7 Worthy Road Trips in New England

Story by Patricia Corrigan
Patricia is a journalist, photographer and book author based in San Francisco.
The Northeast features memorable destinations for your next vacation.
No matter when you head to the Northeast for a long weekend or an extended vacation, New England offers beautiful scenery, tasty regional specialties and assorted outdoor adventures. Plan a romantic getaway for two, head out on your own or rent an SUV and take the whole family on one of these seven road-tested adventures, and you’ll make memories that last a lifetime.
Eat Your Way Along Maine’s Coast
A scenic 30-mile drive on U.S. Route 1 in Maine winds along coastal stretches, past farmland and through forests, and offers culinary delights as well. Start your journey at Owls Head State Park, about 20 minutes south of Rockland, which is served by the Knox County Regional Airport. Set a course north for Belfast, and along the way, sample lobster, sushi, poutine and more. Between meals, drive to a haunted lighthouse, seek out hiking trails or board an excursion boat.
Follow the Loop Road in Acadia National Park
The only national park in the Northeast, this gem offers splendid ocean and forest views — maybe even a wildlife sighting or two — along the 27-mile-long Park Loop Road. A 47,000-acre Atlantic recreation area, Acadia is situated on the Atlantic Coast in Bar Harbor, Maine. In the park, a 3.5-mile narrow access road leads to the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the East Coast of the U.S.
Travel Maine’s Rural Pequawket Trail Scenic Byway
If your ideal road trip includes lakes, waterfalls and covered bridges along country roads, the Pequawket Trail will suit you perfectly. This destination works for a day, a weekend or a longer vacation — you decide. A 60-mile section of State Route 113, the Byway begins in Standish, about a 45-minute drive from Portland, and ends in Gilead. Along the way, you can hike, swim, fish, explore historic towns or just relax and enjoy the scenery.
Ski New Hampshire at Three Distinctive Resorts
If reports of healthy snowpack sparks your wanderlust, how about a ski trip to New England? Three resorts — Loon Mountain, Bretton Woods and Cannon Mountain — lie within easy driving distance of Lincoln, New Hampshire, which is about 65 miles from the Lebanon Municipal Airport. In addition to skiing, Loon offers cross-country and snowshoeing tours, ice skating, indoor climbing and ziplining. Bretton Woods boasts 10 lifts serving 62 trails, 35 glades and three terrain parks. And Cannon Mountain’s 11 lifts serve 97 trails, many for more experienced skiers.
Connect with the Land on Northeast Farm Tours
On a road trip covering about 100 miles, you can meet dairy cows, taste farm-fresh vegetables, visit a sauerkraut cellar, enjoy a hayride, pick fresh fruit and learn how cheese is made. Fly into Albany, New York, and tour several farms in New York and Massachusetts, all in close proximity. City dwellers of all ages will enjoy connecting with the land, whether or not anyone opts to try milking a cow.
Say “Cheese, Please,” in the Northeast’s Dairy Country
The perfect pilgrimage for anyone who enjoys artisanal cheeses is a weekend road trip in the Berkshire Mountains in Upstate New York and Massachusetts, where cheesemakers craft some of the country’s finest fromage. A good starting point is in Ghent, New York, about a 40-minute drive on U.S. Route 9 from the airport in Albany. The Berkshire Cheese Trail takes you to dairy farms where you can meet cows and sheep, see cheese produced at a creamery, sample the products -- and then fill your trunk with delicious cheeses.
Sample Fresh Maple Syrup Where the Trees Are Tapped
Got a sweet tooth? Commercial firms and hobbyists take part in maple syrup production in Massachusetts and New York. Sugaring season happens in “that narrow window between the depths of winter and the first signs of spring,” when the trees are tapped. From the airport in Albany, New York, drive 41 miles to Williamstown, Massachusetts, to get started on your itinerary. Dutchess County, New York, is just another 40 miles away, and there you can sample more of the sweet syrup at several farms.
Farmhand Vacations
Head back to nature and visit Growing Heart Farm in Pawling, New York, to investigate the growing trend of the farmhand vacation.
New York 5K Challenge Revives Dream
A former college runner comes back to the sport after a six-year hiatus.
Mountain Musings in Lincoln, New Hampshire
Generations Connect on the Ski Slopes of the White Mountains.
Gear up for Ski Season in the White Mountains
Lincoln, New Hampshire, features great lodges and shops.
Beautiful Places to Run in and Around New York City
The Big Apple offers plenty of scenic spots to train.
7 Worthy Road Trips in New England
The Northeast features memorable destinations for your next vacation.
Weekend Getaway to Camden, Maine
The coastal town features boat trips, hiking trails and fresh seafood.
Rhode Island Road Trip Reveals Many Charms
Count on ocean views, stately mansions and signature dishes.
Cape Cod Drive Reinforces Benefits of Slow Travel
Massachusetts oyster farmers also recognize the value of investing time.
Litchfield Hills Loop Drive Offers Unexpected Pleasures
The northwest Connecticut road trip showcases scenery and shopping.
Tilghman Island: A Chesapeake Bay Weekend Escape
The idyllic destination is only a two-hour road trip from Washington, D.C., or Baltimore.
Rockport, Massachusetts, is a Relaxing, Seaside Getaway
The quaint town offers a bounty of seafood, a scenic shoreline and even a house made of paper.
Oxford and Easton Make a Perfect Day Trip from St. Michaels, Maryland
Charming towns feature many options for art lovers, history buffs and foodies.
A Bayou Writer Goes Maple Sugaring in New England
From New Orleans to the Northeast, one foodie sets out to explore the sweet beyond.
Northeast Farm Tours Let Visitors Connect With the Land
People are discovering the origins of their food.
In Search of Maine’s Most Delicious Lobster
Chefs find innovative ways to prepare the state’s specialty.
Visit to Portland, Maine, Brings Back Memories — and Creates New Ones
The city has grown from a sleepy town to a vibrant destination.
Adventures on Maine’s Pequawket Trail Scenic Byway
Hike, swim or just enjoy the views on this rural road trip.
Niagara Falls’ Spectacular Beauty is Timeless
Lovers, families and risk-takers converge at a water wonderland.
Back to School in a Minivan
A college road trip to Washington, D.C., offers a chance to reflect on life.
Weekend Getaway to Berkeley Springs — America’s First Spa
Soak, relax and rejuvenate in this charming West Virginia town.
Washington, D.C., Blossoms in Springtime
Enjoy the vibrant colors of the city at one of these scenic spots.
Romantic Weekend Getaway at St. Michaels on Chesapeake Bay
A couple takes a break from their hectic lives to visit Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Glamping in the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains
Glamping is a more luxurious form of traditional camping that still allows you to connect with nature.
Acadia National Park Fuels Photography Passion
The only national park in the Northeast has stunning fall scenery and unique carriage roads.
Artsy Provincetown Offers an Inclusive Getaway
Everyone is welcome in this Massachusetts beach town.
Maine Is Perfect Home for Well-Traveled Couple
An apparel designer and architectural artist learn to appreciate their home by spending time away.
Barbecue Judge Picks Favorite Spots in Washington, D.C., area
Baby back ribs, pulled pork, chicken, turkey and brisket satisfy smoked-meat urge.
A Coastal Road Trip in Connecticut
The drive from New Haven to Mystic features abundant attractions.
How to Judge Barbecue
Backyard-barbecue fanatics and serious road-warriors can take their passion for wood-smoked meats to the next level.
Barbecue Lover Judges for Herself
She rekindled the flame in Washington, D.C., and then found the best joints in town.
A Maine Islander Returns Home
Adam Alexander shares what he loves about his home in North Haven. Read about what he's learned from living on the tiny island in Maine.

Start A Reservation
Enjoy fast and easy car rental bookings from Enterprise Rent-A-Car at one of our 7,200 branches in cities, airports and neighborhoods near you.
Reserve Now
Email Offers
Don't miss an excuse to hit the road: our latest offers delivered to your inbox.
Sign Up