Vermont: cheddar cheese and maple syrup?
 

I have never been to Vermont, but one of the postings below has whetted my appetite. <BR>I have few questions: <BR>Are there any luxury inns in Vermont? <BR>How about good restaurants? <BR>Is April too late to watch maple sugar being made? Are any of the sugar houses open to the public? <BR>I know Vermont makes great cheddar, but are there any cheese factories where you can by the REALLY old stuff? <BR>Should I visit Quebec instead?

Hi there! I can answer YESto all your questions! Luxury Inns?? Try the ski resort areas--Woodstock and Stowe in particular. There are plenty of good restaurants. Let us know what types of food you like to eat and thenwe can point you in the right direction. As far as maple syrup is concerned, I'm not 100% positive but I think your best bet to be able to see maple sugar being made is in early April. I know the sap is running now and I've been told it's a little early. Lot's of sugar houses welcome visitors. There are lots of commercial ones (for example Goodrich's in Cabot), but IMO, the best one's are the mom & pop sugar houses. Stop in at a local store and ask someone and they should point you in the right direction. For cheese, Cabot is considered to make some of the best cheddar in the world. They have a visitors center right in Cabot Village. Another place to visit regarding Cheese is Grafton. You can always take a jaunt up to Quebec too as it borders VT! Hope you get to go and have a great time!!

Dear Betsy: <BR>Thanks for a great answer! <BR>As to food, my favorite cuisine is "American," whether "new" or traditional.

Here are some restaraunt suggestions: Near Cabot, in the town of Danville is the Creamery--great little place with equally great food. Can't really help with suggestions in Stowe or Woodstock, but can recommend some in Burlington--NECI Commons (New England Culinary Institute), Sweetwaters, Boves (for Italian), and Mona's. Burlington is a great place to visit too. Lot's of great shops, restaraunts and night life.

Betsy: <BR>You make Vermont sound so appealing. Maybe I oughta go to. Is there any snowboarding in April?

There still should be some snow left! I was at Loon (in Northern NH) and they had tons! Your best bet would probably be Killington, but also check out Stowe or Sugarbush (I'm not a huge fan of Killington!). Temps are supposed to be pretty mild this weekend so I suspect that lots of places will lose quite a bit of snow. Best bet is to call ahead. I'm headed to Burke Mt. (northern VT) this weekend to get some spring skiing in! It's hard to tell how much longer it will last!

Betsy: <BR>Thnx a lot! I'll go!

Some of the larger areas are open through early May. I heard a radio ski report yesterday to the effect that Killington will be open for about another two months. The little known secret (among folks who don't ski actively) is that Spring is one of the best times to ski. The air temps are generally warm (I've skied wearing a t-shirt on more tha a few occasions) and the snow is soft and forgiving. The forgiving aspect is important if you're a novice skier or just trying snowboarding for the first time. I snowboarded two weeks ago for the first time and my backside still hurts!

John: <BR>I think you shuld visit upstate New York instad. The country is prettier, they make good wine and the cheddar is the best!

Can't believe no one has mentioned visiting Ben and Jerry's just south of Stowe -- I thought it was the number one tourist attraction in Vermont (or close behind the Trapp Family Lodge).