The Best of Route 7 | The Perfect Three-State Fall Foliage Drive

For the fall travel feature in Yankee’s September/October issue, “The Magnificent 7”, writer Alana Chernilla drove from Shelburne, Vermont, to Kent, Connecticut, along Route 7 — soaking up scenery and local flavor all along the 200-plus miles. If it inspires you to take a Route 7 road trip of your own this fall, here are our recommendations for the best stops along the way.

Shelburne to Rutland, VT | 60 miles

FOOD & DRINK

O Bread Bakery, Shelburne: Artisanal sourdough breads and sweet treats, all against the stunning backdrop of Shelburne Farms. obread.com

Rustic Roots, Shelburne: Bountiful and creative farm-to-table fare for breakfast and lunch. Reserve ahead for a sweet outdoor table. rusticrootsvt.com

Vermont Cookie Love, North Ferrisburgh: Come for the cookies, stay for the maple creamees, which are some of the best you’ll find. vermontcookielove.com

Starry Night Café, Ferrisburgh: Local, organic, Vermont-focused food served in a stunning historic space filled with crafts by local artisans. starrynightcafe.com

Bar Antidote, Vergennes: Locally sourced food and craft cocktails in a speakeasy-type setting. barantidote.com

Lincoln Peak Vineyard, New Haven: The only thing better than the views is the wine. Stop by for a curated wine flight and a local cheese plate. lincolnpeakvineyard.com

American Flatbread, Middlebury: An ever-changing roster of Vermont craft beers with wood-fired pies topped with local ingredients. americanflatbread.com

Haymaker Bun Co., Middlebury: You may never go back to a familiar cinnamon bun after biting into Caroline Corrente’s unique creations on the banks of Otter Creek. haymakerbuns.com

Cafe Provence, Brandon: Classic French food with a lovely outdoor seating area. The kind of place where people drink wine with lunch. cafeprovencevt.com

SHOP & PLAY

Shelburne Farms, Shelburne: An educational nonprofit on the site of a sweeping Vanderbilt estate. Explore endless trails, meet the animals, and visit the cheese room and bakery. Stay overnight in the historic waterside lodge. shelburnefarms.org

Shelburne Museum, Shelburne: An experience of American history, culture, and design like no other. shelburnemuseum.org

Shelburne Farmers’ Market: Saturdays till mid-October. Local produce and meats, crafts, music. sbpavt.org/the-market

Rokeby Museum, Ferrisburgh: A National Historic Landmark that’s one of the best-documented Underground Railroad sites in the country. rokeby.org

Monroe St. Books, Middlebury: This used bookstore right off Route 7 offers stacks and stacks of volumes to get lost in for hours. monroestreetbooks.com

Lake Dunmore, Salisbury: Rent a cabin on the lake, go camping at Branbury State Park, or hike the Silverlake trail. vtstateparks.com/branbury.html

STAY

Heart of the Village Inn, Shelburne: A sweet B&B right in downtown Shelburne. heartofthevillage.com

Swift House Inn, Middlebury: A stunning hilltop house that offers the full Vermont experience. The bonus? There’s a fantastic restaurant onsite. swifthouseinn.com

Rutland, VT, to the Berkshires | 68 miles

EAT & DRINK

Zoey’s Double Hex, Manchester: A bustling and cozy local spot with phenomenal burgers and friendly service. zoeys.com

Blue Benn Diner, Bennington: A true institution that serves some of the best diner food in New England. Try the homemade doughnut grilled and topped with vanilla ice cream. bluebenn.com

SHOP & PLAY

Rutland Murals: Let the map guide you on an ultimate townwide treasure hunt. downtownrutland.com/murals

Hathaway Farm Corn Maze, Rutland: Even if you’ve never walked a corn maze, this is a great stop—and you’ll wonder why it took you so long. hathawayfarm.com

Hildene, Manchester: Robert Tod Lincoln’s sweeping estate. The house is stunning, topped only by the gardens and the mountain views around it. hildene.org

Shops at Manchester: If outlet shopping is your thing, Manchester offers one of the finest selections of outlets and independent boutiques around. manchesterdesigneroutlets.com

Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Center.  Simply one of the finest independent bookstores in New England. northshire.com

Mount Equinox Skyline Drive, Sunderland: The foliage drive of your dreams. Wear extra layers, as you’re seemingly on top of the world when you reach the observation decks at the summit. equinoxmountain.com

Robert Frost Stone House Museum, Sunderland: Frost lived in this small house next to an orchard when he wrote his favorite poem, and the spirit of those words infuse the home and property. bennington.edu/robert-frost-stone-house-museum

Bennington Battle Monument, Bennington: Vermont’s most popular historic site, this 306-foot monument was built to commemorate the 1777 Battle of Bennington. benningtonbattlemonument.com

Bennington Museum, Bennington: A museum dedicated to the art and history of the region, with the largest public collection of paintings by Grandma Moses. benningtonmuseum.org

Armstrong Farm, Pownal: Veggies, maple syrup, and pumpkins galore. Instagram

STAY

North Shire Lodge, Manchester: Newly remodeled rooms, breakfast in the pub, and views of the mountains on all sides. Book directly to get free breakfast. northshirelodge.com

The Inn at Manchester, Manchester: An upscale B&B with great breakfast, a pool, and a pub stocked with Vermont beers and spirits. innatmanchester.com

The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa, Manchester: A grand resort with activities ranging from falconry to off-roading and fly fishing. equinoxresort.com

Wilburton Inn, Manchester. Magnificent mountain-view setting with inn and pet-friendly cottages, all run by a unique family of artists, scholars, and farmers. wilburtoninn.com

Arcady Mountain Motor Lodge, Sunderland: Simple, clean, comfortable, and cozy B&B motor lodge surrounded by nature. arcadymotorlodge.com

Four Chimneys Inn, Bennington: Unique rooms in a historic mansion, and a cozy cocktail lounge for unwinding after the days’ adventures. fourchimneys.com

The Berkshires to the Litchfield Hills | 65 miles

EAT & DRINK

Mezze Bistro + Bar, Williamstown: The perfect balance of fancy and comfortable. Call ahead—depending on the day it might be burger night or a prix fixe menu. mezzerestaurant.com

Olde Forge Restaurant, Lanesborough: Cozy pub at the base of Greylock, with great wings and an impressive beer selection. yeoldeforge.com

Proprietor’s Lodge, Pittsfield: Newly renovated, large-group-friendly restaurant that’s all about the setting on Lake Pontoosuc. proprietorslodge.com

High Lawn Farm, Lee: Enjoy a towering ice cream cone while getting to know the cows that provided the main ingredient. The farm stand also carries a selection of High Lawn cheese and dairy products. highlawnfarm.com

Once Upon a Table, Stockbridge: Now under new ownership, this tiny bistro has a delicious local menu and perfect date-night vibes. onceuponatablestockbridge.com

Marjoram and Roux, Great Barrington: Great coffee, pastry, and ingredient-forward lunch options, right at the top of historic Railroad Street. marjoramandroux.com

Bistro Box, Great Barrington: The roadside burger shack of your dreams. Be prepared to stand in line, as their bacon-jam burgers, truffle fries, and local shakes are always in high demand. thebistrobox.rocks

Roberto’s Pizza, Sheffield: Terrific brick-oven pizza and fresh salads. Sit inside or grab a picnic table out back. robertospizza413.com

SHOP & PLAY

Williams College Museum of Art, Williamstown: Free to the public and always featuring shows that push boundaries and inspire the imagination. artmuseum.williams.edu

The Clark, Williamstown: A showcase for American and European art. The setting includes reflecting pools and foliage-filled walking trails. clarkart.edu

Cricket Creek Farm, Williamstown: Artisan cheese, raw milk. Encourages visitors to walk the farm, see the animals and observe cheesemaking. cricketcreekfarm.com

Sheep Hill, Williamstown: A former dairy farm open for hiking and picnicking, with exquisite views of the foliage around Mount Greylock. rurallands.org

Mount Greylock, Lanesborough: Hike one of the many stunning hikes that lead to the highest peak in the state, or take the winding auto road for a view above the clouds. mass.gov/locations/mount-greylock-state-reservation

The Mount, Lenox: Edith Wharton’s Berkshire home. The gardens and wide back porch are perfect picnic spots, and there’s even live music if you time your visit right. edithwharton.org

Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge: Both the museum’s collection and curated shows are worth the visit. Be sure to head up the hill to visit Rockwell’s studio. nrm.org

The Mohican History Walking Tour of Stockbridge: Learn about the Stockbridge Munsee indigenous inhabitants of the Berkshires and beyond, through this online walking tour of downtown Stockbridge. nativeamericantrail.org/stockbridge-walking-tour

Windy Hill Orchard, Great Barrington: A perfect spot for the apple-picking part of the drive. Grab cider doughnuts to snack on as you walk up to the orchard, too. windyhillfarminc.com

Monument Mountain, Great Barrington: A roughly two-hour, 3.8-mile round-trip hike that delivers great views from the rocky peak. thetrustees.org/place/monument-mountain

Great Barrington Farmers’ Market: Saturdays through November 12. Considered the best in the Berkshires. greatbarringtonfarmersmarket.org

Campo di Fiori, Sheffield: As much a garden center as it is a beautiful way of life. The space is impeccably designed, and you’ll leave with a plant or two as well as endless inspiration to take into your own home. campodefiori.com

The Pass, Sheffield: The Berkshires have become a center for cannabis tourism, and The Pass, started by the owner of nearby Berkshire Mountain Distillers, is a favorite of many aficionados. thepass.co

Bartholomew’s Cobble/Hurlburt Hill, Sheffield: A pretty family walk, with some of the most diverse flora in the area. Across the street is the entrance to the hill, which spans from woodland to grassy and leads to one of the area’s best foliage views. thetrustees.org/place/bartholomews-cobble

STAY

The Guest House at Field Farm, Williamstown: Art-filled rooms set in amid of more than 300 acres of conservation land, with miles of trails and sweeping views of Mount Greylock. fieldfarm.org

Maple Terrace Motel, Williamstown: A rare budget find in the area, with clean rooms and a pool with a view. mapleterrace.com

Hotel on North, Pittsfield: A beautifully curated boutique hotel with an urban feel, right in the center of Pittsfield. hotelonnorth.com

Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge: A legendary hotel for all the right reasons. Sip on cocktails on the massive porch, swim in the outdoor year-round heated pool, and find yourself a part of history at every corner. redlioninn.com

The Briarcliff Motel, Great Barrington: A pet-friendly modern and fun roadside motel opposite Monument Mountain, complete with a massive fire pit where you can get to know your fellow travelers.  thebriarcliffmotel.com

Litchfield Hills, CT

EAT & DRINK

Falls Village Café, Falls Village: An expansive high-ceilinged café with something for everyone, right in the heart of the village. fallsvillagecafe.com

RSVP, West Cornwall: A highly celebrated French BYOB bistro, with limited seating and a fixed-price menu. Call ahead to reserve. 860-672-7787

Wilson’s Bakery and Café, Kent: Great food, great mission: from-scratch breakfast and lunch that’s also an essential element of the recovery program at the High Watch addiction treatment center. wilsonsbyhighwatch.com

SHOP & PLAY

Furnace–Art on Paper Archive, Falls Village: A tiny gallery with big inspiration. Be sure to explore the drawers to see the works of past shows. furnace-artonpaperarchive.com

Calf + Clover Creamery, Cornwall Bridge: Farm stand with veggies, dairy, meats, and heavenly chocolate milk. calfandclovercreamery.com

Downtown Kent: This little Connecticut town bustles on the weekends with great shops and lunch joints. Yankee called it New England’s best foliage town. kentct.com

Kent Falls State Park, Kent: Bring a picnic, hike your way up the falls, and spend an afternoon marveling at the wonders of nature. portal.ct.gov/deep/state-parks

STAY

The Falls Village Inn, Falls Village: This historic inn was renovated in 2010, and every room, from the sheets to the wallpaper, has been meticulously crafted by renowned interior designer Bunny Williams. thefallsvillageinn.com

Kingsley Tavern, Kent: Comfy upscale fresh and local pub food with great takes on classics like the french dip and shrimp and grits. kingsleytavern.com

The Cozy Inn of Connecticut, Kent: A quiet and restorative farm-based B&B with a focus on sustainability. Kent Falls Brewing is also on-site. cozyinnct.com