makes for the perfect romantic getaway as you can choose to explore anywhere on the coast between Maine, New England Islands, Hudson River, Chesapeake Bay, the historic Old South and Florida. Having ship capacities of no more than 100, you get the very personal and friendly atmosphere and will have a good chance of witnessing each port of call, up close and personal. All you need is some comfortable attire and your sandals then kick back and enjoy the scenary. American Cruise Lines does everything they can to make your journey as effortless as possible, which is why they have their own travel agents that will match you to the perfect itinerary . There’s a choice between 4 remarkable cruise ships (American Spirit, American Glory, America Eagle, American Star- built in 2007) that are perfectly designed for inner explorations of off-the-beaten-track waterways and charming ports that passengers on large ships will never see. For more information call 1-800-814-6880 or request more information here .

Discover 16 nationally historic sites in 2.5 miles

Start at any point you choose and experience the American history firsthand. Many tours run daily with the most popular being Walk Into History. This tour takes you on the famous red line while a 18th Century Costumed Guide tells the tales of courageous Bostonians and Colonialists. Learn how their intrepidity against Britain helped create the democracy we know today. Some of these 18th Century Costumed Guides are Ebenezer Hancock, James Otis, Thomas Savage, Mercy Otis Warren, and plenty more. All tours run 90 minutes and are suited for anybody interested. On your tour these are some places you will encounter:

The Freedom Trail makes the perfect field trip for students of all ages. Trolley tours, interactive programs, land and sea tours, and much more are offered for schoolchildren.

Some upcoming events are American Aurora, Halloween Parade, the Journal of Auguste Lavasseur and many more. Check out the calendar for other events.

Need more information? Call 617-357-8300 or e-mail info@thefreedomtrail.org

alk Into History along the famous red line with an 18th Century Costumed Guide. Hear the tales of the brave Bostonians and Colonialists who dared to challenge Britain and helped establish the greatest democracy in the world. These 90 minute tours are designed for individuals, groups, corporate team building and schools. Read the descriptions carefully and select your special tour.

Columbus Day Weekend – Scituate, Rhode Island – (Oct. 11-13 from 10am-5pm)

More than three hundred exhibitors from the US and Canada will meet this year in the small and quaint town of Situate, Rhode island. The panoramic of the finest foliage and exquisite art is what attracts all. Featured this year are dozens of antique dealers, all sorts of art for sale and display, a raffle for 30 different items witch proceeds going to Scituate town, live music, good food, friendly people. You can’t beat that!

Here are some other ideas for activities to do while visiting Scituate.

• Foliage tours
• Walk the trail at Rockland Road
• Horseback ride at Journey’s End Farm
• Shop in the historic north Scituate Village
• Check out historic tours of the Congregational Church, Lapham Institute, and the North Scituate Community House

Don’t get lost so be sure to read the parking and directions page. If you have any additional questions check out their website or e-mail.

As the cold moves in, the green moves out. With that, New England brings the most striking scenes while the leaves transform through thousands of colors. Maine’s advantage of being furthest North, experiences this change firstly around late September to early October. So, this year undergo the Moosehead Loop to feel the ultimate Fall foliage picture in New England.

This 210-mile journey will pass by Moosehead Lake, Moxie Falls, Mount Kineo and through towns Skowhegan and Jackman. Below is the specific route and a general picture. Sections to take note in are Route 201 (Solon through West Forks) and Route 6 & 15 (Jackman through Rockwood.

• Start in Skowhegan taking U.S. Route 201 North through Bingham up toward Jackman
• You will then intersect with Route 15. Take this going south, then east through Greenville, following into Dover-Foxcroft
• Next you will pick up Route 7 going south toward Newport
• When you reach Newport, take Route 2 west into Palmyra. Proceed to take Route 151 west toward Athens
• After arriving in Athens, take Route 150 south and that will loop you back to Skowhegan.

Need a map? Google Maps can help.

Take a pit stop in Jackman for prime time season of moose watching. Take a break from driving and hike or ATV into the wilderness with your camera and wait for the unforgettable. Remember that even though they may be ten times our weight and at least seven feet tall, they are unaggressive and should be treated with our fullest respect. Want to spend some more time in Jackman? Check out their website for more ideas on making your Maine drive a better experience.

Buckle up and enjoy the New England Fall foliage on the Moosehead Loop in Maine. Don’t forget your cameras!

The Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a large and growing beaver population, birds, and June-blooming Mountain Laurel. The peaceful scenery is also blooming with an abundance of flowers and wildlife.

The Sanctuary offers canoe trips on the Housatonic River beginning in mid-May until Columbus Day. Admission to the Sanctuary is $4 for adults and $3 for children.

Lenox is also home to the picture-perfect, elegant yet comfortable Gateways Inn. This enchanting inn is located in the Berkshire Hills with breathtaking views and 12 recently restored guest rooms. In the summer, lunch and dinner are served daily at the inn’s restaurant.

Located in Barnstable County, Massachusetts, Chatham is a beautiful town that is perfect for a summer vacation. Chatham is home to the Chatham Lighthouse, which was established in 1808 by Thomas Jefferson to protect the ships circling the Cape. Main Street Chatham has a provincial feel with its numerous family owned and operated shops and restaurants, including the Captain’s House Inn – great for a gourmet breakfast before you start your busy day.

Chatham is also home to the Cape’s second oldest theatre, Monomoy Theatre. Open for fifty-one years, the theatre offers a summer theatre program for college students. Each summer the students perform eight plays with the mentoring help of seasoned visiting artists, actors and directors.