Souvenir dinner plates and sepia picture postcards come to mind along the Mohawk Trail, which seems perpetually stuck in an era of early-twentieth-century auto-touring. The route was established as a scenic byway in 1914, and still has a retro feel, with motor-lodges, cottages, Native American trading posts, and scenic overlooks lining the roller coaster ride through the mountains.

Historically speaking, the Mohawk really did use the stretch of what is now Route 2 that bears their name. The Mohawk hiked from New York through the mountains to find prime fishing spots and, on more than one occasion, to attack enemies—including the infamous French-Indian raid on Deerfield in 1704. Nowadays the biggest threat is the lack of amenities between Greenfield and North Adams. Make sure your gas tank is full and brakes and coolant are in prime condition before tackling the scenic stretch.