Burlington VT and New Hampshire??
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Burlington VT and New Hampshire??
Surprise birthday get-a-way for hubby. We're from FL and want to get away from the heat, so thought NE would be perfect. We've toured the state of Maine 2 years ago (Beautiful) and Boston 4 years ago (also awesome). I've heard many good things about Burlington and NH. We'll be traveling 7/28 - 8/4 or 8/5. Would like to split between the 2 states if you think we have time. Question.... What area of Burlington to you recommend (most hotels are saying South Burlington?) and where in NH (want to be able to drive from Burlington and not spend a lot of time on the road). Would 3 days in each state be suffice? We love the outdoors and beautiful mountain views. Waterfront sunsets & great food. Not so much into museums... just love pretty towns, some shopping (shhh my hubby doesn't need to know this), and drives thru picturesque mountains. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!
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Are you planning to fly into Manchester NH?
I would suggest going north on I93 from MHT which goes right thru the White Mountains and staying in Meredith on Lake Winnipesaukee. You are practically in the mountains at that point so there is shopping and restaurants but you can do drives into the mountains. We did a half day trip once from I93 over the Kancamagus to North Conway (lots of shopping) then south on Rt 16 to the Tamworth area then west thru Center Sandwich dropping down to Moultonborough. We didn't spend much time in North Conway so shopping and more poking around could easily be a full day. The Hermit Winery in Meredith is a fun visit.
Bad news is heavy traffic northbound on Fridays. Although an interstate, I93 is pretty scenic once you get almost to Concord. Should you decide to head to VT first, I89 is also pretty nice.
From Meredith to Burlington would be almost a 3 hours (non-stop) but I would aim to be in Montpelier by lunch time since a VT friend writes about all the great eating places there. But you could also stop in Woodstock, Quechee (Simon Pierce for both shopping and restaurant) or thereabouts for lunch.
Haven't been to Burlington in a few years but fondly remember doing a drive from north to south on the Champlain Islands back to Burlington. Very pleasant and quiet drive.
I would suggest going north on I93 from MHT which goes right thru the White Mountains and staying in Meredith on Lake Winnipesaukee. You are practically in the mountains at that point so there is shopping and restaurants but you can do drives into the mountains. We did a half day trip once from I93 over the Kancamagus to North Conway (lots of shopping) then south on Rt 16 to the Tamworth area then west thru Center Sandwich dropping down to Moultonborough. We didn't spend much time in North Conway so shopping and more poking around could easily be a full day. The Hermit Winery in Meredith is a fun visit.
Bad news is heavy traffic northbound on Fridays. Although an interstate, I93 is pretty scenic once you get almost to Concord. Should you decide to head to VT first, I89 is also pretty nice.
From Meredith to Burlington would be almost a 3 hours (non-stop) but I would aim to be in Montpelier by lunch time since a VT friend writes about all the great eating places there. But you could also stop in Woodstock, Quechee (Simon Pierce for both shopping and restaurant) or thereabouts for lunch.
Haven't been to Burlington in a few years but fondly remember doing a drive from north to south on the Champlain Islands back to Burlington. Very pleasant and quiet drive.
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You could fly open-jaw, flying into Burlington and then out of Manchester NH back to Florida.
Downtown Burlington is beautiful in the summer (I live here in the summer & fall, then back to Key West):
--boat house for cocktails, fish tacos, and watching the sunset over Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks on the NY side
--bike path
--lake cruises on the Ethan Allen
--Church Street pedestrian area, many cafes, restaurants, bars, buskers
...so you might like to stay downtown. There are only three hotels, all very good, downtown: the Hilton, Hotel Vermont, and Courtyard. That way you could have a nice long dinner and wine and not worry about driving back to your hotel.
There is a good Sheraton on the east side of central Burlington, on Main Street next to exit 14 of I-89.
The hotels and motels listed south of Burlington are on Route 7 (=Shelburne Road). There are many good places, but again you would be driving into downtown.
Within an easy one hour drive of Burlington are many interesting small towns and villages--Richmond, Hinesburg, Shelburne, Charlotte, Middlebury--plus attractions like the Ben & Jerry's factory (they give tours), Waterbury (go to Prohibition Pig for ethereal BBQ and craft beer), Stowe, others.
Easy to drive on I-89 over to Manchester NH.
Enjoy!
Downtown Burlington is beautiful in the summer (I live here in the summer & fall, then back to Key West):
--boat house for cocktails, fish tacos, and watching the sunset over Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks on the NY side
--bike path
--lake cruises on the Ethan Allen
--Church Street pedestrian area, many cafes, restaurants, bars, buskers
...so you might like to stay downtown. There are only three hotels, all very good, downtown: the Hilton, Hotel Vermont, and Courtyard. That way you could have a nice long dinner and wine and not worry about driving back to your hotel.
There is a good Sheraton on the east side of central Burlington, on Main Street next to exit 14 of I-89.
The hotels and motels listed south of Burlington are on Route 7 (=Shelburne Road). There are many good places, but again you would be driving into downtown.
Within an easy one hour drive of Burlington are many interesting small towns and villages--Richmond, Hinesburg, Shelburne, Charlotte, Middlebury--plus attractions like the Ben & Jerry's factory (they give tours), Waterbury (go to Prohibition Pig for ethereal BBQ and craft beer), Stowe, others.
Easy to drive on I-89 over to Manchester NH.
Enjoy!
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Two other food-related favorites in Burlington: Lake Champlain Chocolate factory (it's really just watching from an observation window but is an interesting lecture) and visiting the Magic Hat Brewery.
#5
There are a lot of hotels in the area of Williston Rd and Dorset Rd.
These are not downtown rather near the airport. On the lakefront you have a Hilton and a Courtyard by Marriott. There is a free shuttle bus up the hill to pedestrisnized Church St filled with restaurants and shops. More are within a block or two. Parking is difficult but staying on the lakefront you wouldn't have to worry about that. I would stay in town.
These are not downtown rather near the airport. On the lakefront you have a Hilton and a Courtyard by Marriott. There is a free shuttle bus up the hill to pedestrisnized Church St filled with restaurants and shops. More are within a block or two. Parking is difficult but staying on the lakefront you wouldn't have to worry about that. I would stay in town.
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