It’s easy to see why the federal government designated the Quiet Corner’s Route 169 as one of New England’s few “scenic byways.” You won’t see icy mountain peaks or crashing surf here, but the endless miles of rolling dairy farms, apple orchards, historic homes, and crumbling stone walls make for one of the most pleasant drives you are likely to have in the region.

The road begins near the former manufacturing center of Putnam, a hardscrabble mill town that has gone through decay and rebirth. In the 1950s, a massive flood destroyed the downtown commercial base. More recently, however, antiques dealers began gobbling up the dirt-cheap real estate downtown; now day-trippers drive from Boston and southern Connecticut to take advantage of the cheapest deals around.

The other towns along the roadway are pure rural America. Wealthy Woodstock has a number of fine craft galleries; Pomfret has several exclusive private schools and restaurants and bed-and-breakfasts to serve them; Canterbury and Brooklyn are simply given over to the scenery.