Woodstock in Vermont Getaways – Rural History and Beauty

Woodstock Village in Vermont is as close to a perfect New England Getaway destination as you can find. Here’s why…

I must confess I’ll go out of my way when traveling in Vermont to stop in Woodstock. I find covered bridges fascinating and Woodstock has one slap in the middle of the village. You can usually find a parking spot around village green opposite where the covered bridge is located.

Woodstock is conveniently located on Route 4 in central Vermont close to Route 89.

Woodstock has an array of lodging opportunities which includes the four-diamond Woodstock Inn and Resort, and traditional bed and breakfast accommodations such as Deer Brook Inn, Woodstocker Inn and Village Inn of Woodstock.

The Woodstock Inn and Resort is located in the center of town off the village green just a short walk from restaurants, shops and the covered bridge.   The resort is close to a fitness center, 9-hole golf course, and hiking trails to Mount Peg.

Just a short drive from the village center is the Billings Farm and Museum. This is a favorite amongst kids and parents. It is a working dairy farm and showcases what life on a farm in rural Vermont during the late Nineteenth century was like.

Highlights for me were the afternoon milking of the herd along with checking out the authentic and restored 1890 Farm House and the many exhibits housed in the 19th century barns. There is also a film called “A Place in the Land” which provides as an orientation to the history of the farm at the visitor center.

For information on current programs and exhibits, along with times and admission fees see their official website here at http://www.billingsfarm.org/

Opposite the Billings Farm and Museum is Vermont’s first National Park – Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park. Because these are so close together with just the highway separating them most people visit both. The park has a visitor center, guided Mansion Tours, self-guided walks, and many special events.

When I visited I spent my time enjoying the scenic walks among 400-year old Hemlocks and around the mountain pond called the Pogue. These are easy walks.

East of Woodstock and the Billings attractions is another famous Vermont attraction – Quechee Gorge. Billed as the Vermont “Grand Canyon” – but believe me it is not. However, for New England it is impressive. Most people stop past the bridge and photograph the gorge below, but there is a trail down to the river below and though it can be a bit scrambling at times it does afford different pictures than everybody else.

The area is also home to the Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences or VINS, a great place to learn about birds and wildlife rehabilitation.

For one of my favorite scenic drives take Route 4 out of Woodstock heading west to Killington and the road winds around mountains and valleys following the Ottauquechee River. I have done this drive both in the summer and in the fall when it is spectacular. The road eventually hooks up with Route 100 as it heads north along the Green Mountain National Forest one of the best fall foliage scenic drives in New England – but that’s for another day and another getaway post.

Jed

A Getaway to Nantucket is on Island Time

The moment you step off the ferry at Nantucket Harbor or the plane from busy Nantucket airport be prepared to operate at a different pace for your getaway to Nantucket. The locals call it “island time.”

Escaping to Nantucket has been an annual traditional among thousands of Massachusetts residents since the place was discovered as a destination around the 1950’s. Most come in the summer, but fall is splendid here as well – some say better because the crowds have gone and solitude and quiet reigns over the plentiful windswept fields and trails. You really can loose track of time on this island, or at least watch it seem to slow down.

Foot and bike remain the best ways of exploring the island – although if this seems intimidating to you then it is possible to rent a car at the airport or in town. Nantucket also has a public transportation system – NRTA – but I’d use this as a last resort to get around the island.

You can rent a bike at Young’s Bicycle Shop, and get complimentary path map – The Polpis-Seasconset Loop, which is a 20 mile round trip. There are 23-miles of bike trails on 6 bike paths on Nantucket – should keep you busy for a weekend.

To get to Nantucket you have two choices: plane and ferry. Flights are regular from Boston and Hyannis, and from Martha’s Vineyard. Catch a ferry from Hyannis to Nantucket and leave your car parked on the mainland.

Places of interest include: the Nantucket Whaling Museum – Nantucket was once the center of the New England whaling industry –the Museum of Afro-American History, and the Nantucket Life Saving Museum.

For outdoor activities make sure you visit the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge and the three lighthouses at Brant Point, Great Point, and Satsky Point. The Nantucket Historical Association has a self-guided walking tour map you can pick up although just about any walks on Nantucket will bring rewarding nature and scenic views. Bird Watching is a feast on the island especially out on the wildlife refuge.

Lodging in Nantucket has some of New England’s best accommodation picks and include: White Elephant, The Wauwinet, and for bed and breakfast check out Martin House Inn, Seven Sea Street Inn and Union Street Inn.

Food fare outside eating in your hotel or B&B includes: Starlight Theatre and Café, The Sea Grill, and Sfoglia for Italian cuisine. And for the best fudge in the world – or so they say – check in at Aunt Leah’s Fudge Shop.

I’ve saved the best destinations on Nantucket for last… the beaches. Nantucket has 10 public beaches scattered along its 80-miles of shoreline. 4 are within easy walking distance of the town, and the rest can be reached by bike or shuttle transportation.

If you’re capable of riding a bike then let this be your transport as you’ll see so much more by riding down to view the rose-covered cottages of ‘Sconset and then finding your own secluded beach and enjoy the sea and the salt and if the heat of the day warms you enough to brave the island ocean.

Getting to Nantucket takes a little extra effort but if Cape Cod has become too familiar then make friends with this island retreat – and spend island time on a getaway to Nantucket.

Jed

A Berkshires Massachusetts Getaway in Lenox

A Berkshires Massachusetts Getaway in Lenox provides a central location for exploring major Berkshires attractions. Here is a bunch of my favorites.

In western Massachusetts between the Pioneer Valley and the New York border lays a region made popular by artists and the wealthy called The Berkshires. Few other places in New England offer in such a small area access to diverse outdoor recreation by day and fine restaurants and cultural activities by night.

The towns of Lenox and Stockbridge sit in the heart of the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts and offer excellent lodging and dining, entertainment, museums and mansions to tour, and during the summer months Lenox becomes the home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood.

In the mid 1800’s Lenox became a magnet for the wealthy of Boston and New York who built large “cottages” similar to those from the Newport gilded age. However, the depression and taxes eventually forced these to be sold or fall into disrepair. Many of these old mansions were turned into schools and hotels.

The range of accommodation in the area is staggering, with some of the most expensive in the country being found here and including Blantyre and Wheatleigh – expensive means like “once in a lifetime” time expense. Less draining on the budget is some of the old and historical coach inns and includes the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge and Merrell Inn in Lee. For traditional Bed and Breakfast lodging the Inn at Stockbridge is a perennial favorite. More where to stay in the Berkshires deals can be found here.

Once settled into your accommodation it’s time to check out entertainment and areas of interest.

The Berkshires is known for the arts and culture, and the Lenox area is very active during the season. In Lenox itself you’ll find Shakespeare & Company and of course Tanglewood. Tanglewood is a very unique experience and whether or not you like classical music you should attend at least once Sunday afternoon concert and bring a picnic and beach chairs. The atmosphere and surrounding scenic views made this one of the most memorable activities of my Berkshires getaway.

Entertainment in Stockbridge at the Berkshire Theatre Festival has a longer season than most, running from July – December.

Museums of interest in Lenox include the Museum of the Gilded Age housed in the Ventfort Hall Mansion which was being renovated when I visited but was still open, and Edith Wharton’s house called “The Mount.” But perhaps Stockbridge has the most visited museum with the Norman Rockwell Museum and Studio. This is a must-see destination if you’re a fan in any way shape or form of Rockwell’s illustration. You’ll even be able to recognize some of his street scenes as being from the village of Stockbridge.

Also in Stockbridge and worth a trip for the formal gardens is the Naumkeag Museum and Gardens.

Fall foliage in the Berkshires is outstanding and if you have an opportunity to take your getaway during this season then you’ll not be disappointed with the October color. Make sure you book lodging early though, because thousands of other people have the same idea. The fall is also a great time to hike and walk in the surrounding hills of Lenox with Monument Mountain in Great Barrington being one of my favorite short hikes with an outstanding view.

Taking a Berkshires Massachusetts Getaway in Lenox provides is a welcome opportunity to escape and breath in purified air rich in arts, culture, along with Yankee hospitality and food. You’ll have great fun as I did.

Jed