8. Easy biking in Vermont
A bicycling trip in Vermont some years back rekindled my love for non-motorized travel on two wheels. The scenery—farms, mountains, and colonial-era villages—is spectacular. The fresh air is exhilarating, and many of its country roads have light vehicle traffic.

The keys to a successful tour are getting a bike that fits you properly and choosing a route that is neither too hilly nor too long for your comfort level. Lock in both by joining a commercial tour with a reputable company such as VBT or Bike Vermont, both of which have been around for decades. They tell you in advance how demanding a trip is, and their "sag wagon" (van driven by a paid guide) picks you and your bike up and hauls you to your destination for the night if you get tired.

You can also download suggested routes from the Vermont Tourism website and ride on your own, making a quaint inn (such as the Quiet Valley B&B in Shoreham) your base camp. In all cases, the view looks brighter from above the handlebars rather than through a windshield.

Away.com's Vermont Travel Guide has tons of other ideas for enjoying the Green Mountain State.