This past year, I visited a new-to-me state: Vermont. It wasn’t exactly the most popular time to go, March, often referred to as mud season for the period when the ski slopes turn to mush. The shops are open “by chance,” so you never know what you’re going to get.
But it’s also maple season when the refineries waft sweet aromas into the air. I was visiting for a conference but turned it into a road trip down Route 7 to see the small towns, covered bridges, and country stores that inspired generations of authors from Robert Frost to Donna Tartt. There are plenty of places I missed, but that just means I’ll be back!
This post contains affiliate links that can earn this website a small income. They will not cost you anything to use.
Hartford
I rented a car in Boston and made the drive to Vermont as it’s not exactly a cheap state to fly into. My first stop was two hours away in the town of Hartford. My destination? Vermont Antique Mall is a sprawling multi-level paradise for antique hunters like myself in Queechee Gorge Village.
I didn’t have time to visit the other store in town, Antiques Collaborative, but instead grabbed lunch at the Vermont Snack Shack. Next time, I’d visit the WhistlePig Whiskey Parlour, Queechee Covered Bridge, and Dewey’s Mills Cafe. I also didn’t have time for St. Johnsbury, home to Dog Mountain, or Waterbury because the Ben and Jerry’s factory wasn’t offering tours that day.
Stowe
Since getting postcards from both sets of grandparents from their visits to Trapp Family Lodge, I knew I had to make a stop. There’s a lot going on in Stowe that I didn’t have time for, but I made the snowy drive up to the Von Trapp Brewery & Bierhall for a pint, where I learned about the famous family from The Sound of Music and their journey to live in small-town Vermont.
Burlington
It’s easy to fall in love with this college town on the shores of Lake Champlain where, according to legend, a Loch Ness-style creature lives. There’s an abundance of fantastic shops, restaurants, and breweries and I could have easily spent an entire week here.
My home for the night was Hotel Vermont, which has Nordic-inspired rooms overlooking the water with plants and locally made products. Their restaurant highlights regional cuisine, including apple wines. It’s also within walking distance of just about everything.
I didn’t have many meals here during my short stay, but I had a killer bagel from Myer’s Bagel Bakery and cocktails from Devil Takes a Holiday and a pint at Foam Brewers. Others that didn’t make the cut were Hong’s Chinese Dumplings, Vivid Coffee Roasters, Hen of the Wood, Bleu Northeast Kitchen, and August First.
I did browse Church Street Marketplace at night and check out the stacks at Crow Books. The Barge Canal Market also had a nice selection of new and old items. I also enjoyed my tour of AO Glass, where I added to my extensive glassware collection, and detoured to see the World’s Tallest Filing Cabinet.
Manchester
The purpose of my trip was to explore Manchester, a lovely historic town with nearby ski resorts. I first went back in October, when the leaf colors were just barely hanging on.
On my first trip, I stayed at the Kimpton Taconic Hotel and the Equinox Golf Resort & Spa on my second, so I got the best of both worlds. And while I didn’t stay there, I had dinner at the Wilburton Inn and loved exploring the old home.
On my two trips, I fit in as much sightseeing as possible, playing a few rounds at Pastime Pinball, seeing one of Lincoln’s famous stovepipe hats at Hildene, being a scaredy cat driver at the Land Rover Experience, and admiring works by local and regional artists at the Southern Vermont Arts Center.
The pub fare at Mulligan’s can’t be missed, along with Mystic Restaurant and Bar, with its house-made bread. The Crooked Ram is a wine bar and store with shared bites and The Silver Fork is one of the top-rated restaurants in the state, set in a former library.
Don’t miss the chance to outfit yourself with cozy gear from Vermont Flannel Company. I’m also a big fan of the antiques and newer goods from The Vintage Soul and the sprawling stacks at Northshire Bookstore.
Bennington
Bennington played a crucial role in the Revolutionary War during the Battle of Bennington in 1777. The Bennington Battle Monument, a 306-foot-tall obelisk commemorating the battle, is a popular tourist attraction.
The town is home to Bennington College, a liberal arts college known for its progressive educational philosophy, with alumni like Donna Tartt and Bret Easton Ellis, along with Peter Dinklage and Holland Taylor.
The Bennington Museum showcases the region’s history and art, including the work of Grandma Moses, and the Robert Frost Stone House Museum pays tribute to the famous poet who lived in the area.
Bennington is also famous for its pottery, particularly Bennington Potters. Established in 1948, this pottery company produces distinctive and high-quality ceramics, which are popular among collectors and visitors and can be found at local antique stores. I didn’t get a chance to explore the local dining scene, but I had a great lunch and beer at Madison Brewing Co.
Brattleboro
Brattleboro is situated in the southeastern corner of Vermont, near the border with New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The Brattleboro Museum & Art Center and the Vermont Maple Museum are two essential stops while in town, not to mention picking up goodies at Grafton Cheese Village.
Whetstone Beer and Hermit Thrush Brewery are just two of the excellent breweries in town. I enjoyed a lovely pasta dinner at Blue Moose Bistro and a much-needed drink at Duchess Coffee before leaving town. Everyone’s Books was another essential stop. I stayed at the Latchis Hotel in a historic movie theater that still puts on shows.
PIN IT
Leave a Reply