Vermont trip in late Sept

I would recommend Waterbury.

 

Check out Siptemberfest.

 

Stowe is beautiful and is nicer than Waterbury as a general tourist destination. I think it's a good fit for what you want. But is a bit expensive. The whole state is loaded with outdoorsy activities. I would take trips to Burlington for the day and also to Waterbury to hit some of the amazing taps in those pubs and even Ben & Jerry's.

I would not suggest Chittenden. My family has a place very near there (Rochester) and Chittenden isn't close to much (although plenty of hiking etc.). In that area, Brandon is a nice town (Foley Brothers Brewery is there). Middlebury is also very nice, further north.

Please be aware that driving to many spots in VT takes time. It isn't like NJ, and many places are not off the highway. And you may not realize it, later September is the start of leaf season. The leaves will be turning by then....which means people will be up to see them.

 

Stay here.
http://www.oldstagecoach.com/

Hike these.
http://www.vtstateparks.com/htm/camelshump.htm
http://www.summitpost.org/mount-mansfield/150938

Eat & drink here.
http://blackbackpub.com/
http://www.prohibitionpig.com/
http://www.waterburyreservoir.com/
http://henofthewood.com/ (reservations highly recommended/mandatory)
http://bluestonevt.com/yes/
http://parkerpie.com/

And finally, enjoy your visit

 

I stayed at the stowe inn for 4 days in May, very nice place and excellent location.

 

im in the same boat right now. my wife and i are looking to go up at the end of july for my birthday and i want to make the most out of it so i will be reading this alot! thanks for the help

 

If you want to go all out, check out Trapp Lodge in Stowe. It's a bit pricey, but there's on site brewery and pigs/goats and other animals just a few feet from the hotel. It's extremely scenic with lots of hiking trails.

Just know that Stowe and Waterbury's downtown area for pubs and restaurants is pretty small compared to Burlington's downtown. Waterbury has some great pubs - Reservoir, Prohibition Pig, and Blackback are nearly across the street from each other. Stowe's downtown doesn't have any great pubs, but a couple restaurants that have beer on tap.

If you want to get shopping and pub hopping done, then the 3 pubs in Waterbury is a must stop. But for shopping and pub hopping, you'll probably want to come to Burlington's Church Street Marketplace. Even spending a couple hours of just walking down Church St and having a meal/beer at Farmhouse Tap & Grill then walking/driving down to the waterfront would be a nice evening excursion.

Once you get to Waterbury area, I recommend taking Route 2 to get back and forth to Burlington or Williston (or even Montpelier). I-89 is great because there's no billboards, but Route 2 is going to be more windy, with more roadside farms, and more small village centers.

 

If you do choose Stowe, rent bicycles and ride the rec path.
The deck at Trapps Austrian Deli is a outstanding place to enjoy lunch and some brews that time of year.
There is a village, but shopping will take a couple of hours at the most. The majority of stuff is spread along the access road.

Woodstock has more of a downtown/ shopping than Stowe and is pretty nice as well. Also a great variety of lodging .A stop at the Worthy Kitchen is a must.

Just remember that Stowe & Woodstock are in Vermont, but have been built to accomodate people other that Vermonters.

Montpelier is a better canidate is your really looking for a true Vermont (city)experience. Three Penny Taproom...nuff said.

Waitsfields is another fun destination.

Just trying to muddy your thoughts

Waterbury is a better food/beverage desination by far (and the Vermont Liberty Tea Company)

 

Wow, what a question. Heady Topper from the Alchemist for sure (and anything else you find on tap...Beelzebub is on at Arvads now). Anything from Hill Farmstead. Anything from Lawson's Finest Liquids. There are many small breweries without the acclaim of those three (Zero Gravity, Fiddlehead), plus more widely available beers from Long Trail and Otter Creek. The taps at some spots in Waterbury feature some incredibly sought after beers that you can't find outside of VT.

 

Rutland has lots of budget motels.

 

I am going up the 20th of this month with the wife. Just for a night. coming back monday. I hear monday is the best day to get a case of Heady topper. Then I will try and get a few other beers I see. Staying in Burlington

 

I'd rather drive for an hour then sit in traffic for an hour.

 

You'd get no argument from me...

 

if you are flexible in your weekends, i highly recommend going the last weekend in september and attending siptemberfest at mad river glen. tickets haven't gone on sale yet, and will sell out very quickly, but it's the best beer fest you will ever go to.

stay at the hostel tevere and they do a shuttle to and from MRG so you don't have to drive. plus the after party at the hostel is pretty stellar, a little raucous and just a good time.

 

We've stayed at the Green Mountain Inn twice. It's super clean and well run so I can definitely recommend that.

If you have the time to meander up/home slowly, I'd recommend taking 100 south out of Waterbury. You'll meander through the center of VT. It's a truly beautiful ride and a helluva lot nicer than just screaming on the interstate. You can either catch 103 in Ludlow to swing back over to 91 or go even farther south, catching 30 near Jamaica. That swings over to Brattleboro