A boiled lobster awaits a sticky end

A trip to New England wouldn’t be complete without a lobster dinner – it’s a culinary rite of passage for first-time visitors.

Maine is regarded as the lobster capital of the region (in 2004 there were 3.2 million lobster traps in Maine waters) and across the state people line up at seafood shacks and lobster pounds to get their hands on this sublime, sweet meat.

Lobster generally comes in two forms: as a lobster roll (made by mixing lobster meat, mayo, and salt and stuffing it inside a toasted hotdog bun) or as a boiled lobster dinner, served with butter, a disposable bib, and lobster-carving tools.

While Maine is the center of the lobster trade, good lobster (and other types of seafood, as well) can be found across New England – don’t miss a chance to sample some of the region’s fresh fish fare.