The Connecticut River Byway gives visitors a chance to follow one of America’s most gorgeous rivers up the great state of Vermont. This road was designated as a National Scenic Byway for both its scenic and historic qualities that it has as it goes up the State. With the Green Mountains of Vermont on one side, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire on the other, this Byway is a natural beauty, and it is able to capture everything around it. This river played a huge in the creation and rise of all the towns and commerce located along the Byway, so there is plenty of rich history that can be found as well.
When it comes to scenery that can be found along the Connecticut River Byway, there is no shortage of breathtaking views. The Green Mountain National Forest and the Appalachian Trail can be found 20 minutes west of the Byway at most points, and those are some of the most iconic locations in the country. With recreation and outdoor activities galore, these areas offer visitors a wonderful experience if they want to take a stop while driving the Byway. Besides that, the Connecticut River itself offers plenty of opportunity for visitors to experience the sheer power and grace of this beautiful river. There are rafting, fishing, and many other activities available throughout the river and road. In the wintertime, there are ski resorts galore in this area which are some of the best in the entire nation. No matter the season, the views from your car alone are absolutely gorgeous and are hard to beat.
The history of this area is hard to avoid either, as it is located at just about every point along the Byway. This river has provided so many opportunities for farmers, traders, and many other people in the past and is a main reason for its success. Historical sites like Fort No. 4, the Rockingham Meeting House, Billings Farm and Museum, and much more can all be found along the Byway and are key to the history of the area. You don’t even need to stop at these sites (although you should) to experience the history of the area, as throughout the byway you can see some of the farms and the architecture that has lasted generations and is woven into the fabric of Vermont.
There are so many different activities and sites that can be experienced along the Byway, which makes this trip so worth it. The views from your car alone should be enough to entice anybody to take the trip, and all of the other excursions available are an added bonus. Come take the trip for a couple of days and enjoy everything that the Connecticut River has to offer!