Escape to Scenic New England: 3 Summer Trips

Road tripping through New England offers a variety of options that can take you off the beaten path

Travel New England

New England is known for its stunning autumn foliage and mountain trails

If you want to get away to a gorgeous part of the country, look no further than New England. Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island comprise this scenic region along the Atlantic coastline. From its amazing seafood restaurants and stunning scenery, to hiking trails that meander through beautiful mountains, the area is brimming with relaxing and memorable activities. To make the most of your summer weekend getaway, consider these three trip ideas:

Road Trip

Get an up-close-and-personal look at what New England has to offer. Plan a weekend road trip. Discover New England has a plethora of suggestions. Route 100 runs through the heart of Vermont for 230 miles. Start in Ludlow and head 90 miles to Waterbury, stopping along the way for lunch at a charming café or to take selfies with the gorgeous scenery in the background. Prior to your trip, make reservations at a bed and breakfast in Waterbury; the Garden Tower B and B is the only one in the state that offers a two-person in-suite Jacuzzi, hot tub and rain shower. The resort-quality B and B is located on 28 acres and features colorful gardens, walkways, waterfalls and more.

Other road trip ideas include Routes 1A and 1B along New Hampshire’s coast, and Routes 17 and 4 through the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway in Maine. As a friendly word of advice, before heading out on your much-needed weekend road trip, familiarize yourself with the rules of the road of the states you’ll be visiting, as laws differ from state to state. Don’t ruin your trip with a nasty ticket.

On Foot

If you adore hiking, New England provides a plethora of places to explore its beauty on foot. Boston offers plenty of ideas for half-day and full-day hikes throughout Massachusetts. Want something far away from the bustling crowds? Consider trekking through Mass Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield. The sanctuary is so enormous, chances are good you will hike for miles before seeing another two-legged soul. For a shorter hike, head to Cape Cod’s Lieutenant Island, which offers a lovely hike along the shore. The 8-mile loop is especially beautiful in the late summer, when the shorebirds are out in abundance and the boat traffic lessens. The hike has minimal elevation and is ideal for beginners. You can always hike in for a shorter distance and then double back.

In the Kitchen

Well-known for its incredible cuisine, you may wish to discover New England by kitchen. Plan a weekend getaway with food and wine as the centerpoint. Distinctive Inns of New England hosts food and wine events throughout the year, including in-house cooking classes and tasting dinners that include plenty of wine samplings. One of the many options is the Wine and Dine Tour Package featured by Inn at Harbor Hill Marina in Connecticut. Over in New Hampshire, sign up for the Fork in the Road Package at The Manor on Golden Pond which includes two days of delicious dining, comfortable lodging and culinary instruction.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.