Cruising America's coastal waterways is a journey through the living history of our nation. From bustling colonial harbors to quiet riverside settlements, historic port towns and cities tell the story of early exploration, maritime trade, and military might. Many of these destinations have preserved their seafaring heritage and are best experienced from the water, just as early settlers, soldiers, and traders once arrived.

Northeast

Albany is New York's capital and a vital shipping hub located 144 miles up the Hudson River. With a 4- to 5-foot tidal range and deep maritime roots dating back to 1614, Albany blends historic charm with urban vitality. Cruise past the Castleton-on-Hudson Bridge into a city alive with cultural attractions — from the Empire State Plaza and The Egg performing arts center to the Albany Institute of History and Art, famed for Hudson River School paintings. The port has been active since Erie Canal days when sailing ships and canal boats cleared here in the thousands.

Explore Albany, NY with Waterway Explorer.

Known as "America's Hometown," Plymouth was founded by the Mayflower Pilgrims in 1620 and remains a treasured destination for maritime and colonial history. Tucked behind Plymouth Beach, the harbor provides well-protected moorings. On land, explore the restored homes in the Plymouth Village Historic District, Pilgrim Hall Museum, or Plimoth Patuxet — a full re-creation of a 17th-century settlement. The Mayflower II, a faithful reproduction, rests proudly in port.

Nearby Duxbury and Marshfield also offer charming waterfronts, summer crowds, and fresh seafood at places like the Green Harbor Lobster Pound.

Explore Plymouth, MA with Waterway Explorer.

Portsmouth, settled in 1623, is one of New England's oldest ports — and thanks to careful preservation, one of the most intact. Dozens of 17th–19th-century homes and churches still line its historic streets. At the Strawberry Banke Museum, you can walk through four centuries of architectural and cultural life. The USS Albacore offers a self-guided tour of a 1950s-era submarine, and Prescott Park and the Public Gardens create a beautiful connection to the waterfront.

Explore Portsmouth, NH with Waterway Explorer.

As Maine's first port (1623), Kittery has long been associated with shipbuilding — including the launch of Ranger, the first U.S. Navy vessel to fly the Stars and Stripes in 1777. Fort McClary, colonial homes, and views of the Piscataqua River complete this tranquil stop. You may even spot the gundalow Piscataqua replicating 18th-century cargo routes.

Explore Kittery, ME with Waterway Explorer.

Chesapeake Bay

Considered one of the finest anchorages on the Bay, the St. Mary's River leads to the site of Maryland's original colony. Here, the Maryland Dove — a replica of the vessel that accompanied Lord Baltimore's 1634 expedition — welcomes visitors to Historic St. Mary's City. Nearby, the reconstructed Godiah Spray Tobacco Plantation offers a look at early settler life. Every August, hundreds of sailboats arrive for the Governor's Cup Race, culminating in a celebration hosted by St. Mary's College.

Explore St. Mary's City, MD with Waterway Explorer.

Known as "America's Sailing Capital,"this colonial seaport flourished through politics, oysters, shipbuilding, and sailmaking. Four signers of the Declaration of Independence had homes here — three still open to the public.

Events like the U.S. Sailboat and Powerboat Shows, Annapolis Film Festival, and Maryland Renaissance Festival draw crowds each season. With boatyards, world-class restaurants, and the Naval Academy lining Back and Spa Creeks, Annapolis remains one of the most iconic boating towns in the U.S.

Explore Annapolis, MD with Waterway Explorer.

Best known as the site where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington in 1781, Yorktown is a serene, historic town along the York River. The Riverwalk Landing Marina places boaters steps from battlefield tours, museums, redoubts, and the Victory Monument. A tram provides easy transport, and the free Yorktown Battlefield Tour Guide app enhances your visit.

Explore Yorktown, VA with Waterway Explorer.

Founded in 1610, Hampton is the oldest English-speaking city in America and home to the impressive Virginia Air & Space Museum. Dock at Sunset Creek to explore Fort Monroe, Old Point Comfort, and Hampton University. Local favorites like Bull Island Brewing await, along with walkable access to seafood markets and cultural landmarks.

Explore Hampton, VA with Waterway Explorer.

Atlantic ICW

Charleston Harbor is a natural amphitheater of American history. Fort Sumter, where the Civil War began, sits at the entrance. While you can't tie up at the fort, private boats may beach or anchor on its western side.

Within the city, Charleston's "Museum Mile" includes museums, parks, churches, and preserved homes. Don't miss a carriage ride, ghost tour, or a walk through the cobblestone streets once paved with ships' ballast. The city's free shuttle bus makes exploring downtown easy, while the Pineapple Fountain at the waterfront park makes for a perfect photo op.

Explore Charleston, SC with Waterway Explorer.

Founded in 1705, Bath is North Carolina's oldest town — and the former haunt of the infamous pirate Blackbeard. Its quiet waterfront remains mostly unchanged, making it easy to see why he chose it for privacy. Visit the Bonner House or the Historic Bath Visitor Center for a glimpse into life in the 18th century.

Explore Bath, NC with Waterway Explorer.

New Bern, 21 miles upriver from the ICW, is a small town rich in charm and firsts — North Carolina's first capital, first public school, and birthplace of Pepsi-Cola. Its historic district is lined with well-preserved homes, quirky fiberglass bear statues, and shops. Trolley and ghost tours provide a fun way to explore the 300-year-old streets.

Explore New Bern, NC with Waterway Explorer.

Once the busiest port on the southeastern coast for lumber exports, Darien's waterfront is now lined with shrimp boats and a scenic park with dockage. The annual Blessing of the Fleet each April celebrates the town's shrimping heritage with food, music, and fireworks.

Explore Darien, GA with Waterway Explorer.

Southern

Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established city in the U.S. Walk the pedestrian-only St. George Street to discover colonial museums, the Castillo de San Marcos, and 19th-century Spanish Renaissance architecture.

Use the hop-on/off trolleys to visit landmarks like the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum on Anastasia Island. This is a destination best enjoyed slowly, with time to soak in its layers of history.

Explore St. Augustine, FL with Waterway Explorer.

Mobile boasts a 300-year legacy shaped by French, Spanish, British, and American control. While the waterfront sees heavy commercial and barge traffic, the downtown is vibrant and walkable from the Convention Center wall (free for up to 12 hours). Visit the USS Alabama battleship, explore Dauphin Street's architecture, or spend the day at GulfQuest Maritime Museum.

February brings Mobile's legendary Mardi Gras — a tradition older than New Orleans — with 40+ parades rolling through its historic streets.

Explore Mobile, AL with Waterway Explorer.

Located on a peninsula extending into Mississippi Sound, Biloxi is known for seafood, sportfishing, and military history. Though commercial docks dominate Back Bay, transient boaters will find protected waters and access to the city's beaches, restaurants, and casinos. Keesler Air Force Base anchors the west side of town.

Explore Biloxi, MS with Waterway Explorer.

Great Lakes

Wisconsin's oldest settlement and still a major shipping center, Green Bay's history ranges from 1600s fur trading to 20th-century industrial innovation. While best known as home of the Green Bay Packers, visitors can dock nearby to explore the Packers Hall of Fame and Lambeau Field — complete with behind-the-scenes stadium tours.

Explore Green Bay, WI with Waterway Explorer.

Sault Ste. Marie offers a twin-city waterfront, with historic districts on both the Michigan and Ontario sides. Visit the Soo Locks Visitor Center to watch freighters pass through, and don't miss the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. In September, the Fall Rendezvous Festival on the Canadian side re-creates life during the War of 1812 with reenactments, storytelling, and cannon fire.

Explore Sault Ste. Marie, MI with Waterway Explorer.

Plan Your Journey Through Time

These historic harbors are living legacies of the nation's maritime past. As you cruise from port to port, you're following in the wake of explorers, traders, soldiers, and settlers who shaped America's story. For navigation tips, transient dockage, and marina details, visit the Waterway Explorer.