What to see in Vermont ?

[CobyRupert]

Could only find old 2011 figures for VT tourism:

Direct spending by visitors for goods and services totaled $1.7 billion.
Visitor spending generated $274.5 million in tax and fee revenue for Vermont,
Visitor spending also supports an estimated 37,910 jobs for Vermonters; accounting for approximately 11.5 percent of all Vermont jobs

Jobs Supported by Visitor Spending: Vermont % vs. U.S. Average %:
Eating and Drinking Places: 36.3% vs 18.1%
Retail: 6.8% vs 2.9%

I doubt this evens includes impact of 2nd home "tourists".

 

[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

Try to fit in a visit to Crowley Cheese, in Healdville, Vt.
This is a small cheese factory that has been existence since 1882.
They will give you a tour of their cheese making process, and their 1882 building.
The cheese is made in small batches, and is made by hand.
It is an aged Colby cheese, and is absolutely wonderful.
Try to get a 2-1/2. lb (or 5 lb.) wheel of their extra sharp, though in October, they will likely be sold out of the extra sharp.

 

[David Wayne]

The wife & I took our little trip the week of the 16th and hit most of the spots recommended. No pictures worth posting, just didnt have the color this year. We did stay at the Waybury inn, they boast that it was the model for the Bob Newhart show but I didnt see any resemblance. It had old charm but not impressive, and breakfast wasnt anything to write home about- but I did get some seeds that landed on the porch from the maple in the front yard. Ate at Two Brothers, wife had cheese steak I had pulled pork both were real good. then went to Lake Champlain, cold and rainy that day. stopped at four sugar houses including Dakan, and Bragg and yes tried a maple creamy and they are quite good. Wife taste tested syrup at each stop so she was on a sugar high. Ben & Jerry was ok but not a lot of the process to be seen. Drove down 302 thru white mountains to Conway, pretty drive but rained. went over to Main "old apple orchard beach" then south to Road Island. Didnt like that area so we went back up to Conway and drove over to Lincoln on 112 another nice drive with places to pull off and walk to the river. Then crossed the Green mountains took in the 100 mile view and then on towards home across 86 thru NY. Somewhere along the way we stopped at Black Rock Steak House, they serve your steak seared but otherwise raw. You slice it a bite at a time and cook each slice on the hot rock it is served on.
So in closing it was a nice trip and I would like to thank all of you for helping make it successful. You certainly have some beautiful country up there.

 

[Soldier415]

If you pass through Rutland, grab a steak at Southside Steakhouse. It is Rutland's only redeeming quality and is one of the best dry aged steaks I've had in my life.

Stop in for beer and burgers at three penny taproom in Montpelier

 

[Oaktree]

Somewhere along the way we stopped at Black Rock Steak House, they serve your steak seared but otherwise raw. You slice it a bite at a time and cook each slice on the hot rock it is served on.

I've been there a few times, grew up in the area, mother still lives there. Good food, prices are reasonable and you don't leave hungry!