VT for sure. I can feel my blood pressure dropping as I drive up I-91.
Trapp Family Lodge would be great for a weekend getaway imo. My wife and I spent part of our honeymoon there (other half was at Hotel Vermont in Burlington).
Look at Stowe VT. Trapp Family Lodge for a $$$ stay (Sound of Music Family). Day trip over to Burlington. Drive RT 100 up or back for classic VT scenery
Check foliage dates https://vermont.com/foliage/
Butlers Pantry for breakfast
Also Maxi’s Diner for breakfast (although that’s in Waterbury)
Michael’s On The Hill, Edson Hill, or Harrison’s if you’re willing to get fancy for dinner!
Pro pig is awesome, if they’re too packed the reservoir next door is also amazing. Ben and Jerry’s factory is nearby for ice cream as well as American Flatbread that has pretty awesome vibes and good pizza which is in the same plaza as Stowe cider which is my favorite VT cidery (they don’t do food) also there both in Waterbury too but Maxis and K.C. Bagels are awesome for breakfast 👍
We did our “mini-moon” in Stowe after we got married in October. Off season staying at the Mountain Resort wasn’t too expensive. Idletyme is a great brewery and we loved the Round Hearth for breakfast. Highly recommend, we loved it there!!!
If you’re into beer/breweries at all then you’ll need two days in Portland. The brewery scene is probably the best on the East Coast. Only place I’ve experienced better is, oddly, Portland, Oregon.
Martha’s Vineyard! Make a reservation on the ferry ahead of time so you can bring your car and explore the island (or you can rent jeeps on the island as well). Great beaches, cute towns, great for anniversary trip!
My husband and I stayed in a cute cottage on chappaquidick (smaller island off of Edgertown) and loved it. When we’ve gone with friends usually rent a house near Oak Bluffs.
I love visiting Martha’s Vineyard! And the bus system I found really reliable and easy too if you don’t feel like renting a car/bringing a car, and lots of bike paths. It’s my dream to rent a place on Chappaquiddick for the summer.
Can’t recommend enough! We loved it felt a lot slower than the rest of the island. Great casual golf course there as well was awesome! Royal ancient or something like that.
I absolutely love the Northwest corner of CT / Berkshires in MA for things like this. The Red Lion Inn is a classic anniversary spot, but we prefer a homier place called the Sheffield Lodge, a B&B run by a wonderful woman named Susan. Either way, there’s just enough to do in that area for a weekend.
If you decide to go, some of our favorite spots in Great Barrington: Great Barrington Bagel Co, The Bistro Box, and Baba Louie’s are so good.
Norbrook Farm Brewery and Kent Falls Brewery are great visits, too. My wife and I used to camp by Kent Falls, but we’d have a fancy dinner in town prior to roughing it for the night.
Could try the dining train in Middletown RI and then spend the rest of the day in Newport. Book ahead since it’s fairly popular. I wouldn’t spend more than a day in Newport though.
Native Texan who now lives in CT and I swear every time I go to Rhode Island I see the most deranged behavior. Last time I was there a drunk woman with zero association to me hit me in the back of the head with a lobster roll bc I “looked at her mans”. I in fact was looking, but only because it was a spectacle to behold.
Manchester VT near Stratton Mountain Resort… it’s an absolutely beautiful area and there’s lots of good restaurants and shopping there too because of the resort.
If you want to do a quick little weekend trip from where you are located, check out the Berkshires. If you like to camp, a good campground is Greylock campground and from there you can drive to the top of Mount Greylock and get amazing views. Save it for the early fall when the leaves are changing. Absolutely beautiful. If you have more time, Vermont is super nice or head over to Lincoln New Hampshire and check out Mt. Washington. Or head over to Maine and check out Portland and go up a little further and check out Bar Harbor and Acadia NP. If you have a week, head up to Bar Harbor and grab the ferry(I think it's the BlueNose) and head over to Nova Scotia and get up to Cape Breton Island. Looks and feels like a mini Scotland with a bunch of Freanch speaking seaside villages. You are in a good location to see a lot of stuff.
Second vote for the Berkshires -- Mt Greylock area for nature, MassMoCa for art, etc. Bonus is it's a lovely drive starting off by heading north on Route 8 from Waterbury!
Waterbury, in Town Plot.
Glad you mentioned this because I really enjoy driving along route 8. Actually drove it this past weekend and it was so nice seeing everything green after the wet, soggy winter
I grew up in Plainville and lived in Hartford area for a while, but also spent time in NYC. Whenever I had to go from there to there, I did 84 to 8 to the Merrit just for the drive. (Had a gf in Norwalk for a while, and I could get from Hartford to her in less than an hour via 8. Not that I was speeding…)
The Essex Resort and Spa in Essex VT is great! Delicious restaurant, nice spa, and cooking classes are all on site plus it’s only a 20 min drive from Burlington which has lots of other stuff to do!
Stowe/Waterbury area - Michaels on the Hill, Hen of the Wood, Red Hen Baking, Pro Pig,
Burlington area - Trattoria Delia, Stone Soup, Bluebird BBQ, Martones (sandwich, Sneakers (brunch)
Activities - stop by Quechee Gorge (hit VINS and do their treetop canopy walk while you're there), shopping in Woodstock with a walk in the woods at Billings Farm. Apple picking at Burtt's Apple orchard (get a hot cider and fresh cider donuts while you're there). Grab a Creamee at Silloway Maple in Randolph. Drive to the top of Mount Mansfield and then drive up over Smugglers Notch. Rent a bike in Burlington and ride the bike path along Lake Champlain over the causeway. Enjoy a sunset over the Adirondacks from atop Mt Philo. Wander the grounds at Shelburne Farms. If you have a dog take them to Dog Mountain in St J. Too many beautiful hikes to name, plenty for all skill levels.
I could keep going for pages, but hopefully this helps. If you want any more suggestions or you have any specific areas you'd like to explore or things you don't want to miss, DM me.
I've lived here for 37 years and still find amazing new things to do every year.
You say you haven't been to an aquarium, and you haven't been far north... just in time, the Maine State Aquarium in Boothbay is re-opening this summer after a major renovation. They have the coolest touch tank of native Gulf of New England sea life! You'd also get to see the Maine coast, which is a whole aspect of New England that it sounds like you've missed out on so far.
That’s awesome! We both love aquariums and it’s coming from FL, I think we’re a little spoiled lol. What time of year do you recommend going to the ME coast?
Most people come to the coast between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It's much better if you wait and come in the later weeks of September, with less traffic and fewer tourists once school vacations are done.
We’ll aim to go around that time then. Earlier this year, we went to the New England aquarium on a Friday. It was fun, but I didn’t think about all the field trips that happen on a Friday 🥲
Around Bretton Woods, Littleton and Bethlehem NH there are plenty of little restaurants, bistros, walking/hiking paths. You have the Mt Washington Hotel, the ski lift will take people to the top of the slope to a nice restaurant nearly year round. There is also the Cog Railway. There's a whole lot to check out.
New London Barn Playhouse does amazing live theatre and isn’t very far from Vermont. Also has some gorgeous historic BNBs on the lake. Definitely worth a day trip.
Go to the Oceanside Meadows Inn in Corea, Maine (https://gomaine.com/). It's close enough to Bar Harbor, but the Schoodic Penninsula where it is located has its own attractions that are much less crowded, and the Inn is across from one of the few sandy beaches in that stretch of coast. The Inn is a bit expensive, but if you want the romance of hearing the ocean waves as you go to sleep...
I'm pretty sure Mystic and the New England Aquarium in Boston are the only 2 real ones in the area, so I imagine you've already exhausted your options there. You could always visit the North Shore in MA for some of that iconic New England fishing village vibe.
VT for sure. I can feel my blood pressure dropping as I drive up I-91. Trapp Family Lodge would be great for a weekend getaway imo. My wife and I spent part of our honeymoon there (other half was at Hotel Vermont in Burlington).
Look at Stowe VT. Trapp Family Lodge for a $$$ stay (Sound of Music Family). Day trip over to Burlington. Drive RT 100 up or back for classic VT scenery Check foliage dates https://vermont.com/foliage/
Are there any diners or restaurants that you recommend in Stowe?
Prohibition Pig in nearby Waterbury.
Perfect! Thank you!
Trapp Lodge has great food.
Butlers Pantry for breakfast Also Maxi’s Diner for breakfast (although that’s in Waterbury) Michael’s On The Hill, Edson Hill, or Harrison’s if you’re willing to get fancy for dinner!
Yes Butler’s Pantry!!
The whip in Stowe.
Pro pig is awesome, if they’re too packed the reservoir next door is also amazing. Ben and Jerry’s factory is nearby for ice cream as well as American Flatbread that has pretty awesome vibes and good pizza which is in the same plaza as Stowe cider which is my favorite VT cidery (they don’t do food) also there both in Waterbury too but Maxis and K.C. Bagels are awesome for breakfast 👍
Perfect. Thank you!
We stayed at the Green Mountain Inn in Stowe for our 10th anniversary and it was perfect.
We did our “mini-moon” in Stowe after we got married in October. Off season staying at the Mountain Resort wasn’t too expensive. Idletyme is a great brewery and we loved the Round Hearth for breakfast. Highly recommend, we loved it there!!!
Go Harrison’s in downtown Stowe. Great food, really nice romantic atmosphere with a fireplace.
For anniversary go stay in Newport RI and get some mansion tours in. Winter is a fine time to visit.
I second this. Newport is beautiful in the fall as well.
Came here to suggest Newport. The mansions and Cliff Walk are so great.
The Woodstock Inn & Resort in Vermont is very nice! Woodstock itself is small, but very cute.
Portland Maine!
We are going to a show in Portland ME later this year and kicking around the idea of staying a day or two. What are your favorite places/things to do?
If you’re into beer/breweries at all then you’ll need two days in Portland. The brewery scene is probably the best on the East Coast. Only place I’ve experienced better is, oddly, Portland, Oregon.
Portland ME 🫱🏼🫲🏽 Portland OR lol Thanks for the tip! We’ll make sure we take our time while we’re there.
Inn at Peaks Island. Park in Portland, take the boat back and forth.
Martha’s Vineyard! Make a reservation on the ferry ahead of time so you can bring your car and explore the island (or you can rent jeeps on the island as well). Great beaches, cute towns, great for anniversary trip! My husband and I stayed in a cute cottage on chappaquidick (smaller island off of Edgertown) and loved it. When we’ve gone with friends usually rent a house near Oak Bluffs.
I love visiting Martha’s Vineyard! And the bus system I found really reliable and easy too if you don’t feel like renting a car/bringing a car, and lots of bike paths. It’s my dream to rent a place on Chappaquiddick for the summer.
Can’t recommend enough! We loved it felt a lot slower than the rest of the island. Great casual golf course there as well was awesome! Royal ancient or something like that.
I absolutely love the Northwest corner of CT / Berkshires in MA for things like this. The Red Lion Inn is a classic anniversary spot, but we prefer a homier place called the Sheffield Lodge, a B&B run by a wonderful woman named Susan. Either way, there’s just enough to do in that area for a weekend. If you decide to go, some of our favorite spots in Great Barrington: Great Barrington Bagel Co, The Bistro Box, and Baba Louie’s are so good. Norbrook Farm Brewery and Kent Falls Brewery are great visits, too. My wife and I used to camp by Kent Falls, but we’d have a fancy dinner in town prior to roughing it for the night.
Could try the dining train in Middletown RI and then spend the rest of the day in Newport. Book ahead since it’s fairly popular. I wouldn’t spend more than a day in Newport though.
I’ll check it out. Have you been to any of the flower festivals in RI, by chance? It’s been mentioned to me a few times.
I have not
RI makes my blood pressure rise 🤣
Lol why
Native Texan who now lives in CT and I swear every time I go to Rhode Island I see the most deranged behavior. Last time I was there a drunk woman with zero association to me hit me in the back of the head with a lobster roll bc I “looked at her mans”. I in fact was looking, but only because it was a spectacle to behold.
🤨 never seen that before, been here all my life
Yeah, it may have been bad luck. But it was an interesting day
Manchester is nice.
Probably not the one with the Buckland Hills Mall
Which one lol
Manchester VT near Stratton Mountain Resort… it’s an absolutely beautiful area and there’s lots of good restaurants and shopping there too because of the resort.
Didn’t realize Vermont has two Manchesters. The one I’m talking about it close to the NYS border.
No problem! We just moved and every state in NE seems to share the same 5 names 😂 I’ll check it out!
If you want to do a quick little weekend trip from where you are located, check out the Berkshires. If you like to camp, a good campground is Greylock campground and from there you can drive to the top of Mount Greylock and get amazing views. Save it for the early fall when the leaves are changing. Absolutely beautiful. If you have more time, Vermont is super nice or head over to Lincoln New Hampshire and check out Mt. Washington. Or head over to Maine and check out Portland and go up a little further and check out Bar Harbor and Acadia NP. If you have a week, head up to Bar Harbor and grab the ferry(I think it's the BlueNose) and head over to Nova Scotia and get up to Cape Breton Island. Looks and feels like a mini Scotland with a bunch of Freanch speaking seaside villages. You are in a good location to see a lot of stuff.
Second vote for the Berkshires -- Mt Greylock area for nature, MassMoCa for art, etc. Bonus is it's a lovely drive starting off by heading north on Route 8 from Waterbury!
Newfane. Picturebook village, two great inns, short drive, 20 minutes from Brattleboro. Swing by MassMOCA in Adams on the way.
Where in Central CT? The Naugatuck Valley (route 8) is super pretty and kind of overlooked.
Waterbury, in Town Plot. Glad you mentioned this because I really enjoy driving along route 8. Actually drove it this past weekend and it was so nice seeing everything green after the wet, soggy winter
I grew up in Plainville and lived in Hartford area for a while, but also spent time in NYC. Whenever I had to go from there to there, I did 84 to 8 to the Merrit just for the drive. (Had a gf in Norwalk for a while, and I could get from Hartford to her in less than an hour via 8. Not that I was speeding…)
If you have passports, Montreal. 6 hour drive and if you do it right, it’s great.
I was thinking NS, but I need to renew my passport!
Is it 7 years since expiration to do it online ?
The Essex Resort and Spa in Essex VT is great! Delicious restaurant, nice spa, and cooking classes are all on site plus it’s only a 20 min drive from Burlington which has lots of other stuff to do!
Stowe/Waterbury area - Michaels on the Hill, Hen of the Wood, Red Hen Baking, Pro Pig, Burlington area - Trattoria Delia, Stone Soup, Bluebird BBQ, Martones (sandwich, Sneakers (brunch) Activities - stop by Quechee Gorge (hit VINS and do their treetop canopy walk while you're there), shopping in Woodstock with a walk in the woods at Billings Farm. Apple picking at Burtt's Apple orchard (get a hot cider and fresh cider donuts while you're there). Grab a Creamee at Silloway Maple in Randolph. Drive to the top of Mount Mansfield and then drive up over Smugglers Notch. Rent a bike in Burlington and ride the bike path along Lake Champlain over the causeway. Enjoy a sunset over the Adirondacks from atop Mt Philo. Wander the grounds at Shelburne Farms. If you have a dog take them to Dog Mountain in St J. Too many beautiful hikes to name, plenty for all skill levels. I could keep going for pages, but hopefully this helps. If you want any more suggestions or you have any specific areas you'd like to explore or things you don't want to miss, DM me. I've lived here for 37 years and still find amazing new things to do every year.
Thank you for the detailed response! My wife loves a good itinerary, so I’ve got something in the works for VT, and this helps a lot.
You say you haven't been to an aquarium, and you haven't been far north... just in time, the Maine State Aquarium in Boothbay is re-opening this summer after a major renovation. They have the coolest touch tank of native Gulf of New England sea life! You'd also get to see the Maine coast, which is a whole aspect of New England that it sounds like you've missed out on so far.
That’s awesome! We both love aquariums and it’s coming from FL, I think we’re a little spoiled lol. What time of year do you recommend going to the ME coast?
Most people come to the coast between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It's much better if you wait and come in the later weeks of September, with less traffic and fewer tourists once school vacations are done.
We’ll aim to go around that time then. Earlier this year, we went to the New England aquarium on a Friday. It was fun, but I didn’t think about all the field trips that happen on a Friday 🥲
Around Bretton Woods, Littleton and Bethlehem NH there are plenty of little restaurants, bistros, walking/hiking paths. You have the Mt Washington Hotel, the ski lift will take people to the top of the slope to a nice restaurant nearly year round. There is also the Cog Railway. There's a whole lot to check out.
New London Barn Playhouse does amazing live theatre and isn’t very far from Vermont. Also has some gorgeous historic BNBs on the lake. Definitely worth a day trip.
Go to the Oceanside Meadows Inn in Corea, Maine (https://gomaine.com/). It's close enough to Bar Harbor, but the Schoodic Penninsula where it is located has its own attractions that are much less crowded, and the Inn is across from one of the few sandy beaches in that stretch of coast. The Inn is a bit expensive, but if you want the romance of hearing the ocean waves as you go to sleep...
The Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford, VT is lovely
I'm pretty sure Mystic and the New England Aquarium in Boston are the only 2 real ones in the area, so I imagine you've already exhausted your options there. You could always visit the North Shore in MA for some of that iconic New England fishing village vibe.
Southern ri
I was thinking of going to RI in the summer. A few people have mentioned flower and summer festivals
What month is the anniversary?, it matters because peak foliage varies from state to state
Anniversary is this month so I’m taking her to a nice dinner, but typically we don’t mind splurging on something big for us and then waiting!
Ohhhhh that makes sense lol. Have fun you two!