Visiting Vermont in the Fall...

Disagree...Zero Gravity. Three rounds of amazing beer for my friend and I plus plenty of samplers...$30?! That would be more like $50+ down here in Manchester.

 

OP - are you planning on staying in one place regardless, so an alternative would be for the duration? I'd also echo what the others said regarding proximity. Burlington isn't that much further away (30 minutes from the Waterbury/Montpellier area), so I don't think you're losing that much. I've done trips where I've stayed at both, but it sounds like you want one place to settle in (definitely makes things less stressful). Correct me if I'm wrong?

 

One of my fall favorites is the deck at the deli at Trapp Family Lodge. A nice pint of Oktoberfest with a pannini and or killer pastries.

The gondola at Stowe in another awesome non-beer option close to beer.

 

Look for rental bikes in Stowe, there is an 8 mile paved recreation path from the center of town up the access road. Bars, resturaunts, shops, hell there is even a corn maze that time of year.

It's a short trip from Stowe to Morrisville where you can eat and imbibe at Lost Nation and hit the taproom at Rock Art which doubles as an awesome source for a wide range of Vermont products.

 

That corn maze is fun! And the bike path is great, cool sculpture garden along/near the path as well.

 

Sounds like Burlington is your best choice based on nightlife options. If you are interested in Stowe, and your wife wants an updated hotel with an old VT feel, stay at the Green Mountain Inn. Front end is historic VT while the rooms in the back are newly renovated and very nice. Plus its walking distance to a few nice spots and parking is ample.

 

Yeah the Hilton Garden Inn. I think part of it is in the Old Armory building, but there's a modern building next to it too.
I always thought the Armory would make a great brewpub.

Great location, and as someone who spent a lot of time in hotels for work, there's nothing like a new hotel.

 

I second the Stowe bikepath. Start on the mountain side, ride down and have lunch then head back up. The views are great and lots of cool bridges over mountain streams. You really can't beat it.

 

I'm the other guy, start low and bike up, coast home.

 

I would do it this way too if I had a choice. If you want advice on hikes and mountain biking areas let me know.

 

End of discussion.

 

If you are getting to Burlington Wednesday then the only thing I can say for sure is that you need to be at the Warren Store around 9:30 Thursday morning. Get yourself a nice breakfast and grab whatever Lawson's they have that day. From there, you could either (a) head south along 100, which is a pretty road (our place in Rochester is right at the junction of it and 73) and go to Long Trail or Foley Brothers in Brandon (and back up Rt 7 to Otter Creek, Fiddlehead and Burlington) or (b) head to the northeast kingdom and to HF.

 

Phone will work sporadically outside population centers, but if you get a map, even the free one at tourist centers, you should be fine. I find Vermont pretty easy to navigate.

 

2nd Fiddle can release at Fiddlehead brewery on the 10th of October...

 

Cool. I might run into the OP. We always head to our place for Columbus Day weekend. Glad it is early this year, foliage should be mostly peak.

 

Wife and I visited back in August, took my GPS and it worked fine most everywhere we went (except last couple miles getting to HF). Get the driving directions from the HF website, they were spot on (especially the last couple of miles after you turn onto Taylor Road). My wife enjoyed shopping in Stowe one day, while I drove up the road to Rock Art and Lost Nation. Enjoy your trip, you will both have a great time and you'll drink some excellent beer!

 

Maple syrup is an artisanal product produced by family-owned sugarmakers everywhere in the state. There is no "brand" other than "Vermont." Every batch is authentic and adheres to strict state guidelines - really! You will be pleased no matter where you run across it.