In my opinion, Vermont is essentially the most picturesque of the New England states. I’m positively biased by my a few years of childhood reminiscences exploring the Green Mountain state. But on each Vermont highway journey you’ll go by quaint lined bridges, roadside rivers speeding over rocks, basic purple barns sitting subsequent to fields dotted with black and white dairy cows, and small villages with church steeples standing tall over the city inexperienced.
Whether you might be visiting Vermont on a romantic getaway, a lady’s weekend, or a household trip, there’s a lot to see on this small state. Luckily, the state caters to vacationers, providing roadside indicators for points of interest and Vermont Tourism makes it simple to discover a enjoyable method to discover, with maps of scenic byways and all kinds of maker trails from craft beer to artisan cheese. But what in order for you a little bit of the whole lot?
I lately requested a buddy to affix me for a Vermont highway journey over an extended weekend. Since she is a instructor and has sufficient on her plate, she was comfortable to place the planning into my skilled fingers and let me shock her with Vermont delights.
3-Day Vermont Road Trip Itinerary
I sat down with a want listing of scenic byways, lined bridges, waterfalls, native retailers, Vermont cheese, maple syrup, and perhaps some native craft beer or spirits. After poring over all of the maps, blogs, and experiences from earlier journeys, I got here up with the next three-day Vermont highway journey itinerary.
Note: This put up might comprise affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I’ll obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
Brattleboro
The first cease after our two-hour drive up from Rhode Island was in Brattleboro, Vermont. This hip and progressive, lesser-visited city in Southern Vermont has been heralded as among the best small cities in America. If you need to lengthen this itinerary and spend a day in every vacation spot, there may be actually loads to do in Brattleboro from a circus class on the New England Center for Circus Arts, a romantic dinner in a prepare caboose at T.J. Buckley’s, a chocolate charcuterie pairing at Tavernier Chocolate, or fruit and veggie choosing at Wild Carrot Farm.
But for a brief keep, downtown, you are able to do some procuring (cease at Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters should you want any outside gear!), go to the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center (it’s also possible to be a part of a gallery stroll on the primary Friday of each month in season), or seize some lunch at Yalla, that includes contemporary, selfmade, Middle Eastern meals.
If you do plan to remain in a single day, The Inn at Putney Road is a superb possibility with a wide range of rooms and suites, 15 miles of mountaineering trails close by, and a multi-course breakfast within the morning. After exploring downtown, we stopped by the Grafton Village Cheese Shop simply exterior of city.
Pro tip: convey a cooler and a few ice packs for all of the cheese you’re going to need to convey residence!) This basic nation retailer has a superbly curated collection of Vermont-made merchandise and an unlimited cheese show. You also can discover many Vermont craft beers on the market.
Molly Stark Byway
From Brattleboro, we headed west alongside the Molly Stark Byway in the direction of Bennington. The byway is known as after the spouse of General John Stark, who led the Colonial militia to a victory on the Battle of Bennington on August 16, 1777. This byway hyperlinks historic Bennington within the west to arts-oriented Brattleboro within the east and passes by way of Woodford, the best village in Vermont, and sections of the Green Mountain National Forest.
The drive takes about an hour, with out stops, however our plan was to benefit from the drive. Our first cease was simply exterior of Brattleboro on the Creamery Covered Bridge. This well-kept lined bridge is simply off the highway and has a pleasant parking zone and picnic space, making it a simple vacationer vacation spot.
If you take pleasure in handicrafts, make a cease at Vermont Bowl Company in Wilmington, about midway by way of your drive. You should buy superbly crafted salad bowls, slicing boards, serving trays, and different merchandise made out of native wooden.
Bennington
The subsequent cease on our Vermont highway journey was the historic city of Bennington, additionally residence to Bennington College. Downtown Bennington continues to be recovering from the drop in tourism, but when open, you’ll want to try the Bennington Bookshop, The Village Chocolate Shop, Vermont Confectionery, and Bennington Potters.
There are any variety of locations to seize a chunk to eat on the town, however we had a full of life lunch and good native beer at Madison Brewing Company (tried the fried Brussels sprouts!)
History and literature followers can also need to see Robert Frost’s grave on the Old First Church or cease into the Robert Frost Stone House Museum. Of course one of many essential points of interest is the Bennington Battle Monument. This 306-foot limestone obelisk was constructed to commemorate the Battle of Bennington, which occurred on August 16, 1777, and is taken into account to be the turning level within the Revolutionary War.
If you want to spend the night time in Bennington, The Four Chimneys Inn blends a standard Vermont inn and a boutique lodge in a stunning location. If you spent a full day right here, you’ll even have a while for close by mountaineering, just like the one-mile hike to Everett Cave (simply convey a flashlight!) Then in your means out of city, you may cease on the Apple Barn & Country Bake Shop for some treats for the highway.
Shires of Vermont Scenic Byway
Continue your Vermont highway journey by heading north on Historic Route 7A, or the Shires of Vermont Scenic Byway, in the direction of Manchester. The drive solely takes half-hour, however plan on a minimum of an hour with numerous stops. If you want lined bridges, there are fairly a number of on this space value trying out. However, understand that cell service could be very spotty so you could need to pre-save them in your GPS or Google Maps.
First up is the Silk Road Covered Bridge. Built in 1840, this lattice-truss bridge crosses the Walloomsac River between downtown Bennington, Vermont, and the village of North Bennington. The close by Paper Mill Bridge, or Bennington Falls Covered Bridge, is analogous however not fairly as scenic since fencing from the close by paper mill obstructs the photograph alternative. The Henry Bridge additionally has an identical design, however a town-constructed picnic space presents a pleasant side-angle view, which isn’t all the time so available at different bridges.
Further up the byway, make a cease on the Chocolate Barn for handcrafted chocolate treats. Then should you aren’t bored with bridges, you may go a bit of off the trail to see Arlington Covered Bridge. But this one isn’t as fairly as among the others which might be extra simply accessible. We have been planning to cease at Chiselville Covered Bridge as effectively however a GPS failure meant we needed to skip it.
If it’s open, your final cease earlier than arriving in Manchester ought to be the Sugar Shack and Norman Rockwell exhibit (you will see that Norman Rockwell is large round these elements.) If it’s closed, don’t fear, you should have loads of different alternatives to buy maple syrup merchandise. And a fast pitstop at Mother Myrick’s Confectionery in Manchester will fulfill your candy tooth (well-known for her butter crunch toffee!)
Manchester
There are sufficient issues to do in Manchester that you can simply spend your complete weekend right here, however for our functions, we targeted on the highlights. Downtown Manchester is known for its procuring. First, it’s residence to the flagship retailer for Orvis, the fly fishing and outside outfitters model.
You can even discover designer outlet retailers clustered round Manchester. But my private favourite is a go to to the independently-owned Northshire Books.
There are a wealth of lodging choices in and round Manchester, from the romantic Reluctant Panther to the luxe Equinox Resort & Spa, and the hip Kimpton Taconic. However, we have been simply two mothers on a finances so the conveniently-located, contemporary, and clear Hampton Inn & Suites Manchester labored out completely for us.
For dinner, in case you are within the temper for an eclectic menu and nice eating, guide a desk at Silver Fork. Set inside an previous library, this stunning restaurant presents terrific service and scrumptious menu objects that felt like such a pleasant change from household dinner across the kitchen desk.
Lye Brook Falls, Manchester
The subsequent morning, we loved the free breakfast included at our lodge, however you can additionally simply stroll to the Little Rooster Cafe in downtown Manchester for a home-cooked breakfast.
Just exterior of Manchester, it’s time to step into the woods and luxuriate in Vermont’s pure points of interest. A five-mile reasonable out-and-back hike will convey you to the bottom of Lye Brook Falls, one of many tallest waterfalls in Vermont. Plan to put on your waterproof mountaineering boots and produce alongside a trekking pole or strolling stick as a result of you will want to cross a few small streams. If you may get there within the morning earlier than shifting on, the path received’t be crowded and you may have a bit of time to your self to benefit from the falls.
Hildene, Manchester
One of Manchester’s most well-known points of interest is Hildene, the previous Lincoln household residence. A self-guided tour of this historic residence, constructed by Abraham Lincoln’s son Robert as a summer time residence when he was President of the Pullman Company, solely takes about an hour to discover each the house and among the grounds. You can actually take longer to benefit from the strolling trails, have a picnic, or go to the Sunbeam Pullman automotive or Hildene goat dairy.
Scenic Route 100 Byway
After touring Hildene, we turned our sights north, towards Killington and a scenic drive alongside Vermont’s well-known Route 100, previous Bromley, Stratton Mountain, and Okemo. You might go for lunch at Goodman’s American Pie in Ludlow, or cease for burgers and lobster rolls at Honeypie in Jamaica, however we headed to Weston for a cease on the Vermont Country Store.
It is simple to lose your self for an hour on this normal retailer/reward store turned vacationer attraction, ducking into completely different sections for among the finest Vermont-made merchandise from Darn Tough socks to their very own syrup, cheeses, and cider. After poking round for a bit, you may cease on the cafe and luxuriate in a picnic lunch or a maple creemee (maple-flavored delicate ice cream).
Our subsequent cease on the Route 100 Scenic Byway was going to be Buttermilk Falls, in Ludlow, however we have been working a bit of behind and I’ve been there earlier than we so skipped it this time (no worries, we might see loads of waterfalls the subsequent day!) Instead, we headed to Green Mountain Sugar House as an alternative to refill on syrup and check out considered one of their well-known maple creemees. Set on a lake, it’s also an incredible place to take your ice cream and sit in an Adirondack chair close to the water to benefit from the view.
The subsequent cease on my itinerary was Plymouth Artisan Cheese, in Plymouth, additionally the house to the historic web site the place President Calvin Coolidge was born and raised. Sadly we arrived simply 5 minutes earlier than the posted closing time and so they have been already gone for the day.
The Mountain Inn, Killington
We ended our day with a keep at The Mountain Inn, in Killington. This renovated inn can also be residence to a distillery, providing a classy and contemporary design and a enjoyable ambiance. Our mountain view room provided a small balcony and lovely vistas. It was good for the 2 of us, however for households, I’d understand that the rooms are small and the partitions are skinny. It wasn’t busy once we have been there so we cherished our expertise, however I think about it will really feel fairly completely different within the winter season.
For dinner, I had booked a particular pre-Mother’s Day deal with to take pleasure in eating in considered one of their two heated gondolas on the restaurant, Still on the Mountain (get it — nonetheless just like the one used within the distillery? Fun play on phrases.) The meals was nice and the cocktail listing was intensive (as you may think about), however it was the ambiance that we actually cherished.
Thundering Brook Falls, Killington
We began our third and remaining day on our Vermont highway journey with the primary of a variety of waterfalls. Just a brief drive from our lodge in Killington, Thundering Brook Falls is off the principle highway and extra of an area gem. A brief stroll on a boardwalk by way of a marsh will convey you to the viewing platform on the base of the falls. You also can go off-path and climb as much as see the higher falls — maintain a detailed eye on youngsters!
Texas Falls Recreation Area, Hancock
From Thundering Falls, we continued up Vermont Route 100 in the direction of Granville, with a pitstop on the Texas Falls Recreation Area. This is effectively well worth the quick detour off Route 100, between there and the Lake Champlain Byway. This space includes a one-mile nature hike by way of the woods, however you don’t even want to try this to see the gorgeous waterfalls which were carved by way of the rock over the generations. The finest views are proper initially of the hike, simply previous the bridge that connects the path to the parking zone. Depending in your day, there are additionally picnic grounds on-site and a bathroom (not really easy to search out in your drive!)
Moss Glen Falls, Granville
Head again to Scenic Route 100 and proceed north in the direction of Granville. Chances are you received’t have any mobile phone protection, so control the left for Moss Glen Falls. There is a small parking space and the falls are simply seen proper from the highway. There are mountaineering trails close by however you may take a fast photograph and proceed on to different points of interest.
Warren Falls, Warren
Even in case you are getting bored with waterfalls, you shouldn’t skip stopping at Warren Falls. The parking zone can get a bit of crowded on a busy day as a result of it is a widespread spot for households, picnickers, and hikers. But a brief stroll in the direction of the cascades will convey you to a stupendous view of the water speeding by way of rocks. Stake out a spot on the rocks and sit and luxuriate in a picnic or simply take within the view.
Waitsfield
The cute, artsy city of Waitsfield, close to Mad River Glen Ski Area, is the start of the Mad River Scenic Byway. This is a superb spot to cease for lunch, and even keep the night time when you have extra time to your Vermont highway journey itinerary. You will discover artwork galleries in addition to pottery and glass artisans. Waitsfield can also be residence to Mad River Distillers and some craft breweries. You can seize lunch on the Three Mountain Cafe or Mad Taco, or deal with your self to a maple ice cream cone at Canteen Creemee. If you probably did need to keep the night time, The Inn at Round Barn Farm is a superb selection.
Waterbury
If you don’t cease in Waitsfield, the bigger city of Waterbury presents loads of choices for lunch or dinner, together with Prohibition Pig or Hen of the Wood. On our journey, a few of these weren’t open for lunch so as an alternative, we opted for a late brunch at Maxi’s, an area favourite for breakfast and brunch.
Of course, the rationale many individuals cease in Waterbury is the Ben & Jerry’s Factory ice cream retailer simply exterior of city. We had each visited earlier than and didn’t need to cease for a tour or ice cream, however should you haven’t been — even a fast cease for a stroll by way of the flavour graveyard is enjoyable for B&J’s followers.
If you head a bit of additional north towards the Stowe space, it’s effectively value a cease on the Cold Hollow Cider Mill, considered one of my favourite issues to do in Vermont. We first stopped right here after going to Smugglers’ Notch a number of years in the past and I fell in love with their apple cider donuts. My advice is to cease in on the arduous cider tasting room first and check out a flight (they might offer you a coupon for six free donuts subsequent door!) There can also be a restaurant serving up tasty sandwiches and salads. Next, head over to the principle retailer and refill on cider, donuts, pies, and different Vermont specialties to convey residence to take pleasure in!
Morse Farm Sugarworks, Montpelier
By this time, we wanted to start out turning south to make our means residence on the finish of a beautiful lengthy weekend. But earlier than we hit the freeway, we had yet another cease simply exterior the state capital of Montpelier on the Morse Farm Sugarworks. At this maple producer and nation retailer, you may pattern all their flavors of maple syrup — from gentle and delicate to darkish and strong. We additionally discovered the pricing right here decrease than elsewhere, so if you wish to refill on syrup, that is the place! You also can buy maple sugar merchandise and, after all, take pleasure in a maple creemee — some swear it’s the finest round!
Quechee Gorge, Hartford
If you might be searching for one remaining cease in your VT highway journey, Quechee Gorge is positioned simply a few minutes off Interstate 89 and 91. This “Vermont’s Little Grand Canyon” is seen from the bridge on Route 4. Just park on the Visitor Center and stroll over, or you may spend time studying in regards to the geology and historical past of the realm and take a hike on the path alongside the river.
If you’ve got a bit of extra time to spend, I’d advocate visiting the Simon Pearce glassware retailer and restaurant close by and spending the night time within the charming village of Woodstock on the Woodstock Inn.
Of course, there are such a lot of scenic drives and cute cities to discover on a Vermont highway journey that you could’t match the whole lot into one weekend. If you might be searching for extra concepts, try considered one of these New England highway journeys, that are nice for fall foliage drives. I hope you fall in love with the Green Mountains of Vermont and maintain going again simply the way in which I’ve!
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