From the misty shores of Provincetown, Massachusetts, to the sun-baked cliffs of Bishop, California, U.S. Route 6 once spanned the entire breadth of the continental United States. At over 3,600 miles during its peak, it was known as The Grand Army of the Republic Highway—a name that pays homage to Union Civil War veterans. But beyond its patriotic title and record-setting mileage, Route 6 tells a deeper story: one of American resilience, small-town character, and a continually evolving national identity.
A Ribbon of History Across the Nation
Originally commissioned in 1926 as part of the original U.S. Highway System, Route 6 didn’t start as a coast-to-coast thoroughfare. It was extended multiple times, finally reaching California in 1937. For decades, it served as a major east-west corridor before the Interstate Highway System eclipsed its prominence in the 1960s. Yet, unlike the sterile efficiency of modern interstates, Route 6 offers a human-scale experience of America—one best appreciated at 55 miles per hour or less.
Route 6 has been nicknamed “The Longest Main Street in America,” and with good reason. It snakes through 14 states, linking rural crossroads with historic towns, and serves as a living museum of 20th-century Americana. It passes coal towns in Pennsylvania, prairie outposts in Nebraska, and high desert settlements in Utah, offering a panoramic sweep of America’s geographic and cultural diversity.
Landmarks and Legends: Stops That Tell Stories
Traveling Route 6 is like flipping through a well-worn scrapbook of American life. In Galion, Ohio, visitors find a beautifully preserved depot from the Lincoln Highway days. In Corning, New York, the Corning Museum of Glass offers not only dazzling art but a look at the industrial innovation that once defined the region. Out west in Ely, Nevada, Route 6 merges with the Loneliest Road in America—an appropriate moniker for this stark, soul-stirring stretch through the Great Basin.
Among its many charms, Route 6 is home to the Nebraska Sandhills, one of the most unique ecosystems in North America, and Grand Junction, Colorado, known for its stunning Book Cliffs and burgeoning wine country. Along the way, you’ll find quirky roadside attractions, century-old diners, and town squares where time seems to slow down just enough to appreciate it.
Cultural Continuity in a Changing Nation
Though overshadowed by the convenience of modern expressways, Route 6 continues to matter in unexpected ways. It supports local economies dependent on heritage tourism, connects underserved rural areas, and preserves architectural and cultural landmarks that might otherwise be forgotten.
In towns like Atwood, Kansas and Eureka, Utah, local festivals, Route 6 museums, and “Main Street” revitalization efforts are evidence of a grassroots movement to keep the highway—and the stories it carries—alive.
Furthermore, Route 6 has found new relevance in an age of slow travel. In a time when many seek deeper, more sustainable experiences, the highway provides a ready-made canvas for storytelling, exploration, and community building.
Why Route 6 Still Matters
Here are just a few facts that underscore Route 6’s continued importance:
Spans 3,205 miles today, from Provincetown, MA to Bishop, CA (formerly 3,652 miles before truncation).
14 states served, more than nearly any other U.S. highway.
More than 300 towns and cities touched by its route.
Designated the Grand Army of the Republic Highway in 1953, making it the only highway dedicated to Civil War veterans.
But the numbers only hint at the highway’s legacy. Route 6 remains a testament to a different kind of travel—one that values discovery over destination, connection over convenience.
Final Thoughts: The Road Ahead
Route 6 isn’t just an old road. It’s a reflection of American persistence and diversity. It’s a path through the forgotten, the beautiful, and the downright unusual. In a country often defined by its future, Route 6 invites us to pause and honor the journey.
So whether you’re a seasoned road-tripper, a history buff, or someone simply longing for the feel of a steering wheel under your hands and a big sky overhead, Route 6 still has something to offer. It reminds us that the heart of America isn’t always on the fast lane—but somewhere along the longest Main Street you’ve never taken.
Ready to explore Route 6? Visit Route6Tour.com for maps, stories, and travel resources to start your journey across America’s most historic highway.
On this day, we honor one of America’s great cross-country roads—U.S. Route 6, a highway that once stretched uninterrupted from Provincetown, Massachusetts to Long Beach, California. Though its path has shifted over time, Route 6 remains a living thread of American history, tying together 14 states and countless small towns.
The Birth of a Transcontinental Dream
Originally commissioned in 1926, U.S. Route 6 began as a modest regional connector. But by June 10, 1937, it had been extended to become the longest continuous highway in the United States, covering over 3,652 miles coast to coast. The road was officially dubbed the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, honoring Union veterans of the Civil War—a tribute that echoes along many of its historic markers today.
A Ribbon Through Time and Terrain
From the salty breezes of Cape Cod to the high deserts of Nevada and the California coast (prior to truncation), Route 6 has passed through industrial heartlands, mountain passes, prairie towns, and Main Streets that defined mid-century America.
Notably, on this same date in past decades, families were packing up for summer vacations, heading westward with paper maps and roadside diners as guideposts. Route 6 was more than a means of travel—it was the journey itself.
Why June 10 Still Matters
June 10 is a reminder of the enduring relevance of America’s back roads in an era of fast highways and faster lives. Route 6 tells stories of postwar optimism, Dust Bowl migrations, roadside Americana, and the evolving heartbeat of small-town U.S.A.
As we revisit this highway in 2025, there’s a growing movement to revitalize historic U.S. Route 6, especially in the towns bypassed by the Interstate system. Local tourism boards, preservationists, and travelers are rediscovering this vital corridor—not just for what it was, but for what it can become.
The Road Ahead: Route 6 Revival
Today, groups like the U.S. Route 6 Tourist Association are championing the preservation of this iconic road through tourism initiatives, museum partnerships, and educational campaigns. Their work helps ensure that Route 6 continues to be not just a memory, but a destination.
So whether you’re planning a summer road trip or looking for a slice of authentic Americana, remember the legacy that was forged along Route 6. Better yet—drive it, and help keep its story alive.
Welcome to the US Route 6 in Pennsylvania Road Trip! Traveling along Route 6 is a perfect way to experience Pennsylvania’s northern tier, linking charming small towns, scenic overlooks, and historic landmarks across the state explorepahistory.com. This printed-guide itinerary follows US 6 from the Delaware River in the east to the Ohio border in the west. Each stop is directly on Route 6, organized east to west, with a brief description and travel segment guidance. Enjoy the journey through walkable historic towns, fascinating museums, breathtaking viewpoints, and landmarks that tell Pennsylvania’s story.
1. Milford, PA (Walkable Historic Town)
Location: Broad St (US 6), Milford, PA 18337 Description: Milford is a picturesque town at Pennsylvania’s eastern gateway on US 6, known for its tree-lined streets and well-preserved 19th-century architecture. It has been designated a Route 6 Heritage Community poconomountains.com. Don’t miss the Pike County Historical Society’s Columns Museum on Broad Street, which displays local artifacts and the famous Lincoln Flag used in President Lincoln’s assassination aftermath poconomountains.com. Strolling Milford’s downtown, you’ll find Victorian-era buildings, quaint shops, and a small-town charm rich with history. (Category: Walkable Town / Historic Landmark) Segment (Milford to Hawley): Continue west on US 6 for ~25 miles through the Pocono Mountains. You’ll follow the Delaware River then wind through forested hills into Wayne County. Arrive in Hawley as Route 6 skirts the shore of Lake Wallenpaupack, offering glimpses of the big lake’s scenic waters.
2. Hawley, PA (Walkable Town by the Lake)
Location: Main Ave (US 6), Hawley, PA 18428 Description: Nestled alongside Lake Wallenpaupack, Hawley is a small town with a vibrant, walkable downtown. It’s another designated Heritage Community on Route 6 poconomountains.com. The town’s history as a milling center lives on in the Hawley Silk Mill, an imposing 1880s bluestone building that has been restored as a hub of shops and eateries poconomountains.com. Stroll along Main Avenue to enjoy antique stores, galleries, and views of the lake’s outlet falls. Hawley’s charming streets and historic structures provide a pleasant stop to stretch your legs. (Category: Walkable Town) Segment (Hawley to White Mills): Follow US 6 west just 3.5 miles along the Lackawaxen River to White Mills. This short segment parallels the river and passes old glassworker homes as you approach the next stop, a unique museum.
3. Dorflinger Glass Museum – White Mills, PA (Museum)
Address: 55 Suydam Dr. (off US 6), White Mills, PA 18473 Description: White Mills was a 19th-century glass-making hub, and the Dorflinger Glass Museum showcases this heritage. Set on the grounds of the Dorflinger factory founder’s estate, the museum exhibits exquisite cut crystal and explains how the famed Dorflinger glass was made poconomountains.com. You’ll see brilliant examples of gilded-age glass artistry in the restored factory showroom, and learn about the artisans who lived in this company town. (Category: Museum) Segment (White Mills to Honesdale): Continue west on US 6 for 5 miles into Honesdale. The road follows the Lackawaxen River valley and then the Dyberry Creek, leading you into the downtown heart of Honesdale, the Wayne County seat and a cradle of American railroad history.
4. Honesdale, PA (Walkable Town & History Museum)
Location: Main St (US 6), Honesdale, PA 18431 Description: Honesdale is a historic small city often called the “Birthplace of the American Railroad.” Downtown Honesdale’s quaint Main Street is lined with 1800s storefronts and a park honoring the Stourbridge Lion, the first commercial steam locomotive to run in the U.S. Visit the Wayne County Historical Society Museum on Main Street, where you can learn about Honesdale’s railroading history and see a replica of the Stourbridge Lion poconomountains.com. The town’s compact center is perfect for a walking tour, with cafes, boutiques, and historical markers at every turn. (Category: Walkable Town / Museum) Segment (Honesdale to Tunkhannock): Follow US 6 west for about 50 miles as the highway (the Governor Casey Scenic Byway) bypasses Scranton. You’ll drive through rural Lackawanna and Wyoming Counties – watch for signs for historic Factoryville and the Susquehanna River. Cross the Susquehanna into Tunkhannock, where US 6 becomes East Tioga Street in the downtown area.
5. Tunkhannock, PA (Walkable Town & Cultural Landmark)
Location: Tioga St (US 6), Tunkhannock, PA 18657 Description: Tunkhannock is the Wyoming County seat and a charming “Endless Mountains” town. Its downtown features beautifully kept Victorian buildings and the art deco Dietrich Theater, built in 1936, which stands as a community cultural center in the heart of town endlessmountains.org. As you walk along Tioga Street, you’ll find antique shops, a historic courthouse, and small-town friendliness. Tunkhannock’s inviting streetscape and the Susquehanna River nearby make it an ideal spot to experience rural Pennsylvania’s culture and hospitality. (Category: Walkable Town / Historic Landmark) Segment (Tunkhannock to Wyalusing Rocks): Continue west on US 6 for roughly 35 miles, tracing the Susquehanna River’s north branch through the Endless Mountains region. You will climb to a high bend in the road just before Wyalusing – get ready to pull off at the signed scenic overlook known as Wyalusing Rocks.
6. Wyalusing Rocks Overlook (Scenic Viewpoint)
Panoramic view from Wyalusing Rocks, a roadside overlook perched about 500 feet above the Susquehanna River valley pabucketlist.com.
Location: US 6 pull-off at Wyalusing Rocks, Wyalusing, PA 18853 (Bradford County) Description: This dramatic cliff-edge overlook offers one of the most stunning vistas along Route 6. From Wyalusing Rocks, you can see the Susquehanna River sweeping in a broad horseshoe bend and patchwork farmland and forest rolling into the distance pabucketlist.com. Informational signs explain the site’s history (local Native Americans once used this outlook) and a short, safe trail leads to the very edge for an unobstructed view. It’s an ideal quick stop for photography and taking in the grandeur of the Endless Mountains. (Category: Scenic Viewpoint) Segment (Wyalusing Rocks to Towanda): Rejoin US 6 and head west down the mountain. It’s about 15 miles along the river to Towanda. On the way, you’ll pass the roadside marker for the French Azilum site (a settlement for exiled French nobles) and then follow the Susquehanna into Towanda’s historic riverfront downtown.
7. Towanda, PA (Walkable Town & Historic Landmark)
Location: Main St (US 6), Towanda, PA 18848 Description: Towanda is a classic American county-seat town, with a downtown that overlooks the Susquehanna River. Its centerpiece is the Bradford County Courthouse, an imposing 1898 Romanesque Revival building with a clock tower that dominates Towanda’s skyline ebay.com. Surrounding the courthouse are Victorian storefronts, an elegant old bank, and a riverside commons (Courthouse Square) where you can relax. Towanda’s Main Street, which doubles as US 6, is very walkable – you’ll experience 19th-century charm in its architecture and find historical plaques noting the town’s significance. (Category: Walkable Town / Historic Landmark) Segment (Towanda to Wellsboro): Continue west on US 6 for about 60 miles as the road leaves the Susquehanna and climbs into the highlands. You’ll pass through the farming communities of Troy (look for the historic farm museum) and Mansfield (a small college town). West of Mansfield, US 6 enters Tioga State Forest lands. Watch for the turn-off toward Wellsboro via US 6 Business, which leads a few miles south into Wellsboro’s downtown.
8. Wellsboro, PA (Walkable Historic Town)
Location: Main Street (Business US 6), Wellsboro, PA 16901 Description: Wellsboro is a delightful small town famed for its old-fashioned charm – most notably the gas-lit street lamps that line Main Street wikitravel.org. In the evenings, these historic gas lamps cast a warm glow on the brick sidewalks and Victorian facades. The downtown features the Tioga County Courthouse (built 1835), boutique shops, and the Wynken, Blynken & Nod fountain in the boulevarded Main Street. Known as the gateway to the PA Grand Canyon (just north of US 6), Wellsboro itself is a destination for its nostalgic atmosphere. Strolling here feels like stepping back in time. (Category: Walkable Town) Segment (Wellsboro to Lumber Museum): Return to US 6 and continue west about 32 miles into Potter County. You’ll drive through forested hills and descend to the borough of Galeton (notable for a scenic lake in town). From Galeton, US 6 climbs Denton Hill; at the summit is our next stop, the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum, on the left side of the highway.
9. Pennsylvania Lumber Museum – near Galeton, PA (Museum)
Address: 5660 US Route 6 West, Ulysses Township, PA 16948
A reconstructed sawmill and log pond at the Pennsylvania Lumber Museum’s outdoor exhibits (recreating a 19th-century lumber camp)
Description: This museum sits on a 10-acre wooded campus and pays tribute to the rich history and legacy of Pennsylvania’s lumber industry evendo.com. Indoor exhibits feature thousands of artifacts – from giant saw blades and log skidders to a recreated logging camp bunkhouse – illustrating how timber was harvested and transported in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Outside, you can explore a re-created early-1900s sawmill with a log pond (used for holding logs) and other interactive exhibits. The Lumber Museum provides a fascinating look at how “wood built Pennsylvania,” making it a must-stop on Route 6. (Category: Museum / Historic Landmark) Segment (Lumber Museum to Coudersport): Continue west on US 6 for 15 miles into the valley town of Coudersport. As you descend Denton Hill, you’ll follow the Allegheny River headwaters. US 6 becomes East Second Street in Coudersport. Prepare to learn about an unexpected piece of Prohibition-era history in this quiet town.
10. Coudersport, PA (Walkable Town & Eliot Ness Museum)
Location: Main St/Second St (US 6), Coudersport, PA 16915 Description: Coudersport, the county seat of Potter County, is a tranquil small town with tree-lined streets and a historic courthouse square. Notably, it’s where legendary lawman Eliot Ness (famous for pursuing Al Capone) spent his final months and died in 1957 en.wikipedia.org. Today, Coudersport honors his memory at the Eliot Ness Museum (201 N Main St), which houses Prohibition-era artifacts, personal memorabilia, and even vintage vehicles associated with Ness’s career paroute6.com. Strolling around town, you’ll also see the 1890s courthouse and quaint local shops. It’s a unique blend of small-town charm and big-city history. (Category: Walkable Town / Museum) Segment (Coudersport to Smethport): Follow US 6 west for roughly 30 miles. The highway winds through the forests alongside the Allegheny River’s wild forks. You’ll pass through the village of Roulette and then join the route of the former Grand Army of the Republic Highway to climb over a plateau into McKean County. Arrive in Smethport as Route 6 becomes Main Street through this historic town.
11. Smethport, PA (Walkable Historic Town)
Location: W. Main St (US 6), Smethport, PA 16749 Description: Smethport is a Victorian jewel in the Pennsylvania Wilds – it was the first town designated as a Route 6 Heritage Community smethportpa.org. This quiet borough is renowned for its Mansion District, where 19th-century lumber barons built grand homes. You can take a self-guided walking tour along Main Street and surrounding blocks to admire these architectural treasures: ornate Queen Anne and Italianate houses with turrets and gables. Hamlin Lake, a pretty mill pond park along US 6, adds to the scenery. “Stroll the streets lined with mansions built in the 1800s by lumber barons,” as one guide notes visitanf.com, and step back into the Gilded Age. (Category: Walkable Town / Historic Landmark) Segment (Smethport to Warren): Continue west on US 6 for about 50 miles through the forests of the Allegheny National Forest region. You’ll drive over rolling mountains and through small crossroads like Mount Jewett and Kane (known for logging history). Past Kane, US 6 winds down along the Allegheny River. Follow the river valley as you enter Warren, your next stop, known as the gateway to the national forest.
12. Warren, PA (Walkable Town & Historic District)
Location: Pennsylvania Ave (US 6 Business), Warren, PA 16365 Description: Warren is a beautiful historic town situated on the banks of the Allegheny River. Known as the gateway to the Allegheny National Forest, it offers a mix of nature and heritage paroute6.com. Warren boasts an impressive 28-block historic district filled with elegant Victorian-era and early 20th-century buildings paroute6.com. Notable sites include the ornate Struthers Library Theatre (1883) and the courthouse. A stroll down Pennsylvania Avenue or Second Avenue reveals brick-paved streets, a lovely riverside park, and unique shops in old storefronts. Enjoy the blend of small-city sophistication and outdoor adventure vibe in this Route 6 community. (Category: Walkable Town / Historic Landmark) Segment (Warren to Linesville): Continue west on US 6 for approximately 90 miles to reach the Ohio state line. This final leg traverses rural northwestern Pennsylvania. You’ll pass through the quaint towns of Youngsville, Union City, and Cambridge Springs (noted for its historic spa heritage). As you enter Crawford County, the land flattens into rich farmland. US 6 then leads you into Linesville, the last stop in Pennsylvania before crossing into Ohio.
13. Linesville, PA (Walkable Town – Western Terminus)
Location: W. Erie St (US 6), Linesville, PA 16424 Description: Linesville is a small crossroads town that marks the western terminus of US 6 in Pennsylvania. It is adjacent to the huge Pymatuning Reservoir, Pennsylvania’s largest lake at over 17,000 acres visitcrawford.org. The town itself has a classic rural feel, with a short Main Street (named Erie Street) of local shops and an information gazebo. Linesville is famous for the nearby Pymatuning Spillway where “the ducks walk on the fish” – an unusual wildlife spectacle that has drawn visitors for decades. In town, you’re only minutes from the state park shoreline. It’s a fitting end to the Route 6 journey, showcasing Pennsylvania’s natural beauty and small-town life. (Category: Walkable Town / Scenic Landmark) Segment (End of PA Route 6): From Linesville, US 6 continues a few miles to the Ohio state line, west of town. Travelers can celebrate completing the 400+ mile cross-Pennsylvania trek. If continuing west, enjoy your onward journey into Ohio; if ending here, take in the peaceful surroundings of Pymatuning Lake and reflect on the diverse landscapes and history you’ve experienced along Pennsylvania’s Route 6.
U.S. Route 6 traverses the lower Hudson Valley of New York from the Connecticut state line to the Pennsylvania border, offering a mix of historic small towns, scenic parklands, and panoramic viewpoints. This guide follows Route 6 east-to-west, highlighting walkable villages, roadside museums, and scenic or historic landmarks directly on or just off the highway. Each stop includes a brief description, an address for orientation, and any suggested short walks or detours to enrich your trip.
Village of Brewster (Eastern Terminus)
Brewster is a quaint, walkable village at New York’s east end of US 6. Founded as a railroad hub, its Main Street retains a small-town charm with 19th-century storefronts. At the heart of downtown is the Southeast Museum, housed in the 1896 Old Town Hall, which exhibits local history – from the Harlem Line Railroad to the Croton Reservoir’s construction hudsonrivervalley.org The village’s compact center invites a short stroll past the historic Brewster train station and along storefronts that evoke its 19th-century boom as a dairy and rail shipping center.
Suggested Walk: Park near the Southeast Museum and walk Main Street to explore antique shops and the 1931 railroad station (now a library). A five-minute walk brings you to the Brewster Standard Supply building and old train depot, reflecting the village’s railroad heritage.
Carmel Hamlet (Lake Gleneida Historic Center)
Carmel is the seat of Putnam County, and Route 6 becomes its picturesque main street (Gleneida Avenue) alongside Lake Gleneida. Overlooking the lake is the 1814 Putnam County Courthouse, the second-oldest working courthouse in New York State en.wikipedia.org. Its Federal-style façade and vintage cannon out front set a historic tone. Just south on the lakeshore stands the Sybil Ludington Statue, honoring the local teenage revolutionary hero who rode 40 miles on horseback in 1777 to warn militia of a British attack atlasobscura.com. This bronze statue (erected 1961) depicts Ludington on her horse, commemorating a ride twice the distance of Paul Revere’s atlasobscura.com.
Suggested Walk: Park near the courthouse (40 Gleneida Ave) and follow the paved path along Lake Gleneida for views of the water and statue. A short loop around the courthouse block showcases other 19th-century buildings and a veterans memorial. This compact center is ideal for a brief lakeside walk and photo stop at the Sybil Ludington monument.
Mahopac Hamlet (Lake Mahopac Waterfront Park)
Mahopac is a hamlet known for its beautiful 587-acre Lake Mahopac, which Route 6 skirts at the southern end. In downtown Mahopac, at the junction of US 6 and old Route 6N, lies Mahopac Chamber Community Park, a petite waterfront park on the lake’s shore townofcarmelny.gov. This park offers a relaxing stop with a gazebo, fountain, benches, and a short walking path right by the water townofcarmelny.gov. It’s the best public spot to admire Lake Mahopac’s views (as much of the shoreline is privately owned). The surrounding hamlet area includes local shops and the Mahopac Library (a modern building with a small garden), making the area modestly walkable.
Suggested Walk: Enjoy a gentle walk within Chamber Park – loop the path by the gazebo and pause at the railings for panoramic lake vistas. If time permits, continue along the sidewalk on South Lake Boulevard to see a few lakefront Victorian homes and grab a lakeside breeze before returning to Route 6.
Bear Mountain Bridge & Hudson Highlands Scenic Area
Bear Mountain Bridge, opened in 1924, carries Route 6 across the Hudson River amid the Hudson Highlands. This graceful steel suspension bridge was one of the first highway crossings of the Hudson in the region and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Driving westward, you’ll encounter the Bear Mountain Bridge Road “Goat Trail”, a winding cliffside approach with pull-offs that offer sweeping Hudson River vistas en.wikipedia.org. One marked scenic overlook on the east side provides interpretive displays about the Revolutionary War-era Hudson River Chain and the 1777 Fort Montgomery battle, with views over Iona Island, Dunderberg Mountain, and Peekskill far below en.wikipedia.org.
Bear Mountain Bridge, opened in 1924, carries Route 6 across the Hudson River amid the Hudson Highlands.
On the west side of the bridge is the entrance to Bear Mountain State Park, a beloved park in the highlands. Just off Route 6’s traffic circle is Hessian Lake and the historic Bear Mountain Inn (1915), as well as trailheads. The Appalachian Trail crosses the river on this bridge – you might notice the white blazes on bridge railings en.wikipedia.org. Pedestrians can walk on the Bear Mountain Bridge’s walkways for a stunning panorama of the Hudson Highlands and to watch boats far below.
Address: Bear Mountain Bridge, Routes 6/202, Cortlandt, NY 10567 (east end of bridge; pedestrian walkway access) en.wikipedia.org
Suggested Walk/Detour:Walk across the Bear Mountain Bridge (sidewalk on north side) for an unforgettable view of the Hudson River cutting through forested mountains en.wikipedia.org. On the west end, you can detour into Bear Mountain State Park – a 5-minute walk from the circle leads to Hessian Lake’s loop trail and the Carousel building. For a longer scenic detour, drive Seven Lakes Drive up Bear Mountain 2 miles to Perkins Memorial Tower at the summit, where a short climb up the tower rewards you with a 360° view of the Highlands. (Note: The Bear Mountain Bridge charges a westbound toll; eastbound is free.)
Harriman State Park (Long Mountain Parkway Scenic Drive)
West of Bear Mountain, Route 6 enters Harriman State Park, New York’s second-largest state park famed for its natural beauty. Here Route 6 is dubbed the Long Mountain Parkway, a 7-mile mostly undeveloped stretch that winds through forested hills en.wikipedia.org. Harriman State Park boasts 32 lakes and 200 miles of hiking trails roadtripusa.com, and the highway itself was engineered in the 1920s to showcase the landscape with scenic overlooks and stone arch bridges roadtripusa.com. As you crest Long Mountain, there’s a roadside pullout with the Torrey Memorial plaque – a small overlook where you can gaze out at the park’s wooded peaks and the distant Shawangunk Ridge. This spot offers a peaceful pause amid Harriman’s wilderness.
Address: Long Mountain Parkway (US 6) at Torrey Memorial Overlook, Town of Highlands, NY 10911
Suggested Walk: This stop is more about the drive and viewpoints. If you pull off at the marked scenic overlook near the summit of Long Mountain, take a few minutes to walk the short path to the Torrey Memorial stone. You’ll be treated to a quiet viewpoint overlooking forested valleys of Harriman State Park – especially beautiful in autumn. Otherwise, simply enjoy the drive: Route 6’s curves here reveal vistas of lakes and rocky ridges through the trees.
Museum Village of Old Smith’s Clove (Monroe)
As Route 6 joins NY 17 through southern Orange County, it passes the outskirts of Monroe. Just off exit 129 (labeled “Museum Village”) is the Museum Village of Old Smith’s Clove, an open-air living history museum. Founded in 1950, Museum Village is dedicated to 19th-century rural life, featuring a recreated village with over two dozen historic buildings and tens of thousands of artifacts tripadvisor.comiloveny.com. Visitors can explore a one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, general store, and exhibits ranging from early agricultural tools to a massive 1908 mastodon skeleton discovered locally. It’s a family-friendly stop that brings Hudson Valley history to life.
Address: 1010 State Route 17M, Monroe, NY 10950 (Museum Village entrance, directly off Route 17M/old Route 6) tripadvisor.commuseumvillage.org
Suggested Walk: Plan about an hour to walk the Museum Village grounds (open seasonally). Stroll along the gravel lanes between buildings; interpreters in period dress may be on hand to demonstrate candle-making or smithing. As this site is essentially a walking tour in itself, it offers a pleasant break from driving. (Note: Check hours; generally open spring through fall on weekends.)
Village of Goshen (Harness Racing Heritage)
Though the modern Route 6 bypasses Goshen on a highway, it’s worth a quick foray into this historic village (accessible directly from Route 6 at exit 124). Goshen’s downtown is centered around an idyllic Main Street and church park. It is most famous for the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame, located on Route 17M/Church Street bordering the active Goshen Historic Track. This half-mile oval track, opened in 1838, is the oldest harness horse racing track still in use in the United States en.wikipedia.org (a National Historic Landmark), and the adjacent museum celebrates the sport’s legacy. Housed in a 1913 stable, the museum features vintage sulkies (racing chariots), photographs, and even a chance to ride a simulated race. Outside, you might catch a training session or county-fair race on the historic dirt track, continuing a tradition over 180 years old en.wikipedia.org.
Suggested Walk: Park near the Harness Racing Museum and walk the Church Park Historic District – a one-block area with Goshen’s 1883 orange courthouse and the town green. From the museum, stroll over to the track’s rustic grandstand (open to visitors when no events are happening) to imagine the races of yesteryear. Goshen’s downtown, with its brick sidewalks and boutique shops, invites a short walk – don’t miss the 1911 Hambletonian Statue in the village square, honoring the foundation sire of trotters born here en.wikipedia.org.
City of Port Jervis (Delaware River & Fort Decker)
Port Jervis sits at New York’s western terminus of US 6, along the Delaware River. This small city grew around the Delaware & Hudson Canal and the Erie Railroad, and its downtown (Peck and Front Streets) is directly traversed by Route 6. A key historical site just off Route 6 is Fort Decker, a stone house built in 1793 from the ruins of a colonial fort en.wikipedia.org. It now operates as a local museum (Minisink Valley Historical Society) and is the oldest building in Port Jervis en.wikipedia.org. Stopping here, you can see the fortified home that survived a 1779 raid during the Revolutionary War and later housed canal engineers – the city itself is named after John B. Jervis, chief engineer of the D&H Canal en.wikipedia.org.
Fort Decker Museum of History in Port Jervis – the 1793 stone house is the city’s oldest structure and served as a refuge during frontier conflicts en.wikipedia.org.
Beyond Fort Decker, Port Jervis offers a charming, walkable downtown with painted brick buildings. Just a few blocks south of Route 6, you can find a viewing platform for the Delaware River. Here the Delaware and Neversink Rivers meet at the Tri-States Monument, a granite marker where NY, NJ, and PA boundaries converge (a short drive or 15-minute walk from downtown) en.wikipedia.org. Standing at Tri-States Rock, you can literally be in three states at once.
Address: 127 West Main St, Port Jervis, NY 12771 (Fort Decker Museum of History) en.wikipedia.org
Suggested Walk: Begin at Fort Decker (west end of Main Street) to tour its small museum and read the outdoor historical markers. Then, walk east down Jersey Avenue into the heart of downtown Port Jervis. Consider a detour south on Water Street to Riverside Park: a short path leads to the Tri-States Monument at the river’s edge en.wikipedia.org. This peaceful spot offers views of the Delaware River and the forested hills of New Jersey and Pennsylvania – a fitting end to your Route 6 journey.
Fort Decker Museum of History in Port Jervis – the 1793 stone house is the city’s oldest structure and served as a refuge during frontier conflicts
Putnam County Courthouse – Built 1814, second-oldest courthouse in NY State en.wikipedia.org; Sybil Ludington historic ride in 1777 atlasobscura.com
Mahopac Chamber Park – Lake Mahopac public waterfront park with gazebo and paths townofcarmelny.gov
Bear Mountain Bridge area – Hudson Highlands scenery and Revolutionary War interpretive site en.wikipedia.org; Appalachian Trail crosses at bridge en.wikipedia.org
Harriman State Park – Over 200 miles of trails and 32 lakes in park roadtripusa.com
Museum Village (Monroe) – Open-air museum interpreting 19th-century rural life tripadvisor.comiloveny.com
Goshen Historic Track & Museum – Oldest active harness racing track (since 1838) and Hall of Fame en.wikipedia.org
️ Explore U.S. Route 6 – America’s Longest Historic Highway from Coast to Coast
Scenic view of U.S. Route 6 highway – America’s longest transcontinental highway
A Journey Across 14 States & 3,600+ Miles
Spanning more than 3,600 miles from Provincetown, Massachusetts to Long Beach, California, U.S. Route 6 is the longest continuous transcontinental highway in the United States. Known as the Grand Army of the Republic Highway, this iconic road invites travelers to explore 14 states, weaving through walkable small towns, historic landmarks, and scenic countryside views.
️ A Living Museum of Americana
Originally designated in 1926, Route 6 carries the spirit of American history—linking generations, cultures, and communities. From classic diners to vintage gas stations, roadside attractions, and museums, this highway provides a coast-to-coast look at the heart of the nation.
Why Travel U.S. Route 6?
✅ Historic coast-to-coast experience
✅ Scenic viewpoints and natural wonders
✅ Walkable towns rich in charm and culture
✅ Unique museums and heritage attractions
Whether you’re road tripping solo or with family, Route 6 offers a deeper connection to America’s past and present.
Start Your Journey – Be Part of the Route 6 Revival
Join thousands of travelers rediscovering U.S. Route 6.
Share your journey using:
#USRoute6 #Route6Revival #GrandArmyHighway
