Community Forums

Oldman5145 · 08-06-2019, 06:09 AM

We are planning a trip to Vermont in September. We have no set destination planned. We know nothing about where to go. We aren't looking for excitement and adventure. We are looking for beauty and small town life. I like old hardware stores and antique shops. We enjoy seeing craftsman and artists doing their craft.

Where would you go and where would you stay? Any advice would be appreciated.

mdcamping · 08-06-2019, 07:00 PM

Quechee area has lots of antiquing if I remember. Try the Quechee/Pine Valley KOA, clean campground gets good reviews.

Mike

Oldman5145 · 08-07-2019, 05:37 AM

Mike,thank you! When I hear about Vermont all anyone can say I it is beaut, but not specific about locations. Motorhome Magazine had a good short article about Vermont, but spent half of the article describing a Scottish festival in New Hampshire.

I am looking to be centrally located and not make 2 hour road trip to see things.

Gladie · 08-07-2019, 12:15 PM

Vermont is bigger than you may think. Might have to move at least one time. We like Champlain Adult CG in Grand Isle on Lake Champlain. It’s quiet, scenic and near wineries. It is close to Grand Isle State Park for camping also. We like Windhall Brook COE CG in the Manchester area. Close to Manchester for outlet shopping and Equinox mountain. Vermont is dotted with farm stands, rolling hills, Vermont syrup shops, Cabot Cheese, Ben & Jerry ice cream & antique shops. Stowe area of Vermont is worth a look. It truly is a beautiful area of New England.

Oldman5145 · 08-11-2019, 06:13 AM

Thanks, I have made reservations at Lake Champagne Resort Vermont in Randolph Center, Vermont. I know I will not be able to see it all in a week,so I was looking for central. I have no agenda or must see places. Back in March we went to Texas for a whirlwind trip. I won't do that again.

4ina4x4 · 08-11-2019, 05:54 PM

Jim, you'll only be about a half hour away from Barre. The tour at the Rock of Ages Quarry there was excellent. (Try to hit a tour when Todd will be guiding, if at all possible. He was wonderful - a former teacher who has been with the quarry for more than 30 years. He knows just about everything there is to know about it, plus he's very personable with a good sense of humor and a smooth delivery.)

If you happen to be in the vicinity of Waterbury, you might enjoy the restored train station that was built in 1875. It's beautifully renovated, and it now houses a Green Mountain Coffee cafe and visitor center. Plus, it's still an active (and quaint) stop on the Amtrak line.

Enjoy your time in Vermont!

Mary

spuds · 08-11-2019, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldman5145

Thanks, I have made reservations at Lake Champagne Resort Vermont in Randolph Center, Vermont.

That's out favorite Vermont base. From there, you can visit Ben & Jerry's, the Cabot Annex, Cold Hollow Cider, Ziemke Glassblowing, Vermont Country Store, King Arthur Flour (and Baking School), Quechee, shop at Co-Op for fresh and healthy foods, American Precision Museum, NECI on Main (New England Culinary's school restaurant), shop in Hanover, NH for tax-free things (great golf shop in Golf & Ski Warehouse) and a NH state liquor store.

If you like cheese, check out Neighborly Farms north of the campground. Best feta we have ever had, and Sugarbush Farm near Quechee for cheddar.

vermontbuild · 08-15-2019, 05:40 AM

The best travel routes in Vermont tend to run north and south, the spine of the Green Mountains limits east west routes. Route 5 up the Connecticut River valley is very scenic with many small towns. Route 100 travels up the center of the state, also very scenic and with places to stop, eat, etc. Burlington, our biggest city is up in the Northern part of the state on beautiful Lake Champlain. The small scale of the city makes it very traveler friendly. Lots to see and do. Good food, numerous breweries, a nice pedestrian only long city street, highly recommended. Our lovely state is often described as the way all of America used to be: small towns, low crime rate, clean environment, and very little urban sprawl. Bill boards are illegal here as is uncontrolled development. Note: Fall is our peak tourism season, plan ahead, campgrounds and rooms can difficult to find at the last minute.

Blastvalve · 08-15-2019, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vermontbuild

The best travel routes in Vermont tend to run north and south, the spine of the Green Mountains limits east west routes. Route 5 up the Connecticut River valley is very scenic with many small towns. Route 100 travels up the center of the state, also very scenic and with places to stop, eat, etc. Burlington, our biggest city is up in the Northern part of the state on beautiful Lake Champlain. The small scale of the city makes it very traveler friendly. Lots to see and do. Good food, numerous breweries, a nice pedestrian only long city street, highly recommended. Our lovely state is often described as the way all of America used to be: small towns, low crime rate, clean environment, and very little urban sprawl. Bill boards are illegal here as is uncontrolled development. Note: Fall is our peak tourism season, plan ahead, campgrounds and rooms can difficult to find at the last minute.

Well Said!

TC Wndsr · 08-21-2019, 10:15 PM

Camping on the Battenkill in Arlington is a nice quiet spot. Manchester and Bennington are both close by.

Superslif · 08-23-2019, 06:07 PM

We do VT every 3/4 years. We do one week usually in the south at a state park ( dry camping) and another about a hour north of Rutland on Lake Dunmore Kampersville. Some of our favorite state parks are : Gifford Woods, Half Moon, Jamaica, Lake St Catherine.

mdcamping · 08-24-2019, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gladie

Vermont is bigger than you may think. Might have to move at least one time. We like Champlain Adult CG in Grand Isle on Lake Champlain. It’s quiet, scenic and near wineries. It is close to Grand Isle State Park for camping also. We like Windhall Brook COE CG in the Manchester area. Close to Manchester for outlet shopping and Equinox mountain. Vermont is dotted with farm stands, rolling hills, Vermont syrup shops, Cabot Cheese, Ben & Jerry ice cream & antique shops. Stowe area of Vermont is worth a look. It truly is a beautiful area of New England.

X2 on Champlain Adult CG on Grand Isle & especially Winhall Brook, after a day of fun, love chillen in my inner tube on the lazy river under the bridge... picture something out of a Norman Rockwell Painting!

Mike

**TonyDi** · 08-24-2019, 08:15 PM

Rt 100 is one of our favorite roads. It is a laid back pace hwy. So many scenic areas. We like stopping in the towns of Warren and Waitsfield. Very quaint with nice shopping.

MaureenB · 08-28-2019, 10:03 AM

We love the Quechee KOA. The owners take a lot of pride in the campground and are very hands on in maintaining it, lots (I like the upper side) are very large and private. Simon Pearce is a fantastic restaurant and glass blowing store is right down the road, as is the Gorge. It's very quiet and relaxing, not touristy.