Vermont
3
Day Itinerary •
USA
Three days in Vermont gives you the essential Green Mountain State experience, from the extraordinary Stowe village and Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont, to the remarkable Woodstock, the most beautiful village in America, and the extraordinary fall foliage that makes Vermont the finest leaf-peeping destination on earth. This route covers the heart of Vermont. The extraordinary Ben and Jerry's factory and the Vermont craft beer and cheese trail, the remarkable covered bridges of the Mad River Valley, the extraordinary Quechee Gorge, Vermont's Little Grand Canyon, and the magnificent Lake Champlain waterfront of Burlington.
Best Time To Visit
Late September to mid-October for peak fall foliage. June to August for hiking.
Getting There
Fly into Burlington (BTV) or Manchester (MHT)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout Vermont
Budget Per Day
Approx $120 to $200 per person per day
Difficulity
Easy to moderate, some Green Mountains hiking
DAY 1
STOWE
MORNING
STOWE VILLAGE AND MOUNT MANSFIELD, THE HIGHEST PEAK IN VERMONT
Stowe is the most extraordinary mountain village in Vermont, its extraordinary white church spire above the Main Street shops, the remarkable Trapp Family Lodge founded by the Von Trapp family of Sound of Music fame and the extraordinary Mount Mansfield at 4,393 feet giving the finest mountain village experience in New England. The Mount Mansfield Gondola gives the finest elevated view of the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain beyond. The Stowe Recreation Path gives the finest free walking. Gondola approx $35. Drive: 2 hr drive
MIDDAY
BEN AND JERRY'S ICE CREAM FACTORY TOUR
The Ben and Jerry's Factory in Waterbury is the most extraordinary ice cream heritage experience in America, its extraordinary factory tour showing the production of the finest premium ice cream in America and the remarkable Flavor Graveyard of discontinued flavors giving the most entertaining food factory tour in New England. The free samples at the end of every tour are the finest moment. The adjacent Cold Hollow Cider Mill gives the finest Vermont apple cider. Tour approx $6. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
STOWE CRAFT BEER TRAIL AND THE VERMONT CHEESE TRAIL
The Stowe craft brewery scene is the most extraordinary in Vermont, The Alchemist brewery producing Heady Topper, consistently rated the finest IPA in America, and Lawson's Finest Liquids giving the most extraordinary craft beer experience in New England. The Vermont Cheese Trail from Cabot Creamery to Jasper Hill Farm gives the finest artisanal cheese experience in America. The extraordinary Trapp Family Lodge brewery gives the finest European-style lager in Vermont. Alchemist approx $6 per can.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Sterling Pond trail above Stowe at 2.2 miles round trip is the finest hidden hike in the Stowe area, its extraordinary summit pond at 3,000 feet reflecting the Green Mountain ridgeline giving the most extraordinary alpine pond experience in Vermont entirely unknown to most Stowe visitors. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Piecasso Pizzeria, Stowe The finest breakfast in Stowe. Extraordinary local Vermont ingredients and strong Green Mountain coffee. | Lunch: Harrison's Restaurant, Stowe Outstanding Stowe lunch. Extraordinary local Vermont produce and craft beer. | Dinner: Hen of the Wood, Waterbury The most celebrated restaurant in Vermont. Extraordinary local Vermont farm-to-table cuisine.
DAY 2
WOODSTOCK AND QUECHEE
MORNING
WOODSTOCK, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGE IN AMERICA
Woodstock is the most extraordinary village in Vermont, its extraordinary elliptical village green surrounded by Federal and Greek Revival mansions, the remarkable 1807 covered bridge, the finest covered bridge in Vermont, the extraordinary Billings Farm and Museum giving the finest working farm heritage experience in New England and the remarkable Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park giving the finest conservation heritage in Vermont. Village green free, Billings Farm entry approx $16. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
QUECHEE GORGE, VERMONT'S LITTLE GRAND CANYON
Quechee Gorge is the most extraordinary natural canyon in Vermont, its extraordinary 165-foot-deep gorge carved through the Ottauquechee River bedrock giving the finest canyon view in New England from the US-4 bridge. The gorge trail gives the most extraordinary close-range view of the river at the canyon floor. The extraordinary Simon Pearce glass-blowing studio and restaurant in the 1831 Quechee mill above the Ottauquechee River is unmissable. Gorge free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
VERMONT ROUTE 100 AND THE MAD RIVER VALLEY
Vermont Route 100 through the Mad River Valley is the most extraordinary scenic drive in Vermont, its extraordinary 100-mile corridor through the Green Mountain interior between Stowe and Wilmington giving the finest fall foliage drive in America with covered bridges, white church spires, dairy farms and sugar maple forests in their full autumn glory. The extraordinary Warren Store and the Mad River Glen ski area town of Waitsfield give the finest Vermont village experience. Route 100 free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Sugarbush Resort terrain in the Mad River Valley is the finest hidden ski area in Vermont, its extraordinary 2,000 acres of terrain with the finest gladed tree skiing in the East giving the most extraordinary ski experience in Vermont beyond the well-known Stowe and Killington. Day pass approx $120.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Woodstock Inn, Woodstock The finest breakfast in Vermont. Extraordinary local Vermont produce in the finest inn. | Lunch: Simon Pearce Restaurant, Quechee The most extraordinary lunch view in Vermont. Local VT produce above the Ottauquechee River gorge. | Dinner: The Prince and the Pauper, Woodstock The finest restaurant in Woodstock. Extraordinary local Vermont produce and outstanding wine.
DAY 3
BURLINGTON
MORNING
BURLINGTON WATERFRONT AND LAKE CHAMPLAIN
Burlington is the most extraordinary small city in Vermont, its extraordinary Lake Champlain waterfront boardwalk giving the finest lake views of the Adirondack Mountains across the water, the remarkable ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain and the extraordinary Burlington Bike Path along the lake shore giving the finest free waterfront experience in New England. The Burlington Farmers Market on Saturdays is the finest in Vermont. Lake Champlain ferries give extraordinary views. Waterfront free. Drive: 1 hr drive
MIDDAY
CHURCH STREET MARKETPLACE AND THE UVM CAMPUS
Church Street Marketplace in Burlington is the most extraordinary pedestrian main street in New England, its extraordinary 4-block brick mall of independent restaurants, local shops and the finest farmers market in Vermont giving the most vibrant small city street experience in the Northeast. The University of Vermont campus on the hill above Burlington gives the finest elevated view of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. The extraordinary UVM Fleming Museum of Art is free. Drive: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
SHELBURNE FARMS AND MUSEUM
Shelburne Farms on the shores of Lake Champlain is the most extraordinary agricultural heritage estate in Vermont, its extraordinary 1,400-acre working farm with the 1899 Farm Barn, the remarkable Shelburne Museum with its 39 historic buildings and the finest collection of American folk art in Vermont giving the most extraordinary estate experience in New England. The extraordinary Manor House Inn overlooks Lake Champlain. Museum entry approx $29.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Red Rocks Park in South Burlington is the finest hidden waterfront park in Vermont, its extraordinary red Monkton quartzite cliffs above Lake Champlain giving the most extraordinary swimming and cliff scenery on the Burlington waterfront entirely unknown to most visitors. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Penny Cluse Cafe, Burlington The finest breakfast in Burlington. Extraordinary local Vermont produce and strong coffee. | Lunch: Hen of the Wood, Burlington Outstanding Burlington lunch. Extraordinary local Vermont farm-to-table cuisine. | Dinner: Farmhouse Tap and Grill, Burlington The finest farm-to-table restaurant in Burlington. Extraordinary local Vermont beef and craft beer.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Stowe, Night 1 Stowe Mountain Lodge or Topnotch Resort. Approx $150 to $400 per night. Woodstock, Night 2 The Woodstock Inn and Resort or Kedron Valley Inn. Approx $160 to $350. Burlington, Night 3 Hotel Vermont or The Palms. Approx $140 to $280 per night.
Top Tips
1. Vermont fall foliage peaks late September to mid-October. Check foliage.vermont.gov for weekly updates.
2. Ben and Jerry's Stowe factory tour sells out. Book online at benjerry.com before your visit.
3. Woodstock is the most beautiful village in America. The Billings Farm and Museum is extraordinary.
4. Vermont cheddar aged 2 years at Cabot Creamery is the finest cheese in New England. Tour the factory.
5. Burlington's Church Street Marketplace on a Saturday morning is the finest farmers market in Vermont.
6. Maple creemees at any roadside stand in Vermont are the finest soft-serve ice cream in America. Try them.
Total Budget
$120 to $200/day