Lush, green wide-open meadows, narrow roads snaking through beautiful woody hilltops, one-lane covered bridges, fresh water rivers, plenty of hiking trails, charming brownstone houses, gorgeously designed boutiques, unique gift shops, and some of the most hospitable inns you’ll encounter. Welcome to Woodstock, Vermont.

If your compass has been solely calibrated towards the large metropolitan destinations and popular tourist attractions since living in the U.S., make sure that your next stop to the New England area includes a trip to Woodstock, Vermont.

A merely 2-hour drive northwest of Boston will bring you yet another quintessential New England locale (in the May issue we brought you to Rockport, MA). Settled in 1768, Woodstock retains a lot of its original charm and warmth by sticking to its small, quaint, village style persona. Whether you plan to arrive in the summer or in the winter, make sure this is more than a half-day visit. In fact, a weekend would be just perfect. You may need extra vacation time and especially extra planning if you decide to visit in the fall. The Woodstock area is breathtaking during the fall foliage and is a magnet for fall lovers from all over the world.

To digest all the alfresco lifestyle this area has to offer, here’s a recommended weekend agenda.

Day 1:

After breakfast at the inn, head west of Woodstock to Killington Mountain, which offers a bundle of adrenaline rush activities such as mountain biking, alpine slides, water slides, and climbing walls. And golf too.

If you decide to stay in town, you can rent bikes and experience the smells and sounds in a relaxing fashion by riding aimlessly around the beautiful streets and neighborhoods. There aren’t too many restaurants in Woodstock, but one you must stop at for lunch or dinner is called Bentley’s, located on 3 Elm street in the heart of town. Their French onion soup is comparable to any of those at a Parisian brasserie, and perhaps even better.

Don’t forget to do some shopping. The stores range from clothing shops, to outdoor gear, to home collections and scented soaps. Here you won’t find any chain or department stores nor a Starbucks. If you’re up for something wilder and fancy, take a ride in a hot air balloon for a bird’s eye view. “Balloons of Vermont,” which is located in the nearby town of Quechee, flies year round and will provide you with an unforgettable experience.

Day 2:

Head out to one of the covered bridges connecting Woodstock to the winding roads north of route 4. The views are great, the scenery will entice you to stay more and the fresh air will make your lungs go “thank you.”

Turn your wheels towards the Simon Pearce store in Quechee located on 1760 Main Street in the Historic Mill to see the extraordinary glass blowing. It includes a restaurant, a glass blowing workshop, and a breathtaking view of a waterfall and the covered bridge you crossed. Lunch is served at the Mill overlooking the Ottauquechee River. The restaurant serves elegant American creative cuisine and is open daily.

The glassblowing room at the bottom floor of the store is an exceptional place to pop your head in. The glassblowers let you come up close and personal to view their latest glass creations, all done live and in front of the scorching hot blazing ovens. The room also features a little outdoor balcony for closer views of the giant waterfall and the Ottauquechee River.

Now that you know what it takes to create a glass cup, make sure to visit the Quechee gorge on route 4 situated minutes from Quechee’s Main street where you can spend as little as 15 minutes or as much as 3 hours taking photos, or staring at the landscape you’ll soon be saying goodbye to. The Quechee gorge bridge provides spectacular views 165 feet deep down to the Ottauquechee River. This is a must stop spot. Bring a camera.

Lastly, you’re probably wondering where to stay. Without question, you should rest your head at the Woodstocker Inn (not to be confused with The Woodstock Inn which is a different place in town). The Woodstocker Inn, on 61 River Street, is located a few blocks west of the shops in the town center. The owners of the inn are from England, are very friendly and cook an amazing breakfast to get you started on the right foot. The rooms are stylish, hip, and contemporary unlike your typical wallpaper-covered grandmother’s room style found in many North American Inns. This inn is decorated with some of the quirkiest props you’ll ever come across such as a gigantic, almost human size Toblerone, old records, and a comfortable reading room with books as strange as “How to Fix a Beat Up Car” to some of the finest literary writings of the 20th century.

Remember that once you arrive to this beautiful town, things happen a bit slower than in New York, London or Tokyo. Relax, take it all in one at a time, sleep in if you wish, and don’t forget to take ample photos.

Driving Directions;

From Boston

Take Interstate 93 North to Interstate 89 North into Vermont. In Vermont, take Exit 1. At bottom of ramp turn left on Route 4 West. Travel 10 miles to the center of Woodstock.

From NYC

Take Interstate 91 to Exit 9 (Hartland/Windsor) in Vermont. Follow the signs for Woodstock and Route 12 North. Take Route 12 approximately 8 miles. Take a left onto Route 4 West (Routes 4 and 12 are now merged), through Taftsville. Stay on Route 4 West for 3 miles to the center of Woodstock.