Things to Do on Route 100 in Vermont: Where to Eat, Stay & Play
Discover the best things to do on Route 100 in Vermont, a road that packs in scenic views from north to south.
By Bill Scheller|Aug 26 2025|
On Route 100 in Troy, an amber field gives way to a blanket of scarlet and orange leaves spreading toward Jay Peak in the distance.
Photo Credit: Oliver PariniThe best-known nickname for Vermont’s Route 100 is the “Skiers’ Highway,” since it connects a dozen or so ski areas—Okemo, Killington, Mount Snow, etc.—as it runs north-south through the middle of the state. But Route 100 is also known as “Vermont’s Main Street,” passing as it does through the heart of many small towns. For road-trippers, Route 100 is an irresistible invitation to see where this winding two-lane ribbon will take them: to an award-winning farm-to-table eatery, perhaps, or a bucolic presidential birthplace, or a dream-made-real ice cream factory. It’s impossible to pack all the things to do on Route 100 in Vermont into a single trip … but you’ll sure have fun trying.
Things to Do on Route 100 in Vermont
Where to Eat & Drink on Route 100
American Flatbread, Waitsfield: The original home of a Vermont take on pizza that’s spread throughout New England. The tomato sauce is organic, and the sausage is from pork raised down the road. americanflatbread.com
Cajun’s Snack Bar, Lowell: Where else in northern Vermont can you get a New Orleans shrimp po’boy? Or fried alligator, crawfish, or a catfish wrap? Indoor and outdoor seating available. cajunssnackbar.com
Photo Credit : Oliver Parini
Dot’s Restaurant, Wilmington: Fuel up for a day’s drive with fluffy, fruit-filled pancakes or a plump omelet, or turn up later in the day for comfort-food favorites and old-fashioned milkshakes. Facebook
Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Waitsfield: Expect pub grub that’s a cut above, with Vermont cheeses and salumi, bread from Red Hen Baking Co., and pickles made in-house. Wash it down with one of Lawson’s Finest’s celebrated craft beers. lawsonsfinest.com
The Mad Taco, Waitsfield: Tacos—pork, beef, chicken, meatless—are just part of the Mexican menu, which includes burritos, enchiladas, and fajitas. And even the cilantro is local. themadtaco.com
Photo Credit : Courtesy of Maple Soul
Maple Soul, Rochester: Shrimp and grits, barbecue baby-back ribs, and handmade gnocchi star; some people come just for the grilled cornbread with honey. Just about everything is hyperlocal but the seafood—and even that comes from a Vermont purveyor. maplesoulvt.com
Plate, Stowe: Small, stylish, and big on seasonal fare. A fall menu might offer corn fritters with spiced honey, a salad made with local beets, and wood-smoked burgers. Vegan options, too. platestowe.com
Prohibition Pig, Waterbury: It’s all about the barbecue—ribs, brisket, chopped pork, sausage—served with hearty sides such as duck-fat fries. Also on offer: craft brews aplenty, including Prohibition Pig’s own creations. prohibitionpig.com
Photo Credit : Oliver Parini
Soulmate Brewing, Morrisville: Having opened its doors in 2023, this locally owned enterprise wasted no time making a splash: Its beers have earned nearly 20 medals at the prestigious Denver International Beer Competition. soulmatebrewing.com
Where to Stay on Route 100
Echo Lake Inn, Ludlow: This 1840 inn stands across Route 100 from Echo Lake. Calvin Coolidge stayed here, long before whirlpool and menu choices like veal short-rib bourguignon. If warm fall weather holds, take a canoe out on the lake. echolakeinn.com
The Green Mountain Inn, Stowe: The place to stay in Stowe village for more than 130 years, the inn offers accommodations in its National Register of Historic Places main structure and seven adjacent buildings. The Whip Bar & Grill features fine dining and pub fare. greenmountaininn.com
Hyde Away Inn, Waitsfield: This inn that grew up with the local ski areas offers homey accommodations with breakfast year-round. Dinner menus run to New American comfort food, and the tavern is one of the valley’s most convivial spots. hydeawayinn.com
Liberty Hill Farm & Inn, Rochester: At Vermont’s first certified “green agritourism enterprise,” kids feed friendly farm animals, bathrooms and chores are shared, and stories are swapped over bountiful, family-style meals. libertyhillfarm.com
Old Stagecoach Inn, Waterbury: This handsomely preserved 1826 property did, in fact, once offer lodging to a clientele arriving by stagecoach. Today’s travelers find antiques-filled rooms, a hearty buffet breakfast, and a handy downtown location. oldstagecoach.com
The Pitcher Inn, Warren: Tiny Warren Village hosts one of Vermont’s premier luxury inns. Each of the 11 rooms and suites features distinctive decor reflecting the state’s sporty lifestyle; many have wood-burning fireplaces. Plus: five-star dining, a spectacular wine list, and a spa. pitcherinn.com
The Stable Inn, Rochester: Set amid Rochester’s shops and eateries, with an art gallery practically next door, this beautifully revived 1840s property supplements its accommodations with common areas like a full kitchen and a breakfast prep room. bigtownvermont.com/stable-inn
Photo Credit : Courtesy of The Weston
The Weston, Weston: Weston’s sumptuous retreat occupies a historic village home transported to pure luxe. There are eight rooms and suites, some with private patios. Dine at the French-accented Left Bank, where meals are prepared with produce from the inn’s farm. thewestonvt.com
What to Do on Route 100
Bear Pond Books, Stowe: A favorite among the state’s indie bookstores, Bear Pond features a terrific selection of guidebooks and Vermontiana along with bestsellers, general-interest titles, calendars, and stationery. stowebooks.com
Photo Credit : Oliver Parini
Ben & Jerry’s Factory, Waterbury: Vermont’s ice cream kings have been churning it out here since 1985. Take a tour to see how more than 350,000 pints a day are made, then hit the Scoop Shop. benjerry.com
Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Waterbury: Cider is made on-site, and a lot more: baked goods (including cider doughnuts), maple products, Vermont-made specialty foods, kitchenware, and souvenir clothing. There’s a café, too. coldhollow.com
President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site, Plymouth Notch: “Silent Cal” and his era are commemorated in the tiny village where he grew up. See where he was born, took the oath of office, and was buried with his forebears. historicsites.vermont.gov/calvin-coolidge
Tempest Book Shop, Waitsfield: Shelves bulge with enough new and used titles to warrant your building an extra browsing hour into the day’s itinerary. Be sure to rummage through the bargains on the tables flanking the entrance. tempestbookshop.org
The Vermont Country Store, Weston: The practical, the traditional, the hard-to-find—all have a home at the store that’s meant “Vermont” to generations of visitors and mail-order shoppers. From clothing to candy you forgot they still made, it’s here. vermontcountrystore.com
Photo Credit : Mark Fleming
Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum, Stowe: Properly located in the town that put East Coast skiing on the map, the museum features a superb collection of vintage equipment and a ski and snowboard hall of fame. vtssm.com
Weston Priory, Weston: For more than 70 years, a hilltop monastery on the fringe of Green Mountain National Forest has been home to a community of Benedictine monks. Visitors are welcome, and a shop sells crafts made by the residents. westonpriory.org
See More: Autumn on Vermont’s Route 100: A Journey Through the Heart of Foliage Season
