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Vermont from bottom to top!

Hello. We are putting together an itinerary for a May trip from Boston to Quebec City and back again. Our plans will take us through the entire length of the beautiful state of Vermont. We have never ventured into Vermont and are interested in any great inns we should make plans to stay in along the way. We are interested in any "must see" attractions, quaint villages, etc. I don't have an exact itinerary yet. I've seen on previous posts that route 100 is recommended. Any and all suggestions are much appreciated!

I recommend Highway 100. Stop in Montpelier, the capital. There are tours of the capitol and have a meal at the NE Culinary Institute. The Ben & Jerry's factory isn't that far away. I didn't take the tour, but I'm all for ice cream! Near Stowe (I'm not sure how far away) is the Von Trapp Lodge. The Von Trapp family was featured in "The Sound of Music" but I doubt you'll hear "Edelweiss" there.

Theresa We were just in Vermont in November and if we ever go back we will definitly spend more time in Woodstock -its a great town. Also we liked Stowe. Have a great time.

Mary Mary- Any lodging you would recommend in Stowe or Woodstock?

Theresa, the Trapp Family Lodge is IN Stowe. You could stay there, it's beautiful, especially the view - can be pricey though. Some other nice places in Stowe are Edson Hill Manor, Stowehof (which are both a bit off the beaten track) and the Green Mountain Inn (right in the center of Stowe's village). There are also many smaller Inns and tons of restaurants. The Ben & Jerry's factory is 10 miles from Stowe, in Waterbury (along Route 100).

I suggest you consider the Inn at Windham Hill in West Townsend (southern, vt.) and the Inn at Round Barn Farm (further north). Both have great websites. We often stay at small inns all over new england and Windham Hill wins as our hands down favorite - wonderful food (dinner is served most nights), location, warm and friendly staff, miles and miles of hiking trails right outside your door. Round Barn Farm limits meals to breakfast, but very lovely, quiet location in an interesting part of the state. Hope this helps.

Theresa, Keep in mind that Woodstock, Stowe, Manchester etc. are built around and cater to the tourist industry and do not (in my opionion) truly represent Vermont. They are probably the most expensive places to visit and the most crowded too. But by all means, they are nice towns but don't limit yourself to them. Southeastern Vermont (Brattleboro area) is worth a visit as is Bennington (especially if you're a history buff). Montpelier is a great suggestion. Some great restaraunts there as it is home to the New England Culinary Institute. The Northeast Kingdom (St. Johnsbury/Lyndonville/Newport area) is also quite beautiful. Drive to the top of Burke Mountain, drive around Lake Willoughby. Burlington is a great little city and home to the University of Vermont. Have fun!

Theresa, they just had a story on our local news (in Vermont) last night about a Farm in Wilmington VT (south, near Brattleboro) that takes guests. They have a booming agri-tourism business. It sounded like a very interesting place. I just looked them up and they do have a website at www.adamsfamilyfarm.com Vermontlvr is right, the Northeast Kingdom is beautiful and definitely the road less traveled. Lake Willoughby is a great place to spend a relaxing day or two. While Stowe, Woodstock, Manchester may be considered more touristy areas, there are LOTS of things to do there. So, depending on what you are looking for (complete quiet & relaxation vs. shopping & many choices for dining) you might want to take that into consideration. Burlington is great too.

Theresa, I spent 10 days in Vermont about 3 years ago and loved it. We stayed at 'The Stagecoach Inn' in Waterbury which was very nice. We liked Stowe but didn't really like the drive up and down the mountain. Woodstock is defnitely a great place to visit. If you are driving up from Boston an absolute 'must see' is the Shaker Villiage in Canterbury. It is very beautiful with a great tour. Have fun! Laura

Theresa, This is the web page of the place I mentionned in my earlier post. Laura www.oldstagecoach.com/

Isn't the Shaker Village in Canterbury--in New Hampshire?

Theresa, see my post on the Canadian site. I-91 is the way to go - breathtaking views of VT and NH for 150 miles!

Dear huh? The Cantebury Shaker village is in NH, but there is another one named something like Sherbrooke or Sturbrigde near Burlington VT.

Old Sturbridge Village is in Massachusetts. I think asdf is thinking of the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne Vermont (and yes, near Burlington). It's a great place to spend a day.

Hi again, The Shaker villiage is in NH but as Theresa is driving up from Boston, it's on her way - it's not far from Concord. I don't know about another Shaker Village near Burlington, but maybe you mean 'Shelbourne' - at least I think that's the name. It a musuem of different buildings from all over that is a great place to visit. When you buy a ticket to enter it's valid for two days - there's just so much to see. I would recommend that too! Laura

Shelburne!!! Thanks for jogging the memory.

Oh, boy! Keep the info coming! I really appreciate all the helpful details you all have provided! We are definitely getting excited about this trip.

The Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford near St. Johnsbury is highly respected for both accomodations and cuisine. We stayed there in 94 & 97. We really enjoyed the Northeast Kingdom area. Neat bookstore/cafe in St. Johnsbury. Peacham (Spelling?) is a picturesque little town.

You know Theresa, you might also want to consider visiting Shelburne Farms. You didn't mention if you are traveling with kids but it's a great place to visit with or without children. There's an Inn there as well, right on Lake Champlain. It's beautiful and the restaurant is great. The Inn is said to be haunted - so I'm not sure if that scares you off or not. Personally I think it's kind of fun! Enjoy your trip!

Route 100 is the best way to see the state "bottom to top." To clarify: Shelburne Farm and Shelburne Museum are a) in Vermont, just south of Burlington, b) not shaker settlements, and c) worth not just a detour but an entire trip. Both were set up by the Vanderbilt family. The Inn at Shelburne Farms is perhaps among the State's very best inns AND restaurants (shelburnefarms.org). Also along Route 100 for lodging is The Pitcher Inn in Warren (try madrivervalley.com for others nearby). Avoid Trapp in STowe, it lives up to its name. Put Shelburne on your must-see list.

Theresa, May's a good time to catch the Spring flowers in Vermont, particularly if you come on the later side of the month (and if it ever stops snowing here this winter!!) I'll throw in a third pitch for Shelburne Farms! Also, the Shelburne Museum has a lilac festival -- but I believe it's in June. Keep in mind early May in Vermont is often still mud season. It's a quieter time of the year, which means you should get great rates on lodging, but some restaurants may be closed as that's the time of the year many locals go on vacation. Also, I don't know if you are planning on hiking but hikers are requested to stay off the higher-elevation trails until Memorial Day. There are still plenty of great places to take a stroll or light hike though!

Listen to juli- with a madriver address, she's real VT. Don't miss the capital bldg.in Montpelier, one of the coutry's most beautiful (my hometown)The Montpelier Inn is gorgeous and small. Barre has the granite quarries that are famous all over the world. Woodstock is beautiful but not true VT - it's fantasy Rockefeller VT. Warren and Mad River gorgeous, Burlington has changed from my college days and is more touristy than before, still great. Anywhere on Lake Champlain is great.Champlain Mills in Winooski, Shelburne Museum is great, esp. The Ticonderoga paddle wheel ship and Ben & Jerry's won't disappoint even if touristy. Top Notch in Stowe is highly rated but not charming B&B. The Shedd in Stowe for lunch and Shedd burgers.Have fun!

Thanks again, guys! We have made our reservations and this is what we came up with: *Arrive and overnight in Manchester, NH *Drive Kangamagus Highway and up to Errol, NH overnight *Drive to Quebec City for a three night stay *Move on to Montreal for a two night stay *Arrive at Rabbit Hill Inn for two night stay. *Spend last three nights at Winham Hill Inn in West Townshend, VT. How did we do? I would love some more input on country drives(covered bridges, picnics, antiques, etc) from each of our Inns in Vermont. Thanks!

You will LOVE Vermont! DEFINITELY include 'Shelburne Museum' --- it's set on a beautiful acreage outside Burlington --- Rte. 7 (southern part of Burlington). Although it's a "museum" which may conjure up more indoor & stuffy imagery, this is a collection of various types of Americana ranging from furniture/quilts/ to recreations of rooms & cabins in early 1800's. The woman who created the 'Shelburne Museum' (as well as the Shelburne Farms) came from a rich family & sounded like a wonderfully eccentric & strong-minded woman. In addition to smaller items, she managed to purchase the steamboat 'Ticonderoga', an de-commissioned lighthouse, a 19th century carousel (still works!) as well as several other large pieces and have them either hauled overland or dismantled piece-by-piece and reassembled in Shelburne. www.shelburnemuseum.org Also, although Burlington is the capital & state's largest city, I found it to have a nice 'small town' feel --- actually it IS rather small, but since the rest of the state is rural, then all things are relative. IF you're a chocoholic (yours truly), then a quick visit to the Lake Champlain chocolate factory may be on your list. They have a website --- but when you go there in person, you can purchase good deals in the factory store. Mmmmmmmmmm --- it's some mighty good truffles . . .

Last time I checked, Montpelier is the state capital of Vermont, not Burlington. That said, the above poster is absolutly correct-Burlington is a great small city. Very progressive politically, cool restaraunts, bars, shops etc. The waterfront is nice--a large park, marina, boat house, bike/blade/walking path, boat rides etc. Have fun!

Hello. I'm a former Mass. resident who lived in Vermont for 4 years, ...and a food promoter who is not alone in their rave reviews for the cuisine executed in fine Vermont restaurants. There's more to the state of Vermont than meets the eye. On your way to Montreal, if you take Rte. 89 North there are some interesting places of note. A must visit is the historic town of Woodstock: Rte. 93N,to Rte. 89 N, Exit 1 "Woodstock/Rutland". Visit their town website at www.woodstockvt.com for complete listing of activities, restaurants and lodging. FYI-the Jackson House Inn, Rte. 4, Woodstock is a gem and has a very fine restaurant. For a visit to a classic General Store & more, visit Gillingham's on Elm St. near the center of town. Recent motion picture releases can be viewed at the Woodstock Town Hall and Theater. Woodstock is located in a region known as the Upper Valley. See www.valley.net for resources & special events in that area. Approximately 50 mile north is the state capital of Montpelier. A walk through the town followed by lunch at The New England Culinary Institute's (NECI) "Cafe" can make for a pleasant visit. The Cafe and Institute received great reviews in a The Boston Sunday Globe Magazine feature in 1997. From Rte. 89 North, about a 30 minute ride up is the beautiful mountain village of Stowe, Rte. 100 N. Stowe has an abundance of fine dining & specialty restaurants, antique & fine artisan shops, town theater and lodging establishments. And of course, in season some of the finest skiing in the Northeast. Visit www.gostowe.com for complete information, and to www.topnotch-resort.com (reviewed in travel publications)for a hotel suggestion. Stowe has a bike path you can walk, or in winter x-country ski or snow shoe, throughout most of the entire village. If your travel itinerary allows, from Stowe, take a ride along Rte. 100 South through the villages of Waterbury, Waitsfield and Warren for beautiful views of mountain countryside. The general store in Warren has a memorable bakery, fine wine selection, a sandwich and deli counter that uses fresh farm produce & ingredients, and loads of country store treats. Across the street from the General Store is The Pitcher Inn, a fine lodging and reastaurant establishment. Up the main street of town is a lovely classic wooden bridge to view. The Suguarbush ski area (Sugarbush Mountain Road) is nearby and offers several additional activities, and dining and lodging opportunities. On your way to Montreal via Rte, 89, a consider a visit to Burlington, Vermont. A walk through Burlington's Church Street Marketplace (a version of the Quincy Marketplace), can make for a nice visit. The New England Culinary Institute also manages a restaurant "NECI Commons" on Church Street. The city is located on Lake Champlain, and in season boat excersions including dinner cruises sail daily. Visit www.vermont.org for complete information on Burlington and the state of Vermont. Bonne voyage!

In addition: Hike at Quechee Gorge. Nearby, stop for a great lunch or dinner at Simon Pierce. Tour the glass showroom while you wait for your table. Ellen