ssc16

Hello!

We are thinking of making an impromptu trip to Stowe VT late August. It will be a mini vacation for about 5 days. I need recommendations on how to make this trip fun for 2 kids (9 and 7 y/o) and in laws. We would like to stop for night at some scenic places on the way out and back so it's not a long drive. This is what I am thinking:

Day 1: Leave early evening, stay for the night (close to NY?) at a small town with some pretty scenery
Day 2: Spend the morning and afternoon exploring/driving around the area. Head to Stowe
Day 3: Stowe
Day 4: Stowe. Leave late evening and stay at a different small town en route
Day 5: Explore around the area. Drive back to Philly.

Does this sound doable?

Thanks in advance for your help!

panecott

Well, without having a map in front of me, or driving distances, you might take the Thruway and stop at Lake George for the night. There should be activities for the whole family there.

A little further north is Fort Ticonderoga, which the kids would enjoy.

You can cross over to VT on one of the Lake Champlain ferries, or by land just south of Lake Champlain. I came home that way from Burlington (about an hour from Stowe) last year and drove along a lovely country road, but I can't recall the route #. You'd arrive in Stowe in the afternoon/evening of the second day.

There are a lot of alternate scenic roads in VT, but again, I don't have a map in front of me.

dfrostnh

Are you definite about Stowe or would you consider another VT destination? The kids are a great age for the Montshire Museum in Norwich VT (bring bathing suits to change into for the water play area).

ssc16

Thank you panecott and dfrostnh!

Panecott: The country road sounds great! Please let me know if you can recall the route number

dfrostnh: We have a great deal on a house which is why we shortlisted Stowe (last minute vacation planners cant be choosers!). How far is Norwich? I can look as see if we get something similar there.

Vttraveler

We live in north central Vt not too far from Stowe and went back and forth to Philly quite often when our son was at UPenn. We liked to drive down the Northway (I-87) in NY and stop along or just north of the Hudson River Valley which is a very scenic area with lots of places to visit.

Vttraveler

It is hard to know what spots might interest your whole family. One possibility along the Hudson is Storm King, an amazing outdoor sculpture museum
http://www.stormking.org/visit/

The FDR historic site in Hyde park, Olana and the Vanderbilt mansion are other possible stops in NY

You could also go east from I-87 to SW Vt and up Route 7.

dfrostnh

Great Vermont Corn Maze is closer to Stowe than the Montshire but do NOT lose track of your kids. You would lose them forever. The maze is in Danville VT.

Michael

VT100 goes up the center of Vermont and is very scenic. For the Hudson Valley, you might want to take a look at my trip report: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...east-coast.cfm

ssc16

Thanks all!

How is this route? 476N, 78, then 287 and 87. Stay the night near Lake George. In the morning, spend the night around that area and continue on the next morning. Take 87 or 22A.

I will also look into the Storm King and the Hudson River Valley spots.

Vttraveler

We spent a lot of time with different routes to get from Philly to 287. 476 to 78 might work as well as any. We used to try secondary roads farther east to connect to 78 then 287. My husband grew up near Allentown and his brother still lives in that area, and it has always seemed easier to get there than to Philly.

gardendiva

While in Stowe, take an hour and go up 108 through Smuggler's Notch. It is a fun experience. Maybe not for the driver.