The North East Holiday Guide
USA, America
The North-East region of the U.S. is the most populated and includes the large historical cities of Boston and New York. The eleven states that hug this small portion of the country has its own unique cultural and regional distinctiveness that distinguishes it from its neighbours. In the far north, the New England region comprises the tiny six states (Maine being the exception) of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, a wealthy corner of America renowned for both patriotism and close ties to its English heritage. New York is a large state with Niagara Falls bordering Canada and New York City hugging the Atlantic Ocean. Delaware is famous for its Nascar circuit, while Pennsylvania is famous for gastronomic diversions such as the Philly Cheesesteak and the pretzel.
North East Holidays Planner
What unites the region is the sense of history that pervades the atmosphere. Cape Cod in Massachusetts was the landing site of the first Pilgrims from England, arriving on the Mayflower in 1620. You can visit the Boston Harbour, site of the famous Boston tea-party political ptrotest in 1773, explore the site of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, see a steam powered tug in Baltimore built in 1906 that is still in operation, and you can visit the museum at Burlington County Prison in New Jersey, a reformist facility that when it closed in 1965 was the longest running prison facility in the U.S.
There are numerous touchstones of American history located throughout this region that are worthy of a visit. In Pennsylvania, you can visit the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, where both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. This city served as the temporary capital of the country from 1790 to 1800, and is home to the Liberty Bell.
Also in Pennsylvania is the city of Pittsburgh where you can ride an old-fashioned cable car up an incline of Mount Washington, explore the National Aviary, the Andy Warhol Museum, or the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
New Jersey offers world-famous bird-watching opportunities. Each of these states offers unique opportunities for hiking, canoeing, biking and exploring the countryside as well. In New Jersey, you can access part of the multi-state Appalachian Trail, and while you may not want to dedicate weeks to hiking its entire length, it may be nice to take an afternoon to explore a part of hiking this famous trail.
Delaware is a state of contrasts. On the one side there's Nascar racing, tax-free shopping, and gaming opportunities at many different casinos. A more classical version is seen in In Wilmington, the founding city of Du Pont, and the original site of Du Pont mills from1802, You can visit theHagley Museum and Library, or the Du Pont mansion at the Nemours Mansion and Gardens. Otherwise, take in dinner and a musical at the New Candlelight Theatre. The New Castle Historical Society is a museum with rotating exhibits on everything from Italian-American History, African-American life, Dutch Colonists, and Revolutionary leaders from seventeenth century American life. You can visit the Governor Ross Plantation in Sussex County and explore what life may have been like on a plantation during the civil war. Brandywine Creek State Park near Wilmington offers access to beautiful poplar forests, freshwater marshes and unique fishing and camping opportunities.
In La Plata, Maryland, you can explore the African American Heritage House and see artifacts used during the time of slavery and discover the contributions made to the region through history by local African Americans. Maryland's main city is Baltimore with its large industrial port. Here, Fort McHenry National Monument is the historic fort that inspired the national anthem. You can visit the American Visionary Art Museum to see some American Folk Art. From Baltimore, it's less than an hor drive to Washington DC, the US capital with its historic white- washed landmarks of Capital Hill and the White House and a whole host of amazing musems.