Visiting Vermont in the Fall...

Most things in Vermont look old. I like the Old Stagecoach Inn in Waterbury- but you'd be heading away from Hill Farmstead (but you can always find HF on tap somewhere).

 

Spruce Peak is brand new with a 4-star resto and performing arts center with prices to match. Top Notch has an award-winning spa. Both are in Stowe - far closer to HF than Burlington. If you come during foliage season everything is sold out, so book early. If your wife wants to shop while you go beer-hunting, then Burlington would be a compromise.

 

Stowe is touristy, but nice and a great location. Waterbury is an even better spot with the Pro Pig and proximity to great breweries and a more "Vermont" feel. Plus, thats not far from a great Mt. Mansfield hike. So Stowe or Waterbury. Thats my answer.

 

Waterbury is definitely the place I would want to stay if I were in VT for a long weekend. Not helpful for logistics, but just my POV.

 

Where are you staying in Burlington? Hotel Vermomt is one of the best/coolest places we've ever stayed. Was one of Conde Nast's top 10 new hotels in the world. They also have an awesome beer concierge.

 

We have a time share in Warren the first week in October. It is beautiful at that time of the year. Depending on the year you may want to stay up in the mountains for a day or two to catch the best leaves. Spend as much time outdoors as possible. It is usually cold at night and warm during the day. You will have a blast.

 

Waterbury & Stowe are great, I'd probably recommend Stowe if you don't know the area as well. Tons of places to stay, lots of local spots that get Heady (you can also find it at almost any restaurant) and there's a lot to do (Trapp Family Lodge, hiking/biking, spas, etc...)

If you do stay in Stowe you should definitely stop by at Prohibition Pig in Waterbury for some great BBQ & a killer tap selection (HF, Lawsons, etc...).

 

+1 for Hotel VT. My GF and I have stayed there twice now. It's a beautiful hotel, great beers on tap at Juniper, the hotel's restaurant, and Hen of the Wood is next door. $10 overnight parking and a very short walk to Church St!

 

You must be wealthy, Hotel Vermont & Junipers are the most overpriced Burlington locations IMO. Hen of the Wood is outstanding.

 

You must not live In burlington, everything is overpriced!

brand new hotel also just opened on Main st in burlington.

New hotel is going up at the old thatcher brook inn location in waterbury that is planned to open for fall.

Would stay a few days in Stowe and a few days in burlington personally.

 

From Boston, nothing is cheap here. Hotel VT might not be the least expensive option, but depending on when you book it can be a reasonable option.

 

Same here!

 

I would suggest between the two that you stay in Waterbury for what you want to do. While Burlington is a great town, I think that Waterbury is more central to getting the things you want. You can go to the Warren Store for Lawson's. You can go to Montpellier for the Hunger Mountain drops or Three Penny. You also have stuff like the Cabot Store and Ben & Jerry's. You have the Craft Beer Cellar right there. Then you have the bars. Prohibition Pig, The Reservoir, and Blackback are all right there. Mad Taco is down the street in Waitsfield. There are plenty of places to go on the food and drink side. The Old Stage Coach is where I stayed and I'd recommend it because of its proximity to the bars (you can walk to the three mentioned above), though it might feel old for your wife.

Burlington does have the Bevy in Winooski, but there are more opportunities in Waterbury. I haven't stayed in Stowe, but if the second brewery is done by then, that would give that location a step up. It's further away though.

 

New taproom opening in Stowe owned by the Hen of the Woods folks.

 

Well, if this is an anniversary trip then I suggest staying where the wife wants! Waterbury is a great place to stay for the beer scene but she may be a bit happier in Burlington would be my guess. It adds a bit of driving to get to HF and some other places but they are still plenty doable, and keeping the wife happy is number one in my book when making beer trips.

 

Ditto. Taking your non-beer interested wife on an anniversary trip and putting her up in Waterbury is probably not going to go over too well. After she spends the first hour seeing the whole town, what's she going to do?
Burlington is only a 30-40 minute drive.

Edit: You may be disappointed with the quantity of HT you'll be able to secure. Leaf Peeper season is busy! There will be tons of people who have the same plan as you do.

 

Whereabouts?

 

Site of closed down Vermont Ale House.