VERMONT TRIP
OCTOBER 2021 / TRAVEL / 📍VERMONT2 DAY VERMONT ROAD TRIP ITINERARY
Mount Mansfield, Stowe Vermont
Have you dreamed of seeing the glittering colors of the trees as they turn or perhaps stuffing yourself with a balanced diet of sharp cheddar, apple cider donuts, and maple syrup!? Well then, Vermont is the place for you. This is a glimpse into the 2 day trip my sister and I took to see the fall foliage in Vermont. We only had 2 days so we were determined to make the most of it. Our two destinations: Woodstock and Stowe, Vermont. If I had to do this road trip again - I would build in a full day in Woodstock and an extra day in Stowe. There’s so much to explore and see, but I’m so happy we were able to spend even a short amount of time there! You have not experienced fall until you’ve been to Vermont!
DAY 1: NEW JERSEY -> GREENFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
It’s a nice 6 hour drive to Vermont from us. In order to split up the drive, we made the executive decision to stop overnight in Greenfield, MA. This was (supposed to be) a 3.5 hour drive, which turned into 5 hours with traffic. We stayed at the Hampton Inn right off the highway, which was perfect - clean, close to our route, and offers complimentary breakfast!
DAY 2: ARRIVE IN WOODSTOCK, VERMONT
It took just about a hour and a half to arrive in the storybook town of Woodstock, VT. Voted one of the “Most Beautiful Towns” in America - it definitely lived up to it’s name. We only stayed here for half a day before making our way into Stowe.
WHERE WE ATE:
Late Breakfast/Early Lunch: Mon Vert Cafe! A cozy cafe - sourcing ingredients from local farms. Grab a breakfast sandwich, a cup of coffee, and a pastry (or two!) for the road. I had to try the Apple Cider Duffin. [Pro tip: Arrive early as seats are limited and the cafe is very popular!]
THINGS TO DO:
Visit Quechee State Park. The main focal point is definitely Quechee Gorge (the deepest gorge in Vermont formed by glacial activity). Pull off on the side of Route 4 and walk across the overlook bridge to take in this incredible site. If you have time, you can follow a trail down into the gorge or explore the rest of the park.
Seek out the covered bridges. Vermont is famous for the one-lane storybook bridges that bring an extra air of charm and history to the state. Two very popular ones to watch out for in Woodstock:
Taftsville Covered Bridge: On route to Quechee Gorge, this bright red structure is hard to miss and definitely worth the stop.
Middle Covered Bridge: In the Village of Woodstock.
Stroll through the village. Woodstock is a quaint little village, filled with shops, art galleries, and eateries. Check out the general store, where you’re sure to find a few Vermont classics (blueberry wine and real maple syrup). If you’re lucky, you may even catch an art fair set up in one of the parks. Also - don’t forget to check out the local book stores filled with all tons of nostalgia and charm.
Get a healthy dose of history at Billings Farm and Museum. Although we didn’t stop here, we did pass by this historic site. This is a spot you don’t want to miss.
Take a photo break at Sleepy Hollow Farm. This was HIGH on my bucket list, as I’ve seen other photographers and travelers post about this dreamy spot. [Reminder that this is private property, so should you choose to visit please respect the boundaries set by the owners (ie. do not cross the closed gates, move out of the way for traffic, etc.]
DAY 3: STOWE, VERMONT
WHERE WE STAYED:
Airbnb: 2 Bedroom Condo Near Alchemist Brewery. This was a cute, loft style 2 bedroom condo with all the charm of a ski town. Close to all the local spots and Mount Mansfield, it was perfect for our trip.
If Airbnb is not your thing, you might check out the local BnB’s, run by Stowe natives, or the local ski lodges. [Something to keep in mind - these spots fill up QUICKLY during peak season, so you’ll need to book well in advance]. Below are a few places we considered staying:
WHERE WE ATE:
PK Coffee: We stopped here twice - once on the way into Stowe and once for breakfast. This is a great spot for a hot beverage or a grab-n-go breakfast. Highly recommend sampling a baked good, while you’re there (salted chocolate chip cookie or homemade biscuit).
IdleTyme Brewing Company: This restaurant and brewery was a quick five minute drive from our accommodation. You need a reservation to dine inside, but they do take walk-ins for outdoor seating. As a table of two, we waited about 30 mins at the dinner rush. A must try: Vermont Cheddar Fritters with Jalapeño Aioli. (Incredible! More than enough to share amongst 4-6 people)
Laughing Moon Chocolates: Located in downtown Stowe, this is a great place to stop if you’re taking a walking tour of downtown (highly recommend!). We sampled 4 pieces: 2 truffles and 2 salted caramel. My favorite was the walnut caramel - with tiny walnut pieces spread throughout the caramel and (of course) covered in chocolate.
THINGS TO DO:
Explore Mount Mansfield. Take the Gondola Skyride to the top of the mountain (at 4393 feet elevation - it’s the tallest mountain in Vermont). If you’re looking to capture some serious views, you don’t want to miss this! If heights aren’t your thing, don’t worry. You can still explore the mountain on foot and hike the trails. You may also want to take the smaller gondola over to the Spruce Peak resort. There are tons of shops, restaurants, and epic views from here. If that doesn’t tire you out, try taking the Auto Toll Road to explore the mountain. As the name implies there is a fee you’ll need to pay, but you can explore all the twists and turns of the mountain from your car.
Hike in Smuggler’s Notch. Although we didn’t get to do this, we still drove the roads around Smuggler’s Notch and pulled over on the side of the road for the fall foliage and some small waterfalls.
Cold Hollow Cider Mill. If you love all things apple-flavored - ciders and donuts alike, then this is the spot for you. About 15 minutes outside of Stowe, this cider mill brings in visitors by busload (literally!). Walk through the general store and get a taste of all things Vermont (apparel, pottery, maple syrup). Grab a 1/2 dozen apple cider donuts and a hot apple cider and kick back on the outdoor porch after a long days hike. There’s also a tasting room where you can have lunch and a factory tour to see how they produce the famous apple cider.
Recreational Path. Located just behind the famous white Stowe Community Church, is the beginning of this trail. This may be more your speed if you’re a beginning hiker, with paved trails and bridges this is a great way to explore Stowe. Bring your bike or your dog, as the path is open to both. You’ll go over babbling brooks and have a chance to catch some epic views of downtown.
Sample a local brewery. We stayed just up the hill from the Alchemist Brewery. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to go as they were closed the days we traveled, but I’d definitely love to go back.
Ben and Jerry’s Factory. You can take a tour of the facilities [currently closed due to the pandemic] or simply visit the scoop shop. Also stop by the flavor graveyard to see which flavors have been discontinued. [My flavor is Milk and Cookies!!]
