Warm weather means long sunny weekends and the sudden itch to explore someplace new, so why not start with your own backyard? If you need a break from the big cities and major sights, hop in the car and take a day trip close to home. No matter where you live in the US, there are tucked-away corners near you just begging to be explored. We made our way through the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest, the Southeast, California and the Heartland, now let’s finish our journey in the Northeast…
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Concord, Massachusetts
Concord is a literary haven, featuring the former homes of Louisa May Alcott, Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Bronson Emerson, and others. Here you can also visit Walden Pond (pictured here), where Thoreau lived as he wrote Walden. It’s also the scene of lots of Revolutionary War history – so much to see! Travel info here. (30 min from Boston, 45 min from Worcester)
[Photo Credit]High Point State Park, Sussex, New Jersey
Trek to the highest point in New Jersey, where you’ll take in a view of the Delaware River Valley. You’ll find the High Point monument at the summit. Travel info here. (1 hour from Scranton, 1.5 hours from Newark, 2 hours from New York City, 2 hours from Trenton)
[Photo Credit]Lavender Fields, Milton, Delaware
Have a Provence-like adventure right here in the US! Travel info here and here. (1.5 hours from Wilmington, 2 hours from Philadelphia, 2.5 hours from Baltimore, 2.5 hours from Washington, DC)
[Photo Credit]Mount Greylock, Adams, Massachusetts
Mount Greylock rises over 3,000 feet above the ground – the highest point in the state. Enjoy stunning views of the Berkshires! Travel info here. (1 hour from Albany, 2 hours from Springfield, 2.5 hours from Worcester, 3 hours from Boston)
[Photo Credit]Dia:Beacon, Beacon, New York
This museum features the Dia Art Foundation‘s collection from the 1960s onward in a former Nabisco plant. Afterwards, explore the charming city of Beacon! Travel info here and here. (1.5 hours from New York City)
[Photo Credit]Acadia National Park, Maine
Hike, bike, or unwind with the rocky Maine coast as a backdrop. Travel info here.
(3 hours from Portland, 3.5 hours from Saint John)
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
One of the largest and most famous botanical gardens in the US! Travel info here. (30 min from Wilmington, 1 hour from Philadelphia, 1.5 hours from Baltimore, 2.5 hours from Washington, DC)
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Stop by this famed getaway for R&R and lots of sailboats. Travel info here. (3.5 hours from Providence, 4 hours from Boston)
Annapolis, Maryland
A lovely waterfront town offering historical events, nautical fun and great seafood. Travel info here. (45 min from Baltimore, 45 min from Washington, DC, 2 hours from Philadelphia)
North Fork, Long Island, New York
This quiet escape from the bustle of the South Fork (a.k.a. the Hamptons) and head here to take in farmland, small towns, fresh food and wineries. Travel info here. (2 hours from New York City)
Bear Mountain State Park, New York
A calming escape from the nearby big city, great for hiking and relaxing. Travel info here. (1.5 hours from New York City, 2 hours from Hartford)
Lewes, Delaware
This quiet beach town features great food, museums, a Historic district, and a chance to unwind. Travel info here. (1.5 hours from Wilmington, 2 hours from Philadelphia)
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
See American history in a whole new light. Travel info here and here. (1.5 hours from Baltimore, 1.5 hours from Washington DC, 2.5 hours from Philadelphia)
Stowe, Vermont
A postcard-perfect New England town. Travel info here. (45 min from Burlington, 3.5 hours from Albany, 3.5 hours from Boston)
Block Island, Rhode Island
Explore bluffs, lighthouses, and seaside life at this beloved getaway. Travel info here and here. (2 hours from Providence, 3.5 hours from Boston)
Star Island, Rye, New Hampshire
Enjoy a leisurely ferry ride out to this historic island. It’s currently home to a retreat run by the Unitarian Universalist church and guests are offered walking tours of the island and views of stunning wildlife. Travel info here.
[Photo Credit]Hyannis, Barnstable, Massachusetts
In addition to being a lovely beach escape in its own right, this famous Cape Cod community is home to the Kennedy Compound. If you’re a Kennedy fanatic like this writer, take a cruise through the region to catch a glimpse of the compound or pay a visit to the JFK Hyannis Museum! Travel info here.
(1.5 hours from Providence, 1.5 hours from Boston)
