Family vacation in vermont
 

We are looking to travel to Vermont in June and wanted feedback on resorts like the Basin Harbor on Lake Champlain Smugglers Notch? The Inn at Shelburne Farms.Any other suggestions for 2 adults and 1 3year old?Would appreciate it.Also we may even be interested in taking this trip in the fall instead.Any info would be appreciated.

Tina,<BR>We stayed at Basin Harbor for a couple of days in Sept. Our room was a nice little cottage w/living room, kitchenette, bedroom, fireplace and small deck overlooking the lake. It was lovely, clean, well equiped but a little "out of date". I don't remember a tv - it was our honeymoon so maybe there was one that we didn't watch. It was off season in Sept. so the pool was closed etc. I know they did have golf and according to the brochures lots of programs and things to do during the season. We had dinner in the main lodge one evening and found it a little on the stuffy side. Clientle were older and service was formal. We had another dinner in a less formal restaurant there called the Paddock or Barn or something like that. I enjoyed our stay there - the grounds were very nice, view of the lake was great, and it was very relaxing in our own little cottage. <BR>Sandra

Tina, June will have far fewer tourisits, but will be buggy with blackflies. The fall is absolutely beautiful, but there are a fair amount of leef peepers putting around. I find late August to be a nice time up here.As for places to stay, I would prefer a small b&b/farm tucked away in the mountains, over a large resort. If you do want a resort, I've heard nothing but great things about the Trapp Family Lodge outside of Stowe.

I live a few minutes from Basin Harbor and visit it regularly by boat and car. Don't worry about black flies in June--along the lake it's nearly always breezy. We see very few black flies any time of year. There are a lot of family and kid activities there, and while in my opinion the water is still very cold, a lot of kids go in anyway and don't seem to mind. If you want to, you can spend a day in Middlebury or Burlington. I like Shelburne Farms but it is very expensive and doesn't offer much for a 13 year old other than petting farm animals and walking. I hear good things about Smugglers but haven't been there. Good luck!

Smugglers Notch is the best family spot for young kids. Been there twice and want to return.