Many visitors to Vermont [1] make a beeline straight to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory in Waterbury [2] before discovering what other charms the region has on offer. A trip to the ice cream factory can be combined with a stay of several days in the mock-Tyrolean Stowe [3] village, with its eponymous ski resort [4] and village full of restaurants and outdoor activities. (Like other towns in the area, some Stowe restaurants serve only dinner in the less-touristed summer season. In all cases, it pays to call ahead in planning.)
Alternatively, stay in the magical Mad River Valley [5], which boasts its own ski area, Mad River Glen [6], which has righteously earned a fanatic following for its challenging trails and uncompromising attitude. The capital city of Montpelier [7] has grown into a delightful city full of art galleries and independent businesses; next door the city of Barre [8] is a living legacy to the granite industry, with working quarries and the work of the master carvers on display in Hope Cemetery [9].
In the far corner of the state, a minimum of three days is necessary to explore the vast Northeast Kingdom [10], a state within a state. On the way into the area, plan a stop at the Cabot Creamery [11] to view its award-winning cheddaring operation. Also worth an afternoon is downtown St. Johnsbury [12], a tribute to the Victorian Age with an art gallery and an outstanding natural-history collection at the wonderfully eclectic Fairbanks Museum [13].
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/northeast-vermont/north-central-vermont/waterbury/ben-jerry-s-factory
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/northeast-vermont/north-central-vermont/stowe
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/northeast-vermont/north-central-vermont/recreation/skiing
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/northeast-vermont/capital-region/mad-river-valley
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/northeast-vermont/capital-region/mad-river-valley/mad-river-glen
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/northeast-vermont/capital-region/montpelier
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/northeast-vermont/capital-region/barre
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/northeast-vermont/capital-region/barre/hope-cemetery
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/northeast-vermont/northeast-kingdom
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/northeast-vermont/northeast-kingdom/cabot/cabot-creamery
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/northeast-vermont/northeast-kingdom/st-johnsbury
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/new-england/vermont/northeast-vermont/northeast-kingdom/st-johnsbury/fairbanks-museum