Brits 1st Visit to Vermont-Any Suggestions?
 

Hi,
We're coming over to New York mid July & would like to explore Vermont/New Hampshire area. Have read in fodors about the Berkshire area - sounds like a great place- any other must sees? We went to Cape Cod a couple of years ago & spent a fortune staying in some very average inns - don't want to repeat this mistake!! We rented a house in Maine for our 2nd week & had a fantastic time & would like to do the same in Vermont. Have looked on Cyber rentals but Berkshire homes seem to be available for a month minimum & we have a week! Would really appreciate some guidance....There are 6 of us altogether our 2 teenage boys, their grandparents & my husband & I - 3 generations to keep happy! Look forward to reading your suggestions
Regards Samantha

If you want to include the Berkshires, you will probably want to be in southern Vermont. This area lacks the high peaks but is scenic in its own right. One of the more beautiful small towns in the area is Newfane. Grafton is another. There is something rather special in Dummerston, outside the larger town of Brattleboro, Rudyard Kipling's house "Naulakha" can be rented for a not unreasonable fee:

http://www.landmarktrustusa.org/naulakha/index.html.

Of course there are plenty of other possibilities, but I thought this might please.

The Berkshires are in state of Massachusetts (not Vermont). It's a pretty area though.

I lived in NH and Vermont for quite a few years. It's beautiful, just gorgeous & you've picked a great month to visit. Sorry can't help with rentals.

So you'll be renting a car? And starting and ending in New York City?

Hi Suze,
Yes we're spending 4 days in New York then hiring a car. sorry about the mix up in states!


Thanks for your suggestions Fra Diavolo. I'll check out Newfane & Grafton. Our boys are into canoeing so i was hoping to find somewhere near a lake/river....

There are canoe and kayak rentals on the Deerfield River -- in the towns of Gill and Charlemont, for example.

The Northwestern corner of MA -- North Adams or Williamstown, would be a good base -- you can explore the Berkshires to the south, and Vermont hilltowns to the north. Williamstown is a quaint college town, North Adams more like an industrialized small city (but not bad.

Rt 2 east of Williamstown (called the Mowhawk trail) is a very scenic drive.

Maybe you could find a house to rent on Western Mass Craigslist -- westernmass.craigslist.org.

Make sure that you go to Stockbridge and the Norman Rockwell Museum

Hello,

I used to work at an Inn in Grafton and live close to that town still.

It is a bit of a snooty town. But very pretty, though nothing much to do there.

There are a few nice small lakes if you head north on route 100. Echo Lake Inn has canoe rentals and Hawk Mountain Resort has many boat rentals for the small lakes close by.

If you want you could probably rent a small house on the lake. They are always available through the realtors in the local Ludlow area.

Here's something for you in Brattleboro, VT (my old home town). Brattleboro is in the south/east corner of the state where Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire come together. Easily reached from the main freeway as you'd head north from the Berkshires.

www.vermontmarina.com
is a great bar & restaurant, sets right on the Connecticut river, with some boat rides and rentals available. Check out the website.

If you make it to Manachester Vt, do stay at the Inn at Ormsby Hill. It is small (10 rooms) but really beautiful. It was built in 1767 as a mansion so it is not a typical country lodging. The owner, Chris, is a published chef and creates breakfasts that will spoil you the rest of the day.

Make Jackson N.Hampshire your base to explore the White mountains and the lakes.The Berkshires are in the South west of Mass.Paul

If you like music then the Berkshires is the home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra in the summer (Tanglewood). It's very popular around Lenox and month long summer lets are the norm with high prices. By the way Berkshires is really pronounced how it's spelt here...BURK not Bark like the UK!

Northern Vermont is also lovely. I like the Lake Champlain area.

Hi Samantha!

I agree with highflyer -- the northern part of Vermont is great, particularly Lake Champlain. Look for the towns of Addison, Panton,Ferrisburg,Charlotte, the areas of Malletts Bay and the Champlain Islands north of Burlington. Burlington is a nice city right on the lake, offering lots to do. The Champlain Islands have close proximity to Montreal, if you wanted to venture to Canada for a day. Lake Champlain has many opportunities for fishing, boating, sailing, swimming, canoeing and kayaking. There are lots of cottages available for weekly rental in the summertime. You might check out www.vermontproperty.com for vacation rentals all over the state.

Another option on Lake Champlain is Basin Harbor Club, which has cottages in addition to the main lodge.

A lower key option would be a cottage rental on Lake Dunmore in central Vermont, near the college town town of Middlebury and not far from Burlington or New Hampshire. Dunmore is a nice, smaller lake with fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, etc. There are also good hiking trails in the immediate area.

You can find out more about this area of Vermont by going to www.midvermont.com. The site is operated by the Addison County Chamber of Commerce. Just click on "lodging" and camps and cottages will pop up. That's where Lake Dunmore rentals can be found. There are Champlain rentals on this site too, but most are on the southerly end of the lake, which is not as desirable.

Vermont is gorgeous in the summertime -- have fun!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions - I'll check them out today. What do you think of the Mystic area in Connecticut? Is it as lovely? My husbands been reading the guide book! Look forward to your thoughts...Samantha

The Mystic area is not among my favorite areas to visit. Fine for a weekend but I think the teen boys would be happier in VT or NH. Perhaps NH's White Mountains is an area for you to explore. The teens can do more rugged outdoor things but there is still plenty for all ages. There are ski area condos as well as cottages. The north side of Lake Winnipesaukee is quieter and closer to the mountains. There's a summer theater in Meredith and also Tamworth.
But your first choice of Vermont is excellent. Much of Vermont is still rural and serene. You would also have ski area condos to rent. Some offer mountain biking during the summer. Kayaking is very popular. You will probably find places where you can rent kayaks for the day or half day. Some places will transport you to a starting point and then you paddle back to the rental place.

Mystic -- about as far from a mountain vacation as you get. The town itself is small and has a few interesting shops and restaurants. The Seaport is our foremost maritime museum, hidden under a recreated 19th century village.

But where it might shine for your family is in the opportunities for sea kayaking. This part of Connecticut and Rhode Island is full of salt marshes, rivers, estuaries, salt ponds, bays and harbors. Newport is nearby for more sophisticated pleasures.

You might want to consider the Maine coast as well -- it's spectacularly beautiful with kayaking to the offshore islands. The water is cold, though.

You might consider dividing your time, a few days in Vermont and a few at the beach. Mystic is only about three or four hours drive from southern Vermont.

I think Southern Vermont is looking favourite as a base - Grafton & Newfane look beautiful - though have not found a Vacation rental with availability in that area - any other favourites?

Stick with Vermont. colbeck has some good advice and I agree that Burlington is a lovely town with cafes, interesting artsy stuff and lots of water activities on Lake Champlain.

Mystic was disappointing (I've only been for a day trip but it definitely didn't inspire me to return).

What about Stowe, VT? You can drive up Rt 100 (very scenic) from Southern VT into Stowe. Lots to see and do there. Also can take a side trip over to Burlington.

I live in western NH, and can vouch for the beauty of both VT and NH. A good place to base yourselves for at least part of the trip, would be the Upper Valley area, which is the rural/agricultural area of both states along the Connecticut River, the commecial center being Lebanon NH. Hanover NH is a very pleasant college town, with many dining options. It is surrounded by the scenic and unspoiled towns of Lyme, Thetford (VT), Cornish, Ascutney (VT), etc. The Cornish/Windsor covered bridge is one of the most photographed spots in all New England, and from here it's a short drive to the breathtaking Mt Ascutney auto road. Mt Ascutney is laced with hiking trails for all abilities. Cornish is home to the beautiful St. Gaudens national historic site, where concerts are held on Sunday afternoons in the summer. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at North Star rentals in Cornish for an afternoon on the beautifully unspoiled Connecticut River.
Other nice towns to consider would be Woodstock Vt, Grafton Vt, Sunapee NH, Sugar Hill NH, and Waitsfield Vt.
In general, Vermont is more bucolic, and New Hampshire is blessed with more lakes and rugged mountains - they are both wonderful.

Thanks for the Web sites Colbeck, I'd not discovered them. Have you stayed at the Basin Harbour club? Had a quick look at their website - not really got this sort of thing in the Uk - i've got visions of a place like the backdrop on Dirty Dancing!