Kimmer

My fiance and I are planning on honeymooning in Vermont in February 2003. We have booked a room at Lake Wiloughby in northern Vermont. Wondering if anyone has any information about it or anything to do near there? Also we plan or staying in Stowe a few days later to see the quaint New England town that everyone is talking about. We are staying in Stowe at Green Mountain Inn. Any information good or bad about their accomodations would be helpful. My major question is what should be definitely try to see and do while there. I know we want to go on a sleighride and dog sledding but we also want to really see some of the best of Vermont......any suggestions for our February honeymoon???

Donna F

We spent a Sept weekend in Stowe and had a great time. There are some wonderful shops and studios to explore. Make reservations to have lunch at the Main St Bar and Grill in Montpelier. The restaurant is run by students of the culinary institute. Upstairs there is a fancier restaurant. Check out their website. The food is very well prepared and presented. Very good! I used a free Vermont Guide that I picked up at a rest stop to find events and things to do. Maybe VT Office on Tourism can send you one. In Stowe, the Dutch Pancake House and Murphys are both great for breakfast. There are tours at Ben & Jerry's, Cabot Cheese, etc. If you like to bake, King Arthur Flour has a great store near Norwich VT. You might want to try cross country skiing with a guide. Years ago we beginners signed up for a short tour at the Trapp Family Lodge. You should also check the local newspapers for events you might enjoy. There might be a snowshoe trip sponsored by a local hiking club or Audubon society. Best wishes to you!

Lizzie

Is there any specific reason you want to go to Lake Willoughby? My family has a ski house in a relatively nearby town (~45 mins away) and I have to warn you there's not much up at Willoughby. Not much to do (unless you want to ice fish!!), no restaurants... maybe that's exactly what you're looking for, but be prepared! If I were you, I might try to stay in Waitsfield or Warren, which are both near Sugarbush. Very traditional Vermont towns, plenty of restaurants, and also many cute inns and b&bs to choose from. You'll find ski rentals (downhill and cross country), ample snowshoe trails, with guides if you'd like, and all the outdoor activities your heart could desire. I love this part of Vermont.

zootsi

As mentioned above, the Lake Willoughby area is quite isolated and quiet in the winter. There will be some ice fishing and snowmobiling, perhaps some cross country ski areas nearby. There is a good downhill ski area about 30 minutes away, Burke Mountain, which is a off the beaten track for out of state skiiers. Stowe is a quaint New England town, but quite touristy. Up near Lake Wiloughby you will see the REAL rural Vermont.

Kimmer

Now I am starting to rethink our reservations for Lake Wiloughby. Does anyone recommend any other parts of vermont for a honeymoon? or any other places to stay that would be idea. We definitely want there to be things to do, restaurants, quaint shops etc...but preferably not family resort or over kill area such as Killington. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks in advance

xx

Lake Willougby is gorgeous-I'd spend at least a night there soaking up the beauty and the quiet. Like Zootsie said, the area is what real Vermont is all about.
If you want the shopping/nightlife/restaurants though, go with Stowe. It's touristy, but also beautiful and you'll have have your choice of good restaurants etc. Try the Trapp Family Lodge if it's in your budget.

PRC

I don't know Lake Wiloughby at all, so can't comment on that.

But if you are interested in Stowe, and I would recommend that you be, check out Topnotch. It is a very relaxed yet elegant inn, with a superb spa. I have stayed both there and at the Trapp Family Lodge several times, and I think that Topnotch is far superior and probably not any more expensive.

Burlington is less than an hour away and is a really interesting city and excellent restaurants. Like Montpelier, it has a restaurant operated by the New England Culinary Institute, which is wonderful.

Kimmer

Thanks for your responses. I think we are going to change our plans and just stay in Stowe for the entire trip. It seems like there will be much more to do there and Lake Wiloughby will be a place for us to go back to in the summer or fall......but not a place for in the winter.

Skigirl

Check out the Rabbit Hill Inn for a great Vermont honeymoon spot! Their website will tell you all you need to know - rabbitHillInn.com.

Good Luck & best wishes!