Woodstock, Stowe, Burlington or somewhere else for some non-skiing winter activities?

Submitted by GuyFaulks77 t3_yzrsf8 in vermont

Looking to drive from upstate NY to a town in VT for a few random days in mid December.

Just want a picturesque town I can bring my elderly parents to. Basically want to help them get in the Christmas spirit as they’ve had a tough year so a little touristy area is fine.

They’ll want to walk around a cute town, shop a little, see some Christmas lights, maybe a tour or small hike. Pop into some pubs for mulled cider or hot chocolate. Great restaurants.

Do all 3 of these fit the bill?

Thanks

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maine_soxfan t1_ix1prdu wrote

Woodstock is absolutely perfect for that

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ImaginaryQualia t1_ix1qwmx wrote

Woodstock Inn usually has excellent Christmas decor that you don’t need to be a guest to enjoy. Woodstock itself has the trees lighted up and a large star illuminating the top of Mt. Tom. It’s a very quaint village with an old general store. Very Vermonty and senior friendly. It’ll probably be less crowded than Stowe too.

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PuddleCrank t1_ix1tsn4 wrote

Burlington on a snowy night is magical, but not really a small town. Stowe and especially Woodstock are small town vibing.

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BigPapistBoi t1_ix2021t wrote

Woodstock is perfect for this; I hope you all enjoy your stay!

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shoesontoes t1_ix2if4v wrote

Actually you want Hanover, just over the Connecticut.

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Beardly_Smith t1_ix2pa2z wrote

Are there no towns like this in upstate NY?

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maine_soxfan t1_ix3a5lk wrote

Replying to GuyFaulks77 (#585,655)

It's very busy wassail weekend. It's great and would definitely get someone into the Christmas spirit, but it's so busy that you couldn't just pop into somewhere to grab a drink. You'd need reservations everywhere. The Woodstock inn is right in the center of town and does a grab job with lights and decorations, and all the trees around the green and down main street have lights. Really a picture perfect small town in the winter.

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Ciderinsider86 t1_ix3boaq wrote

Cmon folks. Let's get more creative here. How about Wilmington, Wallingford, Windsor, Brandon, Bristol. Plenty of quaint small towns that have at least one good restaurant

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AlarmAffectionate899 t1_ix3m0ai wrote

Go shopping at Anichini in Quechee! Also Stronghouse spa in Quechee is amazing ❤️ Simon Pierce is ok, but a nice trip.

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AlarmAffectionate899 t1_ix3m4cm wrote

Additionally (and it’s weird) but the Joseph smith memorial in south Royalton has great lights

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[deleted] t1_ix3uq0t wrote

Definitely not Stowe anymore. Vail and Airbnb ruined it. Burlington's probably not what you're looking for, either. Waterbury would be a better choice in that general area for the kind of trip you're trying to do. <= 30 mins from Burlington, Stowe, Waitsfield, Montpelier.

Woodstock definitely seems like the best pick of the three to me. Quaint town in its own right (albeit $$$), but also near Quechee (neat gorge there, very accessible) and White River Junction (good restaurants, neat downtown area).

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somedudefromvt t1_ix3uv1o wrote

Brandon is a nice town that has all of that. Small, but nice.

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mel5915 t1_ix429r4 wrote

Woodstock has limited food options, many closed storefronts, limited parking, and is jammed with tourists during holidays. I would avoid at all costs, especially Wassail weekend.

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JerryKook t1_ixjo942 wrote

Christmas week is a mad house. Everything will be packed. Even getting a drink will take forever.

Even trying to find a bathroom could be problematic.

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