4. Peters Valley
In times gone by, the crafts practiced in this remote farming village were simple and basic. Folks made cloth because they needed something to wear; they worked with wood because they needed furniture; and when they painted, it was to decorate walls, not canvases.
Today, however, Peters Valley is synonymous with the Peters Valley Craft Center, where the handiworks on display range from basketry to photography. Classes are held throughout the summer, and tours of the artists’ studios, all housed in restored 19th-century buildings, are available. The Peters Valley Craft Fair, held during the last full weekend in July, draws artists and exhibitors from all over the country.
5. Dingmans Ferry
Just how narrow is Dingmans Bridge? As you cross the Delaware River into Pennsylvania, you may hold your breath as you face oncoming traffic along this rattling wood-decked span. But not to worry: travelers have been squeaking by safely for nearly 100 years. Once across, reward yourself with a float trip on the river; canoe rentals are available just past the bridge, and you’ll find the Dingmans Ferry boat ramp, the site of a Colonial-era ferry crossing, located across the road.
The Dingmans Ferry area is also blessed with a pair of magnificent waterfalls, both accessible along the same trail. From the Dingmans Falls visitor center, just south of the bridge on Rte. 209, a 10-minute hike through a hemlock forest passes Silver Thread Falls, then Dingmans Falls, where Dingmans Creek bounces down five rock steps before shooting to a pool 130 feet below. In the closed quarters of the ravine, the spray from the falls keeps the air cool even on the hottest of days.
6. High Point State Park
Back on the New Jersey side, the drive follows Old Mine Road north to Montague, then continues east on Rte. 521 and, briefly, south on Rte. 6, where it scrapes along the New York border before turning southwest on Rte. 23. From there the road begins its climb to High Point State Park and New Jersey’s crowning summit, at 1,803 feet, atop the Kittatinny Ridge. A tall obelisk stands at ridgetop, where spectacular views unfold in all directions, including — on the clearest of nights — the distant, twinkling lights of the metropolis of New York City.
7. Stokes State Forest
Straddling some of the region’s highest peaks, this 15,700-acre preserve is crisscrossed with 45 miles of trails. Sunrise Mountain, its name notwithstanding, offers stirring views at any time of day. Farther south on Rte. 521 lies another fine recreation area, 1,470-acre Swartswood State Park. Camping, fishing, and boating are all popular activities here, but some say the bird-watching to be had in these parts is second to none, both in number of species and the quality of the experience.
Republished from:
Most Scenic Drives in America
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