Bottom tier of Enders Falls
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 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” by treegrow is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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, MA” by angela n. is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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
“Lake Winnipesaukee from Mount Major, New Hampshire” by rjshade is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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.
“Mt Monadnock” by sayamindu is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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
“Paterson Great Falls NJ” by Adam J Skowronski is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0
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 Reservation” by Billtacular is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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
“Lake Placid – New York ~ Adirondack Mountains ~ Historical” by Onasill ~ Bill is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
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.
“NY – Catskill Mountains: Kaaterskill Falls” by wallyg is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
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 & Bluffs HDR” by ReefTECK is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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.
Finger Lakes area of NY with beautiful waterfalls, glens and gorges as well as the lakes.
I agree.
I love the Quechee/Woodstock area of Vermont. It blends mountains and lakes and extraordinary crafts and cuisine.
Rt 15 NY N along Lake Seneca is certainly beautiful but a tiny resevior in Central Vermont surrounded by the Green Mts, The Chittenden Resevoir with veiws of Pico Peak
I think you missed the most beautiful state …Vermont. Or maybe you, like most of us living here, want to keep it secret.
I agree
The Basin in Lincoln, NH and the several waterfalls of Franconia, NH