The Eastern Seaboard: Gentle Mountains and Coastal Charm

Our final leg of this armchair journey takes us to the East Coast. The landscapes here feel older and more intimate than those in the West. The mountains are more rounded, worn down by time. The coastline is a mix of sandy beaches and rocky, granite shores. There is a deep sense of history here, where nature and human settlement have coexisted for centuries.

Acadia National Park, Maine

Picture the first light of dawn touching the United States. You are standing on the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard. Below you, the pink and orange hues of sunrise spread across a landscape of small, pine-covered islands set in the deep blue of the Atlantic. Later in the day, you might be walking along a historic carriage road, hearing the clip-clop of a horse-drawn carriage, or sitting by the placid waters of Jordan Pond, enjoying a popover at the famous Jordan Pond House. Acadia is a unique blend of mountains and sea.

Planning Your Visit: This popular New England park requires reservations for its most famous attraction.

When to Go: Summer (July-August) offers warm weather for hiking and swimming. However, fall is arguably the most beautiful season. From late September to mid-October, the foliage is a breathtaking mix of red, orange, and yellow, and the summer crowds have departed.

Getting There and Around: The closest airport is in Bangor (BGR), about a one-hour drive away. The park is located on Mount Desert Island. During the peak season, the best way to get around is the Island Explorer, a free shuttle bus system that services the park and surrounding towns. To drive to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, you must have a vehicle reservation, which can be booked online at Recreation.gov. These are highly competitive, especially for sunrise.

Logistics: Cadillac Mountain reservations are released on a rolling basis. A portion are released 90 days in advance, and the remainder are released two days in advance. If you want to see the sunrise, be ready to book online the moment your desired date becomes available.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina

Imagine looking out from a viewpoint at layers upon layers of mountains fading into the distance. A blue-gray haze, the “smoke” that gives the mountains their name, hangs in the valleys. This vapor is a natural byproduct of the dense vegetation. The view is soft, painterly, and feels ancient. In another part of the park, you drive through Cades Cove, a broad, green valley dotted with historic log cabins, churches, and mills from the 19th century. You might see white-tailed deer, black bears, or wild turkeys here. The Smokies offer a rich tapestry of natural beauty and Appalachian history.

Planning Your Visit: This is the most visited national park in the U.S., so a crowd-avoidance strategy is essential.

When to Go: Spring (April-May) for the incredible variety of wildflowers. Fall (mid-October to early November) for stunning foliage colors. Summer is extremely busy, hot, and humid. Winter is quiet but many higher-elevation roads may be closed due to snow and ice.

Getting There and Around: Fly into Knoxville, Tennessee (TYS), or Asheville, North Carolina (AVL). A car is necessary to explore the park. Be prepared for heavy traffic, especially near the gateway towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and on the Cades Cove Loop Road.

Costs: While there is no entrance fee for the park, a new “Parking Tag” system is in effect. If you plan to park anywhere inside the park for more than 15 minutes, your vehicle must display a valid tag. A daily tag is $5, and a weekly tag is $15. They can be purchased online or at visitor centers.

Crowd Strategy: To experience the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop, go on a weekday morning as early as possible. An even better option is to visit on a Wednesday between early May and late September, when the road is closed to vehicles all day, allowing for peaceful exploration on foot or by bicycle.