Top 5 Green Mountains Car Tours: Scenic Drives & Hidden Gems

The Green Mountains of Vermont, very much so a slice of paradise, they are a true New England dream. So it’s almost, that the rolling hills, pretty forests, and adorable little villages kind of call your name. Anyway, if you like your travel with windows down and wind blowing through your hair, you may want to check out some super driving routes, and there is probably no finer place than Vermont. We’ve gathered up five awesome car tours through the Green Mountains for that ideal trip.

1. The Classic Route 100 Byway

Now, the Route 100 Byway is kinda like the headliner. We see this trip being the perfect place to drink up classic Vermont scenes. Basically, you would follow Route 100 for about 200 miles, moving through just charming villages and into valleys with some amazing mountain views. Very early on I made this trip myself, stopping often to snap photos of red barns looking picturesque or cute covered bridges sitting along rushing streams. This path definitely provides enough for a full weekend, maybe even a bit longer if you slow things down and want to peek at all the little stores and go on a bunch of short hikes.

Stowe is a first good stop; its beauty just begs you to take pictures of it, same as Waitsfield, which holds loads of farm-to-table dining choices. Now, that’s a real thing in Vermont! Plus, near Warren, it is often possible to find the waterfall called Warren Falls—you may want to think about swimming in it on any hot day. This leg, though a little longer than a sprint, winds through a lot of classic stops.

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2. The Mad River Byway: A Quick Escape

So, if it’s the quiet side roads with twisty stretches that appeal to you more than all that highway, there’s the Mad River Byway to think about, that shows off about 36 miles’ worth of some of the most attractive landscapes this side of Vermont. We are not really covering a long distance at all! The thing is, between the vistas that stretch as far as your eye can see and all that historical intrigue, this byway provides that getaway, and just so.

Around the towns of Waitsfield and Warren, be sure to admire buildings representing Vermont architecture in peak form, and think over hitting some of those arts places that kind of represent this region so very well. For an exciting diversion from your drive, visit covered bridges or simply roam the area’s many walking trails—just a good way, like your, to appreciate all that gorgeous surrounding country. It is very short, admittedly, but so beautiful! The drive itself becomes the moment, actually!

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3. Smugglers’ Notch: The Thrilling Mountain Pass

Here, the Smugglers’ Notch scenic drive offers something a little out of the ordinary for Green Mountain visitors: rather intense, the twists! Winding your way through narrow passes and some huge boulders, your path will take you along Vermont Route 108 as it scales the mountains located among Stowe and Jeffersonville, providing travelers a trip of, like your, the most memorable sort. Back when smuggling truly happened, it might’ve been that very pathway through the rocks and caves for shady folks.

So you want to see waterfalls spilling off, rock formations kind of awesome and lush greenery? Stop frequently when safe to experience the landscape. Note that winter closes Smugglers’ Notch due, it’s almost, to extreme snowfall, usually about mid-October till May; so you’ll wanna plan properly for timing if you want to feel that surge from doing something rather spectacular.

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4. Scenic Route 100A: Weston and the West River Valley

Now, taking you to more southern Green Mountains locations on scenic Vermont Route 100A happens, it’s almost, within one of its best areas around Weston, which is known, like your, for its great atmosphere and history that dates further than just yesterday. This road does go just over fairly easygoing terrain when going across the West River Valley too.

Anyway, the Vermont Country Store in Weston definitely provides the time machine sensation! Browse there awhile! Not too far outside Weston either finds itself the absolutely gorgeous covered bridge at Grafton Village (there’s a fancy cheese factory there as well), as well as access, basically, to even further exciting vistas. You know that perfect pace of existence which characterizes old New England towns and scenes—this leg should satisfy your search for the genuine thing.

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5. Lake Champlain Byway: Lakeside Views and History

Lake Champlain Byway features lakeside views rather spectacular together plus historic place encounters, it actually provides drivers with an unusually diverse excursion. That road goes through miles by the lake and goes through sites of interest along the ways offering anyone who seeks a balance connecting recreation that has outdoor settings yet rich historic sites along a scenic path options just ripe for exploration.

A traveler will happen to visit Burlington along your trip with all of those interesting shopping or delicious eating scenes; they can walk by farmlands which remain in full blossom; of great interest, old military forts line that route also. Take such things just a little slowly when around Charlotte – hop the ferry and you’re just there – that’s pretty neat! It isn’t tough filling an afternoon, with Vermont and New York’s lake coastline combined and beautiful, which are really something different to witness especially whenever driving down these attractive locations. The road, truly scenic by its structure, will surely thrill you, maybe.

Read our full review: Lake Champlain Byway Vermont Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Lake Champlain Byway)

Green Mountains Car Tours Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Top 5 Green Mountains Car Tours)