If you go on a road trip in a vehicle like the GMC Acadia seven-seater, you may discover that the journey can be at least as enjoyable as the things you can do at the destination. Having beautiful scenery is essential for a memorable drive. The White Plains area near New York has many scenic drives that make your family trip memorable.
Hudson Valley
Stretching along the Hudson River from Westchester County in the south to Albany in the north, Hudson Valley is the perfect place to take a trip and escape from the noise and crowds that come with city life. Besides the breathtaking views of lakes, mountains, farmlands, and other natural landscapes, there are also plenty of places along the way to stop, take pictures, and enjoy the views.
The first time you'll probably be tempted to park the Acadia for a while and enjoy the scenery is when you cross the Hudson River to get from Poughkeepsie to New Paltz. You'll discover the Walkway Over the Hudson, a 1.28-mile elevated pedestrian bridge that's the longest in the world. Walking halfway across and stopping to enjoy the view on all sides is likely to make memories that will last a lifetime.
After crossing the river and reaching New Paltz, you can take a step back in time by visiting the Mohonk Mountain House, a Victorian-era castle built right on the riverbank. You can make a day of it and go on the hiking trails, row-boat on the nearby glacial lake, or indulge yourself and visit the hotel's spa. Once back on the road, you can continue to soak up the views, with the river on one side and various farms, vineyards, and nature sanctuaries along the way.
Catskill Scenic Route 30
If you're more of a fan of mountain views, you should visit the Catskill Mountains. Besides many opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, biking, and more, they also provide the perfect opportunity for a mountain road trip. The 61-mile road takes you from Hancock to Gand Gorge and passes many villages and other towns along the way, like Walton, Delhi, and Stamford. You'll also discover historical sites, logging, farming, and quarrying locations, old buildings and churches, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the local food and wine.
However, among all these attractions, the most astonishing thing about driving down Route 30 is the natural landscape that surrounds it. You'll be driving along Delaware River's east branch, and everything around you is different depending on the season you're in. This may convince you to take this trip more than once, so you can enjoy the many aspects of the Catskill Mountains' natural surroundings.
Suppose you have time to take a break and enjoy the local attractions, sample some local food. Most restaurants in the area order their produce from local farms, so everything you eat is likely to be fresh, natural, and locally sourced. You can also visit the site where the legendary Woodstock festival took place more than half a century ago and discover a local landscape that pays homage to the art and culture of the 1960s.
Ellenville Northeast Off-Road Adventures
If your idea of a fun road trip involves leaving the safety and comfort of paved roads for a while, you can enjoy driving across 75 acres of rugged mountain terrains. They include everything you'd expect from an off-road course, from large rocks that you have to go over to steep hills and plenty of dirt all around.
Although the GMC Acadia is more than capable of conquering off-road terrains, Northeast Off-Road Adventures can provide you with rental vehicles if you don't want to get yours dirty. They can also teach you the ins and outs of off-road driving, so you can take advantage of their experienced instructors if you have the time.
Adirondack Mountains
If you're willing to venture a little further, Adirondack Mountains will provide an excellent road trip opportunity and plenty of fun things to do once you get there. They're located north of Albany, so you can continue your trip up the Hudson River and then enjoy the views of the Champlain Canal, Lake George, and Lake Champlain. Once you get near the Adirondack Mountains, in the area near Lake Placid, you can take the High Peaks Scenic Byway, New York State's Route 73.
This 30-mile road is the gateway to The Adirondack Park, a vast natural park larger than Everglades, Glacier, The Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone parks combined. It contains around 85 percent of all wilderness areas in the Eastern U.S. Driving down Route 73 will reveal breathtaking views of more than 40 mountain peaks. The over 4,000 feet of elevation means that the whole area offers a diverse mix of wild natural surroundings that change with every season, revealing new aspects with every visit.
Aside from natural beauty, the Adirondack Mountains offer plenty of other opportunities to relax and have fun. The over 4 million travelers coming here each year can enjoy hiking or biking around the area, boarding or canoeing on the lakes, rock climbing, fishing, or simply sightseeing and enjoying the views. Also, inter sports enthusiasts should know that Lake Placid was the home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, which means that you can visit the bobsled, triathlon, ski jumping, and trial luge competition location and enjoy some skiing while you're there.
Going on a road trip with loved ones can be an excellent opportunity to bond and have fun while seeing new places and enjoying new experiences. The areas near White Plains provide many wonderful road trip opportunities, and you can make the most of them by using a vehicle especially designed and equipped for carrying around many passengers in safety and comfort, like the GMC Acadia. If you'd like to check one out and take it for a test drive, visit us at Meadowland GMC.
