60 days in New Jersey, Delaware & New England Itinerary

Often overshadowed by its legendary neighbor, New York, New Jersey holds its own as a land of thriving industrial cities, sprawling farmland, and lively coastal towns. Called the Garden State, New Jersey is a hub of entertainment and cultural attractions for the east coast, from the famous sandy beaches and carnival-like atmosphere of the Jersey Shore to alluring Atlantic City, the Las Vegas of the east. New Jersey also boasts a wealth of historical places to visit, including battle sites and memorials, such as George Washington's Revolutionary War headquarters.

Nicknamed the "First State" for its role in ratifying the U.S. Constitution, Delaware is only 160 km (100 mi) long and about 80 km (49 mi) wide at its widest point. Despite its small size, the state is a patchwork of complex and diverse communities, with an industrialized north and rural south. More than just a tax-free shopping haven, the state features great sightseeing in its picturesque countryside interspersed with sleepy colonial villages and long sandy beaches. It also offers several organized trail systems that focus on things to do in the outdoors, including history, geocaching, culinary activities, and wine and spirits. Largely because of its size, Delaware remains one of the country's least-explored states.

The easternmost state in New England, Maine features an indented coastline and forested interior, carved eons ago by receding glaciers. Maine includes more lighthouses and quaint resort villages than you could ever hope to explore in a single trip, but the state is also one of the country's most sparsely populated, the majority of its land pristine and uninhabited wilderness. The temperate coastal regions, historically supported by fishing and lobstering, contain most of the state's urban centers and are the most popular spots in the state for holidays. The sea is the focus here, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that water plays an important role in the distinct character of the state, shaping its economy, tourism, cuisine, politics, sports, and art.

Perhaps best known for its renowned private and public universities, Connecticut was once home to the country's first law school and still boasts one of the oldest secondary schools in America. More than just a small state packed with students, Connecticut offers visitors a chance to explore some of New England's finest tourist attractions while on vacation, including lighthouses, beaches, theaters, museums, galleries, and restaurants. Despite its small size, the state also boasts two large casino complexes, both located on Native American reservations. Rich in history and natural beauty, Connecticut draws newcomers from around the world, with large Polish, Chinese, and Hispanic communities.

Despite being the country's smallest state, Rhode Island includes over 640 km (400 mi) of coastline, courtesy of Narragansett Bay and more than 30 islands. Most of the state is part of the U.S. mainland, despite its somewhat misleading name. Though it takes only about 40 minutes to drive across this tiny state, Rhode Island includes more white sandy beaches than most visitors can hope to explore on a single trip. The state's one big city and surrounding small towns brim with places to visit, such as museums, galleries, restaurants, bars, and historical neighborhoods packed with colonial-era buildings. Although the state may seem small, your holiday itinerary is sure to be chock-full.

Known as the "Bay State" because of the three bays dominating its coastline, Massachusetts has played a significant cultural and commercial role through most of the country's history. An increasingly popular vacation destination for foreign travelers, Massachusetts offers numerous places to visit, ranging from historical sites to modern urban centers famous for their culinary, art, and nightlife scenes. With the majority of its population living in and around the city of Boston, in the 20th century Massachusetts went from a state largely dependent on fishing and agriculture to the country's leader in higher education, healthcare, high technology, and financial services. Home to renowned universities and research centers, the state's cities attract a young crowd of students, scientists, artists, and business professionals.

Known for its autumn foliage and maple syrup, Vermont is one of the country's smallest states in terms of both population and geographic area. Despite its small size and mostly rural character, the state boasts many picturesque places to visit, including Lake Champlain, one of the nation's largest freshwater bodies. Split in half by the Green Mountains--a popular holiday destination for hiking and skiing--Vermont features a rolling landscape dotted with farms and quaint towns known for their family-run inns, antique shops, and restaurants. Be sure to explore the state's many wild areas while on vacation, but beware of the so-called "mud season," a period of a few weeks when the state's unpaved roads become undrivable due to spring thaw.