New England Coast Road Trip: Atlantic Harbors to Acadia Peaks

Mystic Seaport and Museum – tour the seaport to take a step back in time. It is a re-creation of a 19th century village. Plan to visit the Mystic Seaport Museum – the largest maritime museum in the U.S. The Mystic Pass gives you entrance to museum and the Mystic Aquarium.

Denison Homestead and Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center – this 160-acre property features two historic homes, a nature center, and hiking trails.

Mystic Aquarium – this charming aquarium near Mystic Seaport has the usual delightful sea creatures, and visitors can enjoy seeing the training and feeding of beluga whales, a ray touch pool, a shark petting zoo, and sea lion shows.

Old Mystick Village – this recreated 18th century fishing village has charming small shops and eateries.

Newport Mansions – these 12 wonderfully preserved estates are a showstopper. Consider taking a guided audio or docent tour of some of them. The Vanderbilts' “Breakers” mansion is a must-see.

Ocean Drive – this stunning 10-mile scenic drive can be traversed by RV, car, or bike. All along the way are elaborate historic “cottages” (many privately owned), public beach access, and public parks.

Cliff Walk – this famous National Recreation Trail is a relatively easy 3.5-mile path that combines the beauty and nature of the shoreline with the history of the Gilded Age.

International Tennis Hall of Fame – this interactive museum showcases its many artifacts and the game's history.

Old King’s Highway (Route 6A) – this 62-mile National Scenic Byway will wind you through the historic buildings of Cape Cod from the 17th to the 21st century. Native Americans used this road for thousands of years before the arrival of the first European settlers. It winds through dozens of charming and historic villages including Wellfleet, Eastham, and Provincetown. Hiking, biking, and beach access points are dotted along this scenic drive.

Cape Cod Rail Trail – this 25-mile paved bike path in lower Cape Cod is a nature lover’s delight with nearby villages to grab some refreshments.

Cape Cod National Seashore – explore this massive seashore where outdoor pursuits abound. It has wonderful hiking and biking trails, two visitors' centers and a lecture series.

Museums – there are so many museums, but be sure to check out the Sandwich Glass Museum, Heritage Museum and Gardens, Cape Cod Museum of Art and the Edward Gorey House.

Provincetown – downtown Provincetown is a bustling and charming town famous for its embrace of the LGBTQ+ community. Charming inns, restaurants, homes, shops, and bars are everywhere. Be sure to stop at the Pilgrim Monument which commemorates the Mayflower pilgrims' landing. Street parking can be difficult in the busy summer months, but there are several pay parking lots. A car is recommended since the streets are narrow and crowded.

Chatham – this upscale village is filled with casual and fine dining, boutiques, ice cream parlors, and several museums. Stop at the Atwood Museum, the Mayo House, and the Chatham Railroad Museum.

Nantucket & Martha’s Vineyard – take a day trip to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard. There are a few ferries from Cape Cod to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard – expect 2-3 hours on a ferry each way. There are also highspeed ferry and seaplane options.

Plimoth Patuxet Museums – this set of museums include Historic Patuxet (with its focus on Native peoples), 17th Century English Village (a recreation of the small farming and maritime village the Pilgrims built), and the Plimoth Grist Mill, Mayflower II (a reproduction of the original sailing ship that brought Pilgrims to America in 1620).

Plymouth Rock- this rock in Pilgrim Memorial State Park symbolizes the place of the landing of the Pilgrims who settled the Mayflower colony in 1620.

Pilgrim Hall Museum – the country’s oldest museum focuses on the preservation of Pilgrim and Native American artifacts.

Historic Homes – there are several preserved Pilgrim homes to visit, such as the wonderful Jenney Interpretive Center, the Jabez Howland House, the Richard Sparrow House, the Alden House Historic Site, and many others.

National Monument to the Forefathers – this 81-foot-tall granite statue was built to honor passengers of the Mayflower.

Freedom Trail – this 2.5-mile self-guided walking path, starts at Boston Commons and ends at the Bunker Hill Monument. It meanders through major historic sites of the American Revolution. Follow the big red line!

Boston Museums – Boston is over-flowing with world class museums. For art, stop at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. For history check out the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. For science, check out the Museum of Science – Boston. Kids will love the world-class Boston Children's Museum.

Fenway Park – take a stadium tour or catch a ballgame at this historic venue for the Boston Red Sox.

Boston’s North End – this historic Italian neighborhood – Boston’s oldest – with cobblestone streets is filled with delicious aromas of Italian food. Visit Paul Revere’s House and the Old North Church nearby.

Boston Public Garden – America's first public garden was designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Olmstead. Its 600 gorgeous acres feature the famous Swan Boats, a carousel, ponds, and a wide array of flora and fauna. It's great for walking and picnicking.

Park Loop Road – this 27-mile scenic drive in Acadia will take you through some of the most popular parts of the park such as Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountain, Sand Beach, Otter Point, and Sieur de Monts.

Cadillac Mountain – this hiking-friendly and drivable area of Acadia provides spectacular vistas of the coastal landscape formed by glaciers.

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse – a perfect location in Acadia to watch the sun rise at this historic lighthouse (still in operation by the U.S. Coast Guard).

Carriage Roads – this 57-mile-long series of paved roads is closed to motor vehicles and provide a wonderful place for walkers, bikers, horses, and inline skaters. The roads were funded and created by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., in the early 1900s, to highlight the best scenery of the park, including Jordan Pond, Eagle Lake, and Mount Desert Island. The road is open all year and is used for skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. The Island Explorer Shuttle provides access to the Carriage Roads and the more than 150-miles of hiking trails that Acadia offers.

Downtown Bar Harbor – stroll the quaint shops and eateries in this charming seaside village.

Frenchman Bay – this picturesque harbor offers plenty of opportunities for walking, fishing, boating, and watersports. Consider taking a sailing charter around the bay. Enjoy access to Bar Harbor Town Pier, Agamont Park and the Shore Path (which is 0.7 miles one way).

Museums – Bar Harbor may be small, but it packs some punch. Check out one of its many museums. Two favorites are the Abbe Museum with its focus on Maine's Native People and the George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History inside Acadia National Park.