* New Bedford, Massachusetts: Considered the "Whaling Capital of the World" during the 19th century. It boasted the largest whaling fleet in the world and remains a significant historical site today.
* Nantucket, Massachusetts: A major whaling center known for its skilled whalers and its successful whaling industry.
* Salem, Massachusetts: While not as large as New Bedford or Nantucket, Salem was a significant whaling town, and its whaling heritage is still evident in its museums and historical sites.
* Sag Harbor, New York: A prominent whaling port in the 18th and 19th centuries, known for its diverse whaling fleet and its connection to the early American whaling industry.
* Provincetown, Massachusetts: A smaller whaling town, but known for its role in the early American whaling industry and its unique maritime history.
It's important to note that the whaling industry significantly impacted the economies and social structures of these towns. Many historical landmarks and museums today highlight this important chapter in their history.