Road trips are fun because they simply give you complete control over your adventure. You just need a car and several road trip essentials, and you’re off to go! You can basically travel anywhere your car takes you.
There’s nowhere you have to be, which means you’re free to get lost, explore, connect with the world around you, and just enjoy the moment. And here’s the thing: the whole experience is ten times better when you’re in the middle of a scenic road.
The great thing about road trips is that they can be done at any time of year. Whether you’re planning a summer trip around stunning national parks and awesome beaches or are willing to hit the road in the winter to check out some of the country’s best snowboarding and skiing destinations, there are many scenic roads you can choose from.
With so much to see, we’ve rounded up some of the best East Coast road trips, each of which could be enjoyed during a one-week vacation. Without further ado, grab your road trip essentials and hit the road! Here are 5 scenic roads on the East Coast you’ll love! Oh, and don’t forget your camera!
1. New England Coast (Boston to Bar Harbor, Maine)
Skip the highway and instead choose the scenic route to truly explore Vacationland’s gorgeous coast along the way. The drive from Boston up to Bar Harbor, Maine, is one of the most scenic roads on the East Coast and is packed with blueberry soda, lobster rolls, lighthouses, quaint small towns, rocky coasts, whoopie pies, and Acadia National Park.
You can make a two-day stop in Portland and explore the Old Port. There, you can climb on the rocks by Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth or take a lobster boat tour. Once you’re in Boothbay Harbor, you definitely should get out on the water with one of the many sightseeing cruises to see whales or puffins.
The next stop should be in the artistic town of Rockland. Walk along the Rockland Breakwater, hop aboard a traditional Maine Windjammer, or explore the stunning trails at Camden Hills State Park.
Following the scenic road, you’ll arrive at your final stop, which is the wonderful town of Bar Harbor. Drive the Park Loop Road, stop to enjoy the natural phenomenon at Thunder Hole, and don’t forget to enjoy an authentic lobster before heading back to Portland.
2. White & Green Mountains: Boston to Burlington, Vermont
The usual drive from Boston to Burlington takes around 4 hours, but we recommend this New England road trip to truly enjoy the breathtaking scenery of New Hampshire’s White Mountains and Vermont’s Green Mountains along the way. This scenic road is amazing, especially during the fall foliage season.
If you haven’t been to Boston, now is the best time for you to enjoy this historic city. A great thing to do is to go on a swan boat tour in Boston’s Public Garden; after this, you should stop by Little Italy in the North End to have a delicious meal.
The first stop is in Lincoln, New Hampshire. You definitely should spend at least one night there to truly explore the White Mountains. Hike through the Flume Gorge, ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway, or just drive the Mount Washington Auto Road.
Follow the scenic road and stop in Stowe, Vermont, to enjoy the Green Mountains. There you can visit the Ben & Jerry’s factory, the Cabot cheese factory, and the Cold Hollow Cider Mill.
The last stop is the hip waterfront city of Burlington, Vermont, where you can stop by Shelbourne Farm and the ECHO museum.
3. New York to Niagara Falls, NY
This scenic road is one of America’s most famous roads. The usual drive from New York City to Niagara Falls takes about 6-7 hours, but turn it into an exploring road trip with a few days spent in the Finger Lakes region on the way and several stops along the Western New York Upstate Eats Trail.
Make your first stop in the village of Watkins Glen, located at the southern point of Seneca Lake. Hike to the waterfalls in Watkins Glen State Park, enjoy time on the lake, or choose the adrenaline and take a glider ride in Elmira, the Soaring Capital of America.
Spend a couple of days in Hammondsport, where you can enjoy wine tasting and visit the fascinating Corning Museum of Glass. After this comes the best part of this scenic road: Niagara Falls.
You’ll want to spend at least two nights there to get the most out of this wonderful destination, including the Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, jet boat tours, Old Fort Niagara, and hiking trails in Niagara Falls State Park.
On your return to New York, stop in Buffalo for some fun, food, and history. After this, make some time to also stop in Seneca Falls to visit the National Women’s Hall of Fame and Women’s Rights National Historical Park.
4. Mid-Atlantic Gems: Cape May, New Jersey to Chincoteague, Virginia
If you want to stay on the Mid-Atlantic coast, this scenic road will take you through nature preserves, beautiful beaches, and lovely Victorian towns.
Start off your journey in Cape May, where you’ll get the chance to enjoy the charming boutiques, gourmet restaurants, and gingerbread-style Victorian homes. After this, you can take the ferry across to Lewes, Delaware, another charming town full of history, cute shops, and cafes.
You must spend at least one night there so that you can take a lovely sunset cruise past the lighthouse and, if you’re lucky, see some dolphins along the way.
As you follow the scenic road down to the beaches of southern Delaware, you may also want to stop and visit some of the local wineries and breweries in this region.
On your way to Assateague Island National Seashore, stop for a nice stroll on the Ocean City boardwalk or in the lovely small town of Berlin, MD. To get up close to the wild ponies, we recommend taking a boat tour from Chincoteague.
5. Blue Ridge Mountains: Charlotte, North Carolina, to Gatlinburg, Tennessee
If mountains and lakes are calling you, take a scenic road toward the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Mountains — with a few stops along the way.
The setting of Dirty Dancing, Lake Lure is a popular family vacation destination. You’ll need more than a day to explore Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, and Chimney Rock Village, which features plenty of dining options and shops along with a scenic road next to the creek.
The next stop is Ashville, NC. Located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this city has many great things to see and do. Take the Blood Ridge Highway to Looking Glass Falls, Sliding Rock, and other stunning hiking trails.
Visit the Biltmore Estate, the most popular spot in North Carolina; the Asheville Pinball Museum (you can also play pinball there); swing like Tarzan from the treetops at the famous Adventure Center of Asheville, or sample some local craft brews.
The next and final stop on this scenic road is Gatlinburg. There you’ll be able to explore the mesmerizing beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains Natural Park (make sure you don’t miss Cades Cove Loop).
You can bike through the park, go hiking, see the view from Clingmans Dome, go zip lining, spend a day at Dollywood, or go horseback riding. There are so many activities to do that there’s no chance of getting bored.
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