Where in Vermont-North or South?
 

Hello. We're going to New England at the end of September. Our itinerary starts in Connecticut and goes to Maine, New Hampshire, and then Vermont.

We're staying in Jackson, NH and are heading to Vermont as our last stop. Here's where we are struggling: do we go to Stowe for the last 2 nights and fly home from Burlington, or, do we stay in Southern Vermont (West Townshend) and fly home from Hartford, CT.

Nice, romantic accommodations are important to us, and we'd choose the Stone Hill Inn in Stowe, or Windham Hill in West Townshend.

Can you advise which area you would choose for a 2-3 night stay? We like cute villages, shops, restaurants, and pretty scenery--don't need a lot to occupy us, as we just want to relax.

You might have a change of seeing the beginning of foliage if you stay in Stowe. If you have a few hours before your flight I think you would enjoy Burlington more than the Hartford area. Downtown Church Street is a wonderful place to wander.

I agree with dfrostnh. Stay in Stowe and you may be able to see some of the beautiful foliage. If you take route 302 from NH to VT you should definitely see some colors. There is one section of this road not too far from Barre, VT that has always leaves changing much earlier than anywhere else. Since you are going to stay in Stowe for 2-3 nights try to spend one full day in Shelburne Museum. BTV airport is much friendlier and easier to navigate than Bradley airport. There are plenty of small charming villages in the area, just drive around, look for covered bridges, scenery is gorgeous all around, spend some time in Burlington too as suggested. If you do search right here on this forum you should be able to find a few great posts with many recommendations on visiting Burlington and Stowe areas including places to eat and country shops.
www.shelburnemuseum.org

Thanks for the advice. We were originally leaning toward Stowe, but also liked the idea of quiet solitude in Southern Vermont. Is Stowe picture-postcard cute? Is it too commercialized?

Is anyone familiar with the Stone Hill Inn? It seems like just what we're looking for.

We love Stowe. Always stay at Golden Eagle. Don't know about the Inn you mention, but we have been all over Vermont and we love this area. Not very commercialized...downtown is rather quaint.

We have also stayed at Windham Hill and loved it!

So now are you confused...you can't really lose either way!

We just stayed in Stone Hill Inn two weeks ago and it is the most romantic place you wish for. Absolutely fantastic. before we left Stone Hill Inn we already made reservation for October 7-10, they are almost fully booked for the end of September and October but someone canceled reservation for "our" room. You are going to have more of of quiet solitude here than in southern Vermont. BTW, Stowe and the area is not too commercialized. Have a great trip

Thanks Earlxx! We've decided on Stowe and are going to book shortly.
Can I ask which room you like?

Stay in Shelburne and visit the museum.Great.Paul

lhopp, we stayed in Catamount and talked with several guests who were very happy with their rooms. We took a peak at White Birch and another one but I cannot recall its name, something like stream or pond. Both looked lovely. I don't think you can go wrong with any room but you have to make your reservations asap. I hope you are not too late.

Thanks earlxx.

We booked Stone Hill Inn earlier today for 2 nights. We could not decide between Catamount and White Birch, and ended up choosing White Birch.

Thanks everyone for the advice and for helping us decide on Stowe.

We're also going to Connecticut to see the New England Air Museum, Kennebunkport, ME, and Jackson, NH, so we will get a very good taste of New England. This is our first trip traveling in the US (usually go to France or Italy) so we're very excited.

Will post a trip report when we return.

I trust you are going to have a great stay in Stowe. From Jackson, NH I highly recommend you take route 16 south and at the junction with 302 turn right and continue on this road all the way to I-89 North in Vermont. You should get on this interstate at exit 6 or 7. Don't miss stunning views from the highway. Take exit 10 for Stowe. On the way from Jackson you pass many small nice towns. As you enter Littleton, NH and after making sharp turn to the right there is an excellent ice cream store on your right. It is a well know place. It should take you about 3 hours from Jackson to Stowe including a stop for ice cream.

The name of the ice cream store is Bishop's Homemade Ice Cream Store

http://www.littletonareachamber.com/...amp;cat=Dining

A more direct Route than 302 from Littleton to Stowe would be to hop on I-93 north to St.Johnsbury, VT. Get on I-91 north and take the 2nd exit you come to - Route 2 West. Follow Route 2 West to West Danville where you will pick up Route 15 west. Follow 15 to Morrisville, then pick up 100 south to Stowe.
If you feel like ice cream, then Bishops is a must!
Have a great trip!

bm, you gave a great detailed description of the more direct route. However, for the best chance to see beautiful foliage in the end of September route 302 should be considered. Besides, Ihopp is looking for cute villages and, as everywhere else, the faster you drive the less you see. It is hard to see any towns or villages from I 91 and I-93. So for this reason I recommended route 302. You just have no choice but to look around as you drive on this road.

Pat - Gotcha! You are only on the interstate for a total of about 20 miles...either way is nice ride...if you have more time take 302 all the way across. In Barre, be sure to check out the Rock of Ages granite quarry and Hope Cemetery (on Route 14).

I hope you have a wonderful time. I lived in VT very briefly and of course the fall was my favorite time.

I love Stowe and just wanted to recommend the Whip Bar and Grill at the Green Mountain Inn for a lunch/dining place. We were very tired from walking around and just happened in there at an odd time - 2:30ish I think. There was no one in the place and we had the best time. The server only waited on us and we were seated near the fireplace. It was so cozy and picture perfect. I can't guarantee that for your visit but just a thought as you plan. I hope you have a great time!

Stowe is beautiful. We stayed at the Trapp Family Lodge (got it through Priceline for $65 a night.)

Thanks everyone. We can't wait and will post a report when we return.

does anyone know how long of a drive from burlington vt to white mountains in new hampshire

About 3 hours, maybe a little less or more depending on where you are going.