The 10 Most Beautiful Places in the Northeast

While man-made bridges, castles and gardens can be beautiful, there’s nothing quite like marveling at nature. From lush forests and flowing waterfalls to hike-worthy mountains and glimmering lakes, you will find breathtaking natural wonders in our corner of the country. Here are our picks for 10 of the most beautiful places in the Northeast.

Note: Due to the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, please see official websites before visiting to check for restrictions or closures.

The Most Beautiful Places in the Northeast

Connecticut

Enders State Forest

Enders State Forest in Granby, Conn. covers 1,500 acres of woodlands and is home to Enders Falls. Fed by Enders Brook, the falls feature cascades, horsetails, plunges and slides — the tallest of which features a 30-foot drop. Visiting Enders State Forest anytime between April and November will result in gorgeous views.

Some honorable mentions with their own stunning waterfalls are Campbell Falls State Park, Kent Falls State Park and Wadsworth Falls State Park.

Massachusetts

Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail

Located in Wellfleet, Mass., this 1.2-mile trail takes visitors through a striking oak and pine forest that looks like it could be straight out of a movie. A boardwalk leads through wetter areas of the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp, where you’ll find a lush wonderland.

Bartholomew’s Cobble

Explore five miles of trails while viewing the fields, forests and rocky knolls of Bartholomew’s Cobble in Sheffield, Mass. With woodland flowers blooming in the spring and colorful foliage in the fall, this spot is truly one of the most beautiful places in the Northeast. It also has the greatest diversity of fern species in North America and one of the biggest Cottonwood trees in the state.

New Hampshire

The Lakes Region

Located toward the center of the state, the Lakes Region is home to the Squam Lakes and the largest lake in New Hampshire, Lake Winnipesaukee. Make the surrounding White Mountains a picturesque backdrop or explore the hiking trails around the Lakes Region area for some breathtaking views of the water from up above.

Mount Monadnock

Located in southern New Hampshire, this 3,165-foot tall mount is surrounded by Monadnock State Park’s thousands of acres of lush forest. The area is great for camping, hiking and photographing foliage, rock structures and – once you reach a high enough spot – amazing panoramic views.

AAA members can save on their next outdoor excursion with discounts on Hertz car rentals, AAA Tickets and AAA Power Sports.

New Jersey

The Paterson Great Falls

Fed by the Passaic River, the Great Falls are a 77-foot high waterway located in Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. Surrounded by protected land, the falls are a sight to behold, being one of the largest waterfalls in the entire U.S.

Ramapo Valley County Reservation

Wander the trails of the Ramapo Valley County Reservation, located in Mahwah, N.J., to discover a pond, reservoir, waterfall and other scenic views. This 4,000-acre park also allows access to the Ramapo River for canoe, kayak and raft owners.

New York

The Adirondacks

If you are planning a trip to upstate New York, you can’t miss the Adirondack Mountains and Adirondack Park. The area covers roughly 5,000 square miles, including some incredibly scenic spots, like Mount Arab, Mount Haystack, Kane Mountain, Hanging Spear Falls, Lake Placid and so much more. The Adirondacks are perfect for hiking, bird watching, nature photography and paddling across the area’s 3,000 lakes and ponds.

The Catskills

You’ll find many of the most beautiful places in the Northeast in the Catskills, including the Catskills Scenic Trail, Kaaterskill Falls and Panther Mountain Trail. The latter features eight scenic lookout spots and five ledges, including the Giant Ledge, which boasts amazing views.

Honorable mentions for some other picturesque waterfalls can be found at Chittenango Falls State Park, Letchworth State Park, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Taughannock Falls State Park and Watkins Glen State Park.

Rhode Island

Block Island Beach and Mohegan Bluffs

Located off the coast of Rhode Island, Block Island features gorgeous beaches and the Mohegan Bluffs. The pale, sandy beach and 200-foot tall bluffs are sights to behold. Make the climb to the top of these clay cliffs for some amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean.

What do you think are the most beautiful places in the Northeast? Tell us in the comments.