I started my day at a Potomac riverbank monument where America’s first steam-powered boat made its debut. A few hours later, I eased into spa waters drawn from the same spring that once soothed George Washington. And later that day, I hiked more than a mile in a dark tunnel that required 14 years to complete in the mid-1800s.
It’s amazing what you can find on a byway.
Over its 136 miles, West Virginia’s Washington Heritage Trail includes sites the Founding Father visited as a teenager when he was hired to survey the area. The trail is one of nearly 200 federally recognized scenic byways. These thematic, curated road trips highlight natural beauty and spotlight history and culture.
Here are 4 scenic byways that showcase the best of Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.