New England is one of my favorite places to road trip! Beautiful scenery and rich history give a wanderer an abundance of locations to be curious about!
Scenic New England Road Trip
Boston, MA to Acadia National Park, ME
One such outing starts in Boston, where you drive straight through to Bar Harbor, ME, in about six hours along the interstate – but what fun would that be?
Instead, take a few days (or more), slow down and look around as you go.
The Adventure
Following Route 1, most of the way, travel from Boston with stops in Salem, Rockport, Portsmouth, Portland, Bar Harbor and Arcadia National Park, and some famous lighthouses. The best time to make this trek is from April to October, and for the best road trip experience, make plans to stay out on the road for 7 to 10-days as you wind around the 300 miles of beautiful Atlantic Coastline.
Along The Way
Massachusetts
First is the North Shore of Massachusetts and historic Salem. Filled with witch-themed attractions, art, history, novel markets & boutiques, and gourmet restaurants, plan on spending a full day here. For all things Salem, visit www.salem.org.
Travel on to Gloucester and visit Fisherman’s Memorial, the Eastern Point Lighthouse and Half Moon Beach. , then on to both Rockport and Newburyport, where you’ll walk cobblestoned streets lined with galleries, restaurants and unique shops. Hike Halibut Point State Park, high above the ocean on 440 million-year-old granite.
New Hampshire
While passing through New Hampshire, be sure to spend a few hours strolling along the waterfront in the quaint town of Portsmouth, making a food and drink stop at The Friendly Toast, a truly unique spot with gluten-free, vegan & vegetarian.
Maine
In the early morning, arrive in Maine to view the sunrise behind the island-based Nubble Lighthouse, which is still in use today, then drive to explore the quaint city streets, shops and beach in Wells, which is the third-oldest town in Maine, founded in 1643. Wells is situated on a large, white sand beach famous during the summer for swimming, picnicking & gorgeous landscapes.
The next stop is Portland and the Portland Head Light. Built-in 1791, it stands to guide ships safely around the jagged rocks below. You will also find the region’s best restaurants, so you’ll want to have a meal or two while exploring the area.
Portland is “…long known for serving the freshest of lobster and seafood, Maine has now gained a national reputation for its innovative restaurants, craft beers, and a growing number of award-winning chefs.”
After reaching the last travel area, Bar Harbor, you might like to take some extra time, unwind and investigate the sights in and around Acadia National Park. Among so many other things, there are whale-watching opportunities during the summer and hiking Cadillac Mountain for spectacular sunrises and beautiful views.
Another must-see is the still-operational Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse. Built-in 1858, you will find it tucked into a sea cliff’s side with rocky paths, tide pools and many photography vantage points.
Live happier by exploring the world around you. Please leave a comment below if you've taken this trip or would like to.
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Kirsti Out Wandering aspires to illustrate well-being in mind, body & spirit, giving unconditional love to self and others, and pursuing all of the wild possibilities life serves up while living full-time from a sprinter van.
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