Must see places around Burlington, VT
 

We are driving from Michigan to Vermont the last week of September. We are traveling one week ahead of starting a bike trip in VT on October 1. Can anyone recommend places that are a "must see" along our route, or anywhere in the tri-state area of NY, VT and or MA.?

Any suggestions of places to see on a road trip from Michigan to Vermont?! We have about one week to travel...

DS and his family are on a cross country camping trip. Leaving from NH, their first night was in Niagara but then they went thru Canada. I have driven the northern route from Columbus OH to NH but never had time to stop at any wineries or anything along the Erie Canal. One of the suggested routes from Michigan go close to Montreal which is a place I would like to visit again.

Near Burlington VT, Shelburn Museum is very popular. Perhaps take a look at your bike route and figure out what places you might miss. Even when biking, you might not stop at some places that are fun like either of the Vermont Country Stores. You didn't mention any interests so it's hard to make recommendations. There are quite a few places to visit between Montpelier and Stowe including the famous Ben and Jerry's ice cream tour and the tourist traffic the last week of September shouldn't be as bad as first week of October.

There are various "maps" for VT so you can find local cheeses, wines, beer, etc. The western side along Lake Champlain is beautiful farm country. The eastern side near NH is more mountainous. You can take a scenic drive over one of the passes. I liked Lincoln Pass from Bristol because there's a popular swimming hole just out of town that has a small waterfall. And the Warren Country Store has great sandwiches and a mini gorge out back. Nice deck overlooks part of it.

We took the trip from Michigan to Vermont a few years ago. We went through Canada and stopped at the Thousand Island area. Beautiful. I wished we could have spent more time there. The second day we came into the US via NY and then onto Vermont. Beautiful drive. On the way back we went through NY and entered Canada at Niagara Falls.

If you are going to travel east from Burlington, plan an extra hour or 2 and go north on 89 to 104 to 108 through Smuggler's Notch. The scenery is beautiful. Along the way is a Winery and Green Mountain Coffee roasting. Once you pass through Smuggler's Notch (which is an experience all on it's own) you will be on your way towards Stowe, etc.

We also took a lunch river cruise on Lake Champlain. Very nice.