Appalachian Trail

Boasting 850 miles of recreational trails, the National Forest spans a great deal of the Georgia landscape, with plenty of panoramic views which will inspire your hiking, fishing and picnics. Weather permitting, the conditions are ideal for off-road motorbiking and quad biking and the water’s good for swimming too – or if you’re feeling more adventurous, water-skiing facilities are available.

Suches, GA 30572

http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/conf/home

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History hunters will enjoy a trip to this park, where you can discover a wide range of log buildings that have been preserved for visitors. You’ll find the bulk of them in the west at Cades Cove, and a number of them are on the nation’s ‘Historic Places’ list. Expect great conditions for fishing and hiking too in the UNESCO-listed park’s half a million acres.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States

https://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm

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Learn about life in the 1850s with a trip to a ‘living history farm’. Exchange Place takes great pride in its roots and in teaching others the old ways. It holds regular events to celebrate and preserve the past with demonstrations of traditional crafting and cooking. Its listed buildings are the perfect place to delve into the past.

4812 Orebank Rd, Kingsport, TN 37664

http://www.exchangeplace.info/

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The Museum of Transportation boasts the largest collection of diesel locomotives in the south of the United States. Roanoke was the home of the Norfolk & Western Railway, which built some of the most advanced railway technology of the time. As the museum includes more than 2,500 artefacts within its walls, it promises to be a fun learning experience for anyone who’s interested in how people rode the rails back then.

303 Norfolk Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24016

http://vmt.org/

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Home of the state of Virginia’s first Arts & Cultural district, Harrisonburg offers a variety of museums, arts centres and galleries to peruse. In addition, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest is just a short drive away. The forest has some great hiking trails and plenty of recreational facilities, which means you can fit in a taste of both the city and country in this short stop. (Image credit: Peewee tc)

Court Square, Harrisonburg, VA 22801

http://www.visitharrisonburgva.com/

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Just outside Allentown, PA, you’ll find the home of Steel Force – one of the ten longest roller coasters in the entire United States, and consistently voted among its best. It’s located in Dorney Park among a whole host of other attractions and rides. And with more than 20 water slides in the neighbouring Wildwater Kingdom, the parks are fun for the whole family – whether you want to get your feet wet or your head in the clouds. (Image credit: Coasterman1234)

3830 Dorney Park Rd, Allentown, PA 18104

https://www.dorneypark.com/

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Hidden within sprawling suburbia you’ll find more than 12 square miles of land given over to the wild. The Great Swamp is an important stopping-off point for many varieties of migrating bird, who use the refuge to rest and refuel during their journey south for winter. Among the grasslands and marshes you might also see foxes, otters and deer. And with nine miles of prime hiking trails along the way, it’s a great place to get some fresh air.

New Vernon, NJ 07976

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/great_swamp/

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Bear Mountain State Park is one of the visual highlights of the Appalachian Trail and this zoo, which is dedicated to the native animals of the state, is certain to interest those with a passion for local conservation. In addition, the Geology Museum provides a fascinating insight into the natural makeup of the region, while the History Museum teaches visitors about its settlers.

Seven Lakes Pkwy, Appalachian Trail, Bear Mountain, NY 10911

http://www.trailsidezoo.org/

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Falls Village, also known as Canaan, is sited near the state’s Great Falls, which are used to power the region at the nearby hydro-electric plant. Falls Village was originally settled on what would become the Housatonic Railroad. Its beautiful array of old houses and public buildings – in a variety of stunning architectural styles - are listed as sites of national historic interest due to their valued heritage.

Falls Village, CT 06031

http://www.canaanfallsvillage.org/

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Not only a beautiful old Gothic building in its own right, here is the place where celebrated author Mark Twain wrote his seminal works including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. A guided tour of the house, completed in 1874, will allow you to find out about Twain’s life and work before discovering more of his fascinating story in the accompanying museum tour, which exhibits more of his work and correspondence.

351 Farmington Ave, Hartford, CT 06105

https://www.marktwainhouse.org/

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Take a two-hour diversion away from the Trail to visit one of the best beaches in the northeast. The state park offers charter boats for those who fancy a spot of fishing, while the water’s also great for swimming and there’s even the opportunity to spot a whale or two in this beautiful stretch of coastline.

Beach Rd & State Park Dr, Hampton, VA 23664

https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/hampton-beach-state-park.aspx

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Be sure to stop off here too for the chance of walking Marginal Way – a stunning walk along the cliffs to and from Ogunquit Beach, and to catch a view of the lighthouse. Parking is plentiful and there are changing and shower facilities for anyone who’s looking for a quick dip in the deep blue sea.

Ogunquit, ME 03907

https://visitmaine.com/things-to-do/outdoors-adventure/parks-recreation-areas/ogunquit-beach/

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Before getting back on the Trail we’d be remiss not to recommend Maine’s two cultural hotspots. The Arts District on Congress Street is home to a variety of galleries and museums, while the cobbled streets of the Old Port region are a fun-filled way to spend time among the historic buildings and get a sense for the more traditional roots of Portland.

Congress Street Portland, Maine 04101

http://www.portlandmaine.gov/

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The most remote part of the Appalachian Trail is also considered its finishing point. Here you can choose to head into Baxter State Park for more of the Northeast’s natural wonders, or instead check out the Visitors Centre to find out about the history of the Appalachian Trail. There’s also a great market and café where you can sample the local delicacies.

35 Greenville Road Monson, Maine 04464

http://www.monsonmaine.org/

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