New England's fascinating history, beautiful nature, and family friendly entertainment make it an ideal region for a fall road trip. Along with a wide variety of affordable accommodations, you have many roads to explore.

There is a road trip from Portland, Maine to Mystic, Connecticut. You won't have to miss anything, from the winding trails of the Appalachian Mountains to the beauty of New Hampshire's wild coastline.

Bug light at sunrise in Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine, offers craggy shorelines and secluded beaches © cfwphotography.com / Getty

Portland, Maine

Stay for everything but the lobster. Even though Portland is Maine's largest city, you can still appreciate the craggy shorelines and secluded beaches as well as the preservation of the Old Port district. The Portland Head Light is the oldest lighthouse in the state and is located near the Fort Williams Park, where you can hike, bike, picnic or sit by the beach.

Are you ready for a cultural experience? The Tate House Museum is located in Maine and the Portland Museum of Art is located in Portland.

You can find inventive small plates at Central Provisions and craft cocktails at the Portland Hunt + Alpine Club. The brown butter lobster roll is a must for seafood lovers. The Portland Press Herald used to be located in the same building as the Press Hotel.

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Fall colors on the shoreline of Stratton Brook Pond in the great north woods of Carrabassett Valley, Maine.
Maine's High Peaks Region is stunning at any time of year, but it really shines during the fall © Holcy / iStock / Getty

High Peaks Region, Maine

There is a two hour drive from Portland to Maine's High Peaks Region. You will be amazed by its glaciers and clear rivers. If you want a scenic drive, take some time to tour its scenic byways, such as High Peaks and Grafton Notch, which will give you a quicker way to see the surrounding mountains. Water sports include swimming, kayaking, fly fishing, and pontoon boat rides.

The White Wolf Inn and Restaurant is located in the town of Stratton, which is a great place to get some food and drink. Furry friends can join you on your adventures at the Mountain View Motel. This motel makes up for its lack of amenities with gorgeous views and low room rates.

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Cottages along a small lake in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont.
Bucolic lakes and cottages await you in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom © Denis Tangney Jr / E+ / Getty

Northeast Kingdom, Vermont

This out-of-the-way region of Vermont can be entered on State Route 16. It is located against the Canadian border and the Connecticut river. You can explore over 200 lakes and ponds and appreciate the dense forests and eight state parks if you take up 20% of the land.

Bikers, hikers and backpackers flock to this region to hit the Kingdom Heritage Trail system, which includes the Bluff Mountain Community and Gore Mountain Trail, while other adventure seekers might head to Troy's Big Falls, a waterfall that includes a sheer cliff face.

Kids ski free in March at Burke Mountain, which offers downhill and cross-country skiing with over 200 inches of annual snow.

Country cooking is on the menu at the Peacham Café, located in a former firehouse, while the more seasonal Mike's Tiki Bar offers cocktails and 30 beers on tap under its thatched roof.

The Willoughvale Inn and Cottages is a great place to stay for budget travelers. It's accommodations are named after historical figures and places.

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The general sullivan bridge connects the two landmasses of Portsmouth and Dover. This normally high traffic waterway is relatively empty this evening as the bright lights of an unloading cargo ship reflect off the calm waters of the piscataqua river.
New Hampshire's diminutive coastline packs many surprises © mountinez / iStock / Getty

Seacoast and Portsmouth, New Hampshire

To get to the minuscule coastline of this state, head south on I-93 and left in Manchester.

The Isles of Shoals and Star Islands are part of the region that straddles Maine. The entire region covers 18 miles of the Atlantic Ocean, but you can still enjoy family fun and a white-sand beach atHampton Beach.

Don't want to go too far? The rooms at Ashworth by the Sea run under $150 a night and there are three different restaurants to choose from.

The Strawbery Banke Museum, the American Independence Museum and the Children's Museum of New Hampshire are all within walking distance of the Piscataqua River.

The dining scene is filled with many different types of food. You can choose from a more upscale meal at the Black Trumpet Bistro or a more casual meal at the Ceres Bakery. There is a complimentary continental breakfast at the Hotel Pompey.

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Three rowboats float gently on the quiet waters od Quissett Harboe in Falmouth, Massachusetts, on a Autumn afternoon.
Falmouth, Massachusetts, is sometimes overlooked on a trip to Cape Cod, but it's worth a stop © Kenneth Wiedemann / E+ / Getty

Falmouth, Massachusetts

If you have the time, you can take I-495 to loop around Boston and arrive in Cape Cod.

The author of the tune "America the Beautiful" lived in this official Preserve America community. Over 70 miles of ocean shores, eight distinct villages and the Shining Sea Bike Path can be found in this serene corner of southwest Cape Cod.

You can catch the ferry to Martha's Vineyard and also visit the marine science facilities and aquarium at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute.

The Sea Crest Beach Hotel is a great place to stay if you want to eat seafood and watch the sunset. Admiralty Inn & Suites and The Red Horse Inn both have reasonable room rates.

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A pink and orange sunrise over a rocky shore with a lighthouse in the distance
Even if you've had your fill of lighthouses by now, you can never get enough fiery sunsets © Shobeir Ansari © Moment / Getty

Narragansett, Rhode Island

This quaint and quirky seaside surf destination in Rhode Island has access to smaller state park beaches like Roger Wheeler and Salty Brine. You can watch the boats and local fishers at the beach.

You can either take a surf lesson from Warm Winds Surf Shop or hop on the Block Island Ferry to explore the Point Judith Light, which was built in the 19th century.

There is a monument carved from a Douglas fir tree on Kingstown Road.

Aunt Carrie's is known for its golden fried clam cakes and is a great place to eat seafood in the area. The Anchor Motel is a budget friendly place to stay.

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The picturesque Mystic Seaport, Connecticut
The picturesque Mystic Seaport, Connecticut © Denis Tangney Jr / Getty

Mystic Seaport, Connecticut

A cult-favorite coming-of-age flick was not filmed at its eponymous restaurant in this sweet, seaside hamlet. You won't want to miss the rest of this village if you come in for a slice and a photo.

The historic district straddling the river has something for everyone, including the Bascule Bridge built in 1920.

Sea lions, penguins, and even sharks can be found at the popular Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration, which was recently certified by the American HumaneConservation.

Fresh lobsters, lobster rolls and lobster bisque are available at Ford's Lobster. The Whaler's Inn is comprised of five different buildings and each housing rooms and suites with a nautical themed décor.

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About 3 hours ago, this article was updated.