The end of the semester is approaching, bringing with it summer and almost four months of freedom. For those who don’t have jobs or internships lined up, four months of free time can seem slightly overwhelming. If you’re looking for ways to fill your summer with fun and adventure, a road trip might be the perfect solution for you. They’re fairly easier to organize than a vacation, they can include any number of people and activities and you don’t even have to travel very far from Fairfield to find some pretty great locations.
New England is full of picturesque towns that make perfect road trip destinations. One of its most popular places is Newport, Rhode Island. Perched right on the coast of the state, Newport offers beautiful sights, delicious food and excellent shopping. The Cliff Walk is one of Newport’s main attractions. This 3.5 mile walking path lines leads patrons along the Atlantic Ocean, where they can admire the beautiful mansions nearby.
Just a short distance away, Bristol, Rhode Island is another quaint town on the southern end of the state. Bristol is famous for its Fourth of July celebrations. Featuring fireworks on the night of the third of July and a parade on the morning of the fourth, this town goes all out for the holiday. The Bristol Fourth of July Parade is the longest running Fourth of July parade in the country, which makes this town the perfect place for celebrating.
If you’re looking for a more urban adventure, Boston is a great city to visit in the summer. Catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, take a ride on the duck boats in the Charleston River, or take a walk back in time on the Freedom Trail.
For an outdoorsy trip, Maine’s Acadia National Park boasts coastline views, hiking trails and scenic drives. Attractions like Cadillac Mountain, Park Loop Road and Jordan Pond draw crowds with their beautiful scenery and are sure to please any nature-lovers in the group.
Outside New England, the Mid-Atlantic region contains plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and road tripping. Saratoga Springs, New York is a town famous for its horse races. Here, you can go horseback riding, watch the horse races at the Saratoga Race Courses, or visit historical sites. History buffs will enjoy Revolutionary War battlefields, the former home of Ulysses S. Grant, or visit the New York State Military Museum. This town is also the inspiration for the Disney World hotel with the same name.
For those who crave the sun and the sea, the Jersey shore is home to several popular beaches. Long Beach Island, Spring Lake, Brigantine and Cape May, New Jersey are some well-known beaches in the area, each with its own charm. Long Beach Island, for example, offers a little theme park called Fantasy Island. Cape May features the Cape May lighthouse, which patrons can climb up to the top, as well as dolphin and whale watching tours.
No matter where you choose to travel, who you choose to travel with, or what you choose to do, a road trip is a great way to make memories and add some adventure to your summer plans.
