Suggested Itineraries

I can't emphasize enough not overreaching when planning your trip. Many travelers coming from a distance look at this trip as their only chance to see northern New England, and make the rash decision to drive madly across the region in a valiant effort to see the Green Mountains, the White Mountains, the Maine coast and certainly a moose up in those Maine Woods. All in a week or so.

A formula for disappointment, you end up seeing little except the inside of your windshield. New England has few attractions that lend themselves to pit-stop tourism -- you remember these kinds of trips: you pay your fee, look around for a few minutes, take some photos, grab a snack, and get back on the road to the next "attraction." New England is best seen by not moving, or at least moving rather slowly, by foot or canoe or bike. The happiest visitors to the region tend to be those who stay put the most, getting to know their selected patch more intimately through well-crafted day trips.

With that in mind, here are some suggested itineraries that you can use as a starting point, mixing and matching depending on how much time you have.

Vermont in 6 Days

You can get a large taste of Vermont in under a week. This trip involves about 2 or 3 hours of driving daily (that's if you don't dally, which you should). Consider it a scouting trip of places to come back and explore in more depth:

Day 1 Arrive in Burlington in northern Vermont and check in to your room. Rent bikes or in-line skates and spend the remainder of the day cruising the city's waterfront pathway. You still may have time to explore Church St. Marketplace and the university campus before selecting from one of Burlington's excellent, midpriced restaurants.

Day 2 Depart southward in the morning to Shelburne and spend most of the day exploring the remarkable Shelburne Museum. Afterwards, drive south to the classic town of Middlebury and spend the night. If time permits, visit the splendid horses at the Morgan Horse Farm, operated by the University of Vermont, or explore the campus and art museum at Middlebury College.

Day 3 Continue south on Route 7 with a detour to Proctor, north of Rutland, to view the Vermont Marble Exhibit. Head east on Route 4 to near the New York border, get out a map, and plot a back-roads ramble from here to Dorset and Manchester, enjoying the small towns and scenic vistas. Overnight in Manchester, Dorset, or Arlington. Leave time for outlet shopping in Manchester.

Day 4 Head east into the Green Mountains. Your destination is the village of Grafton. Wander this lovingly preserved town, and buy some cheese at the local cheese factory before heading northward toward the town of Woodstock. (Break out those maps for the back roads.) Overnight in Woodstock.

Day 5 After spending the morning exploring Woodstock (don't miss the Raptor Center and the Billings Farm Museum), head east on Route 4 with a detour to Plymouth to visit the Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site. Continue through Killington onward up scenic Route 100 to the Mad River Valley. Overnight in Warren or Waitsfield. If time permits, rent a bike or take a tour on Icelandic ponies.

Day 6 Spend the day working your way back to Burlington. Options include a detour to the lovely capital city of Montpelier and the immense working quarries in Barre; a side trip to the ski resort town of Stowe, which is still appealing even in summer; or a tour of the Ben & Jerry's factory in Waterbury. Leave enough time to have dinner in Burlington at one of the restaurants you regretted not visiting your first night.