Sign Up For My Newsletter
Sign up with your email address to receive a monthly newsletter with exclusive content on all things food and architecture!
A Week In Vermont: Essentials Edition
You can do a lot in Vermont in one week. In fact, it is completely possible to see different parts of the state and not feel rushed at each location. My mother, father and I take a trip up to Vermont every year around November. Each of the areas we visit are in a different part of the state, and all have their own unique characteristics and charms. There are many breathtaking towns in Vermont, but for the purposes of this post, I will share some of my favorites. If you are interested in a certain town or area, I have also gone into more depth for each town in separate posts. These are helpful guides to prioritize what to do when visiting.
Vermont holds the historic, rural way of life in high regard. You feel as though you are in a time gone by in many areas. My parents started taking me to Vermont at a young age, driving down long winding roads, through lush green pastures bordered by trees with leaves the color of burning flames and through towns that looked like they were straight out of a postcard.
Vermont has always been a place where I have spent happy memories with my parents, from sampling delicious apple cider donuts and learning how butter is made, to cozying up by a huge warm fire, and sharing the days stories.
The towns we most frequent are Manchester, Waterbury, Stowe, Woodstock, Quechee and Bridgewater. Because we are usually driving up from Nantucket Island, we usually go through the town of Brattleboro on the very southeastern tip of the state first. Sometimes we will stay here for the night and eat at Peter Haven’s restaurant if we are running late, but usually we drive through on the way to Manchester, our first destination. Don’t skip Brattleboro though, as it is a fascinating old factory town with a lot of charm and history.
Manchester is about an hour drive northwest of Brattleboro. This town is a popular destination for skiers heading to the big mountains like Stratton and Bromley. Manchester has two, four-star hotels in the center of town: The Taconic Hotel, and the Equinox, as well as many charming bed and breakfasts.
Manchester has some excellent restaurants, as well as a downtown full of interesting shops. The Northshire Bookstore is one of the shops that brings our family back year after year. It is massive, filled with every section you can imagine. (I personally love it because it has the largest food literature section I have ever seen! It’s ridiculous.)
Even though my family does not ski (yet), we come back to Manchester every year for the sake of tradition, and to rest by the fire at the Taconic Hotel.
Stowe and Waterbury
Next, we make our way up to Stowe and Waterbury on Rte. 89. These two towns neighbor each other but are quite different. Stowe has been a long time resort ski destination with a couple of gorgeous hotels like the Top Notch and the Lodge at Spruce Peak. It is almost picture perfect with a small downtown, and many shops and restaurants geared towards the skiing community.
Waterbury has been up and coming in the last few years. The Main Street revitalization project has spearheaded the influx of new restaurants and interest in the area. Prohibition Pig and Hen of the Wood are one of the main reasons we make our way all the way up to this area of Vermont every year. These restaurants are THAT good.
Woodstock, Quechee, Bridgewater and Plymouth
Woodstock, Quechee and Bridgewater were the first taste of Vermont I had growing up. These towns are nothing short of magical. Woodstock feels like you are stepping into the early 19th century due to the impeccable preservation efforts led by Mary and Lawrence Rockefeller, who made Woodstock their home. The Woodstock Inn is a home away from home, with a massive cozy fireplace and warm, rich tones that invite you in. Billings Farm in Woodstock is, in my opinion, one of the best farm museums in the country. An 1890s farmhouse brings you back in time. Every Thanksgiving, the staff cook dinner in the farmhouse oven, which transports you to feeling like you are a guest of the Atkins family back in 1890.
Quechee, which is a short ride away, is home to one of the most popular covered bridges in Vermont as well as the Simon Pierce Glass factory. Apart from their elegant dinnerware, their restaurant serves a delicious cheddar soup among other tasty delights.
Bridgewater is perhaps lesser known, but houses Shackleton Thomas furniture and pottery. Near Bridgewater also is the Calvin Coolidge Historic Homestead. A short drive south lies Plymouth, the birthplace of Calvin Coolidge.
Takeaway
Visiting these towns is a great start to understanding Vermont’s history, its culture and its beauty. I hope you all enjoy them as much as I do.