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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GuyFaulks77 OP t1_ix1rwld wrote

Thanks. Is it worth making sure to be there for Wassail Weekend? I read a bit about that. Not sure how big of a deal it is.

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maine_soxfan t1_ix3a5lk wrote

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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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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hudsoncider t1_ix272jl wrote

The star on mount Tom is illuminated already. It looks great.

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mel5915 t1_ixa634v wrote

It’s lit year-round now. It’s a marketing thing.

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elonsanatomy t1_ix1qeek wrote

I highly recommend All things bright and beautiful in Waitsfield. It’s run by two very sweet little old ladies who hand paint these custom Christmas ornaments

https://www.valleyreporter.com/index.php/news/artsent/16416-all-things-bright-and-beautiful-half-a-century-on-bridge-street

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colbytron t1_ix1r3co wrote

Nice try, two very sweet old ladies who hand paint these custom Christmas ornaments.

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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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pcans802 t1_ix1ylw3 wrote

Burlington is not really for the elderly tbh.

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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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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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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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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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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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Beardly_Smith t1_ix2pa2z wrote

Are there no towns like this in upstate NY?

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