Vermont
5
Day Itinerary •
USA
Five days in Vermont lets you explore the full extraordinary breadth of the Green Mountain State, from the extraordinary Stowe and Mount Mansfield to the most beautiful village in America at Woodstock, the remarkable Quechee Gorge, the extraordinary Burlington waterfront and the magnificent southern Vermont hills. This route covers the complete Vermont experience. The extraordinary Ben and Jerry's and Vermont craft beer trail, the magnificent Woodstock covered bridge and Billings Farm, the extraordinary Route 100 fall foliage drive, the remarkable Lake Champlain and Shelburne Farms and the extraordinary Brattleboro arts scene.
Best Time To Visit
Late September to mid-October for 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, MOUNT MANSFIELD AND THE GONDOLA
Stowe is the most extraordinary mountain village in Vermont, its extraordinary white church spire, the remarkable Trapp Family Lodge where the Von Trapp family settled after fleeing Austria, and the 4,393-foot Mount Mansfield giving the finest mountain village experience in New England. The Mount Mansfield Gondola ascends to the ridgeline giving the finest panoramic view of the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain. The Stowe Recreation Path along the West Branch River gives the finest free village walk. Gondola approx $35. Drive: 2 hr drive
MIDDAY
BEN AND JERRY'S FACTORY TOUR AND COLD HOLLOW CIDER MILL
The Ben and Jerry's Factory in Waterbury is the most extraordinary ice cream heritage experience in America, its factory tour revealing the production of the finest premium ice cream in the country and the remarkable Flavor Graveyard of discontinued flavors giving the most entertaining food factory tour in New England. The Cold Hollow Cider Mill adjacent gives the finest fresh-pressed Vermont apple cider. The Waterbury craft brewery scene including The Alchemist and Prohibition Pig is extraordinary. Tour approx $6. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE ALCHEMIST BREWERY AND VERMONT CRAFT BEER TRAIL
The Alchemist Brewery in Stowe produces Heady Topper, consistently rated the finest IPA in America, and Focal Banger, its extraordinary Vermont double IPA brewed with local hops giving the finest craft beer experience in New England. Lawson's Finest Liquids in Warren gives the extraordinary Sip of Sunshine IPA. The extraordinary Trapp Family Lodge brewery gives the finest Austrian-style lager in Vermont. The Vermont Cheese Trail from Cabot to Jasper Hill is unmissable. Alchemist approx $6 per can.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Sterling Pond above Stowe at 3,000 feet is the finest hidden alpine pond in Vermont, its extraordinary 2.2-mile round trip trail from Smugglers Notch giving a pristine summit pond reflecting the Green Mountain ridgeline in the most extraordinary alpine scene in Vermont. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Piecasso Pizzeria, Stowe The finest breakfast in Stowe. Extraordinary local Vermont ingredients. | 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 farm-to-table.
DAY 2
WOODSTOCK AND QUECHEE
MORNING
WOODSTOCK, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGE IN AMERICA
Woodstock is the most extraordinary village in Vermont, its extraordinary elliptical green surrounded by Federal and Greek Revival mansions, the remarkable 1807 covered bridge crossing the Ottauquechee River and the extraordinary Billings Farm and Museum, a working Vermont farm operating since 1871 with Morgan horses, Jersey cows and the finest farm heritage experience in New England. The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park gives the finest conservation heritage trail. Village free, farm approx $16. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
QUECHEE GORGE AND SIMON PEARCE GLASS STUDIO
Quechee Gorge is the most extraordinary natural canyon in Vermont, its extraordinary 165-foot chasm carved through Ottauquechee bedrock giving the finest canyon view in New England from the highway bridge. The Simon Pearce glass-blowing studio in the remarkable 1831 Quechee mill above the river gorge gives the most extraordinary handmade glass-blowing demonstration in New England and the finest restaurant view over the gorge. Gorge free, Simon Pearce restaurant extraordinary. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
VERMONT ROUTE 100 FALL FOLIAGE DRIVE
Vermont Route 100 through the Mad River Valley is the most extraordinary scenic drive in America during fall foliage season, its extraordinary 100-mile corridor through the Green Mountain interior between Stowe and Wilmington giving the finest sugar maple, birch and beech foliage drive on earth in late September and October. The extraordinary Warren Store, the Waitsfield covered bridge and the Lincoln Gap Road summit give the finest variety of Vermont experiences. Route 100 free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Sugarbush ski resort in Warren is the finest hidden ski area in Vermont, its extraordinary 2,000 acres of terrain and the finest gladed skiing in the East giving the most extraordinary ski experience in Vermont for those who venture beyond Stowe. Day pass approx $120.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Woodstock Inn, Woodstock The finest breakfast in Vermont. Extraordinary local Vermont produce in the most celebrated inn. | Lunch: Simon Pearce Restaurant, Quechee The most extraordinary lunch view in Vermont. Local produce above the gorge. | Dinner: The Prince and the Pauper, Woodstock The finest restaurant in Woodstock. Extraordinary local Vermont produce.
DAY 3
BURLINGTON
MORNING
BURLINGTON WATERFRONT AND SHELBURNE FARMS
Burlington is the most extraordinary small city in Vermont, its extraordinary Lake Champlain waterfront boardwalk with views of the Adirondack Mountains, the remarkable ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain and the extraordinary Burlington Bike Path giving the finest free waterfront experience in New England. Shelburne Farms on the lake shore gives the extraordinary 1,400-acre working farm with the finest collection of American folk art and decorative arts in Vermont at the Shelburne Museum. Museum entry approx $29. Drive: 1 hr drive
MIDDAY
CHURCH STREET MARKETPLACE AND THE UVM CAMPUS
Burlington's Church Street Marketplace is the most extraordinary pedestrian main street in New England, its extraordinary 4-block brick mall of independent restaurants, local Vermont shops and the finest farmers market in the state giving the most vibrant small city main street experience in the Northeast. The University of Vermont with its 1802 campus on the hill gives the finest elevated view of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks. The Fleming Museum of Art on campus is free. Drive: 10 min walk
AFTERNOON
LAKE CHAMPLAIN ISLANDS AND GRAND ISLE FERRY
The Lake Champlain Islands via US-2 give the most extraordinary island drive in Vermont, their extraordinary series of islands connected by causeways through Lake Champlain with the Adirondacks visible to the west and the Green Mountains to the east giving the finest lake driving experience in New England. The Grand Isle Ferry gives the most extraordinary Lake Champlain crossing. The extraordinary Hyde Log Cabin on Grand Isle, the oldest surviving log cabin in the United States, is unmissable. Ferry approx $12.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Red Rocks Park in South Burlington is the finest hidden waterfront park on Lake Champlain, its extraordinary red Monkton quartzite cliffs above the lake giving the most extraordinary free swimming and cliff scenery on the Burlington waterfront. Free. The most extraordinary hidden gem in Burlington.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Penny Cluse Cafe, Burlington The finest breakfast in Burlington. Extraordinary local Vermont produce. | Lunch: Hen of the Wood, Burlington Outstanding Burlington lunch. Extraordinary local Vermont farm-to-table. | Dinner: Farmhouse Tap and Grill, Burlington The finest Vermont beef and craft beer in Burlington. Extraordinary local produce.
DAY 4
MIDDLEBURY AND CHAMPLAIN ISLANDS
MORNING
MIDDLEBURY AND THE MORGAN HORSE FARM
Middlebury is the most extraordinary college town in Vermont, its extraordinary Middlebury College campus with the finest college architecture in the Green Mountains, the remarkable Otter Creek gorge running through the center of town, the extraordinary Vermont Folklife Center and the UVM Morgan Horse Farm giving the finest liberal arts college town experience in New England. The Morgan Horse Farm preserves the purest herd of America's only native horse breed. Farm tour approx $5. Town free. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
LAKE CHAMPLAIN ISLANDS SCENIC DRIVE
The Lake Champlain Islands via US-2 north of Burlington give the most extraordinary island drive in Vermont, their extraordinary causeways across the lake between the Adirondacks to the west and the Green Mountains to the east giving the finest lake landscape drive in New England. The South Hero apple orchards give the finest lake shore orchard experience in Vermont. The Grand Isle State Park gives the finest lake camping and swimming. Drive free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CABOT CREAMERY AND THE VERMONT CHEESE TRAIL
Cabot Creamery in Cabot is the most extraordinary cheese heritage experience in Vermont, its extraordinary cooperative of 800 Vermont dairy farms producing the finest cheddar in New England and the remarkable factory tour and tasting giving the finest cheese experience in America. Jasper Hill Farm nearby produces the extraordinary Winnimere and Harbison cave-aged cheeses, the finest artisanal cheeses in Vermont. Cabot tour free, tasting approx $5.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Bristol Cliffs Wilderness near Middlebury is the finest hidden hiking area in the Champlain Valley, its extraordinary quartzite ridgeline above Bristol giving dramatic views of the Champlain Valley and Adirondacks from trails that see almost no other hikers. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: American Flatbread, Middlebury The finest breakfast near Middlebury. Extraordinary local Vermont produce. | Lunch: The Lobby, Middlebury Outstanding college town lunch. Extraordinary local Vermont ingredients. | Dinner: Swift House Inn, Middlebury The finest restaurant in Middlebury. Extraordinary local Vermont produce.
DAY 5
SOUTHERN VERMONT
MORNING
GRAFTON VILLAGE AND THE VERMONT COUNTRY STORE
Grafton is the most extraordinary restored village in Vermont, its extraordinary 19th-century white clapboard buildings preserved by the Windham Foundation giving the finest unspoiled Vermont village experience in the state. The Grafton Village Cheese Company gives the extraordinary aged cheddar tasting experience. The extraordinary Vermont Country Store in Weston just north of Grafton gives the finest general store experience in New England, preserved since 1946. Village free, cheese tasting free. Drive: 2 hr drive
MIDDAY
NEWFANE VILLAGE AND THE WEST RIVER VALLEY
Newfane is the most extraordinary Federal-style village green in Vermont, its extraordinary 1825 Windham County Courthouse and the remarkable Four Columns Inn giving the finest village green composition in New England. The West River valley drive through Jamaica, Townshend and Newfane along Vermont Route 30 gives the most extraordinary river valley fall foliage drive in southern Vermont. The extraordinary Townshend Dam swimming hole is the finest in southern Vermont. Village free. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
BRATTLEBORO ARTS DISTRICT AND CONNECTICUT RIVER
Brattleboro is the most extraordinary arts town in Vermont, its extraordinary Main Street of independent galleries, the remarkable Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, the extraordinary Latchis Theatre and the vibrant First Friday Gallery Walk giving the finest small-city arts scene in New England. The Connecticut River waterfront gives the finest river walk in southern Vermont. The extraordinary West Brattleboro flea market on weekends is the finest in Vermont. Galleries mostly free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hogback Mountain overlook on Route 9 near Marlboro is the finest hidden viewpoint in southern Vermont, its extraordinary 100-mile panorama from the 2,410-foot summit including five states on clear days giving the most extraordinary free viewpoint in the Vermont Highlands. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Amy's Bakery Arts Cafe, Brattleboro The finest bakery in southern Vermont. Extraordinary local VT produce and strong coffee. | Lunch: Peter Havens, Brattleboro Outstanding Brattleboro lunch. Extraordinary local Vermont farm-to-table cuisine. | Dinner: T.J. Buckley's, Brattleboro The finest restaurant in Brattleboro. Extraordinary local Vermont produce in a tiny converted diner.
Where To Stay
Stowe and Woodstock, Nights 1 to 2 Stowe Mountain Lodge or Woodstock Inn. Approx $160 to $400. Burlington and Middlebury, Nights 3 to 4 Hotel Vermont or The Inn on the Green. Approx $140 to $280. Brattleboro, Night 5 The Latchis Hotel or 40 Putney Road B and B. Approx $120 to $200.
Top Tips
1. Vermont fall foliage peaks late September to mid-October. Check foliage.vermont.gov for peak timing.
2. The Alchemist Heady Topper is the finest IPA in America. Visit the Stowe brewery early , cans sell out.
3. Maple creemees at any Vermont roadside stand are the finest soft-serve in America. Non-negotiable stop.
4. Grafton Village Cheese in Grafton is the finest artisanal cheddar in New England. Tour and tasting free.
5. The Vermont Country Store in Weston is the finest general store experience in New England. Extraordinary.
6. Brattleboro First Friday Gallery Walk is the finest small-city arts event in Vermont. Free and extraordinary.
Total Budget
$120 to $200/day