We are traveling from Virginia. We want to see quintessential Vermont and Maine, perhaps New York. Our original idea was to stay at a lodge type place in Vermont and/or NY. I know the trip is short, so l need to get the most bang for my literal buck and time buck.

I'd look at a map, consider what seems interesting and get back to us. They are three pretty good sized states.

Maine highlights are fishing on an ocean-sized lake (Moosehead)..., Mountain climbing (Mt. Kineo, Katahdin,or Mt Battie)...Acadia National Park/Hiking/Sailing...Sebago Lakes/Belgrade Lakes/Rangeley Lakes/water skiing....The Rocky Coastline/ Whale Watching/ Sparsely inhabited islands/Clambakes...whitewater rafting and camping....Beaches, Seafood and Ice Cream. What time of year are you going and what are your interests?

http://www.fodors.com/search/results...ch=New+England

A couple of critical questions: (1) when? And (2) your subject is New England and your question is about Vermont. You can't do New England from Vermont, though you can do Vermont and some of New Hampshire. You should also forget about upstate NY this trip. It is its own place and deserves a separate trip. You need to clarify.

Try looking at Yankee Magazine or their website. The current issue is about the best lakes in New England. Good question about your interests. DH likes antique tractors and likes to go to at least once antique tractor show. Usually the owners are farmers or people who's family used to farm. Pick activities where you can mix with the locals. A nice event is Old Time Farming Days at Musterfield Farm in North Sutton NH usually the weekend before Labor Day. I love to watch the young 4-H kids take their ox teams thru an obstacle course. See demonstrations of how to do things which some people still know how to do. It's a beautiful farm with an active farmstand and a few historic buildings brought in and preserved by the former owner.

But, quintessential New England is doing the work that makes New England what it is. Working a church supper to raise money. Cutting firewood to keep warm. Knowing where the best swimming hole/fishing spot is. Find a place with free weekly summer concerts and take a picnic supper. Get a cheese or wine or ice cream trail map from the state dept of agriculture. Visit a farmers market. Drive some back roads.