As much as I love the thrill of finding new backyard road trips to explore, sometimes I enjoy an old favorite. Whether it’s destinations literally in my own backyard of Plymouth, Massachusetts, in my hometown of Norwich, Connecticut, or farther afield, these are some of the most-visited backyard road trips my family and I keep returning to. From nature preserves to museums, these ideas run the gamut from a quick jaunt to an all-day activity.
One of my favorite things about traveling is discovering someplace I’ve never been before. But there’s another kind of travel I enjoy just as much: going back. Some places become part of your family’s routine. They’re the places you visit when you have a free afternoon, the places you bring friends who are visiting, or the places you find yourself returning to every year. That’s really what Backyard Road Trips is all about. These are six destinations my family and I keep coming back to. Some are practically in my backyard. Others are several hours away. Some are places we’ve visited dozens of times; others have become annual traditions. These are not necessarily the six “best” road trips I’ve ever taken. They’re simply six places that have earned a permanent spot in our rotation.
Plymouth– Sometimes the Best Road Trip is in Your Own Backyard
Sometimes the best kind of travel is exploring your own backyard. For me, this is exploring Plymouth, Massachusetts. Whether it’s the town’s waterfront views, its vibrant history, seasonal activities, or favorite restaurants and ice cream shops, there’s so much I love doing in Plymouth. The funny thing about calling something a “backyard road trip” is that sometimes you don’t have to get in the car at all.
Plymouth has so many memorable attractions. One of them is the iconic Bramhall’s Country Store. This place is just so cool. It is a country store located in the quaint Chiltonville section of Plymouth. Open seasonally, the walk-up window serves ice cream, tacos, and lobster rolls, pretty much all one needs for a balanced diet. They also sell seasonal produce, including corn, pumpkins, and other veggies. It is open seasonally from late spring through the fall.
Another one of my favorite aspects of the town is its expansive waterfront. Although I see it daily, it still excites me to walk by all of the historic sites and seaside views.
South Shore: A Perfect Family Escape at Willow Brook Farm
One of the most visited backyard road trips on the South Shore outside of Plymouth that my family enjoys is an adventure at Willow Brook Farm in Pembroke. A property managed by the Wildlands Trust, this is a perfect hike for little legs. The preserve consists of two loop hikes that both have their own merits. One has a larger number of boardwalks to explore, while the other’s highlight is the climbable fire tower. A bonus is the little library. It’s pretty magical to give and receive a book while hiking in the woods. Venture here any time of the year. We typically go a few times a year.
Much to my chagrin, a hike in the woods is often not my kids’ favorite activity. We keep coming back to Willow Brook Farm for the reasons that this walk is pleasing to all of us. It gets me into my beloved woods while keeping the children entertained with a little library, fire tower, and boardwalks, all on a property that is doable for even the little ones.
Norwich, CT: Going Back to Where I Grew Up
When I go back home to Norwich, there is so much that I like to do. I grew up across the street from Lowthorpe Meadows and the Old Burying Ground. As a kid, I could disappear into this place for hours. Now I get to watch my own kids explore the same paths. The grounds of the Samuel Huntington Estate include cool features such as marble lions and bridges over streams. The meadow has trails crisscrossing through it, and the burial ground is a tangible walk through Revolutionary War-era Connecticut. Journey here any time in any season, as I go at least once every few months.
Stowe, Vermont: The Road Trip That Started It All
Fun fact: The Stowe Rec Path was the first Backyard Road Trip on this website! As much as we like to adventure to novel destinations, one of the most visited backyard road trips is to Stowe, Vermont. The rec path is the coolest trail of this kind around. Spanning the west branch of the Little River, wooden bridges cross back and forth over this freshwater stream. Situated at the base of the mountains, another great feature for kids is that the path is flat and paved. It is perfect for walking, jogging, or biking. My suggestion for the best time to visit would be late spring through late fall.
A dinner destination for the whole family in Stowe has to be the Von Trapp Bierhall. Feast on a bit of the old country with pretzels, sausages, and schnitzel galore while sipping on this brewery’s famous lagers. The food is authentic, the views are stunning, and the vibe is jovial (and no one cares too much if one of the kids decides to be loud). Dine outside or in; either way, it’s a treat. This is owned by the Trapp Family, of The Sound of Music fame, who also operate their namesake lodge just down the road.
We keep heading back to Stowe often, two or three times a year, to walk on the beloved Rec Path, enjoy the mountain views, enjoy many family-friendly activities, and head to favorite restaurants and breweries such as the Von Trapp Bierhall and The Alchemist. No matter the season, Stowe is a fantastic destination.
White Mountains: Our Annual Escape
As much as I’m a Green Mountains guy, the White Mountains have as strong an allure. Although tackling a 4000 footer is out of the question with my little guys, outdoor activities are still in the cards. Here are a few of my favorite things to do in the White Mountains for any age:
The Drive: Everyone knows the Kancamagus Highway; try Route 302 through Crawford Notch with just as awe-inspiring a drive.
The Easy Hike: Scaling the Whites not in the cards? Try easy, pretty walks, like around the site of the Willey family home or the spectacular Basin.
The Food and Drink Stop: Check out Schilling Beer Company located in Littleton, New Hampshire. Schilling makes excellent beer. Their brewery area is sprawling, with a restaurant, taproom, and outdoor dining, all in the same complex, which looks over the Ammonoosuc River. Try a salad, a pizza, and a flight of beer.
The Little Extra: After eating at Schilling, take a walk over the classic New England covered bridge just next to the brewery.
Philadelphia: When Your Backyard Gets a Little Bigger
The furthest destination in our most visited backyard road trips has become a new favorite, and it’s Philadelphia! Unlike the trips to rural northern New England, Philly is certainly the opposite. Unlike New York, though (and even Boston, for that matter), the City of Brotherly Love is relatively easy to drive in and out of. It’s become my son Danny’s number one most visited backyard road trip. Among his favorites is the Franklin Institute, the city’s science museum. Located in a stately building, exhibits here include a journey through a gigantic model human heart, a planetarium, and a sports exhibit. This is a fun year-round destination.
Another Philly-area must for kids is Sesame Place. This is a fun amusement park that is aimed at younger visitors with its Muppet-based characters. The rides though are still fun for older kids as well. They range from kiddie rides to roller coasters to water rides. It is located in Langhorne, about 45 minutes north of downtown Philly. Try this in the warmer weather for the water rides.
While you’re in Philadelphia, you MUST grab at least one meal at the Reading Terminal Market. My choice for you: Miller’s Twist soft pretzels. Sure, this city is a foodie town known for its cheesesteaks and hoagies, but for me, it’s the pretzels. Philly draws us back annually. Whether for the Philly food at places like the Reading Terminal Market, museums including the Franklin Institute and the Please Touch Museum, or exploring out-of-town attractions such as Sesame Place or Bucks County, this is a backyard road trip destination with so much to uncover!
Most Visited Backyard Road Trips
There’s a temptation when writing about travel to always chase the next place. The next town. The next hike. The next hidden gem. But some of the best road trips are the ones you don’t have to discover anymore. You already know where to park. You know the trail that the kids like. You know which restaurant everyone will agree on. You know the best ice cream stop. You know the scenic road that’s worth taking even when it adds twenty minutes to the drive. These places become part of your family’s story. That’s what these destinations have become for us. And maybe that’s the real idea behind a Backyard Road Trip: you don’t have to go somewhere new to have an adventure. Sometimes you just have to go back!
