Lockport to Matthews: A Road Trip Full of Surprises
If you are planning a road trip from Lockport, New York to Matthews, North Carolina, make sure to buckle up and get ready to be amazed by all the fantastic places you will be passing through. This journey covers over 700 miles and takes about 11 hours, without counting stops, so it's perfect for a long weekend adventure. The trip's highlights include breathtaking mountain views, historic landmarks, and unexpected natural treasures. The halfway point is Weston, WV, a charming town with a rich history and plenty of local charm.
Here are the top five things to do on this road trip, which will surely make your journey more exciting:
- Visit Letchworth State Park Letchworth State Park is a must-see attraction on this road trip, located in Castile, NY, and only 30 minutes from Lockport. Known as the "Grand Canyon of the East," Letchworth offers stunning views of the Genesee River, along with a wide range of outdoor activities. Visitors can go hiking, biking, swimming, and even hot air ballooning. The park is also home to three large waterfalls.
Fun fact: Letchworth State Park is named after William Pryor Letchworth, a philanthropist and activist who dedicated his life to social reform.
- Stop by the Corning Museum of Glass The Corning Museum of Glass, located in Corning, NY, is another must-see destination along this route. This unique museum features thousands of glass objects from around the world, from ancient to contemporary glass art. Visitors can witness live glassblowing demonstrations, explore interactive exhibits, and create their glass art.
Fun fact: The first recognizable glass objects were made in Northern Syria, around 3500 BCE.
- Explore Fallingwater Fallingwater, located near Mill Run, Pennsylvania, is one of the most famous houses in the world and a mecca for architecture enthusiasts. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935, Fallingwater was built for the Kaufmann family as a summer residence. The house is built on top of a waterfall and seamlessly blends with the natural surroundings. Visitors can take guided tours of the house and enjoy the beautiful forest trails surrounding it.
Fun fact: Fallingwater remains one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most recognizable works and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.
- Visit the New River Gorge Bridge The New River Gorge Bridge, located near Fayetteville, WV, is not only a major landmark but also one of the longest steel arch bridges in the world. Spanning over 3,000 feet across the New River Gorge, the bridge offers breathtaking views of the river and forest below. Visitors can walk or bike across the bridge and even bungee jump from it. The Bridge Day Festival, held every October, attracts thousands of visitors to this part of West Virginia.
Fun fact: The New River, despite its name, is one of the oldest rivers in the world, with an estimated age of 320 million years.
- Visit The Biltmore Estate The Biltmore Estate, located near Asheville, NC, is a remarkable chateau-style mansion that occupies 8,000 acres of scenic beauty. Built in the late 19th century by George Vanderbilt, the estate is a perfect example of Gilded Age architecture and style. Visitors can explore the house's 250-rooms, including the impressive banquet hall and the opulent library. The estate also includes extensive gardens and a winery.
Fun fact: The Biltmore Estate is the largest private residence in the United States, covering four acres of floor space.
It's hard to believe that these five destinations are just a small sample of what this road trip has to offer. The Lockport to Matthews route is full of surprises and experiences that will make for a memorable journey. The best part? No matter how long you take, you will always have something new to discover.