If you’ve ever found yourself with a full tank of gas and nowhere to go, taking the time to find the perfect scenic drive is something that’s worth while. Whether you’re looking for a full blown road trip and weekend getaway or simply just want to find a road that’s short but sweet to travel along, the list below will show you some of the best roads in New York that have unforgettable views from your windshield.
1. Adirondack Loj Road
Coming in at just under 5-miles long, the Adirondack Loj read starts off with a view you'll see plenty of cars pulling over to photograph. Giving you a stunning look at some of New York's tallest mountains, at the end of the road you'll find the Adirondack Loj where some of our favorite trailheads can be found.
2. Cherry Valley Turnpike
More commonly referred to as Route 20, the Cherry Valley Turnpike is a historic roadway of New York that we'll never grow tired of traveling down. While Route 20 technically runs straight across our state and can bring you from Albany to Buffalo, it's this particular stretch of the road that's filled with beauty. Bringing you along the rolling hills of the Finger Lakes, you'll go by charming barns, unique attractions and wonderful towns like Cazenovia, Skaneateles and Seneca Falls. There's so much to be seen along this route!
3. River Road
Following along the outskirts of Letchworth State Park and the banks of the Genesee River, River Road is a short but sweet scenic road to go for a drive on. A ten-mile stretch of road out in Livingston County, if you find yourself visiting the local state park and want to take the scenic route home - drive along River Road!
4. Perkins Memorial Drive
Bringing you to the top of Bear Mountain, Perkins Memorial Drive begins just a few minutes off of the Palisades Parkway downstate. A gorgeous drive to take if you're in the area or visiting Bear Mountain State Park, you'll be able to have sweeping views of the Hudson Valley and Hudson River from the top of this road. Like most of our roads that bring you to the top of our beautiful mountains, you'll find that Perkins Memorial Drive is a bit steep and curvy!
5. Route 9
Another route that runs through New York, Route 9 is beautiful to experience when you're driving up along it in the Adirondacks. If you're looking for a particularly scenic part of Route 9, we suggest starting in Lake George and making your way up to Plattsburgh. Along the way you'll pass through towns like Chestertown, Schroon Lake, Elizabethtown and Keeseville!
6. Whiteface Memorial Highway
One of our favorite mountains to drive up,
Whiteface Memorial Highway starts at the base of Whiteface Mountain and takes you nearly all the way up to the top of New York's 5th tallest peak. The epic drive is just 8-miles long, giving you a great amount of elevation in a short distance. Along the way up to the top you'll pass Santa's Workshop and more than a handful of pull-off points where you'll be able to experience some of the most unforgettable overlooks in this region.
7. Route 73
Also known as our High Peaks Scenic Byway, Route 73 takes you right through the middle of some of our tallest mountains. All along the gorgeous route you'll find trailheads on your left and right, as well as gorgeous Adirondack lakes and an abundance of natural beauty. The entire route is roughly 14-miles long and is amazing to experience during any of our seasons.
8. Route 23A
A beautiful route to travel along in Greene County, Route 23A takes you through an amazing area of the Northern Catskills. The route begins just outside of the town of Catskill not far from the Thruway, leading you all the way to Route 23 near Prattsville. While traveling along Route 23A you'll pass by Bastion Falls and the trailhead to Kaaterskill Falls, New York's Painted Village in the Sky - Tannersville and the town of Hunter, where you'll have a beautiful look at Hunter Mountain from the road.
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