I have always been one to love adventures. Being outdoors helps me cope with the stress of school and work. I have created a list full of amazing places that I encourage you all to visit. They are all easy to moderate hikes with special features that you won't find anywhere else. All of the pictures I have taken myself on a regular IPhone and most do not contain filters.These places are truly beautiful, so grab your friends and hit the road! It's time to kick off spring semester with a road trip to see one of these amazing sites!

1. Bash Bish State Park

Located on the New York border, Bash Bish falls is currently my favorite place in the area. The trail is fairly easy and the falls are located half a mile from the Massachusetts parking lot, and one mile from the New York parking lot. The park is open in the winter and I would advise wearing good boots as the trails can be very icy. I recommend visiting in the winter if you have appropriate boots or ice clips because the area is a perfect winter wonderland. Seeing the falls in the summer would also be a great idea as it is the apparent place to swim (at your own risk). However I would advise swimming at the pools in the creek above and after the falls.

2. Enders State Forest

Enders falls is a collection of five different waterfalls all within a half mile of each other. The main trails are easy, however the side trails down to the falls are steep and may be slippery. (I have slipped in mud on the side trails before.) The park is open year round; however, I wouldn't advise hiking down to the river without ice clips or poles. The warmer weather tends to bring out many families looking for a place to cool down. I definitively recommend taking a swim (at your own risk) but make sure to bring bug spray as the area is pretty popular with mosquitoes.

3. Granville Gorge

The Granville Gorge is an excellent place for a little hike — and a chilly dip in the water. It is a great place to lay out on a towel with friends and a packed lunch. The trails are easy and the water is not too deep. The rocks on the trail and in the water are full of shimmering mica and, out of a old tree, someone has carved a gnome like man.

4. Mt. Tom State Reservation

Mt. Tom is a very popular mountain, but I felt it needed to be included in this list because of the view. Mt. Tom boasts twenty-two miles worth of hiking and walking trails. My favorite trail is across from Mt. Joe to go: a little coffee shop. The trail is clearly marked and provides a great view of Holyoke, Massachusetts, and the surrounding areas. Trails are steep but well maintained to make for a pretty moderate climb to the top. The view is definitely worth it. There is also a memorial for a plane that crashed on the mountain during WWII.

5. Old Lyme DEEP

The DEEP is located in Old Lyme, Connecticut, and features a boardwalk perfect for watching the sunset. In fact the only reason I hang out in the area is to picnic and watch the sunset. There are picnic tables and you can sit and watch the boats go by. It is also a great place to go fishing or bird watching. If you spend the day at the many beaches around the area, I strongly suggest venturing to the DEEP to get a great picture of the sunset.

6. Heublein Tower

The tower trail is located in Talcott Mountain State Park and is very steep but not technical.The hike to the tower is not long however the first 1/3 of a mile is a steep incline. I recommend visiting the tower in the fall as the foliage is beautiful. But, the view from the top of the trail is beautiful during any season. The park is closed during the winter months so therefore the tower itself is closed, however you can still hike the trails (at your own risk).