Road Tripping in Vermont
One of the best and most accessible ways to take in Vermont’s most colorful season is on the road. Whether you choose one of our state’s ten federally designated scenic byways, a back road or a major highway, you’re bound to find yourself away from the ordinary and surrounded by beauty in no time.
Members of Vermont’s 251 Club seek to visit all 251 towns and cities in the state. As they do so, they put together some pretty comprehensive road trip itineraries and find one-of-a-kind (and often delicious!) places to stop. Two members, Brenda Greika of Montpelier and Sally Botala of Derby, shared a few of their favorite tips for a successful Vermont road trip.
Q: What are some of your favorite routes to travel?
BG: Vermont’s Gap roads are fun! Lincoln Gap is a favorite.
SB: Take a drive around the northeast corner of Vermont. From Island Pond, take 105 East. Check out Island Pond and Brighton State Park. … Continue on 105 East to Bloomfield, and then take 102 North in Bloomfield. There is an access trail for short walk to Lyman Falls. It is a pullout at a metal gate. Continuing on 102 North, you will come to the Columbia covered bridge in Lemington. Continue on 102 North to 114 South going through Canaan. This area is along the 45th parallel and as you head south on 114 you will see a marker (think Norton). 114 loops back to 105.
Q: What are some of your favorite places to stop?
BG: The town of Lincoln is interesting. If you like small town life, it’s perfect. (Greika also recommends heading to Waitsfield and stopping at American Flatbread, as well as the Lawson’s Finest Liquids brewery and taproom.) After going to the Capital City Farmers Market for healthy veggies, my sweet tooth kicked in. Off to Brighton I went for a quick visit with friends at The Hearth and Home. Love this store and their pastries! I followed that with a delicious jalapeño burger at the newly opened Kingdom Grille. I love “the new” Island Pond!
SB: Stop at Silvio O Conte National Fish Wildlife Refuge. There is a one-mile interpretive Nulhegan River Trail at the center. If you have time, pick up a map of roads inside the refuge and drive to the Lewis Pond Overlook. In Bloomfield, here is a nice country store with a great deli called Debanvilles. In Canaan, a must-stop is April’s Maple for some of their maple products and the best maple creemees. Their maple cream is out of this world. Finally, there is an 1848 schoolhouse in Brunswick.
