Explore America’s Northeast Corner
The Northeast region packs in some of America’s most iconic attractions within a few states of each other. This one road trip through the region will have you strolling the streets of New York City and hiking some of the most magnificent state parks in the country. The New England region is home to some of America’s very first states, and the historical imprints of that time can be found throughout. A trip to the area can reasonably include many of New England’s must-see states, as well as stops in D.C. and The Big Apple.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is home to some of the most famous structures in the country, including the Smithsonian, the Lincoln Memorial and, of course, The White House. While much of D.C. life revolves around government and politics, there are plenty of museums, parks and cultural attractions to discover.
Where to Stay:
What to Eat:
- Go to Ben’s Chilli Bowl for their famous half-smoked, half-grilled sausage dish.
- Grab some oysters at DC’s oldest saloon, Old Ebbit Grille.
- Pick up some barbecue at Federalist Pig.
What to See:
- Go see the picturesque monuments at the National Mall, including perhaps the most famous, The Washington Monument.
- Visit the U.S. Capitol for history and visitor information.
- Walk beneath the Lincoln Memorial, which commemorates the U.S.’s 16th president, Abraham Lincoln.
- Make it a museum day with visits to the National Gallery of Art, the National Air and Space Museum, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the Smithsonian Museums, among many others.
Baltimore, Maryland
Though small in size, Maryland is home to a wide variety of geographical features, almost 6,500 kilometers of shoreline and the city some have called one of the coolest in the Northeast-- Baltimore. But to determine if that’s true, you’ll have to make the trip yourself.
Where to Stay:
What to Eat:
- Dip into Baltimore’s esteemed pizza scene with a seafood version at Matthew’s.
- Take a brewery tour at Heavy Seas Beers in Halethorpe.
- For a waterfront meal and some live music head to BJ’s on the Water in Ocean City.
What to See:
- Check out the famous boardwalk at Ocean City.
- Visit Baltimore’s Inner Harbor for shopping, nightlife and restaurants.
- Make a stop at Maryland’s only waterfront state park, Assateague State Park, where you may get to see wild horses.
Delaware
The First State also happens to be the second smallest in the country, but don’t worry-- there’s plenty to do and see within Delaware’s borders. Comprising many little towns, each with its own charm and personality, a roadtrip through Delaware offers beach destinations, riverside stops and lots of history.
Where to Stay:
- Fairfield Inn and Suites Rehoboth Beach
- Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington
- Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Residence Inn by Marriott
What to Eat:
- Grab some beers at this popular beachside brewpub, Dogfish Head Brewing and Eats.
- Head to the Blue Crab for oysters and other fresh seafood in Bethany Beach.
- Grab a slice at Pizza by Elizabeth’s in Wilmington, a quirky local favorite honoring famous “Elizabeths,” while serving up healthy pizza.
What to Do:
- Check out the historical town of New Castle, Delaware's first capital founded in 1651. While you’re there, visit the Court House Museum.
- Small town, coastal vibes on the Atlantic Ocean can be found at Bethany Beach.
- Catch the action on the bustling boardwalk at Delaware's most visit, Rehoboth Beach, and be sure to stop by Dolles for some famous salt-water taffy.
New York City, New York
From Broadway to the Financial District, you’ll see countless attractions that make up the quintessential New York City itinerary, but don’t stop there. The hidden and more counter-culture aspects of New York are part of the city’s magic, as well. Whether you’re into food, art, shopping or something else entirely, you can count on getting your fill of it in New York City.
Where to Stay:
What to Eat:
- Try the Classic New York breakfast sandwich: smoked fish on a bagel from Russ & Daughters.
- Make your way to the edgy and trendy Lower East Side, for ramen at Ivan Ramen.
- Everyone claims they know where the best pizza in New York is, but we personally recommend grabbing some from Roberta’s in Manhattan, or their original Brooklyn location.
What to Do:
- Catch a Broadway show, and then take a stroll through the always-electric Times Square.
- Head downtown and grab a ferry to the The Statue of Liberty.
- Pause your urban exploration with a nature break in Central Park.
- Walk the Brooklyn Bridge for a scenic route to the popular borough, Brooklyn.
Massachusetts
You can explore those areas and more on a trip through the state. Boston, the most populous city in New England, is one of the oldest municipalities in the country, and you’ll certainly feel the living history of the city when you go. Compliment your urban adventure with some nature days in Massachusetts’ state parks and a journey to the ever popular Cape Cod, a well-known summer destination famous for its quaint villages and tasty seafood shacks.
Where to Stay:
What to Eat:
- For unbeatable Italian, head to Coppa in Boston’s Southend.
- Grab some New England Oysters at Island Creek Oyster Bar in Boston.
- Have an artisan sandwich at Gulu Gulu Cafe in Salem, where you can catch live music and a rare assortment of craft beer.
What to See:
- Visit the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, as well as other historical sites in Salem.
- See America’s first botanical garden at the Boston Common and Public Garden.
- Visit the home of the famous Boston Red Sox, and the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball, Fenway Park.
Vermont
Head through Vermont, a state known for its heavily forested terrain, the over 100 covered wooden bridges that populate the area, and its production of maple syrup. If you visit in the colder months, make sure to go skiing, and if it’s warmer, take a hike.
Where to Stay:
What to Eat:
- Go for Ice Cream at the Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour in Waterbury.
- Make it all-American with a burger from Al’s French Frys in South Burlington.
- Pause at P&H Truck Stop to fill your belly in true roadtrip style, in Wells River off of Exit 17.
What to Do:
- Worth glimpsing is the unusual Rock of Ages, a working granite quarry in Graniteville, characterized by steep geometric rock shafts surrounded by turquoise water.
- Keep an eye out for some of the 100 covered bridges throughout Vermont-- some dating all the way back to 1820.
- Go hiking at the picturesque Mount Mansfield in the town of Underhill, Vermont.
Maine
This coastal state offers an abundance of stunning natural environments with plenty to do and see. Inhabited for centuries by indigenous people, the area that would become Maine saw its first European settlement in the early 1600’s. Today, the state retains influences from each of the different groups who have called Maine home.
Where to Stay:
- Wentworth by the Sea, a Marriott Hotel and Spa
- Courtyard by Marriott Portland/Waterfront
- The Westin Portland Harborview
What to Eat:
- Eat as much lobster as you can handle while in Maine, and start at Young’s Lobster Pound.
- Attend a waterfront lobster bake at Pemaquid Lobster Co-Op.
What to Do:
- Stroll the winding, cobblestone streets of the Old Port in Portland.
- Take in the views, hikes and wonder of Acadia National Park.
- Catch a sunset over Moosehead Lake in Mount Kineo State Park.
- Try to see some whales on a whale-watching adventure in Bar Harbor.
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