Hotel at a Glance: Seaport Inn & Marina

The Seaport Inn & Marina marries classic New England charm with attentive hospitality. Wake up with a complimentary hot breakfast or, upon request, a breakfast-to-go bag before heading off to explore nearby historic sites. You can also enjoy a pick-me-up in the evening with coffee and tea service. Such attention to detail helped this hotel win five consecutive TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence.

• Get a good night’s sleep in your spacious room’s comfy bed.
• Grab a bite at the onsite Seaport Inn Grill, which serves up housemade soups and juicy burgers.
• Go for a swim in the indoor swimming pool or hot tub.
• Fit in a workout at the 24-hour fitness center.
• Visit Martha’s Vineyard via the high-speed ferry, which docks about 2 miles from the inn.

Fairhaven, Massachusetts: Seaside Town Settled by Mayflower Passengers

Though it has some lovely European architecture, Fairhaven is about as American as it gets: the town was settled by pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower. A century later, it was the site of the first naval battle in the American Revolution. The imposing Fort Phoenix protected the town and New Bedford Harbor during this battle, and again during the War of 1812 and the Civil War. You can take a tour of the site at Fort Phoenix State Reservation. The park is also home to a half-mile stretch of beach on Buzzards Bay, where you can watch sailboats glide by or look out to the shores of the Elizabeth Islands.

The West Island State Reservation is on neighboring Nantucket Bay. The marshland’s high populations of rare and migratory birds—including cooper’s hawks, great blue herons, and snowy egrets—make it an ideal spot for bird watchers.

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