The ultimate interstate: intriguing towns and attractions beckon motorists traveling the East Coast on I-95 - Tour Of The Month

Travel America, Nov-Dec, 2002 by Alice Ross

Stretching more than 1,900 miles from Maine to Florida, one of the nation's most traveled arteries is I-95. The interstate leads vacationers to countless interesting destinations, but a lengthy journey can become boring. Relieve the monotony by visiting any of the numerous attractions within a half hour's drive of the highway. The following suggestions can make the trip more enjoyable.

I-95 is a virtual road to shopper's paradise with factory outlet malls nearby. In Maine, an extra added attraction in Freeport's many outlets is L.L. Bean, which is open 24 hours a day, every day. In the vicinity is a natural phenomenon--40 acres of sand dunes known as the Desert of Maine. Ogunquit's picturesque Perkins Cove features a unique draw-footbridge, and Kennebunkport's Seashore Trolley Museum makes for a fun visit. Scenic Ocean Avenue offers a view of the Kennebunkport estate of former President George Bush.

New Hampshire's 17 miles of interstate includes several attractions. Learn how they make ales in Portsmouth's Redhook Brewery and explore the past in historic houses at the Strawbery Banke Museum, guided by costumed role-players. Exeter's American Independence Museum looks at two centuries of the town's families, merchants, slaves, and shipbuilders, and their roles in the American Revolution.

Enjoy a bewitching escape to Salem, Massachusetts, at the Salem Witch Museum and other sites related to the witch trials. Visit novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne's birthplace, the House of the Seven Gables. Lexington, home of the "shot heard round the world," features a monument on the Battle Green paying tribute to Minutemen; Concord Museum exhibits Paul Revere's signal lantern and Thoreau's belongings from Walden Pond. He, Emerson, the Alcotts, and other notables are buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Lincoln's DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park is a free outdoor park with modern and contemporary works.

Rhode Island is small but interesting. The Rhode Island State House, whose beauty led to Providence becoming the state's capital, boasts the world's second-largest unsupported marble dome. The Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art features a collection of objects from around the world, including paintings dating to the Middle Ages. More than 1,000 animals inhabit the Roger Williams Park Zoo, considered one of the country's best.

Connecticut offers outstanding adventures. Mystic Seaport is renowned for its 19th century village area with buildings and ships. Mystic Aquarium has 3,500 specimens from the world's oceans. Check out the Old Lighthouse Museum in charming Stonington, or try your luck at nearby Mohegan Sun or Foxwoods casinos. Tour the first nuclear-powered submarine and learn all about subs at Groton's Historic Ship Nautilus & Submarine Force Museum; see Fort Griswold, the remains of a Revolutionary War fort. Circus fans flip over Bridgeport's Barnum Museum, with exhibits relating to the career of showman P.T. Barnum.

Known for its skyscrapers, New York also boasts dazzling natural beauties in the New York Botanical Garden. The 250-acre site has 27 specialized gardens, and the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory is considered one of the city's great attractions. Rare and exotic animals reside in naturalistic habitats at the Bronx Zoo. The largest U.S. urban zoo features 600 species, with everything from anacondas to zebras.

Brighten your day in Edison, New Jersey, visiting Edison National Historic Site, featuring the inventor's laboratories and the first motion picture studio. Historic Burlington City has numerous attractions relating to its many famous visitors and residents, including the James Fenimore Cooper House, displaying the author's artifacts and furnishings. Cherry Hill's Barclay Farmstead offers a living history program geared to 1816, and the Garden State Discovery Museum with interactive exhibits is a definite kid pleaser.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has a plethora of attractions. Penn's Landing riverfront park includes a tall ship. In Christ Church, plaques mark pews of well-known patriots who attended, such as George Washington. The Betsy Ross House is where the legendary seamstress reputedly sewed our first flag; Independence National Historical Park safeguards the Liberty Bell. In Media, the Franklin Mint Museum features examples of its high-quality collectibles. Valley Forge plans patriotic salutes while it celebrates its 225th Anniversary of the Struggle for Philadelphia.

Delaware's portion of I-95 slices through Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley, home to Winterthur Museum Garden & Library. The American treasure has an extensive collection of decorative arts from 1640-1680. The Hagley Museum and Library offers a glimpse into 19th century life. The Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard and Museum commemorates the first settlement.

Maryland's Aberdeen mesmerizes military buffs at the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum with its collection of artillery, arms, and combat vehicles. Baseball fans explore the life and career of Baltimore Orioles "Ironman" Cal Ripken, Jr. at the Ripken Museum. The Baltimore Maritime Museum and National Aquarium add to the delight at Inner Harbor, a waterside wonderland with shopping, eateries, entertainment, and historic ships to explore.