Hi there,

I really would appreciate some advice on a possible drive through Vermont. I have read how terrific driving through this area is and particularly during October and especially Route 100.

As it stands I am scheduled to arrive in Boston on a Monday and have arranged to fly out of Burlington on Friday morning. This gives me the opportunity to see Boston and actually hire a car a drive through Vermont. I was considering the following

- Arrive in Boston (2 nights)
- Drive to Stowe (via Route 100)
- Overnight stay in Stowe (1 night)
- Tour surrounding area and drive to Burlignton (1 night Burlington)
Flight out next morning

Given I am planning this from Australia, about an area I know so little about and have never visited, I have a few questions.

1. Is the drive from Boston (via Route 100) to Stowe too long a trip for one day?
2. Is Stowe the best place to stop off at
3. Is 2 days in Boston enough time.

I would appreciate any adivce on the above. I would be particularly interested if you have done a drive like this. How would you structure this part of the trip.

Cheers
Ben

Boston is a big city, and you could spend weeks there, but you can view the neighborhoods, see Harvard and Harvard Square, visit some of the historic sites (Faneuil Hall, Old State House, and Old North Church), and walk through the Back Bay and Beacon Hill. If you had a third day, I would divide it between the Musuem of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museums with a Red Sox game at night!

Your Vermont trip is entirely feasible; Stowe is not too far away and is a good place to stay. Another possibility, closer to Boston, is to take I-89 to White River Junction, then US 4 to Woodstock, a pretty town with lots of good restaurants. You then approach Burlington from the south on US 7 through Rutland and Middlebury. The latter is a very pretty town. Burlington is not filled with things to do but has a pleasant pedestrian downtown, fabulous views across Lake Champlain, and (assuming you are like many others from Oz) good brew pubs! If you had extra time, you might go to Shelburne Farms. By the way, the approaches to Burlington are hideous. Persevere!

Thanks Ackislander, good advice.
I am a bit concerned that I have not allowed enought time in Boston - it is a shame I do not have more time. Your suggestion re Woodstock is good too and I am going to consider that.

Ben, when in October is your trip?

It will be late Oct. ie week 3

Given that it's the third week of October I would not stay in Stowe since you will spend the next night in Burlington. For so little time you are spending too much of it in one small section of Vermont. You could easily spend a couple of hours at the Vermont Country Store in Weston or a whole day at the Shelburne Museum (some people spend two days). It really depends on what you want to see and do in Vermont. You could also spend a few hours between Montpelier and Stowe visiting the shops and taking the Ben and Jerry's tour. Billings Farm Museum in Woodstock and Simon Pierce in Quichee might be worthwhile detours.

I feel so sad, Ben, that you are going to miss the most spectacular foliage display around Stowe and Burlington. There are still going to be some colorful leaves left but not many and nothing what is there in the first or second week of October. Sometimes the foliage display comes later in October but not that late. Maybe you can focus on a southern part of Vermont. There should be more colorful foliage left. So for this reason Ackislander's suggestion of visiting Woodstock I think is a good one. Nonetheless, this is a very scenic area even if all leaves are gone. I do not agree with Ackislander, there is not much to do in Burlington. There is a lot to do in the area and I have no idea what she means by saying the approaches to Burlington are hideous. It is a rural beautiful area. The biggest plus, no billboards in Vermont. There was a long post on activities around Burlington and I will try to find it for you. Don't worry about not having enough time in Boston. Of course it would be nice if you had a few weeks for this area but your trip is very short and I bet you will do your best to see as much as feasible and you are going to enjoy this short overview of New England. The airport in Burlington is very small and user friendly. Just be there one hour before your departure. We use this airport often.