Travelers looking for beautiful mountain drives and loads of activities will want to explore the Cherohala Skyway. The lower Appalachian's misty mountaintops provide a pastoral setting for byway travelers. As the hardwood forests begin to foliate, their leaves offer an exquisite mosaic of greens, which rival the colors of the autumn season. Driving from North Carolina to Tennessee, overpasses topping 5,000 feet provide dramatic views. Clouds often descend onto the high elevations, and some locals say they're "walking in the clouds" when hiking on one of the many trails along the Cherohala Skyway.
Those in Colorado will want to experience the romance of the Old West along the Top of the Rockies National Scenic Byway, where visitors can find historic hotels, cozy mountain retreats, and a variety of activities, both for those seeking adventure or those seeking a quiet getaway. Top of the Rockies travels through two national forests and offers spectacular never-ending views of mountaintops and canyons. Leadville, the hub of the byway, is the highest incorporated community in the U.S., located 10,200 feet above sea level. Mt. Elbert (14,433 feet) and Mt. Massive (14,421 feet) -- the highest and second highest mountains in Colorado -- stand just outside of Leadville.
For those in the northeast, a must see is the Acadia Byway All-American Road. The byway hugs part of Maine's lengthy coast (the state has more miles of shoreline than California) and dives into Acadia National Park. Cadillac Mountain in the park -- at 1,530 feet, the highest point on the Atlantic coast -- is the first place in the United States where you can see the sun rise. With coastal overlooks, covered bridges and lush forests, this byway highlights the best of Maine.
