What to see in Vermont ?

[Sigarms]

Unless you're planning to go hunting, don't really need a gun anyway. It's pretty safe up here.

It's pretty safe anywhere I go. I still carry though

When I go to Pennsylvania, I'll risk 10 minutes through the communist state of Maryland. When I go to Vermont, the drive time through NY and Mass isn't worth the potential headache of having a firearm, even secured and locked properly.

 

[PILOON]

Hate to say it but I believe you are 2-3 week late for fall foliage. I am in Laurentians (north of Montreal) and the colors are now in the past up here so Vermont is history.

 

[fried1765]

The wife and I are planning to head up through New England states, mainly Vermont middle of Oct. Is there anything that is a must see? I am hoping the fall colors are near peak, Wanting to avoid the tourist trap rat race and would like to see a sugar camp, maybe learn some on the process to help me be more efficient in my hobby. I like the idea of small town dinners and bed & breakfast rather than a chain hotel.

Thanks,
David

Middle of October will be too late for peak season in Northern Vermont.
Will likely still be OK in the middle of the state, to better than OK in Southern part of the state.
For next year: You might want to check out The Rabbit Hill Inn, in Lower Waterford, Vt.
I have not been there for many years, but it is a VERY special place!
You will need to make reservations there at least a year in advance for early October.
Google: Rabbit Hill Inn.....you will see that it has a 5 star rating!
Ain't cheap.....but worth every $$!

 

[CalG]

Hate to say it but I believe you are 2-3 week late for fall foliage. I am in Laurentians (north of Montreal) and the colors are now in the past up here so Vermont is history.

I guess you would need to be here to know,... and I am! , but fall colors here in Vt. are not done, In fact, they have just started! Those Canuks have an entirely different look on things ;-)

In the southern state, The Green River Covered bridge is a classic , There is A B&B right there. Do you want me to tell Joni (the owner) you are coming?

Bennington has it's Revolutionary memorial tower and the Grandma Moses Art Museum.
Rent a boat or just go for a ride on Harriman Reservoir off route9 Stop at Hog Back Mountain and take in the 100 mile view .

Route 100 is the "SKI HIGHWAY" with lots of ski areas offering scenic rides to the summit. Plus, they all have fall events. Last week it was "Wine and Harvest", Who knows what may come at other places in the weeks ahead. Check the schedules. I hear there are opportunities to golf all over.

If you were here this week, Swimming would be high on the "attractions" list, and that is never a "tourista" activity. Most of the fall fairs and their tractor pulls are come and gone. But check out Tunbridge just because.

A drive up Equinox Mountain ($10 toll) in Manchester is worth the look around, Manchester it's self is quite nice to stop and stay. And... There is some fellow that must have 100 old tractors out on display in a field just north of the town park. Just in case you like old tractors. ;-) I'm not sure how this goes today. The display may be there, I have not been over for months.
In the same Way, Ascutney Mountain on the East side is a worth while day trip. It's an absolute "MUST" if you were coming on two wheels. ;-)

Oh, There is so much. People come to Vermont to vacation. I feel fortunate to get to live here!

 

[David Wayne]

Thank you all, I have a lot to look up now. I should have mentioned my interests, though the wife doesnt share all of them. I like museums, history, nature although not sure we are in shape for hiking the trails, tractors and farm machinery, and all things mechanical. The sled ride sounds fun, wife read that and agreed till she read taking a ski lift, she's afraid of heights. I am curious about Ben & Jerrys, is it a real tour? We went to Hershey last year and toured the plant but it was a virtual tour and a wast of money. When I was a kid {45 yrs ago}we went there and it was an actual tour of the factory.
Thanks again for the ideas.
David

 

[Dftodd]

Ben and jerry's is a real factory tour. Best is during the week so you can see the actual production going on. They have viewing rooms so you can look down onto the production floor. Tour ends with a sample of one of the ice creams Route 100 offers some really scenic beauty and some water falls right off the side of the road near granville vermont. Then Route 125 from Hancock to east Middlebury. With Texas Falls on your right as your going up the mountain from Hancock.

The Waybury Inn in East Middlebury is a nice bed and breakfast to stay in. Pretty pricy though. This Inn was the feature of the Bob Newhart show. Just pay attention to which room you stay in since some rooms don't have an attached restroom and use a common rest room/ shower down the hall. The breakfast is fantastic though

 

[CobyRupert]

This reminds of traveling out west to my son's college in 2015 when Bernie Sanders (VT) was in the news. We met some other parents from one of the conservative (Midwest?) states, told them we were from upstate NY, right next to the Vermont border. Her reply was classic, and we often repeat it: "Oh, I always wanted to visit Vermont, but I hear it's a liberal state ( ). What does that look like?"

It took all my power not to answer: "Oh it's very pretty with the mountains, and the foliage, and the small villages, all very beautiful, well, except for the lesbian abortion parties every Saturday on the village green."

Then I remembered that not all of the country understands sarcasm..:confused2:

 

[Quebecguy]

The wife and I are planning to head up through New England states, mainly Vermont middle of Oct. Is there anything that is a must see? David

Hi David,
I live about 7 miles north of the Vermont border and I think you should be arriving at about the peak of the leaf colour season although this year appears to be one of the worst in that respect - as someone mentioned, a lot of the leaves are just turning brown and falling off the trees. You might want to book your accommodations ahead of time as Vermont really fills up with tourists at this time of year. Both you and your wife might enjoy a visit to the Shelburne Museum just south of Burlington.
Shelburne Museum - Over 15, works in 39 exhibition buildings
Have fun, Chris

 

[CobyRupert]

Shelburne Museum
Some very good breweries throughout the state
Ski lifts and/or gondola are great for foliage if you don't hike. If your wife has ski chair fears, Killington, Stratton and Stowe (ski) Mountains have gondolas. Check their website for fall festivals.
But any back road is good too.
VT is good for getting off the main roads with no destination in mind and driving around lost and seeing the backroad sights as opposed to a big tourist destination. Though, you may want a GPS when it comes time to actually get somewhere. Be aware, sometimes in VT "You can't get there from here!"


Here's one site that has a foliage (starting/peak/past) map: Live Fall Foliage Map - New England Today

 

[newbury]

As a Vermont landowner, former full time resident and never connected to the tourist trade -
Nothing to see here, no reason for anyone to visit.
Move along and stop clogging our 2 lane roads.