What to see on a road trip from New York to Boston
Whether you’re only passing by or want to do a spontaneous road trip, the path between New York, the city of endless energy, and Boston, a town of wealth and culture, will definitely change your view on America’s offerings. While this road trip doesn’t take that long to take, it would be best to take a few days off so you have time for exploring and sleeping in between driving. You can take the shortest path, which is on the Inland Route if you don’t have enough patience to stop at every small attraction. However, you might want to take the Coastal Route to Boston, which is completed in about six hours and 30 minutes of driving, to truly explore the sights of the road. Here’s what you can see in between the locations if you start from New York.
Newport
After driving for approximately four hours from New York, you should first stop at Newport, a seaside city in Rhode Island. It’s the perfect spot to take a break and enjoy the sea by having a walk along the coastal line of Newport. You will be able to spot numerous wildflowers and birds here. Newport is also a place of rich history, so make sure to visit the Breakers Museum, which was originally a summer cottage. There’s also the Marble House, built in the 19th century, and the Rough Point Museum, which has many art collections displayed. If you don’t plan to stop at night here and get some sleep, you can at least park your car somewhere safe. For example, you can get a JFK parking spot by booking it for a small fee.
Hartford
Following the calmness of Newport, there’s Hartford City, the capital of Connecticut. It’s one of the biggest cities in the state, so expect a lot of noise and people roaming around town. Here, too, there are plenty of fascinating museums to visit, such as the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, which has works of Renaissance art. Plus, the Mark Twain House & Museum will take you right into the author’s past life. There are many green spots in Hartford, from Elizabeth Park, where you can picnic and have a nice walk, to Goodwin Park, which is dedicated to those who love tennis, fishing, and basketball. If you’re a food lover, every year, the Riverfront Truck Festival takes place in the city and brings meals of any kind, from vegan, Mexican, American, and Asian cuisines.
Boston
After exploring the beautiful Hartford, it’s time to get going because you’ve got another hour and 45 minutes until you reach Boston. There, you can leave your car at Logan airport parking and take your time to see the city. If you’re lucky enough, you may be able to see a baseball game at Fenway Park, where the famous Red Sox team is usually playing. The game season starts in April and ends in October, so if you’re traveling at another time, you can still get a tour of the stadium. The architecture will impress you here, so visit Boston’s Public Library, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. There’s even a Holocaust Memorial in New England with remarkable glass chimneys of crushing importance in history.
What to see if you take the Coastal route from New York to Boston
While the Inland path is more straightforward to parcourse, you might have more time on your hands to see what’s around, so here’s where to stop for a thorough exploration of the route:
- Essex town, where you can do a riverboat ride, visit museums and art galleries;
- Mystic is famous for the Battle of Mystic Fort in 1637, so you’ll get to learn more about it in the city’s museums;
- The Big River Management Area has remarkable trails and hidden waterfalls among the local wildlife;
- Providence has the great Roger Williams Park Zoo and museums presenting the city’s historical significance;
- Cape Cod is the perfect location for spotting sunsets and cycling on the Cape Cod Rail Trail;
Know what to pack for your road trip
Of course, being on the road for a good few hours might take away your energy and resources, so you need to compensate without spending a lot of money on food from restaurants or products bought from expensive cities. So, wherever you’re heading, here’s what to pack:
- A road atlas is essential in case your phone runs out of battery. At the same time, you might get through areas with poor cell phone signals, so your map application won’t work;
- A roadside emergency kit will be the perfect safety net for any unpleasant situation. It includes anything from a first aid kit to jumper cables and more;
- A reusable water bottle is better than buying plastic bottles because it keeps your water at the perfect temperature, and you can refill it anywhere with drinkable resources;
- Snacks that don’t perish that easily, such as nuts, dried fruits, canned vegetables, and some jerky, should help you in case of sudden hunger and are not risking your health anyhow of how long your road trip is; ;
- Hiking boots, warm clothing, and a raincoat should always be in your car in case the weather gets more extreme;
Make sure the vehicle is prepared to withstand any type of weather. If you’re driving in wet conditions, you have to lower your speed and avoid using the brakes too often. At the same time, moving through desert-like regions means you should avoid going out in the afternoon and check that your car is not getting overheated.
Bottom line
A trip from New York to Boston isn’t that difficult to parcours, but it has many beautiful stops you have to explore. From Newport to Hartford, you can learn more about the region’s history since museums are plenty, but green spaces are also available to the public, so make sure you take a walk around the parks and enjoy your travels.
