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
The Best of Route 7 | Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, VT Photo Credit : Andy Duback
FOOD & DRINK
O Bread Bakery, Shelburne: Artisanal sourdough breads and sweet treats, all against the stunning backdrop of Shelburne Farms. obread.comRustic Roots, Shelburne: Bountiful and creative farm-to-table fare for breakfast and lunch. Reserve ahead for a sweet outdoor table. rusticrootsvt.comVermont Cookie Love, North Ferrisburgh: Come for the cookies, stay for the maple creamees, which are some of the best you’ll find. vermontcookielove.comStarry Night Café, Ferrisburgh: Local, organic, Vermont-focused food served in a stunning historic space filled with crafts by local artisans. starrynightcafe.comBar Antidote, Vergennes: Locally sourced food and craft cocktails in a speakeasy-type setting. barantidote.comLincoln 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.comAmerican Flatbread, Middlebury: An ever-changing roster of Vermont craft beers with wood-fired pies topped with local ingredients. americanflatbread.comHaymaker 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.comCafe 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.orgShelburne Museum, Shelburne: An experience of American history, culture, and design like no other. shelburnemuseum.orgShelburne Farmers’ Market: Saturdays till mid-October. Local produce and meats, crafts, music. sbpavt.org/the-marketRokeby Museum, Ferrisburgh: A National Historic Landmark that’s one of the best-documented Underground Railroad sites in the country. rokeby.orgMonroe St. Books, Middlebury: This used bookstore right off Route 7 offers stacks and stacks of volumes to get lost in for hours. monroestreetbooks.comLake 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.comSwift 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.comBlue 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/muralsHathaway 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.comHildene, Manchester: Robert Tod Lincoln’s sweeping estate. The house is stunning, topped only by the gardens and the mountain views around it. hildene.orgShops at Manchester: If outlet shopping is your thing, Manchester offers one of the finest selections of outlets and independent boutiques around. manchesterdesigneroutlets.comNorthshire Bookstore, Manchester Center. Simply one of the finest independent bookstores in New England. northshire.comMount 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.comRobert 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-museumBennington Battle Monument, Bennington: Vermont’s most popular historic site, this 306-foot monument was built to commemorate the 1777 Battle of Bennington. benningtonbattlemonument.comBennington Museum, Bennington: A museum dedicated to the art and history of the region, with the largest public collection of paintings by Grandma Moses. benningtonmuseum.orgArmstrong 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.comThe Inn at Manchester, Manchester: An upscale B&B with great breakfast, a pool, and a pub stocked with Vermont beers and spirits. innatmanchester.comThe Equinox Golf Resort & Spa, Manchester: A grand resort with activities ranging from falconry to off-roading and fly fishing. equinoxresort.comWilburton Inn, Manchester. Magnificent mountain-view setting with inn and pet-friendly cottages, all run by a unique family of artists, scholars, and farmers. wilburtoninn.comArcady Mountain Motor Lodge, Sunderland: Simple, clean, comfortable, and cozy B&B motor lodge surrounded by nature. arcadymotorlodge.comFour 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
The Best of Route 7 | The Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge, MA Photo Credit : Corey Hendrickson
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.comOlde Forge Restaurant, Lanesborough: Cozy pub at the base of Greylock, with great wings and an impressive beer selection. yeoldeforge.comProprietor’s Lodge, Pittsfield: Newly renovated, large-group-friendly restaurant that’s all about the setting on Lake Pontoosuc. proprietorslodge.comHigh 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.comOnce Upon a Table, Stockbridge: Now under new ownership, this tiny bistro has a delicious local menu and perfect date-night vibes. onceuponatablestockbridge.comMarjoram and Roux, Great Barrington: Great coffee, pastry, and ingredient-forward lunch options, right at the top of historic Railroad Street. marjoramandroux.comBistro 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.rocksRoberto’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.eduThe Clark, Williamstown: A showcase for American and European art. The setting includes reflecting pools and foliage-filled walking trails. clarkart.eduCricket Creek Farm, Williamstown: Artisan cheese, raw milk. Encourages visitors to walk the farm, see the animals and observe cheesemaking. cricketcreekfarm.comSheep Hill, Williamstown: A former dairy farm open for hiking and picnicking, with exquisite views of the foliage around Mount Greylock. rurallands.orgMount 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-reservationThe 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.orgNorman 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.orgThe 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-tourWindy 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.comMonument 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-mountainGreat Barrington Farmers’ Market: Saturdays through November 12. Considered the best in the Berkshires. greatbarringtonfarmersmarket.orgCampo 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.comThe 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.coBartholomew’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.orgMaple Terrace Motel, Williamstown: A rare budget find in the area, with clean rooms and a pool with a view. mapleterrace.comHotel on North, Pittsfield: A beautifully curated boutique hotel with an urban feel, right in the center of Pittsfield. hotelonnorth.comRed 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.comThe 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
The Best of Route 7 | Falls Village Café, Falls Village, CT Photo Credit : Corey Hendrickson
EAT & DRINK
Falls Village Café, Falls Village: An expansive high-ceilinged café with something for everyone, right in the heart of the village. fallsvillagecafe.comRSVP, West Cornwall: A highly celebrated French BYOB bistro, with limited seating and a fixed-price menu. Call ahead to reserve. 860-672-7787Wilson’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.comCalf + Clover Creamery, Cornwall Bridge: Farm stand with veggies, dairy, meats, and heavenly chocolate milk. calfandclovercreamery.comDowntown 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.comKent 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.comKingsley Tavern, Kent: Comfy upscale fresh and local pub food with great takes on classics like the french dip and shrimp and grits. kingsleytavern.comThe 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
