When the phrase “New England” comes to mind, images that are conjured up include small villages, beachside scenes, or woodland rambles. For these favorite Southern New England routes, we’ll be venturing to locations that fit all of these descriptions. We’ll be backyard road-tripping to Cape Cod, Massachusetts’ South Shore, west of Boston, and Southeastern Connecticut for five unforgettable drives. Varying in length, these can be a quick trip or an afternoon excursion.
Route 169 from Lisbon to Woodstock, CT
Route 169 is THE quintessential New England road. Ironically, it is not found among the Green Mountains of Vermont or in the bucolic Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts. Instead, this National Scenic Byway bisects the Quiet Corner of Connecticut. This road meanders its way among picturesque colonial villages, and past farmland and is best enjoyed when the autumn colors are alive and dancing. The ride begins in the small town of Lisbon and ends close to the Massachusetts border in Woodstock.
Although Route 169 begins in Norwich, the best starting point would be the intersection of Routes 138 and 169 in the center of Lisbon. At this intersection, begin on Route 169 and simply go north. The majesty of the road begins to unveil itself to the unsuspecting driver in Lisbon. Behind every turn, one beholds another glimpse at the foliage of the Quiet Corner. The sign which greets visitors to the town of Canterbury will soon appear. Look for old cemeteries, colonial architecture, and blazing foliage on the ride through these towns. Canterbury’s most well-known attraction is the Prudence Crandall House and Museum. Brooklyn is the next town located on the route, known for the annual Brooklyn Fair.
Woodstock and Pomfret
The final two towns en route are autumn at their utmost in terms of their picturesque quality and their unmistakable New England charm: Pomfret and Woodstock. Woodstock is an autumnal playground for all senses; pick apples, shop for antiques, or grab lunch at a cafe.
This region has much to offer, as Route 169 is only a sampling of its attractions. The fall is New England at its finest. Make sure to get out there and enjoy it, and Route 169 is the perfect place to start! Hopefully, on this trip, you have witnessed the region’s glorious foliage and enjoyed a perfect rambling country afternoon.
Atlantic Avenue and Jerusalem Road – Cohasset, MA
Cohasset was known as a popular summer resort, and the lavish homes on these roads are a testament to this. Although the Black Rock House Hotel is long gone, these exquisitely designed mansions are a mix of the old and the new. These roads that hug the rocky coastline afford sweeping vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and border some of the most prime real estate on the South Shore. Follow Atlantic Avenue (in Hull) from its intersection with Nantasket Avenue in Hull. Hull’s Atlantic Avenue turns into Forest Avenue in Cohasset, take a quick left onto Jerusalem where it merges into Atlantic Avenue (this time in Cohasset) near Kimball’s Point. Follow this road until it meets Margin Street and ends at Cohasset Harbor. This route is highly recommended any time of the year.
Route 228 – Hingham, MA
The length of Route 228, from Queen Anne’s Corner into the heart of town and along downtown streets such as North, South, and Central Streets, is lined with immaculately maintained original homes. Hingham boasts roughly 200 impeccably preserved antique homes. After Eleanor Roosevelt visited Hingham, she proclaimed it as the “most beautiful town in America.” Since many Hingham families remained in town, with homes being passed down from one generation to the next, strict building laws were instituted to dissuade development. Since the town never faced a period of steep decline due to the ebb and flow of industry, its historic character has been preserved into the twenty-first century. Unlike other antiquated towns, be it Deerfield, Massachusetts, or Wethersfield, Connecticut, Hingham’s homes are fully occupied and are not museums with period furnishings.
Route 117 from Weston to Stow, MA
Route 117 originates in Waltham but begins a country(ish) drive in bucolic Weston. The “ish” stems from the fact that this is Metro Boston so there’s bound to be traffic. There’s also bound to be beauty in towns like Lincoln, Sudbury, and Bolton. They sparkle in the autumn sun with an array of oranges, reds, and yellows of its tree-lined streets. Along the way, grab a bite to eat, pick an apple or two, stop at a pumpkin patch, or hike in a preserve. Even though I’m stressing autumn, this drive is gorgeous all seasons of the year.
Route 6A from Bourne to Orleans, MA
When Patti Page sings of “quaint little villages” and “winding roads” in her 1957 hit song, Old Cape Cod, she must have been referring to The Old King’s Highway, better known as Route 6A. It travels the northern coast of the Cape with iconic images of white colonial houses, hydrangea bushes, and charming town centers. A road serves two purposes: typically its sole function is as a mechanism for travel from one place to another; less frequently, the road is also the destination. Route 6A is an example of the latter. Sure, there are numerous sightseeing stops, restaurants, inns, and attractions, but taken as a whole, this road becomes one entity with many parts.
Route 6A begins in Bourne. It winds its way through the scenic towns of Sandwich, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Brewster, and into Orleans. For the full Cape experience, spend a night in one of the many inns located along this route. Being the Cape, the ocean is never far. All of these towns have gorgeous beaches and water views not far off the main road.
From beach scenes to country drives, these favorite southern New England routes showcase what natural beauty this region has to offer.
