Enjoy autumnal leaves, hikes and mountain bike rides, public campgrounds, a dramatic waterfall cascading into a narrow flume, and Loon Mountain.
The best and worst time to drive the Kancamagus Highway is in the autumn, when you’ll more than expected to be caught in a convoy of tour buses loaded with “leaf peepers,” all appreciating the fury of color along this mountainous road. The west-to-east route winds through New Hampshire’s White Mountains, climbing to almost 3,000 feet up Mount Kancamagus. Be ready to stop as the road has plenty of opportunities for hikes and mountain bike rides. The tour will take you from the Pemigewasset River in Lincoln to the Saco River in Conway. Begin at Lincoln’s Visitor Information Center, and drive the Kancamagus Highway (designated NH 112) east. You’ll see the Loon Mountain Recreation Area, one of the country’s top ski areas and, off-season, a great spot for a picnic. There are also lots of public campgrounds. Read more . . .
Many people imagine Maine as a rugged coastline peppered with quaint seaside communities, but the state of Maine also has some of the most remote wilderness in the country. The mountainous Rangeley Lakes region on the western edge of the state is composed of six beautiful lakes offering such outdoor activities as fishing, swimming, camping and boating. This drive exposes some of Maine’s most beautiful scenery. Start in the town of Byron and take Rte. Seventeen north. Watch for the Appalachian Trail symbols on your left, and park on the side of the road if you’re fascinated in taking a hike. The well-marked path leads to some amazing mountain views. If you want to see the views without the walk, stop at the Height of Land Overlook for westerly views of hundreds of miles of mountains, lakes, and forests. 
Maine’s Acadia National Park may be very familiar to you from the countless postcards that record its rugged, rocky coastline. This dramatic feature, along with the lush forests and quiet sheltered ponds, make it one of the most popular parks in the country. This tour will give you an idea on some of the best Maine has to offer. The national park on Mount Desert Island is a combination of private and public land. The byway starts in Trenton at the Thompson Island Bridge on Route Three.
The sights on this drive have more to do with history and culture than vistas viewed from winding roads on coastline drives or mountaintops. And if you are checking out some of the fine wines at vineyards along the route, please choose a designated driver. The Connecticut shoreline is best reached by travelling I-95 with stops at various Points of Interest. The drive begins in the town of Clinton (Exit 63 on I-95), famous for great antique stores and the Clinton Crossings outlet shopping center. The Clinton Historical Society in the Capt. Elisha White House on East Main Street is popularly known locally
The foliage in the Hartford area is so breathtaking, the state has designated this drive the Hartford Region Foliage Loop. The name is well deserved. The route provides a nice combination of restaurants and shops in the quaint Connecticut towns along the route and the opportunity to enjoy nature’s beauty. From I-91 take Exit 26 into Old Wethersfield, Connecticut’s oldest municipality. The town has a few well-preserved 18th Century houses. One is the 1710 Buttolph-Williams House on Broad Street with its compilation of period furnishings. The Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum is made up of three 18th