Best Things to Do on a Road Trip from Brick Township, NJ to Andover, Maine
Are you planning a road trip from Brick Township, New Jersey to Andover, Maine? Look no further for the best places to stop and enjoy the sights along the way. This journey spans roughly 460 miles, taking approximately 8 hours to complete. Highways 95 and 295 connect these two cities, providing a scenic drive through Southern New England. Along the route, you'll find various tourist attractions and natural landmarks.
The halfway point of this route is the town of Sutton, Massachusetts. It's a great place to stretch your legs and take a break from driving.
1. Visit the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut
One ought to stop by the Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut. As one of the nation's leading aquariums, Mystic is home to over 3000 marine creatures. Stroll through an indoor forest and explore the habitats of whales, sea lions, and penguins. The aquarium's outdoor area features a sea lion show, and visitors can learn about the facility's conservation efforts.
Interesting fact: Mystic Aquarium has conducted groundbreaking research on beluga whales, leading to audio-visual communication with them.
2. Explore Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut
Yale University is the world-renowned research university situated in Connecticut's New Haven region, home to the second-largest student population in Connecticut. Visitors flock to the school, strolling across the prestigious campus and admiring the splendid architecture of the historical university. The university offers guided tours, highlighting the school's history and academic achievements.
Interesting fact: Yale graduates include presidents, politicians, Supreme Court Justices, and Nobel laureates.
3. Enjoy Newport Mansions in Newport, Rhode Island
The well-known Newport Mansions are must-see landmarks in the state of Rhode Island. These Gilded Age villas along Newport's rocky coastline exhibit the artistry and extravagance of the 19th-century American elite. Tourists can take guided narrated tours of the mansions, admiring the gardens, furniture, and art collections.
Interesting fact: Bellevue Avenue in Newport, once called "Millionaire's Row," once boasted 70 opulent homes, including the Vanderbilt Mansion.
4. Hike Mount Agamenticus in York, Maine
Mount Agamenticus rises 692 feet above sea level in southern York county in Maine. It provides stunning vistas of the nearby ocean and rocky coastline. Visitors can hike to the summit, which has paved trails, and enjoy breathtaking views of the region's natural beauty. Bird watchers frequent the Mount Agamenticus Wildlife Management Area in search of nesting birds.
Interesting fact: The name "Agamenticus" comes from the local Native American tribe, which called the place "the other side of the hill."
5. Lighthouses in Portland, Maine
A trip to Maine would be incomplete without visiting the iconic Portland lighthouses. A visit to Cape Elizabeth's Two Lights State Park yields both Portland Head Lighthouse and Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse. The Portland Head lighthouse, near downtown Portland, is one of Maine's most beautiful lighthouses situated atop a jutting shoreline with the stirring Atlantic waves beneath it.
Interesting fact: A tower at Portland Head Lighthouse, constructed in 1791, is the in-service lighthouse in Maine and one of the oldest operating lights in America.
Journey's End
After driving 460 miles through gorgeous Southern New England, the journey from Brick Township, New Jersey to Andover, Maine draws to a close. If you stop and enjoy the Mystic Aquarium, explore the iconic Yale University, visit Newport Mansions, hike Mount Agamenticus, and check out Portland's Lighthouses, you'll take away plenty of memories you'll cherish for years to come. Finally, after approximately 8 hours of driving, the route leads to the town of Andover, Maine, with its scenic natural beauty and unique cultural experiences.