New England is a huge area of the United States that includes Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. There are large cities, historic small towns and virtually unpopulated wilderness areas. New England is more than 70,000 square miles of rolling hills, towering mountains and rocky coasts with sandy beaches. There are lakes, swamps and forests to discover, and the summers are long and warm. Fall is cool and crisp, with bright sunshine and brilliant displays of color in the vast deciduous forests. New England's historic towns and cities are popular destinations for weekend getaways and walking tours.
Kennebunkport has a reputation as a summer vacation spot for the wealthy, but residents of this small town in Maine are economically diverse. The town has a permanent population of fewer than 3,000 people. The Kennebunkport Historical Society provides independent walking tours of the town and surrounding area. Guided tours last about one hour and are designed to help the first-time visitor learn about the town and its historic buildings. Independent walking tours allow visitors to stroll down the streets at a liesurely pace and explore the historic sites on their own. The Kennebunkport Historical Society provides maps and guidebooks with detailed descriptions of attractions. Guidebooks with suggested routes cost about $4 and provide a comprehensive history of each site. The "not to be missed" attractions include the waterfront, the Goat Island Light lighthouse in Cape Porpoise and the distinct architecture of Ocean Avenue. Some of the homes along Summer Street are rumored to be haunted. The summer home of former President George W. Bush is located on Walkers Point at the end of a scenic oceanside route called Parsons Way. After taking in the historic charm of the town of Kennebunkport, visitors can walk through the Rachel Carson Wildlife Preserve or visit the Seashore Trolley Museum.
Kennebunkport Historical Society
Kennebunkport Self-Guided Tour
P.O. Box 1173
Kennebunkport, ME 04046
207-967-2751
kporthistory.org
The Providence Preservation Society provides self-guided walking tour pamphlets for the historic sections of the city. Providence was settled in 1638, and Rhode Island is one of America's original 13 colonies. The East Side neighborhood of Providence is home to the largest concentrated number of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of the buildings and homes in East Side predate the American Revolution. The oldest First Baptist Church in the United States, founded in 1638, is located in the East Side neighborhood. The church building was constructed in 1775 with a steeple that is 185 feet tall. Most independent walking tour routes begin at the center of Providence at Kennedy Plaza and finish up at College Hill. Along the way, tourists can enjoy Benefit Street's 18th century architecture and the Victorian sites of the Armory District, Broadway and Elmwood. Plan to spend at least two to three hours of independent walking in Providence.
Providence Preservation Society
21 Meeting Street
Providence, RI 02903
401-831-7440
ppsri.org
The city of Boston is ideal for an independent walking tour due to its many fascinating historic sites. One of the most notable destinations is Boston Common. Established in 1634, the Common is the oldest public park in the United States. It was a central location for the exercise of political speech and assemblies for the American colonists, and it also served as a camp for over 1000 British soldiers before the start of the American Revolution in 1775 when the British occupied Boston prior to making their way to Lexington and Concord. Independent walking tours are promoted and organized by the Freedom Trail Foundation in Boston. The Foundation has mapped a 2 1/2 mile trail that includes historic sites designed to help visitors get a sense of the beginnings of the American Revolution and life in colonial Boston. Tourists can strike out on their own and visit historic points of interest such as the site of the Boston Massacre, Paul Revere's home, the Old North Church and the Bunker Hill Monument.
The Freedom Trail Foundation
99 Chauncy Street, Suite 401
Boston, MA 02111
617-357-8300
thefreedomtrail.org
