Lazy J Loc: Pacific Northwest

I will be making this drive soon and have never been to this part of the country. Looking for "must stop/see' location suggestions. I will of course have limited time as this is a 4-hour drive, so please only "must see' suggestions assuming this will be the only time I make this drive. Suggestions appreciated! Thanks!

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I've always thought the waterfront in New Haven would be interesting in the pre-dawn, never stopped as we go by but it looks interesting from RT95, we usually get onto Rt91 there to head to Maine, Bob.

LJLRenner

If you are in to sailing pics, etc., you might want to make a quick stop at Mystic Seaport, CT.

Jack

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Google, "things to see off of i-95". An interactive map pops up.
Mark

FrankR Loc: NYC

Mystic Seaport, Old Saybrook and maybe the Thimble Islands.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

Although IE 95 is the "coastal route" and other than crossing a few rivers, it is too far up river to be very interesting; I've always though it to be a very boring drive until you you get into Rhode Island. However, Mystic Seaport (CT) is well worth seeing, but it will a day to fully see it. When back on Rt 95, you can detour off to Newport which has some very interesting photo ops. From Newport take Rt. 114 North to Fall River where you can get Rt 24 up to Rt 95 (the old Rt 128) around Boston. The city has lots of old landmarks to see and photograph, but the traffic can be horrendous, and the road layout and parking situation is insane! We lived up there for 32 years, and made the MA to southern NJ run many times. Rt 95 eventually heads north up the coast into Maine. You might want to stop in Newburyport, MA, an old seaport town on the Merrimac river a few miles short of the MH border; downtown looks much as it probably did during the 1800's. Then get back onto 95 and continue north into Maine. In NH and southern Maine, you may also catch the end of foliage colors

You didn't say when you are going or how far you expect to get in four hours, but from Newark Airport, if you get as far as Providence you will have done well. Watch your speeds in CT & MA; they are serious about their speed limits.

Enjoy your trip.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Beware of potential construction delays.

MikeMck Loc: Southern Maryland on the Bay

photostephen

Having driven this route many times, I agree that Mystic is a great place to stop. If you want to send a lot of time, go to the Seaport. Otherwise, goto downtown Mystic (and you can even see Mystic Pizza).

I-95 is a boring road, consider taking the Merit Parkway (Google Map it). Much prettier road, and if not rush hour, much nicer to drive.

When you hit Rhode Island, when you exit I-95 for Newport, you will go through University of Rhode Island. Consider stopping there and touring the beautiful campus.

Also stop in Jamestown you can get some great photos of the two bridges into Jamestown (you will go over both on your way to Newport).

I have never stopped there, always wanted to, but was out-voted by the family. In Bridgeport, CT there is a museum for PT Barnum (who was mayor of Bridgeport for a while). That might also be fun.

Enjoy Newport, having grown up there, I love that city.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

As above Mystic is a don't miss. Regarding the drive up 95. Depending on the time you make the drive 4 hours may be understating the trip about 2 hours. You will be going north on the Jersey Tpke (95) to the George Washington Bridge (worth a photo) to the Cross Bronx Expressway. It's only about 5 miles. But at rush hour that 5 miles can take 45 minutes. Then on to the rest of 95 in New York to Connecticut. There is an interesting bridge (also worth a photo) as you pass through New Haven. The quickest way to Newport is NOT through Providence R.I. On 95 exit 3 in R.I. rte 138 is the shortest way. Go east on 138 past the University of R.I. and there will be signs to Newport. If I am not mistaken Mystic is exit 90. Have a wonderful trip. For traffic information, radio stations--Wcbs 880 and or Wins 1010 give traffic reports every 10 minutes. As you can tell I make this trip almost weekly.

Lazy J Loc: Pacific Northwest

Thank you all for your responses! Mucho appreciado!

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

Actually - the #1 stop along the way between Newark NJ and Newport is a little place called NYC. Seems to be a lot of "must see" places there.

glenmarshall

You will likely be spending a lot of time stopped in traffic around the George Washington Bridge and New York City. There will be plenty of photo opportunities.

If you are looking for urban grunge, Bridgeport is good for that.

Others have noted opportunities further along the route.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

The Thimble Islands are very interesting and a nice boat excursion trip. Mystic Seaport has (while interesting) become more of a tourist trap than anything. If you want to spend a few hours on a nice trip (great photo ops) Go to the Essex Steam train and take that trip up the line. It will reach a boat dock where you will board a "river boat" and it will take you up the river past Gillette Castle to Middleton ?? and turn around an take you back to Essex. One of the buildings in the Essex yard is the Original Witch Hazel company (complete with Witch Hazel on her broom as a weather vane. The entire trip is probably about 4 hours but great photo ops (especially if the bald eagles are flying and the trees are changing to their fall colors).

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Agree, a generally boring ugly drive. It wasn't clear to me how much of a detour off I-95 would be acceptable to the OP, but I got the impression he wanted to see something very close to the road, and as you know there is precious little of that right on I-95 though Connecticut until you get to Mystic.