Autumn's magical combination of crisp air and changing leaves should bring two words to mind: road trip.
To see some vivid fall colors and enjoy a wide variety of attractions along the way, take a journey through New England this autumn following this AutoWorldNews route.
This trip from New York to Vermont should take roughly 10 hours to drive, according to Google Maps--which of course isn't accounting for the time you'll spend in stops along the way. The fall foliage promises to be the brightest in the most parts of the route during the first two weeks of October, as predicted by the Farmer's Almanac. And the open road? That's all yours.
New York
"Don't you love New York in the fall?" Tom Hanks playing Joe Fox asked Meg Ryan's Kathleen Kelly in 1998's "You've Got Mail."
While Hanks was referring to the city, residents and visitors alike should apply his words to greater New York and the area's delightful fall colors. If you're hankering for some glorious autumn leaves, definitely stop in Adirondack Park just four hours north of New York City as part of your New England road trip.
At 6 million acres of wilderness, Adirondack Park is the biggest publicly protected area in the country and enjoys one of America's longest fall foliage seasons, said a press release.
This year's festivities include historic battle reenactments as well as festivals celebrating everything from art to balloons to moose to cream cheese.
Connecticut
It'll add some time to your drive, but Route 15, also known as Merritt Parkway, has been a favorite route to spy beautiful fall foliage since 1934. The historic highway has been named a National Scenic Byway for its views of New England farm towns and lush greenery.
Travelers who want to take in some history can exit on Highway 35, which is also called High Ridge Road, and turn left onto Route 137 North to get to the Stamford Historical Society and Stamford Museum & Nature Center.
The History Center of Stamford, which covers more than a hundred years of the city's heritage dating back to colonial times, has galleries that are open on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To get your fill of fall leaves, wander some of the Bartlett Arboretum's 91 acres of walking trails, trees, gardens and greenhouses; the grounds are open every day from 9 a.m. to dusk.
Massachusetts
While making your way through Massachusetts, try one of the Mohawk Trail driving tours to take a scenic route that also offers history, art and culture.
The Savoy State Forest option starts at Williams College, which is home to the Chapin Library of Rare Books and the Gothic stained glass of Thompson Memorial Chapel. While this particular road is a detour, seeing historic artifacts in the Williamstown House of Local History, the famous sights of the scenic Mohawk trail and exhibits in Western Gateway Heritage State Park should be well worth it.
After getting back on Route 90, head to Boston for fall fun that ranges from stargazing at the Museum of Science's Gilliland Observatory to shopping in the SoWa Open Market to taking a ghost tour at night.
Vermont
Northfield Falls is home to six historic covered bridges, three of which are within a quarter mile of each other. Charted in 1781, the town of Northfield is home to around 6,000 people today and offers rural charm just 10 miles away from the state capital of Montpelier.
If you haven't gotten enough of New England yet, continuing on Route 302 will take you through the historic Bayley-Hazen Military Road and to the Rock of Ages Visitors Center to see the famous rock quarries in Vermont's hills.
See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?
