7 Underrated Gems Along the Northeast’s Scenic Routes
7 Underrated Gems Along the Northeast's Scenic Routes - Stowe's Timeless Charm - Uncovering a Vermont Gem
Boasting exceptional skiing experiences atop the state's highest peak, Stowe Resort also features the Stowe Gondola SkyRide, providing panoramic vistas and the nearby Cliff House restaurant and Summit Retail Gift Shop.
Beyond the town, the surrounding region is dotted with hidden gems worth exploring, including the serene beach town of Folly Beach in South Carolina, which offers ample opportunities for relaxation and seaside enjoyment.
Stowe Resort, perched atop Vermont's highest peak, offers exceptional skiing experiences with an average annual snowfall of over 300 inches, making it a premier destination for winter sports enthusiasts.
The Stowe Gondola SkyRide, operating since 1968, provides visitors with a unique vantage point to admire the stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Green Mountains, a true engineering marvel.
Stowe's historic district, with its well-preserved 19th-century architecture, showcases the town's rich cultural heritage and offers a glimpse into its past as a thriving agricultural community.
What else is in this post?
- 7 Underrated Gems Along the Northeast's Scenic Routes - Stowe's Timeless Charm - Uncovering a Vermont Gem
- 7 Underrated Gems Along the Northeast's Scenic Routes - Bar Harbor - Maine's Coastal Renaissance
- 7 Underrated Gems Along the Northeast's Scenic Routes - The Kancamagus Highway - New Hampshire's Scenic Splendor
- 7 Underrated Gems Along the Northeast's Scenic Routes - Cape May - New Jersey's Seaside Treasure
- 7 Underrated Gems Along the Northeast's Scenic Routes - The Upper Delaware River Valley - Nature's Serene Canvas
7 Underrated Gems Along the Northeast's Scenic Routes - Bar Harbor - Maine's Coastal Renaissance
Bar Harbor, a coastal town in Maine, has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, emerging as a vibrant destination for tourists.
The town's scenic harbor, with its picturesque views of the surrounding mountains and the sea, has become a major draw, attracting visitors to stroll along the waterfront and explore the nearby islands.
The scenic routes in the area, such as the Park Loop Road in Acadia National Park, offer breathtaking vistas of the rugged coastline, making it a popular destination for road trippers, especially during the fall foliage season.
Bar Harbor is situated on Mount Desert Island, which is the second-largest island on the East Coast of the United States, after Long Island, New York.
The town's original name was "Eden," which was changed to "Bar Harbor" in 1918 due to the town's unique geographic feature - a sand and gravel bar that is exposed at low tide, connecting the mainland to one of the surrounding islands.
The Abbe Museum in Bar Harbor is home to the world's largest collection of Wabanaki art and cultural artifacts, offering visitors a unique insight into the region's indigenous heritage.
The Acadia National Park's famous Loop Road, which winds through the park's stunning landscapes, was originally constructed as a carriage road in the late 19th century, designed for horse-drawn carriages and early automobiles.
The town's signature dish, the "Downeast Lobster Roll," features fresh, locally sourced lobster meat served on a split-top bun, often with a side of drawn butter or mayonnaise, making it a must-try for visitors to the region.
7 Underrated Gems Along the Northeast's Scenic Routes - The Kancamagus Highway - New Hampshire's Scenic Splendor
The Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire offers a breathtaking journey filled with natural splendor.
Along its winding route, travelers will encounter numerous hidden gems that showcase the diverse landscapes of the region, including cascading waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints, historical landmarks, and pristine natural areas.
The iconic Kancamagus Covered Bridge, a testament to the area's rich history, stands as a landmark along the highway, while the Pemigewasset Notch State Park and Flume Gorge Natural Area provide ample opportunities for outdoor exploration and adventure.
The Kancamagus Highway is named after Kancamagus, the last known Grand Sachem (chief) of the Pennacook tribe, a confederation of Algonquian-speaking Native American tribes that inhabited the region for thousands of years.
The Kancamagus Highway is one of the few remaining "dark sky" areas in the northeastern United States, offering exceptional stargazing opportunities due to its low levels of light pollution.
The highway's dramatic elevation changes, ranging from 500 feet to over 2,900 feet, create a diverse array of microclimates and habitats, supporting a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna.
During the Ice Age, the Kancamagus region was heavily glaciated, leaving behind unique geological features such as the dramatic "notches" (mountain passes) that characterize the landscape.
The highway's construction in the 1940s was a remarkable engineering feat, as it required the creation of several tunnels and bridges to navigate the rugged terrain of the White Mountains.
The Kancamagus Highway's scenic beauty has made it a popular location for film and television productions, with several notable movies and TV shows being filmed along the route over the years.
7 Underrated Gems Along the Northeast's Scenic Routes - Cape May - New Jersey's Seaside Treasure
Cape May, New Jersey's southernmost city, is a picturesque seaside resort town known for its historic buildings, charming architecture, and natural beauty.
Visitors can explore the town's boardwalk, which offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and is lined with shops, restaurants, and amusement rides, as well as the iconic Cape May Lighthouse.
The area is also home to the famous Cape May Diamonds, quartz stones that have been carried downriver and washed ashore for thousands of years, believed to possess supernatural powers by the original Kechemeche tribe.
The Cape May Lighthouse, first lit in 1859, stands 157 feet tall and is one of the tallest lighthouses in New Jersey.
It has been meticulously restored and remains an iconic landmark that offers stunning views of the surrounding coastline.
This architectural style, known as the "Cape May Style," features elaborate gingerbread trim, wraparound porches, and vibrant color schemes.
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry, which connects Cape May to Lewes, Delaware, has been in operation since 1964 and is one of the busiest car ferry services in the United States, transporting over 1 million vehicles annually.
The Cape May Diamonds, which are actually small, smooth quartz stones, have been found along the beaches of Cape May for centuries.
These "treasures" were once believed by the indigenous Kechemeche tribe to possess supernatural powers.
Cape May is a birding hotspot, with over 400 species of birds having been observed in the area.
The town hosts an annual "Cape May Fall Migration Festival" that attracts birdwatchers from around the world.
The Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal building, designed by architect Philip Johnson, is considered a modernist masterpiece and has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
Cape May's microclimate, influenced by the surrounding Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean, is unique in the region, often resulting in cooler temperatures and higher humidity during the summer months compared to nearby inland areas.
The Cape May Brewery, founded in 2011, is one of the oldest and most respected craft breweries in New Jersey, known for its innovative and award-winning beer recipes that showcase the local terroir.
7 Underrated Gems Along the Northeast's Scenic Routes - The Upper Delaware River Valley - Nature's Serene Canvas
The Upper Delaware River Valley in the northeastern United States is a sanctuary of natural beauty, offering quiet reflection and a diverse ecosystem.
Timber Creek Preserve, with its network of trails and diverse birdlife, provides a peaceful escape, while Cherry Island Beach is known for its large sand dunes and exceptional birdwatching opportunities.
Away from the water's edge, Bean Hollow Preserve features rolling hills, diverse plant life, and a variety of wildflowers.
The Upper Delaware River Valley is home to over 200 species of birds, including the bald eagle, which has made a remarkable comeback in the region after being on the brink of extinction.
The Tusten Mountain Trail, a popular hiking destination in the valley, features a unique geological formation known as the "Tusten Thrust," a thrust fault that occurred millions of years ago during the Appalachian mountain-building process.
The Upper Delaware Scenic Byway is considered one of the best locations in the Northeast for stargazing, thanks to its low levels of light pollution and the dramatic elevation changes along the route.
The Bean Hollow Preserve, a 1,200-acre nature sanctuary, is home to the rare and endangered dwarf wedgemussel, a small freshwater bivalve that is found in only a few rivers in the northeastern United States.
The Upper Delaware River is considered one of the cleanest and most well-preserved river systems in the eastern United States, due in part to the efforts of local conservation organizations and the National Park Service.
The Cherry Island Beach, known for its exceptional birdwatching opportunities, is a critical stopover point for migratory birds, including the federally threatened piping plover.
The Fahnestock State Park, with its dramatic rock formations and cliffs, is a popular destination for rock climbers, who come to challenge themselves on the park's diverse and challenging routes.
The Timber Creek Preserve, a 1,000-acre nature sanctuary, is home to a diverse array of plant life, including several rare and endangered species that are found only in the Upper Delaware River Valley.
The Reed's Landing, a scenic overlook along the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway, offers breathtaking views of the river valley and is a prime location for wildlife observation, with the chance to spot bald eagles, ospreys, and other birds of prey.