Acadia National Park ME
This national park located four and a half hours from Boston is incredible and definitely worth the long car ride. At Acadia National Park you can explore trails, roads, wildlife, ocean beaches, and the surrounding town (Bar Harbor) and take in the beauty that it has to offer. I would recommend taking this short but challenging hike up the Bee Hive trail to fuel your adrenaline and see some amazing views, however this hike is not a good idea if you are afraid of heights. Another must see at Acadia National Park is the sunrise on the top of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the US east coast. The colors of the sunrise are amazing shades of yellow, orange, and pink and it is the first rays of light that hit the US every morning.
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| View of the Bee Hive Trail |
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| Sunrise on the top of Cadillac Mountain taken at 4:50am |
Mount Washington NH
Located in the presidential range of the White Mountains, Mount Washington is about a three hour drive from the Boston area. Mount Washington is considered the most prominent mountain east of the Mississippi and is known for its crazy weather. You have the options of hiking, driving, or train riding to the summit of the mountain where you will (depending on the weather) see an incredible 360 degree view of mountain peaks and tree covered hills for miles. Everyone should have the opportunity to see the views at the top of Mount Washington, and even if the weather is not the most desirable, you will still have an awesome experience.
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| Popular photo spot at the highest point on top of the summit |
Sterling Pond Trail, Smugglers Notch VT
Located three and a half hours away from Boston, Smugglers Notch is a mountain pass in Lamoille County, Vermont. The notch separates Mount Mansfield, the highest peak of the Green Mountains, from Spruce Peak and the Sterling range. The views here are incredible especially during the fall when the leaves begin to change. The Sterling Pond Trail is one of the many trails to hike and explore at Smugglers Notch and is 2.5 miles long. The Trail loops around a pond where people come to bird watch and take in the view of the trees reflecting against the water. This trail is also dog friendly!
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| Sterling Pond Trail, Photo by Jessica Young |
Bash Bish Falls MA
This waterfall is located on Bash Bish Mountain and is a two and a half hour car ride from Boston. Bash Bish falls is the highest waterfall in the state of Massachusetts at 60 feet and the water comes from the runoff of Mount Washington. After a mild hike, you can enjoy the beauty that Bash Bish has to offer and relax by the water. Many people are warned that the rocks are slippery and to be careful while exploring around the waterfall because it can be dangerous. As long as you take your time and watch your step you should be able to enjoy the views and take awesome photos of the waterfall.
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| Bash Bish Falls |
West River, Guilford, CT
Two and a half hours from the Boston area is the West River in Guilford, Connecticut. The West River is a 13.5 mile long freshwater stream that flows through the towns of Bethany, Woodbridge, and New Haven. Within the town of New Haven, the West River flows through two parks, Edgewood Park and West River Memorial Park. Both parks are great places to walk around and explore or sit by the rivers edge. Many people come here to relax and listen to the flowing river as it passes by.
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| West River Memorial Park |
Newport Mansions, RI
The Newport Mansions are absolutely incredible to tour and walk around. The Breakers Mansion (pictured below) is one of the many mansions in Newport and is considered a National Historic Landmark. The mansion was build for the Vanderbilt family as summer home for them to enjoy, with 70 rooms covering an area of about 125,339 square feet. I would recommend taking a tour of these mansions to see how unimaginable life must have been for the people who owned them. Tours go year round, and they are even decorated for Christmas time in early November.
If you are looking for some ideas for a fun and easy summer bucket list for New England these 6 places should definitely be on it! The views at all of these places are absolutely breath taking and worth the long car rides. I hope this shout out at the very least, inspires you to go out and discover the beauty at one of these locations! Happy travels.
