Best Road Trips in America: East Coast Travel Guide
There’s no adventure more quintessentially American than the road trip (just ask Jack Kerouac). Climbing behind the wheel and exploring the open road is the best way to discover those unique gems hidden between the big destinations we’ve all read about. The East Coast, with its iconic colonial cities and meandering routes, makes the perfect setting for four-wheeled exploration. Whether you’re in search of the best lobster roll along the rocky coast up north, or want some Southern hospitality to go with your national history, the stretch of seashore between Maine and Florida has something for everybody. Here are three of the best road trips you can take.
Nashville, TN to Asheville, NC
Not only does it rhyme, this musical tour is packed with country twang and natural beauty from beginning to end. Start your adventure with a musical history lesson in Nashville, then head southeast on Route 24 through low whiskey country, where you can stop at Jack Daniels for a distillery tour before reaching Chattanooga. Grab charcuterie at Easy Bistro & Bar, then take the Incline Railway up Lookout Mountain to peep the panoramic views. Your journey continues through hog country, where you can grab some old-fashioned American Ham at Benton’s Family Farm before the fog sets in over the Smoky Mountains. Make a stop for the kids at Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s theme park, then park for the final time in Asheville, with its vibrant arts scene which ranges from bohemian riverside studios to the iconic Biltmore Estate.
Boston, MA to Acadia National Park, ME
From one of America’s oldest cities to the East Coast’s highest peak, this trip will give you a great taste of the Northeast (think baked beans, chowder, and the world’s best lobster rolls). Catch a day game at Fenway, grab a bite for the road at Tasty Burger, then head north on I-95 to Portsmouth New Hampshire, where you can spend a couple of hours traipsing the cobblestones and perusing the curiosity shops. Grab a popover at Popovers on the Square, then head across the river to Kittery, Maine, an even smaller, even cuter town where you’ll want to slurp a bowl of ramen at Anju Noodle Bar. Walk through the back to the Wallingford Dram for a cozy craft cocktail, then it’s back in the car for the hour drive to Portland, where the sheer volume of award winning restaurants could stop your road-trip in its tracks. When you’re ready to press on, skip the highway and take Route 1 along the coast, which will give you a taste of scenic small-town Maine, with necessary stops in the artsy villages of Camden and Rockport (visit the Farnsworth museum) before you finally arrive in Bar Harbor. Grab an unexpected Cuban-inspired dinner at Havana (half priced wine on Wednesday), then drive the Loop Road through Acadia, where you can catch the sunset over the bay atop Cadillac Mountain.
Washington D.C. to Charlottesville, VA
Once you’ve had your fill of hallowed halls and monolithic museums in the nation’s capital, head south out of the city for one of the most scenic drives in the country: The Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park. It’s nearly 100 miles of pristine vistas along a winding mountaintop road, with nothing but nature along the way (make sure to pack plenty of snacks). If you get thirsty, make a detour to Virginia’s wine country, where you can enjoy a farm-to-table lunch with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Pippin Hill Farm. Charlottesville is a vibrant little college town, home to the University of Virginia which was founded and designed by Thomas Jefferson. Drive to his sprawling estate, Monticello, to finish your journey with a stroll through the founding father’s gorgeous gardens.
CHEAT SHEET
For more on the best road trips to take in America, also see:
· MSN – 10 Epic East Coast Road Trips to Take
· Groupon – East Coast Road Trips
· Conde Nast Traveler – Best Road Trips on The East Coast