Vermont and Maine
 

HI I will be travelling through the northern parts of both Vermont and Maine on my way to New Brunswick this summer what shouldn't we miss?<BR><BR>Any tips and suggestions would be appreciated.<BR><BR>We are a family of 4 2 adults and 2 kids 12 & 9<BR>

Since you'll be travelling with children, I recommend stopping at the Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory near Stowe VT. They conduct tours daily and you get a free sample. Summer in VT is full of small town festivals--suggest you buy or subscribe to Vermont Life magazine which will give you calendars of events. I've been to VT many times and see and experience new things each time I visit. You'll love it!

when are you coming?<BR>I live in northern Vermont and can give you an idea of what's up when you'll be around!

Thank you for your help.<BR><BR>We will be there about the 20-22 of July<BR><BR>Thanks again.<BR>

hmmm...no festivals then that I can think of...no fairs either. But you can go to Stowe and take the kids on the Alpine Slide--take the chairlift up and ride down! It's a lot of fun. Ben and Jerry's, while fun, WILL be a madhouse! Just be prepared. <BR><BR>You can go on a "cruise" around Lake Champlain on the Spirit of Ethan Allen too. I would surf the web and check out the towns of Stowe, Waitsfield, Jeffersonville (Smuggler's Notch resort has a lot of kid-friendly events during the summer), Burlington. Each town has their own personality and events!<BR><BR>This is not exactly helpful, I know! But I would advise sniffing around the web---especially closer to the time you are coming :)

A recent thread on the most overrated tourist attractions in the US had several people who nominated Ben and Jerry's. FYI

My husband loved Ausable Chasm in NY which is just across the lake from Burlington VT. I'm guessing you are taking Rt 2 so you would also be near the NH White Mtns. A short hike would be a good way to stretch legs. The trail to Aretheusia Falls is rated for kids and the falls are pretty. We found the transportation museum in Bangor ME to be very interesting provided you are interested in old cars, trucks, and farm vehicles. Since your children are young they might enjoy just stopping at a good craft supply store and getting an easy project that could be done on the long ride. My sister teaches crafts at summer camp and all ages seem to love bead weaving. They can make bracelets with names woven into the design. Larger beads which might be easier to work with on a car ride (pony beads) have been popular. If you can fit in Bar Harbor, the whole family might enjoy a boat trip to see seals and eagles.

I'm not sure how far up north you are going, but the White Mountains are spectacular. You can take a short hike, drive to the top of Mount Washington the highest point in the east, visit the Mt. Washington hotel. Stay away from North Conway unless you really like traffic. Depending how much time you have, I would strongly suggest a trip to Acadia National Park. There is so much to do you may never want to leave.