Peeping in Connecticut and Rhode Island

Historic Route 169, Connecticut
While picturesque, this route is best for the history buff. Bring along passengers who also enjoy exploring historical sites.

Stop in Canterbury for a visit to the Prudence Crandall Museum. Continue on to Brooklyn for a stop at the Brooklyn Green, a site on the National Register of Historic Places. Next, don't miss the Friendship Valley Inn, a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Take a recess from the history lesson in Pomfret with a visit to the Lapsley Orchard for apple picking, and end your break at the Sharpe Hill Vineyard and Winery. Once you make it to Woodstock, don't miss the Roseland Cottage (also known as the Pink House).

Find your way: Our route runs through the "Quiet Corner" of rural northeastern Connecticut. Begin on Route 169 in Lisbon and continue toward Woodstock.

Photo courtesy bwilhelms, stock.xchng The turning leaves of Connecticut are reflected in water.

Blackstone River Valley, Rhode Island
Close your eyes and think of a country road with farms and apple orchards. Although this route requires you to take your eyes from the scenery to follow your map, the Glocester Loop through the Blackstone River Valley takes you along roads that rival those in your imagination, filled with historic homes and mills (Blackstone River Valley is the birthplace of America's Industrial Revolution). Don't miss the Great Road Historic District in Lincoln, where you'll feel you've gone back to the early nineteenth century.

Find your way: The Glocester Loop takes you on a loop beginning and ending on I-295. Take Exit 7 off I-295 and travel west on Route 44. Pass through the town of Chepachet and continue to the village of West Glocester. Once there, turn onto Route 94 S and continue your drive through North Foster. Route 94 ends at its intersection with Route 14, where you will turn left. Take Route 14 through Scituate. Turn left onto Route 116 and travel north. At Route 44 turn right and return to I-295.