The Perfect Country Drive
Connecticut is full of lovely drives, and Route 169, which twists and turns the 32 miles between Lisbon and Woodstock, is one of the best. That’s why it’s one of only two official National Scenic Byways in the state. Colorful in autumn leaves, lush and green in summer, sweet in spring, and starkly beautiful in snow, this trip through the sometimes overlooked eastern half of Connecticut is one you’ll remember.
Start in the city of Norwich, once grand and now rough around the edges but still home to spectacular architecture and the dramatic confluence of three rivers. Drive north through the quiet old towns of Lisbon, Canterbury, Brooklyn, and Pomfret, stopping to explore blink-and-you-missed-it town centers, historic sites, farm stands, orchards, trails, or whatever else catches your eye along the way. Or start in pristine, rural Woodstock on the Massachusetts line and wend your way south.
