Gnome Chomsky, Kerhonkson, New York

En route from: New York City to Montréal

Roadside attraction: About two hours north of Manhattan stands Chomsky, a grinning garden gnome. He was recognized by Guinness World Records as the tallest of his kind at 13' 6"—and looks unfazed that in 2009, a younger competitor in Poland surpassed him by four feet and two inches and stole the title. Of course, you'd be smiling too if you lived at Kelder's Farm & U-Pick, an idyllic little pick-your-own-produce farm in the verdant Hudson Valley.

Should you stop? It would be easy to while away an entire afternoon hanging out with Chomsky, picking produce, and putting about the miniature golf course, which is landscaped entirely in edible plants. During the fall, you can go on hayrides, pick your own pumpkins, and get lost in the corn maze. Actually, if you're on a tight schedule, don't go here. You won't want to leave!

Motor lodge: Get in the road trip spirit by spending a night in a retro Airstream trailer at Kate's Lazy Meadow (owned by former B-52er Kate Pierson) 40 minutes away in Mount Tremper, New York.

Kelder's Farm & U-Pick
5755 Route 209
Kerhonkson, New York
Tel: 845 626 7137

Kate's Lazy Meadow
5191 Route 28
Mount Tremper, New York
Tel: 845 688 7200

Photo: Courtesy of Sally Alsford / Flickr

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