1. Gig Harbor, Washington
This lovely, slightly rustic town at the south end of Puget Sound lets you stay overnight in the harbor—on a docked houseboat. Once a busy center for commercial fishing, boatbuilding, and lumber, Gig Harbor lives a quieter life these days. It draws steady recreational-boat traffic, so lots of restaurants, shops, and land-based lodging cluster within walking distance of the docks. Mount Rainier makes a glorious backdrop; 888/843-9444 or gigharborguide.com.
2. Pillar Point Harbor, Half Moon Bay, California
This marina south of San Francisco strikes a perfect balance between the practical and the picturesque. The commercial fishing fleet remains strong—and provides great opportunities to buy Dungeness crab
and other seafood right off the boat at bargain prices. Some terrific restaurants (Barbara’s Fish Trap, Ketch Joanne, Princeton Seafood Company) and a relaxing inn (Pillar Point Inn) allow tourists to enjoy the views and the marine life; 650/726-8380 or halfmoonbaychamber.org.
3. Baltimore, Maryland
Back in the 1960s and ’70s, Baltimore and Boston began transforming their blighted industrial waterfronts into places of fun. Many other old ports have followed in their ambitious path. Both Baltimore and Boston harbors now feature restaurants, hotels, shops, historic ship museums,
and energy. We’ll give the nod to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor because of its fabulous National Aquarium (though we like Boston Harbor’s New England Aquarium as well); 877/225-8466 or baltimore.org.
4. Camden, Maine
Boaters may grumble about navigating among all the anchored watercraft
in Camden’s long, narrow harbor. But that layout makes this a wonderful place for landlubbers to watch the bustle up close. Spectators can relax amid the greenery in beautiful Camden Harbor Park. They can savor some clam chowder or sip wine at one of the restaurants—including The Waterfront, Atlantica, and Bayview Lobster—that perch at the water’s edge. And terrific shopping lies just a few steps away; 207/236-4404 or camdenme.org.
5. Port Washington, Wisconsin
Two lighthouses, pre–Civil War buildings, and great views of Lake Michigan make Port Washington a real charmer. A few miles north of Milwaukee, the town boomed as a commercial fishing port in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The marina now serves mostly pleasure boats and a sizable charter fishing fleet. Visitors can climb the deactivated circa-1860 light station, or walk a half mile along a breakwater to the striking (and functional) Art Deco lighthouse marking the harbor entry; 800/719-4881 or portwashingtonchamber.com.
