8 Scenic Road Trip Stops Along Vermont Route 100

Fans of the old-fashioned road trip won’t be able to get enough of Vermont Route 100, one of the state’s oldest and most significant north-south corridors, which traces its roots back long before there were route numbers, or even cars, for that matter. The byway runs parallel to the scenic Green Mountains through river valleys, postcard towns, and some of the most picturesque country in the appropriately named “Green Mountain State.” Route 100 became an official state highway in the 1920s and 1930s, when Vermont and most of the U.S. began assigning standardized route numbers and paving dirt roads across New England.

By the 1950s and 1960s, as skiing exploded in popularity, Route 100 quickly earned the nickname “Skier’s Highway,” with many of the state’s biggest ski areas, including Stowe, Sugarbush, Okemo, and access roads to Killington, popping up right on the highway or just off it. Today, Route 100 stretches about 216 miles from Newport near the Canadian border to Readsboro near Massachusetts. For anyone whose love affair with the nostalgic road trip is far from over, here are eight scenic road trip stops along Vermont’s Route 100.

Stowe Village

Stowe is the quintessential New England mountain town, filled with indie shops, cozy cafés, and iconic white church steeples, such as the Stowe Community Church, one of the most recognizable and photographed churches in Vermont. Stop by the church for a snapshot as you explore Stowe’s walkable downtown, anchored by the popular Mountain Road, six miles of shopping, dining, and activities for the whole family. Walk or cycle on the 5.3-mile Stowe Recreation Path that runs from the village to Topnotch Resort, enjoying the views of Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest peak, along the way. Enjoy lunch or dinner at The Roost, the resort’s modern lobby bar+restaurant, where you can lounge on an overstuffed sofa, sampling a cheese board with craft beer or inspired cocktails. The menu offers a variety of options for kids, too.

Moss Glen Falls

About five minutes from Stowe Village, Moss Glen Falls in Granville makes a perfect pit stop on historic Route 100, where you can stretch your legs on an energetic hike to the spectacular 85-foot Moss Glen Falls, the tallest waterfall in the state. The waterfall walk takes about 20 minutes, but if you want to explore the area, there’s a pretty trail through the forest along an old woods road, which takes about 3 hours out-and-back to complete. The falls are located in the Granville Gulf Reservation, a 1,171-acre area that lies on either side of a six-mile stretch of Route 100, known as the Granville Gulf.

From Moss Glen Falls, it’s a quick 15-minute drive along Route 100, which turns into Main Street in Rochester Village, home of the laid-back Rochester Café & Country Store. Stop for a café au lait with a slice of maple cream pie, then wander next door to the store where you’ll find dozens of made-in-Vermont products, like jellies, jams, kitchenware, children’s books, and souvenirs.

Warren

Warren is another quintessential postcard-worthy village, complete with a village green, covered bridge, and an old-timey general store. If an overnight stay along Route 100 is in the trip planner, The Pitcher Inn is the perfect basecamp to explore Warren and the surrounding Green Mountains in one of nine guest suites with names like The Mallard Room, decked out in duck decoys, or The School Room, with decor that celebrates the traditional one-room schoolhouse. There are also two family-friendly bedrooms available in The Red Barn.

Across the street from the inn, you’ll find the Warren Store, another iconic, authentic country store, complete with a potbelly stove, craft beer from Vermont brewers, and Vermont-made soaps, lotions, botanicals, and more. There’s an on-site bakery, deli, and grill for to-go snacks. A five-minute walk from the inn and store, you’ll find the historic Warren Covered Bridge, which crosses the Mad River and is ideal for posting a few pics to your Insta.

Warren Falls

A natural scenic area inside the Green Mountain National Forest, Warren Falls is a must-stop on Route 100. The area features small waterfalls, deep emerald-colored pools, exposed rock faces, and short hiking trails beside the Mad River. If you’re a birder or simply bird-curious, be sure to bring binoculars with you as Warren Falls is a well-known birding hotspot, with 23 different species like kingfishers, warblers, and flycatchers frequently sighted along the river. As well as being a popular swimming hole during the warmer months, cliff jumping is a very popular pastime in Warren Falls, where it is not uncommon to see outdoor enthusiasts lining up for their turn to take the plunge.

Waitsfield

The 19th-century historic Waitsfield Village is home to Vermont’s oldest active covered bridge, the 1833 Great Eddy Covered Bridge (also called the Big Eddy Covered Bridge), which crosses the Mad River. In Waitsfield, Route 100 becomes Bridge Street as it passes through the center of the village, and is the hub of the small town, where you’ll find art galleries like the Artisan’s Gallery, which sells a curated selection of artwork representing over 150+ Vermont artists. Take some time to wander along Bridge Street and enjoy hunting for treasure at Deadrise Revival, an eclectic shop that prides itself on its collection of vintage and antique finds from across New England. After working up an appetite sightseeing and shopping, stop by the unique Scrag & Roe, a small eatery serving dishes inspired by culinary explorations through countries like Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Sugarbush Resort

Sugarbush Resort is a sprawling mountain getaway in the Green Mountains, an ideal road-trip stop for outdoor enthusiasts looking for year-round adventures. There’s no shortage of activities, from skiing and snowboarding in the winter to hiking and mountain biking in the summer, all from atop Lincoln Peak, which rises 4,057 feet above sea level, offering sweeping views of the Green Mountains and the Mad River Valley below.

If you’re feeling peckish after all that fresh air and activity, there are several resort dining options at Lincoln Peak, including Rumble’s Bistro & Bar, a farm-to-table restaurant, where you can enjoy locally-sourced meats and cheeses from Vermont farms, or The Tucker, which serves espresso martinis by day, and curated cocktails and small plates of edamame and bowls of Ramen by night.

Weston

Originally a mill town settled in 1761, Weston is a charming village listed on the National Register of Historic Places, making it the perfect stop on any scenic road trip along Route 100. Explore the town’s history with a visit to the site of the original Old Mill Museum, a mill built in 1780 and later converted into a gristmill. You can still see the gristmill and the water wheel, and take pictures of this very photogenic spot along the West River. The Vermont Country Store is a must-see in Weston. Founded in 1946 by the Ortons, the classic Vermont old-time general store offers nostalgic products, including penny candy, retro toys, and maple sugar items. It is one of Vermont’s signature attractions. Today, the store is run by the 4th and 5th generations of Ortons.

Wilmington

The final stop along Vermont Route 100 is Wilmington, situated at the intersection of Routes 9 and 100. Wilmington is a walkable village with cafés, galleries, and historic charm, as well as quick access to miles of hiking trails and outdoor activities. The nearby 9-mile Harriman Reservoir (also known as Lake Whitingham) is the second-largest lake entirely within the state and a summer hotspot for boaters, swimmers, paddlers, and anglers. In winter, the old rail trail along the lake forms part of the state’s 300-mile-long Catamount Trail ski system, which spans southern Vermont from Massachusetts to Canada, perfect for cross-country skiers, snowshoers, or winter hikers. No road trip to Wilmington is complete without a visit to Dot’s Restaurant, a beloved institution serving berry berry pancakes, sausage gravy and biscuits, and the must-try McDot breakfast sandwich.

General Stores, Waterfalls, and Covered Bridges: A Vermont Route 100 Road Trip

Vermont Route 100 takes you through charming villages, stunning waterfalls, and classic Green Mountain scenery. Start in Stowe Village, with cozy cafés and indie shops, then hike to Moss Glen Falls, the tallest waterfall in the state. Stop in Warren for the historic covered bridge, the Warren Store, and nearby Warren Falls. In Waitsfield, stroll Bridge Street’s galleries, shops, and Vermont’s oldest active covered bridge. Adventure awaits at Sugarbush Resort, where skiing, hiking, and mountain biking reward you with sweeping Lincoln Peak views. Weston has nostalgia in spades at the Vermont Country Store. End in Wilmington, a walkable village, and indulge in breakfast at Dot’s.