My husband and I just cancelled our vacation to the Caribbean, and are looking at heading up to Vermont instead. The trip is planned for Oct. 7-13 and we'd like to stay in a quaint New England town with access to hiking, parks and shopping (as New Yorkers, we're desperate for some R&R). Suggestions on a nice town and some hotels within -- ideally, not more than $150/night, are welcome. Thanks!

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You would probably like the Manchester area-plenty of shopping, and it's right in the mountains. The Manchester Chamber of Commerce should be able to help you with finding accomodations. Also try looking at www.bromley.com or www.stratton.com (local ski areas). The Equinox is probably THE place to stay in Manchester-it's a little pricy however. The Wilburton Inn, Inn at Ormsby Hill, and the Black Panther Inn all have been recommended to me.
Normally you would probably have a hard time finding accomodations this close to your arrival-October is VT's busiest tourist season. However, local news articles have said that there have been lot's of cancellations for people who planned on flying in, so you shouldt have too much of a problem w/accomodations. But, if you do have problems finding a place, call the Chamber of Commerce-they usually keep a list of places w/availability. Please have a great time-was up in extreme northern VT this weekend and the leaves are starting to turn. You should have nice color in southern VT by that time if that's where you end up staying!

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Patti, It seems a lot of people may be doing the same thing. Another very nice area is the Woodstock-Quechee area. Woodstock is a very nice medium sized Vermont village with lots of shops, restaurants, etc. There is hiking, golf, horseback riding, and lots of beautiful scenery. You are also close to Hanover NH, which has lots of great restaurants, and the beautiful Dartmouth campus. The Marshland Farm at Quechee is a very nice, upscale country inn a few miles outside Woodstock, in a great setting. If you want a downtown location, there is the Woodstock Inn. There are also lots of smaller b&b's in the area.If you want something more isolated and rural, Harvey's Mountain View in Rocester Vt. is a wonderful farmhouse b&b located on a dirt road, surrounded by farmland and deep woods. Not much to do here at night however! You may have trouble finding something at this late date, good luck!

The previous posters have recommended Quechee, Stowe, and Manchester. I've been to all three and have found them all to be quite nice. So you won't go wrong with your pick - maybe try two towns. The Equinox is lovely, Stowe's Trapp Family Lodge is also great. Lots of trails start at the Lodge. I love the recreation path in STowe and I bet its beautiful when the leaves are changing. In Quechee we stayed in condos - can't remember name. If you go to Quechee make sure you drive over to Hanover, NH to see Dartmouth. Such a beautiful campus. Enjoy your trip. It will be great.