murray09

My wife and I (50, 54) will be visiting Vermont for the first time in the beginning of October and staying for 9 days. We will be based in Northern Vermont (Burlington and Stowe.) We would appreciate any advice concerning:

1. What are your favorite restaurants?
2. What day trips (and itineraries) do you recommend starting from Northern Vermont.

Thanks so much for your help.

djkbooks

When you arrive, phone 1-800-Vermont for the foliage report. There will be scenic drives in every direction. The very best way to enjoy the foliage is to start out early and drive all over. Vermont is a small state, with only a few main state routes. You can hardly go wrong. If you're AAA members, pick up and map and follow all the "......." routes. If shopping is important to you, Route 7 is the best.

As for restaurants in Stowe, when you pull into town, head directly for the Visitor's Office (follow signs) in the center of town on the main street. There, you'll find a wonderful dining brochure with photos, menus, prices. Reserve forthwith at those places you find appealing (during foliage season restaurants are booked up solid ahead of time).

A truly special dining destination (if you can get a reservation) near Burlington is the Inn http://www.shelburnefarms.org/comevi...estaurant.shtm Sunset views from the dining room during Fall could not be more magical.

There's also a dining guide you can pick up all over Burlington. The Church Street Marketplace is chock full of every variety of dining.

Another fine dining destination near Burlington is the New England Culinary Institute dining room (they have a more casual outpost in the Church Street Marketplace) at the Inn at Essex http://www.innatessex.com/

planner

If you have time go to Quechee and have lunch at Simon Pearce Restaurant and Glass Blowing workshop. It is a lovely setting and the food is very good. The glassware is gorgeous. Also, a nice place for dinner though you will need reservations. Quechee is a little south of Woodstock which is a picturesque town you may enjoy. The Woodstock Inn is a nice place for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You will enjoy Burlington it is a fun city though I can't think off hand of names of places we have tried there are a lot of lively places since it is a college town. The Church Street area downtown has many choices. Enjoy!

dfrostnh

I've enjoyed both the casual cafe in Burlington run by the Culinary Institute and the Main St Grill in Montpelier. Check the website and make reservations. Also in Burlington, Sweetwaters. The Dutch Pancake in Stowe is great for breakfast and so it the little place next to the movie theater. You will have to look for it since it is behind some other stores on the road that goes up to the Golden Eagle Resort. Drive down to Middlebury for dinner at the Dog Team Tavern. Due to the distance you might want to have an early dinner.
We visited the corn maze in Danville (www.vermontcornmaze.com) a couple of weeks ago. It's a large maze and very challenging. Walking is a little strenuous since it's on a side hill but you can always take the emergency exit for a quicker trip to the top and 360 degree view. Stop for a wine tasting at the Boyden Valley Winery. I would also consider a day trip to Woodstock Vermont. Several good choices for lunch. We enjoyed a drive starting from the north down the Champlain Islands. The area is very rural so opt to end in Burlington for lunch or dinner. If you do go to Danville, I highly recommend the Miss Lyndonville Diner in Lyndonville. Good diner food. We didn't save room for dessert. Drive thru Peacham. Enjoy the trip!

jtp

We were in Burlington just a few weeks ago - did a serach on Egullet.com before leaving and received great advice on restaurants.

We are pretty regular visitors to the C.I.A. (NY) so we were very disappointed and had been warned about the Burlington C.I. branch- having said that, the Manager was quick to respond and graciously took the price of items off the menu that we had ordered and just were not edible.
Having said that, make reservations early and enjoy every bite of : Smokejacks - (156 Church St)let the professional staff guide you through some of the best of the area's wine and cheese.

If you are a home baker, do NOT miss a a stop at King Arthur Flour in Norwhich--
tell us more about what you would enjoy and we can make more pointed suggestions.

For example there is an outstanding restoration store not far from Simon Pearce... a lot touristy but fun is the Vermont Country Store...




Penny Cluse was perfect for breakfast - eggs, outstanding breads, pancakes and frenchtoast (Syrup goes without saying)
as for day trips -- you will be there at the hite of the leaves changing colors (Lucky you) --

BuffaloGirl

Day trips: 1. Shelburne Museum
2. Montreal
3. Fort Ticonderoga
4. Middlebury, VT
...not necessarily in that order

Restaurants: Foxfire in Stowe - it's been a few years since I've been there so can't tell you what it's like now; however, it was very enjoyable at the time...set in an old Vermont farmhouse. Also, the Dog Team Tavern - not in Stowe, but about a 45 minute drive. I'm sorry, I don't know exactly where it is....but they really feed you...family style.

Sorry...I'm rambling................. Have fun.

bm

The Dog Team is in New Haven, which is just north of Middlebury. Also, if you end up in Middlebury, try Fire & Ice.
Pick up a Delorme or Northern Cartographic atlas when you get to Burlington and use it to get yourself off the beaten path. Those photos you see in Vermont Life and other publications are most often taken on the "back" roads..most tourists seem to stay on the main roads and miss the best scenery VT has to offer IMO.
Have a great trip!

zootsi

Both Burlington and Montpelier have a great selection of restaurants. If you like Italian, try Sarducchi's in Montpelier, or Trattoria D'Leia in Burlington. As for things to see and do, there is Ben and Jerry's, the Lake Champlain Ferry, Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Farm, Billing's Farm Museum and Rockefeller estate in Woodstock, and hundreds of miles of very scenic countryside to explore. You might also consider taking a few short hikes in the Green Mountains.

jason888

Second the Dog Team Tavern and, in Middlebury, Fire and Ice.

Also Church Street in Burlington.

Also drive along Lake Champlain, go to Stowe, hike Snake Mountain - just don't hike Vermont during hunting season unless you have a bright orange/red hat and jacket!

Have fun!