Vermont recommendations for October

Smugglers Notch is pretty good. A lot of boy scout trips up there.

 

I would absolutely hit up Nichols Pond Ledge for a hike. It’s not too far from Hill Farmstead or Waterbury or Montpelier and is incredibly beautiful. The hike is only about 15 minutes, although it is reasonably steep. Still, kids and dogs are able to easily navigate it. Make sure to put Nichols Pond Ledge Trailhead into your google maps to lead you to the right place. It’s a small dirt parking lot, with a nondescript start to the trail heading down out of the parking lot. This is a pic from last October at the Ledge.

 

Wife and I are making our fifth annual trip a week from Monday (9/30) through Sunday (10/6). How are the leaves looking?

Also - anyone have any recommendations on how I could mail home beer from the Stowe/Waterbury area?

 

It’s a bit Early for leaves,just starting to see some colors. there is a pack and ship
Store on the rotary in waterbury. Also fedex and ups in Williston.

 

Couple of questions as I’m heading that way from Ohio on Monday...

1) is Hen of the Wood Waterbury reservations only? We missed the boat on booking but since my wife and I will be sans kid I don’t mind rolling in without one and drinking at the bar while we wait for a table.

2) Have there been any new Stowe/Waterbury restaurants opened in the past year you would all recommend? This is our 5th trip so we’ve eaten almost everywhere once at some point. The only places that left an impression that made us want to go back again year after year were Doc Ponds, Blackpack and Pro Pig.

Appreciate the input!

 

I don't think Hen of the Wood Waterbury has a bar. I'd recommend giving them a call over the weekend and on Monday just in case of a cancellation. In my experience, the staff is super friendly and accommodating. Id let them know you're coming from OH and it's a special ocassion away from your kids - can't hurt.

 

Not for everyone, but the Zen Barn (up the road towards Stowe a bit) was enjoyed by a group I was with over the summer. The food was excellent and the beer list was too. I assume not everyone would be into their "vibe" though.

Also, if you head to Lawson's Finest new taproom, there is the newest Worthy Burger location about a mile away. Great burgers and beer list.

 

Yeah, no place to wait at HOTW and always booked solid weekends, esp since their Burlington one is currently closed for repairs after a kitchen fire. They also own Prohibition Pig now, and the menu has been upgraded there. Their Doc Ponds in Stowe is also great, but certainly more casual.

 

You had great timing. Heavy wind and rain yesterday through Friday is probably going take out a lot of the leaves.

 

We had a fantastic weekend at Stratton last weekend including the Beer Fest. View of foliage from top of mountain was spectacular on a cool fall day. Just saw their Instragram feed and....it’s snowing.

 

Yep, gusts up to 50mph in the area too due to this "bomb cyclone" or whatever they are calling it.