Hidden gems for vacation within a 2-day drive

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is OP. We've never done Vermont but I've thought about it. What would you recommend doing there? Thanks!

My boys are 6 and under so I haven't done some of the things I would when they are older, but will also share things I plan to do when they're older. I would drive up Rt 100 starting in the south, stopping in towns on your way up. You could make a stop in woodstock which is a little out of the way but a classic Vermont town but there are plenty of cute towns. Worthy Kitchen in Woodstock is a great spot for dinner or if you pass Worthy Burget - yum. Also love Maple Soul in Rochester. There are so many delicious restaurants even in small towns, it is surprising and fun.

Depending on what time of August, as you make your way up rt 100 we absolutely love blueberry picking at Goshen. It depends on the year whether there is a lot, last year there were a TON of blueberries.
https://birdinghotspots.org/hotspot/L1565072

Continue up 100 to Waterbury/Stowe. Visit Waterbury, stay in Stowe. Waterbury has the Ben and Jerry's factory which is fun, cideries and all sorts of things. Stowe has restaurants, a paved family bike path that is a lot of fun - Stowe rec path, tons of hiking, mountain biking etc.

Things you could do during your stops:
Hike to waterfalls/swimming holes (Warren Falls and others)
Get mountain biking lessons as a family (I know Stratton bike park does this and I'm sure places in Stowe)
Get a fly fishing lesson or go white water rafting depending on kids interests
Go to a lake - plenty all over. Lake Dunmore is a big one, there is a smaller lake near Woodstock if you stay there. Most are state parks and you can just pay for the day and then rent kayaks etc.
Get a maple creamee (vermont soft serve)
rail trails if you're into biking

Then from Stowe it is an easy trip to Burlington. Restaurants, lots of places to bike along the water here as well. The ECHO leahy center here is fantastic, but can't remember your boys ages/remember if they would be too old. Church street marketplace. Shelburne farms, again probably depends on ages.

More ideas:
https://backroadramblers.com/route-100-vermont-road-trip-itinerary/

NP
I live in Vermont. This is a good list.

Driving nearly the whole state on 100 (which goes from MA to Canada right next to the Greens the whole way) would be very beautiful, with tons to do along the way. Hopefully you have plenty of time.

Burlington is facing “city” problems like every city in America but still would be nice for a day. And the Champlain valley is Vermonts “big sky” country. Great views in many places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pittsburgh on the way...Carnegie Museum dinosaurs, Warhol museum, submarine tour, Pitt Nationality Classrooms

Chicago and Pittsburgh...water cruises on tourist boats. Chicago-Wendella boats, Navy Pier sailing ship. Pittsburgh - Gateway Clipper.

Chicago - architecture walking tours

Detroit Ford Rouge F-150 factory tour is very interesting

Cleveland - on way - Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is definitely worth it with teens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last summer we went to Boston and Quebec City and added on Tadoussac based on recommendations here. We absolutely loved it, and we never would've known about it (Tadoussac) without reading about it here. Other recommendations for a week-long August vacation that we could drive to within a couple of days? We'd love to again combine a city or two with nature. We have 5 people (3 teen sons, Dh and me) so it is way cheaper to drive than fly, usually. Thanks!

Tadoussac looks gorgeous!! I have this dream of semi-retiring to Quebec. This is added to dreamy real estate to look at.

[Anonymous]

Be sure to stop at Sleeping Bear Dunes on your way to or from the U.P. The lake and dunes and forests in NW MI are extraordinary. Check out Charlevoix, Glen Arbor, Ludington, Petoskey, and more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last summer we went to Boston and Quebec City and added on Tadoussac based on recommendations here. We absolutely loved it, and we never would've known about it (Tadoussac) without reading about it here. Other recommendations for a week-long August vacation that we could drive to within a couple of days? We'd love to again combine a city or two with nature. We have 5 people (3 teen sons, Dh and me) so it is way cheaper to drive than fly, usually. Thanks!

Tadoussac looks gorgeous!! I have this dream of semi-retiring to Quebec. This is added to dreamy real estate to look at.

Np here. We did Quebec City last summer as well. We loved it so much that we are going back this summer. I've never heard about Tadoussac. I'm about to research it, but would appreciate any insight folks can provide.

We are going to Niagara falls in Canada this spring break for a week. That plus Toronto might be another good trip for the OP.

[Anonymous]

Np. I grew up in New England. Even living there I was really wowed by Franconia Notch (New Hampshire) the one time I visited when I was 14. From there we drove to Vermont and I don’t think it was a bad drive. If you did the VT area and crossed into Mass there’s the Norman Rockwell Museum, Tanglewood, the Williamstown Theater Festival…

That said, one of my favorite vacations ever was Nova Scotia / PEI. But especially the Cape Breton trail in Nova Scotia. We did a puffin tour, whale watching, kayaking (North River Kayaks was great), hiking. If not this year I’d recommend it for some summer!

[Anonymous]

Just returning from a visit to Tadoussac inspired by this thread! Thank you op for the inspiration! And I guess to the op of an earlier post too! Will be looking into the UP for next summer. This one was a hit (writing from Quebec City at the moment).

[Anonymous]

Agree with all of the Vermont posters! DH’s cousin lives outside of Burlington and we love to visit in the summer. The city itself is just okay, but we did most of the touristy stuff mentioned and had fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just returning from a visit to Tadoussac inspired by this thread! Thank you op for the inspiration! And I guess to the op of an earlier post too! Will be looking into the UP for next summer. This one was a hit (writing from Quebec City at the moment).

Headed there/to Tadoussac in August so would love any advice/suggestions you have.