Destination Guide

Route 100

Route 100
4.0Passion Rating
Best: ** Fall (September-October)** Budget26 Activities
26Activities & Passions
0Curated Articles
4.0Avg Passion Rating
16Seasons Covered
About This Destination

Why Visit Route 100

Vermont Route 100 stretches 216 miles north-south through the state's spine, tracing the eastern edge of the Green Mountains from the Massachusetts border near Stamford to Newport on Lake Memphremagog.[2][4] This byway winds past rolling hills, dense forests, farms, pristine lakes, and classic New England villages, offering ski resorts, historic sites, and four-season outdoor pursuits.[3][5][6] Visit in fall for world-class foliage or winter for skiing; spring and summer suit hiking and biking.[2][3]

Highlights

Top Experiences in Route 100

All Experiences

Things to Do in Route 100

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Fall Foliage Viewing
** Fall (September-October) · ** Budget

Route 100 delivers one of New England's premier foliage displays, with vibrant reds, oranges, and golds blanketing hills and valleys around Stowe and Mad River Valley. Drivers encounter endless vistas from pull-offs and short hikes. Peak color transforms the byway into a living painting.[3][5][6] ***** (5/5)

Downhill Skiing
** Winter (December-March) · ** Mid-range

Known as the Skier's Highway, Route 100 accesses top resorts like Mount Snow, Okemo, and Killington with diverse terrain for all levels. Lift-served acres exceed 1,000 combined, plus night skiing options. Snowmaking ensures reliable coverage.[2][3][6] ***** (5/5)

Cross-Country Skiing
** Winter (January-February) · ** Budget

Centers like Fox Run and Viking Nordic offer groomed trails through forests and fields, with minimal crowds. Rentals and lessons abound near Ludlow and Londonderry. The route's rural quiet amplifies the serene glide.[3]

Hiking Green Mountains
** Summer (June-August) · ** Budget

Trails in Green Mountain National Forest lead to waterfalls, overlooks, and alpine meadows, with options from easy lakeside paths to challenging summits. Proximity to the byway allows day hikes without detours. Wildlife sightings add thrill.[4][5] ***** (5/5)

Historic Site Touring
** Summer (May-October) · ** Budget

President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch preserves an intact 1920s village, including his homestead and cheese factory. Nearby Black River Academy and Weston’s registered historic village deepen the immersion. Authenticity rivals national parks.[3]

Mountain Biking
** Summer (June-September) · ** Mid-range

Mount Snow’s 600 acres of lift-served trails cater to beginners through experts, with jumps, berms, and flowy descents. Summer bike parks link directly to Route 100 lodgings. Events draw pros annually.[2]

Village Strolling
** Fall (September-November) · ** Budget

Wilmington and Weston feature steepled churches, brick storefronts, and artisan shops in postcard-perfect settings. Farm-to-table spots like Jezebel’s serve local cheddar melts. Pedestrian scale invites lingering.[2][5]

Lake Kayaking
** Summer (July-August) · ** Budget

Harriman Reservoir, Vermont’s largest, offers calm waters for paddling amid mountain reflections. Echo Lake and Lake Rescue provide smaller, scenic alternatives. Rentals dot the route.[3][5]

Artisan Shopping
** Summer-Fall · ** Mid-range

Fletcher Farm School, America’s oldest arts and crafts hub, hosts workshops and galleries in Ludlow. Plymouth Artisan Cheese and roadside stands sell handmade goods. Quality rivals urban boutiques.[3]

Road Tripping
** Fall · ** Budget

The 200-mile byway suits RVs with ample pull-offs, gas stations, and towns every few miles. Loops like Route 107-12 shorten foliage runs. Paved perfection minimizes stress.[4][6]

Snowshoeing
** Winter · ** Budget

Trails at Nordic centers extend into hushed woods, with guided moonlight options. Low impact suits all fitness levels near resorts. Fresh powder enhances solitude.[3]

Farm Visiting
** Summer-Fall · ** Budget

Vermont Country Store stocks maple syrup, cheeses, and gadgets in a 1946 original. Plymouth Cheese factory tours reveal production secrets. Authentic rural life unfolds.[2][3]

Craft Brewery Tasting
** Fall · ** Mid-range

Mad River Valley breweries pour IPAs and stouts with valley views. Warren Store pairs pints with local fare. Scene rivals craft hubs elsewhere.[5]

Wildlife Watching
** Spring-Summer · ** Budget

Forests harbor moose, deer, and birds along reservoirs and trails. Dawn drives from Wilmington north yield sightings. Binoculars essential for reservoirs.[5]

B&B Staying
** Winter-Fall · ** Mid-range

Deerhill Inn near Mount Snow serves gourmet breakfasts in historic charm. Dozens line the route with fireplaces and views. Intimacy trumps chains.[2]

Fishing
** Summer · ** Budget

Deerfield River and lakes stock trout and bass, with guided floats available. Harriman’s depths hold trophy walleye. Regulations favor catch-and-release.[2][5]

Picnicking
** Summer · ** Budget

Jamaica State Park offers riverside tables amid cliffs and cascades. Reservoir shores provide wind-sheltered spots. Local delis supply provisions.[2]

Gallery Browsing
** Fall · ** Mid-range

Mad River Valley’s art scenes showcase local painters and sculptors. Stowe galleries highlight fall-inspired works. Quality matches big-city density.[5]

Paddleboarding
** Summer · ** Budget

Harriman’s glassy surface suits stand-up paddling with mountain backdrops. Rentals include lessons for novices. Yoga sessions emerge seasonally.[5]

Cheese Tasting
** Summer · ** Budget

Plymouth Artisan offers fresh curds and aged wheels from Coolidge-era barns. Pair with crackers at roadside stands. Flavor depth stands out.[3]

Antiquing
** Summer-Fall · ** Budget

Wilmington shops stock vintage furniture and Vermont relics. Weston’s historic core hides gems. Bargains abound for collectors.[2]

Birdwatching
** Spring-Fall · ** Budget

Green Mountain reservoirs attract warblers and raptors. Trails near Stowe yield seasonal migrants. Hotspots align with byway.[5]

Horseback Riding
** Summer-Fall · ** Mid-range

Stables near Okemo offer trail rides through meadows. Guided groups suit families. Views rival dude ranches.[3]

Maple Syrup Tours
** Spring (March) · ** Budget

Stargazing
** Winter · ** Budget

Dark skies over national forest pull-offs reveal Milky Way clarity. Winter nights amplify brilliance sans light pollution. Apps guide constellations.[4]

Roadtrippers
mid-range

Guide maps 200 miles of Route 100, highlighting Mount Snow, Jamaica State Park, and Vermont Country Store as must-stop

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