When everyone you talk with says, "it looks like it's going to be a great Fall Foliage in Vermont.
" it means it's time do some serious leaf peeping and nourish your soul with a wonderfully scenic drive.
Following are easy directions just such a scenic drive.
This drive offers an opportunity to truly enjoy Vermont's fall colors.
It's a 58-mile loop through the communities of Brattleboro, Newfane, Townshend, Jamaica, Londonderry, Weston, Chester, and Rockingham.
They all have great shops, a variety of activities and historical sites, beautiful houses, and of course great fall color.
Begin your drive in Brattleboro.
It's the first Vermont exit on I-91.
If you're coming from the south going north on I-91, turn right at the end of the off ramp.
If you're coming from the north going South on I-91 turn left at the bottom of the off ramp.
Your first goal is to drive toward downtown Brattleboro.
Stay on the road you turned onto and drive through downtown Brattleboro.
As you leave the main part of town you'll encounter an obvious fork in the road.
Watch for the signs indicating Route 30 and follow them onto Route 30.
Continue on Route 30 toward the two beautiful villages of Newfane and Townshend.
The village green at Newfane and the buildings surrounding it are among the most photographed in Vermont.
On entering Townshend be especially careful because you must make a sharp left to stay on Route 30.
Just be careful to watch the signs.
You want to stay on Route 30.
After that sharp left you will travel to the towns of Jamaica and Stratton Mountain.
This section of route 30 is especially scenic.
Jamaica is worth a short stop as there are some lovely shops and a couple of really fine galleries there.
You'll start your climb into the mountains when you leave Jamaica.
Remain on Route 30 until you reach Bondville.
As you descend into Bondville, watch for the intersection of Routes 30 & 100 North.
Make a right turn onto Route 100 North.
Drive north on Route 100 into Londonderry.
At the intersection of Routes 100 & 11 turn right onto Route 11.
In Londonderry keep an eye out for The Garden Café.
The food at the Garden Café is superb, and it connected to a really fine art gallery.
If time permits, take a little side trip into the village of Weston.
Continue driving east on Route 11 until you see the signs for Route 100 North.
Turn left onto Route 100 North and drive north into Weston.
The two primary attractions in Weston are the original Vermont Country Store, and the Weston Playhouse.
There is also one of the loveliest mill pond/waterfall photo opportunities in all of Southern Vermont.
Return to Londonderry by traveling south on Route 100.
When it ends at Route 11 turn left and proceed east towards Chester.
On the way to Chester you can take another little side trip up to Magic Mountain and enjoy a spectacular view of the Weston River Valley.
Return Route 11 and turn right and resume traveling towards Chester.
You will pass through Simonsville, which has a remarkable inn with a beautiful upstairs ballroom.
When you reach the Chester, if you are a quilt enthusiast, stop at Country Treasures, which is on the right just before the green.
It is a quilting enthusiasts wonderland.
About halfway down the green is a wonderful bookstore, Misty Valley Books.
Parking for both stores is available on the green.
As you pass or leave the green parking area, turn right onto School Street.
Rose Arbour is just a block off the Green on the left.
Stop and nourish yourself with a delicious lunch or wonderful dessert tea.
Finally, I suggest you take one more side trip before you return to Interstate 91.
When you leave Rose Arbour turn right onto Route 11, travel east about a quarter of a mile and at the Junction with Routes 11 and 103 North turn left.
Drive up over the hill to Chester Depot.
A train trip on the Green Mountain Flyer from Chester to Bellows Falls is one of the best ways to see the foliage.
You'll ride on restored antique rail cars to Bellows Falls and back.
The train travels along the Williams River and the color can be wonderful.
After returning to Chester, drive south to the junctions of Routes 103 and 11 Turn right on Route 11 and drive east toward Rockingham.
In Rockingham you'll have another chance to visit The Vermont Country Store.
In my opinion, this newer store is not the experience you can have at the original store in Weston.
After you return to Chester you will turn on to Route 103 toward Rockingham & Bellows Falls.
The Old Meeting House at Rockingham is an historical site worth a brief visit.
The end of this scenic drive ends just past Rockingham.
Route 103 will intersect with I-91 [Exit 6].
" it means it's time do some serious leaf peeping and nourish your soul with a wonderfully scenic drive.
Following are easy directions just such a scenic drive.
This drive offers an opportunity to truly enjoy Vermont's fall colors.
It's a 58-mile loop through the communities of Brattleboro, Newfane, Townshend, Jamaica, Londonderry, Weston, Chester, and Rockingham.
They all have great shops, a variety of activities and historical sites, beautiful houses, and of course great fall color.
Begin your drive in Brattleboro.
It's the first Vermont exit on I-91.
If you're coming from the south going north on I-91, turn right at the end of the off ramp.
If you're coming from the north going South on I-91 turn left at the bottom of the off ramp.
Your first goal is to drive toward downtown Brattleboro.
Stay on the road you turned onto and drive through downtown Brattleboro.
As you leave the main part of town you'll encounter an obvious fork in the road.
Watch for the signs indicating Route 30 and follow them onto Route 30.
Continue on Route 30 toward the two beautiful villages of Newfane and Townshend.
The village green at Newfane and the buildings surrounding it are among the most photographed in Vermont.
On entering Townshend be especially careful because you must make a sharp left to stay on Route 30.
Just be careful to watch the signs.
You want to stay on Route 30.
After that sharp left you will travel to the towns of Jamaica and Stratton Mountain.
This section of route 30 is especially scenic.
Jamaica is worth a short stop as there are some lovely shops and a couple of really fine galleries there.
You'll start your climb into the mountains when you leave Jamaica.
Remain on Route 30 until you reach Bondville.
As you descend into Bondville, watch for the intersection of Routes 30 & 100 North.
Make a right turn onto Route 100 North.
Drive north on Route 100 into Londonderry.
At the intersection of Routes 100 & 11 turn right onto Route 11.
In Londonderry keep an eye out for The Garden Café.
The food at the Garden Café is superb, and it connected to a really fine art gallery.
If time permits, take a little side trip into the village of Weston.
Continue driving east on Route 11 until you see the signs for Route 100 North.
Turn left onto Route 100 North and drive north into Weston.
The two primary attractions in Weston are the original Vermont Country Store, and the Weston Playhouse.
There is also one of the loveliest mill pond/waterfall photo opportunities in all of Southern Vermont.
Return to Londonderry by traveling south on Route 100.
When it ends at Route 11 turn left and proceed east towards Chester.
On the way to Chester you can take another little side trip up to Magic Mountain and enjoy a spectacular view of the Weston River Valley.
Return Route 11 and turn right and resume traveling towards Chester.
You will pass through Simonsville, which has a remarkable inn with a beautiful upstairs ballroom.
When you reach the Chester, if you are a quilt enthusiast, stop at Country Treasures, which is on the right just before the green.
It is a quilting enthusiasts wonderland.
About halfway down the green is a wonderful bookstore, Misty Valley Books.
Parking for both stores is available on the green.
As you pass or leave the green parking area, turn right onto School Street.
Rose Arbour is just a block off the Green on the left.
Stop and nourish yourself with a delicious lunch or wonderful dessert tea.
Finally, I suggest you take one more side trip before you return to Interstate 91.
When you leave Rose Arbour turn right onto Route 11, travel east about a quarter of a mile and at the Junction with Routes 11 and 103 North turn left.
Drive up over the hill to Chester Depot.
A train trip on the Green Mountain Flyer from Chester to Bellows Falls is one of the best ways to see the foliage.
You'll ride on restored antique rail cars to Bellows Falls and back.
The train travels along the Williams River and the color can be wonderful.
After returning to Chester, drive south to the junctions of Routes 103 and 11 Turn right on Route 11 and drive east toward Rockingham.
In Rockingham you'll have another chance to visit The Vermont Country Store.
In my opinion, this newer store is not the experience you can have at the original store in Weston.
After you return to Chester you will turn on to Route 103 toward Rockingham & Bellows Falls.
The Old Meeting House at Rockingham is an historical site worth a brief visit.
The end of this scenic drive ends just past Rockingham.
Route 103 will intersect with I-91 [Exit 6].
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