Millennium Magazine_3rdEd

Five Fantastic Fall Road Trips If you're traveling within the United States, autumn is a great time to hit the road, with many destinations experiencing milder weather and fewer crowds than in the summer. Whether you want to go "leaf peeping" in New England or tour the historic cities of the South, the following road trips offer a variety of opportunities for fun and adventure. 1. Boston to Burlington, Vermont – Rural New England’s scenery is at its most dramatic during the fall foliage season. This 3.5-hour journey, via Interstates 93 and 89, begins in dynamic Boston, passes through tranquil countryside, and ends in Burlington, a lively college town set in the hills next toLakeChamplain. There are plenty of intriguingpit stops along theway, fromthe enigmatic Mystery Hill in southern New Hampshire to Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory in Vermont. Go canoeing on Lake Champlain, or take in a concert at one of the city’s many live music venues. 2. Las Vegas to Zion National Park – This trip combines the 24/7 excitement of Las Vegas with the red-rock beauty of the desert. When you’re ready for some nature, drive north on Interstate 15 for the 2.5-hour journey to Zion. Immerse yourself in the park’s majestic grandeur with a hike along the Virgin River or to a hidden slot canyon. Fall is an ideal time to visit both Las Vegas and Zion, as you’ll avoid the extreme summer heat in both destinations as well as the adverse winter weather conditions that Zion can sometimes experience. 3. Los Angeles to San Francisco – The drive along the California coast between Los Angeles and San Francisco is one of America’s classic road trips. This scenic, 8-hour route follows Highways 1 and 101. Allow at least 2 or 3 days for this trip so you can visit the many noteworthy destinations along the way. A fewhighlights are the historicmission city of Santa Barbara, the Danish-themed town of Solvang, opulent Hearst Castle, secluded beaches with an end-of-the-world feeling, and the beautiful Big Sur coast. 4. Seattle to Leavenworth, Washington – Escape the big-city bustle of Seattle, and head out on U.S. Highway 2 for a drive through the Cascade Mountains, enjoying spectacular fall foliage and beautiful alpine scenery. The journey to Leavenworth, a Bavarian-themed resort town, takes 2.5 hours by car. Wander the streets of the quaint downtown area, dine on Bavarian food, or pick up a souvenir suchas ahandcraftedcuckooclockor nutcracker. Time your visit forOktoberfest, or get ready for an outdoor adventure. Whether you’re into hiking, fishing, mountain biking, camping, golfing, horseback riding or rock climbing, you’ll find great opportunities for it in Leavenworth. 5. Charleston, South Carolina to Savannah, Georgia – You’ll experience history, great cuisine, Southern hospitality, and somuchmore on this journey between twoof theSouth’smost famous cities. InCharleston, you can tour grand antebellummansions and visit historic Fort Sumter. After a day or two in Charleston, drive two hours to Savannah via U.S. Highway 17 and South Carolina Route 170, passing through a classic low country landscape of marshes and oak trees. If time allows, stop in the charming city of Beaufort for lunch and a stroll down Bay Street in the center of town. Or, make a detour to a nearby island such as Kiawah, Edisto or Hilton Head. Atmospheric Savannah, Georgia’s oldest city, is a great place to explore on foot.