I’m going to borrow & bump @OUJayhawk1799 thread on Vermont Trip - 2025. Nice trip review and photos by the way. I am considering a road trip similar to this, but will have a few questions here while I am planning this trip. To begin, instead of going from BOS straight towards Woodstock area I am looking at 2 other directions to get to Big Fatty’s BBQ/Woodstock for day 1. First, driving west from the Boston towards North Adams then heading north towards Woodstock for lunch at Big Fatty’s BBQ. Or head north from Boston towards the White Mountains area for some autumn scenery (there’s an aerial tram in the area), before driving west towards Woodstock? Or is there enough places to stop along 93 & 89 before stopping at Big Fatty’s for lunch. I’m looking to stay in Woodstock for our first night. For this trip we will be heading north town The Alchemist and then head east towards New Hampshire/Maine, then head south back towards Boston. This trip is about beer and fall foilage throughout the Northeast. I’m looking at 5-6 days. We’ve been to Boston a couple of times already. If we do spend 1 night in Boston before flying back home I will revisit Trillium, unless there is something new to check out in Boston.
A few thoughts to consider: 1) Boston to Woodstock, VT is a 2.5 drive without traffic and will be very scenic depending on what time of the season you're here. 2) A trip west to North Adams will add 3+ hours to that drive (w/o traffic). The Mohawk trail and Berkshires are definitely scenic but that's a long day in the car (unless there are things you're targeting along the way). 3) Of the two choices, it's a shorter drive to head due north up I-93 to the Cannon Mountain Tramway (which I assume you're referencing) and then to Woodstock. Schilling is about 20 minutes north of Cannon and would be worth a stop depending on your return path through NH en route to Maine. Also, the Tramway will shut down in late October as they will be retiring the Ketchup & Mustard cars with a new tram system. Happy to offer additional thoughts on your trip as a Boston local/born in Littleton, NH/wife from VT/frequent Maine vistor!
I just got home from a trip North to Greensboro (not for the Saturday fest) and Newport VT. Foliage is just starting to turn red in the higher elevations. The foliage forecast overall calls for colors to be somewhat muted this year due to July heat and the drought conditions in general. It should still be pretty gorgeous. As mentioned, the North Adams detour will take you well out of your way. It's a nice drive, esp west of I91, but probably not worth it unless you're an avid fan of Modern and Contemporary Art to justify a visit to MASS MOCA. I would personally just head up I89 to Big Fatty's, then continue with your planned intinerary. There's also a Tramway at Jay Peak but it's pretty far up north in VT and not really on the way to or from anything.
Noted. Rough itinerary… Day 1- Land at Boston Logan at 730am (red eye). Pick up rental and drive towards Woodstock along Hwy89. Lunch at Big Fatty’s, Lawson’s Finest, Ben & Jerry’s. Stay in Montpelier overnight. Day 2 - The Alchemist, Hill Farmstead, stay somewhere around Lyndon area overnight. Day 3 - Question. I was thinking about driving to Portland and visiting Maine Beer Company. Is it worth a visit? Is there other breweries or interest in the area or from Lyndon driving back towards Boston that is worth a visit? I would like to spend a third of night where it’s a short drive to Boston Logan. We plan to fly out late afternoon. So we have all day or morning to drive back towards Woodstock along Boston. I do want to stop in Trillium also.
If you are planning on Lawson's and Ben & Jerry's on Day 1 and then Alchemist and HF on Day 2, unless you have a reason to stay in Montpelier (like a friend or a free place to stay), I'd stay in Waterbury or Stowe on your Day 1 night. Lots to do there and better located based on your end and beginning points. Your original post said 4-5 days, but most recent listed only 3. You are asking a lot of yourself if you really only have 3 days to add Maine into Day 3 with the goal of near Logan at the end of the day. If really only 3 days, then I'd skip Maine and go to places around Boston that day.
If the trip is indeed three days instead of five than Maine is off the table. You could easily hit Treehouse Tewksbury (open 11 AM) on your way back to Boston and Trillium Fort Point.
Yes, I know originally I said 4-5 days. I think we will be seeing a lot of autumn foilage in the 3 days. Unless there some sights to see or visit in Maine I could add the 4th and 5th day back. But I’m asking a lot from the wife to go along this mainly brewery trip. I’ve always wanted to visit the breweries I use to trade bottle/cans for. So I figure why not during the fall season. edit: Before planning this trip, I was looking at Seattle for fresh hops trip. But the flights to Boston looks good for early October so I started looking into the New England area instead. I can get some fresh hop beers from a couple of my local breweries. I’ll be happy with that. I can do Portland and Seattle next year for fresh hops.
Makes sense ... Then to answer differently, if you think 3 days is the limit then just head back to Boston when you get up on Day 3 and hit up Trillium and Notch (or whatever sounds good to you). Obligatory comment that Treehouse Tewksbury is probably 15-20 minutes of extra driving on the way from VT to Boston (as mentioned above). If you think you can push the trip out a day or 2 then, yes, Portland is totally worth the visit.
Looking at the drive from Logan Airport to Big Fatty’s BBQ there’s Harpoon Brewery not far from Fatty’s. Is Harpoons worth a stop in? I could not find any reasonable accommodations in or around Woodstock so I did find a place in Stowe, not Montpelier as originally planned. Everyone recommends stopping in Woodstock. What’s in Woodstock that’s a must visit before driving to Stowe for our first night? I am planning to stop at Lawsons Finest on way to Stowe. I just looked at the hours for Big Fatty’s and they are closed on Tuesday, the day we plan to stop in. Is there another place for lunch around that area or in Woodstock?
Woodstock is cute af and I suspect there are some great restaurants, but you’re definitely not missing anything major beer related by skipping it. There is excellent food in the parts where the beer stuff actually is (Waterbury, Stowe, Waitsfield, Montpelier), so if you’re planning the full itinerary I wouldn’t bother with Woodstock at all. If your wife wants to go there though you should as it’s a really nice town. Just not that necessary to the weekend you’re planning. I enjoyed Harpoon when I went but it was a long time ago so no clue if the food and vibe have changed and it’s pretty far from everything else you wanna do.
From Logan with BFBBQ closed I’d adjust my lunch plan to any of the following: Worthy Burger in Royalton Three Penny Taproom in Montpelier Mad Taco in Waitsfield virtually any restaurant in Waterbury
Thx @NYR-Zuuuuc & @wehaveamap. Worthy Burger is out. They’re closed on Tuesdays. Lots of places close Mon and Tue. Anyway, Mad Taco looks good as well as 3 Penny. Another non beer related question, When driving from BOS along Hwy 93 & 89 there’s toll charges. Is there a booth so I can pay as I go? Or do I need to pre pay via app or something like that? Here in CA we do have tolls these days and it’s done automatically as you go through. The rentals have a pre pay for tolls, but I think they overcharge the amount you’ll likely use. Thx again for all the responses.
https://www.ezpassnh.com/postpay-trip it sounds like you might have 7 days to pay before the rental agency is notified. I would definitely ask the rental agency how this would work
Don’t not go to Lawson’s. I might think about Foam again. Last time we were there was a guy who looked and acted like he was homeless started harassing us. When I complained to management, I was told he was their house magician and aggressively backed him. My wife observed this bothering groups of women and said he was creepy.
If you're going to Big Fatty's, it's worth walking across the parking lot to River Roost. I'd probably skip Harpoon and prioritize some of the other stuff in VT personally, or stop at Tree House Tewksbury on your drive up.
Reading this thread is getting me excited for a solo trip. I have to be in Boston for a conference 10/18-10/21 and I have Wednesday 10/22 open. Planned out a small solo trip, and my flight back to San Diego doesn't leave Thursday until 6pm. Have this planned, but let me know if Im missing something Leave Boston around 7am with the rental car. Head to Parker Pie Co for lunch Hill Farmstead The Alchemist Check into hotel in Waterbury Freak Folk Blackback Pub Next morning try and get on the road early to grab a north shore beef at Bella's in Andover, and then maybe hit Tree House Tewksbury for a few hours before heading to the airport.
Not too sure if Ill have the time. Seems like its going to be a choice between The Alchemist and Lawsons? Really want to get over to Freak Folk before they close at 8pm, but the menu is somewhat slim there. Maybe just stop in and hit Lawsons instead?
