Member Postcards

Weekend in Vermont

Indagare member Lindsay Purcell shares impressions from a two-family trip to Vermont, where they stayed at the idyllic Woodstock Inn and Resort.

Long a favorite destination of ours, the Woodstock Inn is the quintessential New England winter experience. The hotel is located in the charming town of Woodstock, which makes for an easy drive from New York or Boston (roughly five and two-and-a-half hours, respectively). The premier location on the Woodstock Green is a plus for golfers, and the resort is just a short walk from town, teeming with charming shops and restaurants.

Arriving Friday night, our friends enjoyed dinner at Bentley’s Restaurant (802-457-3232; 3 Elm St.; www.bentleysrestaurant.com), a lively sports bar within walking distance of the hotel. The next morning, while awaiting our arrival, they had breakfast at Mountain Creamery (33 Central St.; 802-457-1715; www.mountaincreameryvt.com), which they reported was delicious.

Our rooms were impeccably appointed; one featured an enclosed sun porch that overlooked the beautiful, snow-covered grounds. The skiers in our group headed to the nearby Suicide Six, the small but thrilling ski resort owned and operated by the hotel. The main lodge serves delicious lunch food and après-ski fare that you can charge to your room at the resort. For those looking for more challenging trails, Killington is only twenty minutes away.

The non-skiers among us went shopping in Hanover, home to Dartmouth College and an easy twenty-minute drive away. Our favorite boutiques were Bella (43 S. Main St.; 603-643-5698) and Indigo (57 S. Main St.; 603-277-9121), both well-curated shops. There are several good dining options, including Lou’s (30 S. Main St.; 603-643-3321; www.lousrestaurant.net), a classic college diner, and Molly’s Restaurant & Bar (43 S. Main St.; 603-643-2570; www.mollysrestaurant.com), known for its brick oven pizza and delicious salads.

Returning to our hotel, we enjoyed afternoon tea (served every day at 4 pm) in front the enormous fireplace in the front hall. That evening we attended the Dartmouth-Cornell ice hockey game (a big hit with the teenagers) and enjoyed dinner at Jesse’s (224 Lebanon St.; 603-643-4111; www.jesses.com), a fantastic steakhouse.

Waking up late the next morning, we indulged in a delicious brunch at the hotel’s restaurant, Red Rooster. The serene space features an airy design and local, organic cuisine, and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The other dining option at the hotel is Richardson’s Tavern, an atmospheric pub serving more casual fare.

We visited the nearby Simon Pearce Mill (1760 Main St., Quechee; 802-295-2711; www.simonpearce.com/pages/the-mill-quechee-vermont), where the kids were fascinated by the live glassmaking that takes place on the lower level, as well as by the impressive waterfall that provides the power for the factory.

On the final night, us moms enjoyed massages at the beautiful spa, while the dads took the kids swimming at the hotel’s Racquet and Fitness Club. With so much to do, we didn’t even have time to visit the nearby Billings Farm and Museum (69 Old River Rd.; 802-457-2355; www.billingsfarm.org), a working dairy farm that gives a glimpse of Vermont farm life in the 1800s.

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