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 breakfast-to-go bag and then explore nearby historic sites. You can also enjoy a pick-me-up in the evening with coffee and tea service. The staff offers a variety of add-ons to help make your visit special, including freshly baked cookies with milk, or a dozen roses (extra fees). Such attention to detail helped this hotel win three consecutive TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence from 2012-2015.

• 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.
• Fit in a workout at the 24-hour fitness center.
• Visit Martha’s Vineyard via the high-speed ferry, which 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 impending Fort Phoenix protected the town and New Bedford Harbor during this battle, and again during the War of 1812 and Civil War. You can take a tour of the town and this historical site, which is located on the Fort Phoenix State Reservation. The park is also home to a half-mile stretch of beach on Buzzards Bay, where you can watch sailboats slowly glide by or look on 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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