"So, I was wondering if you could pull together some ideas for a road trip to Vermont this summer." Not surprisingly, I get requests like this a lot, and I'm happy to oblige each and every time (personalizing my response as appropriate). Why it took me this long to think of sharing my typical response -- fleshed out so readers can pick and choose what they want most -- I cannot say.
Here is a roughly one-week road trip which includes many of my favorite stops. This itinerary assumes a starting point south of Vermont but can easily be rearranged depending on where you begin. You'll notice a preponderance of cheese, beer, covered bridges, and nature stops, as well as a smattering of maple; things I would argue make Vermont Vermont. Obviously, there are many, many other places well worth your time, but for a well-curated overview, I believe this covers much of the very best, especially if you look around you as you drive, taking in the farms, barns, and the vistas. Pick and choose as you see fit, and feel free to comment/ contact me for additional information or questions.
In case it needs to be said, Summer and Fall are very busy and the earlier you make your reservations (dining and lodging), the better. Also good to know is that you should bring reusable bags as most stores charge for them. You know, recycle...
The Snapshot:
Day 1: Drive to Manchester via Bennington & Arlington. Spend the night in Manchester.
Day 2: Check out Manchester and maybe drive over to Dorset (and take in a play?).
Spend the night in Manchester.
Day 3: Drive to Woodstock with a few stops for short walks/ hikes, beautiful vistas, the Vermont Country Store, and Calvin Coolidge's Homestead along the way. Spend the night in Woodstock.
Day 4: Explore Woodstock and Quechee. Spend the night in Woodstock.
Day 5: Drive to Stowe via Waitsfield and Waterbury. Spend the night in Stowe.
Day 6: Explore Stowe, The Notch at Smuggler's Notch, and then drive to Burlington. Spend the night in Burlington.
Day 7: Burlington, heading south, toward Brattleboro (via King Arthur Flour and Grafton). Spend the night in Grafton or Brattleboro.
Day 8: Drive home.
Day 1: Drive to Manchester, VT (via Bennington and Arlington, VT). If possible, drive up during the day so you can make a few stops on your way to Manchester. If you are interested in covered bridges, American history, and want or need to grab a bite to eat, or want to get your first taste of Vermont's craft brews, make Bennington your first stop. If you have less interest in history, and just need a snack/ dessert, make Arlington your first stop.
Bennington is a lovely Vermont town with historical significance, a bunch of covered bridges, and some good places to eat/ drink.
While in town, you can visit the cemetery where Robert Frost is buried, their impressive Revolutionary War monument (learn about the Green Mountain Boys!), see the largest collection of Grandma Moses paintings in the world at the Bennington Museum.
If you're itching to see covered bridges, be sure to drive to one (or all) of the 3 covered bridges in town. BUT... know that your GPS will likely not work well, so be sure to program your route before you start!
If you're hungry or thirsty (hello Vermont breweries!) during the day, check out Madison Brewing, my favorite spot for lunch there. If you arrive around dinner time, you can eat and drink at Harvest Brewing or the 421 Craftbar, neither of which I've tried, both of which I've heard good things about. (I'm always in Bennington in the day time and these places open at 5pm). And if you need some chocolate, check out the Village Chocolate Shoppe on Main Street.
Arlington is the town just south of Manchester (and north of Bennington), and in my opinion, there are two main reasons to visit this town:
See a (another) covered bridge, which you cross to get to one of Norman Rockwell's homes, now called Rockwell's Retreat. This is a very short stop, but it's not far off your route (old route 7) to one of the best places in the state to get your maple fix.
The Sugar Shack is, in my opinion, a MUST-STOP. They have incredible maple creemees (maple soft-serve ice cream), and they make an apple cider doughnut sandwich with maple creemee filling and a hot maple fudge sauce which is TO DIE FOR. Split one (or not) and thank me afterwards. Be sure to check their website to make sure they are open, though... (link above). This is also a place to see some Norman Rockwell art (there's a "museum" there of his posters) and pick up some maple syrup, sugar, candy, etc.
Spend tonight and tomorrow night in Manchester. There are lots of places to stay in Manchester and Manchester Center. For a grand hotel, you can stay at The Equinox, for a Vermonty hotel, look at The Barnstead Inn, If you are bringing a dog, check out The Taconic Hotel, and there is now a Hampton Inn which I hear is pretty nice, too. There are other places to stay, but these are my top-of-mind.
Day 2: Explore Manchester and the area. I LOVE Manchester, and have already written a couple of blog posts about it, which you should read: VT 251: Manchester & Shaftsbury & Eating in Manchester. Then pick and choose from the following...
Drive up the Mount Equinox road if weather is good for spectacular views. It's well worth the fee to access the road.
Hildene -- the Lincoln Family Home -- a museum with a really awesome original Pullman train car, lovely views/ gardens, and walking trails.
Pick up a Lemon LuLu at Mother Myricks in Manchester -- and maybe some butter crunch.
Shop the outlet stores in Manchester Center (Eileen Fisher, Le Creuset, etc), if desired.
Visit the Northshire Bookstore -- one of the best book/ game/ toy stores I've ever been to.
Drive to Dorset, VT (about 15 minutes west of town), and stop at JK Adams if you need a chopping board. Go to the Union Store and get something to eat if you want, or stop for a sweet treat or lunch at the Dorset Bakery. You'll pass a quarry on the right on your way into town where folks swim in the summer -- ask if they'll let you in to the parking lot just so you can see it (and not stay to swim); they started charging a few years ago for the privilege... Also, if you like theater, see if they have a play going on at the Dorset Playhouse -- they get some amazing actors there.
Spend the night in Manchester.
Day 3: Drive to Woodstock
Drive up to Bromley Ski Mountain -- notice the vista to the right as you near the ski mountain (on your left). You can take the chairlift up (and down) if you want some great views, or play a round of mini golf at the base, or even do an alpine slide if you desire. It's the view (even from the road), though, which is not to be missed in my opinion.
Head into Peru, VT just down the road and check out the Hapgood General Store -- it's cute, pretty gourmet, and has some good eats. Pick up something for lunch if you want. If you are hoping to take a walk/ short (1-mile) hike, there's a trail around Hapgood Pond which is nearby and easy (and lovely).
Then drive to Weston, VT after turning onto route 100 in Londonderry -- home of the Vermont Country Store. Sure, it is touristy, but the store has so many great things that I always recommend/bring visitors there. The town of Weston is very cute and Vermont-y, too, with an art gallery or two, another country store, a town green, and an antique store.
Continue driving north on route 100, and just after you drive past Okemo ski mountain in Ludlow, VT (the town has places to get lunch if you're hungry), go to Buttermilk Falls if you want some more easily-accessible nature. There is a short walk from where you park, but it's not harrowing and it's a nice little waterfall.
Then on to Plymouth, to visit the Calvin Coolige Homestead which is a great spot and well worth the excursion. Don't miss the Plymouth Cheese store when you're there.
After that, drive to Woodstock, where you'll spend the night.
Day 4: Explore Woodstock and the area: Woodstock is kind of a perfect Vermont town. Good shopping, good eating, good nature and views, 3 covered bridges... Walk around and take it all in. Click here for my Woodstock exploration.
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller Mansion in Woodstock -- a museum and working farm with great views.
Drive to Quechee. See the gorge (you can look down from the bridge -- no need to walk down) as you drive on Route 4 to the Simon Pearce Glassblowing Studio. The glass blowing is great, the location is beautiful, and there is an excellent restaurant there. Make a reservation for lunch or dinner and request a table with a view. If you are not in the mood for a "fine" meal, there is a Skinny Pancake nearby which is super casual and delicious -- try one of the crepes (obviously), but the hush purples are pretty great, too.
Spend the night in Woodstock.
Day 5: Drive to Stowe
Continuing north, drive to Moss Glen Falls in Granville, VT. This is a waterfall very easy to get to, and is literally on route 100 (on your left as you are driving north). It's pretty easy to miss, but you should see a bunch of cars parked along the side of the road.
After that, keep heading north, through Warren Village and if at all hungry, pick up something at the Warren Store. Some surprising gourmet treats are in there. Plus, there's another covered bridge in town should that be a priority.
Then, continue on route 100, to Waitsfield, VT. The town has a covered bridge, cute town, and one of my favorite cheese producers -- the Von Trapp Farmstead cheeses. Drive up to their farm store (on a dirt road, but not far from town), ask for some tastes if they don't have any out, and take in the spectacular pastoral view from there. For the beer connoisseurs, Lawson's Finest is made in Waitsfield -- feel free to check them out. And, if you are hankering for another creemee (or fried chicken), Canteen Creamery has arguably the best in the state (but be prepared for a long line). Spend some time walking around Waitsfield if you wish.
After Waitsfield, you'll continue north to Waterbury. Located at the historic train station is Black Cap Coffee and Bakery, where you should stop and buy a maple croissant, if they haven't sold out of them. The coffee and other baked goods are also good so if you need or want a pick-me up, this is a good stop, regardless.
Should you wish to visit the Ben & Jerry's factory and take a tour, make a reservation. It is located in Waterbury (just up the road from Black Cap). It's touristy but interesting (and you get a free taste). If you don't feel like taking the tour, I highly recommend visiting the flavor graveyard there-- it is free, toward the back (left) of the parking lot, up a small hill. There are amusing epitaphs for many of the retired flavors.
From there, continue north toward Stowe, stopping at the Cabot Creamery store en route, also in Waterbury. Be sure to taste some cheese (clothbound cheddar is my favorite) and know that they have some fabulous popcorn offerings -- their Seriously Sharp Cheddar and their Maple Cheddar are the best flavors, in my opinion. Lots of good gifts can be purchased here. Plus, Champlain Chocolates is located in the same parking lot, so if you want, check them out, too (although they have a few stores in Burlington, which you can visit when you get there).
Then on to Stowe, where you will stay over.
(click here for more on Stowe, Waitsfield, Waterbury)
Optional extra day in Montpelier & Barre
Montpelier is the Capital of Vermont (the smallest and only state capital without a McDonalds, by the way). It was devastated by flooding in 2023 but has come (mostly) back.
Check out the State House and learn some cool Vermont history, and walk around this overtly progressive town.
An amazing distillery, Barr Hill, is well worth a visit not just for their spirits (all of which are amazing and distilled with local honey), but also for farm-to-table snacks, lunch or dinner. Specifically, their Tom Cat gin is unique and delicious, and their vodka is very smooth (if you like that sort of thing). They have tastings...
For chocolate, taste and check out the names of some of the sweet offerings at Rabble Rouser (there's a Bernie Bar and a Union Bar to name a few).
Barre is a town not far from Montpelier which is known for its granite and quarries. A visit to Rock of Ages is interesting, and while there you should visit the Hope Cemetery (which has some interestingly crafted monuments and headstones made from the local stone, by the stone artisans). And, America's largest zipper is located in Barre, too, which is kind of fun.
Spend night in Stowe (or Montpelier, if you prefer).
Day 6: Explore Stowe and then Burlington
If you did not have time to explore the village of Stowe when you arrived, you should. There is a neat Ski Museum open sometimes, and the Main street is iconic. If you want to take a walk, there is a bike path along the river which is paved and lovely. Or, if you want to see another waterfall, there is another (!) Moss Glen Falls, in Stowe which is nice, short, and easy (if you don't go to the top).
While in Stowe, you can visit or stay at the Von Trapp Family Lodge and have lunch at the Von Trapp Brewery for typical Austrian-style beer and eats (as well as non-Austrian foods, too, I think). Make a reservation, though.
If you are into craft beers, there are a couple of outstanding breweries to sample in Stowe (besides Von Trapp) -- best known is The Alchemist, but Idletyme is also a good one.
Head to Burlington. If you want a scenic (longer) route, take Route 108 through "The Notch" toward Smugglers Notch resort and then head to Burlington through farm country before hitting the interstate.
Depending on your time of arrival, you can take a sunset cruise on Lake Champlain.
Check out Church Street -- the pedestrian street in town where there are lots of places to eat, drink, shop, and be merry -- including Ben & Jerry's original retail location.
Burlington has some great dining options and if you are into farm to table dining, you'll be very happy. (My favorite restaurant, which requires reservations made far in advance, is called Hen of the Wood (with another location in Waterbury). Also, excellent, and requires early reservations is the Mediterranean/ middle eastern restaurant, Honey Road. For breakfast or lunch, be sure to try their sister restaurant, Gray Jay (if you like Mediterranean flavors and spices). I'm working on a visitor's guide to Burlington, but these should get you started.
Spend the night in Burlington.
Click here for more on Burlington...
(Optional Extra Day in Burlington -- if you have the time)
Walk along the waterfront
Check out some more Breweries: Burlington Beer Company is great for lunch or dinner, as is Zero Gravity. If you're thirsty while walking along the lake, stop at Foam Brewers for a refreshing hazy/ fruity IPA. Other breweries right in town are Switchback and Queen City, as well as Citizen Cider (not beer, but...).
Visit the world's tallest filing cabinet.
Rent bikes and ride along the lake. If you ride long enough (north), you can even ride partly across Lake Champlain (and take a bike ferry to The (Lake Champlain) Islands)! Click here for more info.
For chocolate lovers, there are Lake Champlain Chocolates and (for for a more gourmet experience), Nu Chocolates (OMG -- try their chocolate-covered ginger snaps, orange slices, and truffles -- really anything there is amazing).
There are no shortage of coffee places in Burlington; Speeder & Earls on Pine Street is one to try -- their maple french roast coffee, in particular, is excellent.
There are lots of record stores and locally-produced gift shops as well to check out -- Thirty Odd (on Pine Street) and Common Deer (on College Street) are my favorite gift shops.
Visit UVM (University of Vermont)
Visit the Shelburne Museum (and/ or Farms) -- or tomorrow.
Spend the night in Burlington.
Day 7: Burlington and starting to head south to Brattleboro, VT
Take a cruise on Lake Champlain if you haven't already. Then walk along the waterfront and grab a creemee.
Drive down to Shelburne Museum and/or Shelburne Farms as you start your journey south. The museum has historical buildings and a covered bridge, and gives a sense of historical life in northern Vermont. Shelburne Farms Inn has a nice breakfast (through 11am) and drop-dead view of Lake Champlain, and the farm store sells some of the farm-produced cheeses (and farm-grown produce).
Head to King Arthur Flour in Norwich if you like to bake -- they have a cafe which is ok and the only place in Norwich I found to eat, but it is their store which is worth the visit. Or, if you plan ahead, you can sign up for a cooking class there!
After King Arthur (or not), go to Grafton where you can spend the night (there's a lovely Inn) or just look around the quaint town and visit Grafton Cheese (check ahead to make sure it is open -- I've been unlucky twice so far). The town is adorable, but not worth the stop if the cheese store isn't open, in my opinion, since you've already seen some adorable VT towns.
Then it's off to Brattleboro to spend the night if you aren't staying in Grafton -- a funky "city" near the MA border. Lots of shopping and eating in the artsy town.
Day 8: Drive Home
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