The Best Things to do on a Road Trip from Barre City, Vermont and Charlotte, Michigan

The picturesque small towns of Barre City, Vermont and Charlotte, Michigan are connected by a road trip spanning over 800 miles. The journey presents a perfect opportunity to experience some of the most scenic spots in the American Northeast while delighting in the best outdoor recreation facilities in the region.

A halfway point between Barre City, Vermont, and Charlotte, Michigan, Port Hope, ON, may be but a small hamlet situated on the shores of Lake Huron, but it boasts a stunning lighthouse and natural wonder in the form of its famous Nine Mile Point caves. As travelers head south to Michigan city, unforgettable memories await, with a plethora of places to explore and activities to keep the adventure spirits high.

The Top 5 Things to do on the Road Trip

1. Visit the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

No trip to Michigan is complete without visiting the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. With miles of towering sand dunes, visitors can traverse a seemingly endless landscape of pristine white sand beaches, forests, and crystal-clear lakes. Aside from hiking and sightseeing, visitors can also indulge in recreational activities like fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. An interesting fact about Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is that, according to the legend, some Native Americans believe that the dunes were formed from the mountains created when a mother bear and her cubs swam across Lake Michigan, and the cubs could not handle the distance.

2. Visit the Vermont History Museum

For history buffs, the Vermont History Museum is a must-see attraction in Barre City. The museum offers a wide range of exhibits depicting the history of Vermont from its Pre-Columbian roots, through its colonial past, and right up to present-day Vermont. A self-guided tour takes visitors through the various exhibits, including displays of impressive paintings and artifacts that offer a look into the state's past. An interesting fact about the Vermont History Museum is that it is the first building in the United States to be built exclusively for the purpose of housing a state's historical collection.

3. Discover the beauty of the White Mountains

Featuring some of the most stunning landscapes in the Northeast, the White Mountains of New Hampshire are home to attractions like Franconia Notch State Park, the Flume Gorge, and the Cannon Mountain Tramway. Visitors can explore forests, streams, waterfalls, and gorges, and depending on the time of year, even enjoy skiing, snowboarding, or hiking. An interesting fact about the White Mountains is that Mount Washington, the highest mountain in the northeast, holds the record for the highest surface wind speed observed by means of an anemometer, having recorded a gust of 231 mph.

4. Visit Mackinac Island

Visitors to Michigan should not miss the chance to discover Mackinac Island. Its colorful storefronts, historic sites, art galleries, and stunning harbors make it one of the top tourist destinations in Michigan. Take a bike ride through the island's roads, walk through breathtaking valleys, indulge in water activities like paddleboarding and kayaking, or climb up to the island's famous lighthouse for a panoramic view of the island. An interesting fact about Mackinac Island is that the island is only accessible by ferry, private plane, or during the winter, by snowmobile.

5. Experience the scenic beauty of the Adirondacks

The Adirondacks are the perfect destination for adventure lovers. With a wide range of outdoor activities from hiking, skiing, and cycling to white water rafting, rock climbing, and boating - the Adirondacks have it all. It is no surprise that the Adirondacks region is home to New York State's second-largest tourist destination, Lake Placid, having played host to the Winter Olympics twice in past years. An interesting fact about the Adirondacks is that it is home to more than 40 mountains that exceed 4,000 feet in height.

Conclusion

Embarking on a road trip from Barre City, Vermont, to Charlotte, Michigan, presents an excellent opportunity to connect with the best that the Northeast has to offer. Visitors have access to a wide range of exploratory options from scenic drives through the lush, natural forests of Vermont to wind-swept dunes of Sleeping Bear Dune National Lakeshore in Michigan. The trip from Barre City to Charlotte takes approximately 14 hours, but with so many natural wonders and things to see along the way, it is time well spent.