Travel Discussions

Sorry I can't help... never been to Vermont but we have a new member from there who may be able to share some tips. Screen name is: Beatnickvt. Drop him a comment. I let him know about this thread too.

If you go to Burlington, you HAVE to go to the Lake Champlain Chocolate Factory. Best toffee I've ever tasted, and I generally don't like toffee!

Near Waterbury, VT there's the house settled by the original Van Trapp family and the Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory (take a tour!).

There are also GORGEOUS back hills and waterfalls. I'll see if I can dig up the self-guided tour we took when we were there 2 years ago in October.

 I don't know when you're going, but I believe the leaves peak around the last week of September. We were there the first week of October and just missed the peak season.

The good part about New England is that EVERYTHING is not far away.

If you can, try Montpellier. It's a nice, relaxed town with a few maple farms not far.

Wish I could be of more help. Only word of advice - don't go to the mall in Burlington. It's awful!

Don't listen to AngiBowman's advice about the Ben & Jerry's tour if you're on a diet!! When we went, they had a place where you could buy "factory seconds" at dirt-cheap prices, so we went away with like 30 pints of their savory concoctions. Yum, yum, oink, oink!

Shelburne is cool --- loved the farm (and scored too much cheese, Yum, yum, oink, oink.!)

Loved Burlington, though they had to drag me out of the magnificent Vermont Pub & Brewery (one of the best, and oldest, brewpubs in the United States). Yum, yum, hic!

Oh pooh! What are you talking about? You haven't tried the Ice Cream diet? Gain 20 pounds in 20 hours! :-)

Thanks for the info.

We just got back yesterday and had a great time. 

In Waterbury area... We took the Ben & Jerry's tour.  I wouldn't recommend the tour, but definitely stop by the factory and take a walk around the grounds.  Stopped by the Cider Mill, but they weren't producing anything.  Stopped by Cabot Creamery outlet store - yummy samples.  We made t-shirts at the VT T-Shirt Co., it was fun and reasonably priced.  Stopped by the Green Mountain coffee display in the old railroad building - very nice informative display.  Camped at Little River State Campground - excellent.

In Burlington area - The Shelbourne Museum was great.  ECHO was ok.  We took a sightseeing cruise on Lake Champlain which was great.  Walked through the park and watched the sunset - very relaxing.  We found a blueberry farm and stopped by to pick our own.

 

I'm glad that you had a nice time in Vermont.  The entire state is beautiful - the green mountains, Lake Champlain, the covered bridges, Quechee Gorge, etc.  I like that it's small and drivable compared to larger states.  I used to live in Maine and could easily drive to Vermont for a quick get-away. 

I was lucky enough to grow up in Vermont. Go to Bennington & tour the college campus. It's great. (Although everybody doesn't think so. Joanne Woodward graduated there & her class picture hangs on her wall. Every time Paul Newman passed it, he would turn it around & mutter something about "those Bennington girls".). Go to Stamford. It's right on the Mass, border. It's where I grew up & I'd like to say I know at least one other person who has seen it. The Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. Lake champlaine. You might see "Champie", our version of "Nessie" Almost anywhere in Vt. there is a shop that sells maple sugar & maple candy. Be sure to stop at least once. Shelbourne Falls Ice Cream Parlor. Ben & Jerry's. Try to visit in the fall & see the foliage. You'll love our Green Mountains at any time of year. Although it isn't actually in Vt. if you're in western Vt. go to the Williamstown Summer Theater. It's a short drive & you would not believe the major stars that show up there. I live in Maine now but don't ever think that all New England states are alike. Vt. is a jewel & I miss it. You will love it!

From my house I can walk down a hill and see the Green Mountains of Vermont in one direction and the Adirondacks in the other... gorgeous! For anyone who might be going to Bennington soon they are having Moosefest right now- super fun.