Driving Tour of New England Covered Bridges

Is there a more iconic image of New England than the humble covered bridge? In 19th-century New England, bridge makers were focused solely on the longevity of their structure, rather than protecting travelers from the elements. The roof and siding on these bridges blocked harsh New England weather from damaging the heavy interior beams and timbers. Good thing, too — their inventive construction has left New England speckled with hundreds of historic covered bridges. This fall, hop in your car and take off on a driving tour through some of the most iconic and storied covered bridges in New England.

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Driving Tour of New England Covered Bridges

Rhode Island

Start your covered bridge driving tour with a very easy choice — in Rhode Island, you’ll find only one covered bridge on a public road. The Swamp Meadow Covered Bridge, located half an hour from Providence, is a forty-foot-long replica of a nineteenth century bridge that was originally built in this location. A group of volunteers banded together in the early 1990s to construct this bridge as a reminder of times past. Just goes to show, with hard work and a little ingenuity, the covered bridge can always live on in New England!

Connecticut

Fancy a walk with our nation’s first president? Head to Bulls Bridge in Kent, Connecticut, where legend has it that George Washington himself crossed the Housatonic River while the bridge was still under construction. After going step for step with Washington, stretch your legs by following the riverwalk for views of rushing rapids and waterfalls. If you’re in the mood for a more strenuous hike, connect with the Appalachian Trail about ¼ of a mile up the riverwalk, and hike until your reach Georgia (but we don’t recommend going that far!).

Massachusetts

Since driving through a covered bridge can feel like getting transported to the past, why not pair your covered bridge tour with a visit to a place that feels frozen in time? Among the historic structures and barnyard animals at Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum, you’ll find a covered bridge that once stood in Dummerston, Vt. Transported due to impending highway construction in southern Vermont, this bridge was added to the Village in 1951. Once you’ve strolled through the historic structure, continue your time-traveling journey with a visit to the Village Common, bustling with the livestock, merchants, and workshops that were staples of 19th-century life.

Vermont

No New England covered bridge tour would be complete without a visit to Vermont, home to 106 covered bridges. In fact, an entire museum is dedicated to these historic structures in Bennington, Vt., featuring a self-guided audio tour, detailed histories on each bridge, and a build-your-own-bridge exhibit. While you’re in the area, conquer the five, one-lane bridges in Bennington County before traveling north. While you’re bound to stumble across more than a bridge or two along your journey, we recommend that those with a love of the macabre visit the supposedly-haunted Emily’s Bridge in Stowe. Legend says that a girl named Emily was meeting her boyfriend there to elope — when he never showed up, she hung herself from the rafters.

New Hampshire

The journey from Vermont to New Hampshire is a long one — 450 feet to be exact! The longest wood bridge in the country as well as the longest two-span covered bridge in the world, the Cornish-Windsor Bridge will give you plenty of time to absorb the unique architecture of this structure. Stop over on the New Hampshire side for a few pictures and a picnic before continuing on your covered bridge driving tour.

Maine

After wending through the White Mountains, pop over into Maine for a bridge that is truly a work of art. Built in 1872, Artist’s Covered Bridge near Bethel, Maine, is so named because of its reputation for being the most photographed and painted bridge in the state. Glide across the picturesque bridge by car or stop on the side of the road to take your own Instagram-worthy shot of this iconic landmark. With only nine covered bridges left in the state of Maine, a visit to Artist’s Covered Bridge on the Sunday River is a rare treat for any covered bridge lover. Wander across New England's nearly 100 covered bridges for a journey into the past. No matter which bridge you cross, you'll discover a historic New England inn where you can rest your head along the way.

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