Route 100, Vermont: A Beautiful Route Through the Heart of the Green Mountains

If there’s one thing every road-tripper knows, it’s that the key to the perfect road trip is beautiful scenery.

Of course, there’s much more to a good road trip than the views, but without the beauty of the natural landscape, it’s easy for those hours in the car to feel more like a chore than a fun adventure.

If you’re in the process of planning a scenic road trip, we highly recommend considering Route 100, Vermont. This is a visually stunning route that cuts through Vermont’s Green Mountains.

However, the scenery isn’t all Route 100 has to offer. There are also plenty of historical and cultural sites to visit, as well as recreational activities to partake in, restaurants serving delicious food and drink, and accommodations that are both comfortable and affordable.

Geography

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Vermont’s Route 100 can, of course, be found in Vermont, which is a Northeastern U.S. state known for its natural landmarks and scenery.

Route 100 is a highway, and it runs North to South right through the center of Vermont. In fact, the highway traverses the Green Mountains mountain range, which runs in roughly the same direction as the highway itself, and stretches 400 kilometers from Massachusetts to the border of Quebec, Canada.

If you were to drive the length of the whole highway without stopping, it would probably take you roughly 5 hours. However, there are enough enticing places to stop, whether for food, education, or recreation, that you could easily spend days on end on this road trip.

The geographical situation of Route 100 tells you a lot of what you need to know about this highway: it’s extensive, mostly rural, and beautiful to look at. But there’s much more to discover along Route 100.

Scenery

Because of where Route 100, Vermont is located, a road trip down this highway will treat you to some mesmerizing scenery that you won’t forget.

Arguably, the best time to take a road trip on Route 100 is during the Fall, with October being the favorite month. That’s because, during this season, the color changes make the surroundings even more vibrant.

In addition to the natural beauty of the mountain ranges, Route 100 boasts individual natural landmarks that will make the drive more than worthwhile. For example, Moss Glen Falls is situated directly to the West of Route 100. The waterfall is 35 feet high and is the perfect attraction for keen photographers.

History

Route 100 has a rich and fascinating history that begins in the 1700s. As more and more villages were constructed in the area, the roads interconnecting them grew until, eventually, what we now know as Route 100 was born.

One of the main tourist attractions today is the Robert Frost cabin, which is located 10 miles to the Western side of the highway and is known to be the place where the acclaimed poet did a lot of his writing between 1939 and 1963.

You can also stop at the President Calvin Coolidge site, which is part of the Plymouth Notch village. This is where the 30th President of the United States was born and also where he was sworn in and conducted his duties in the Summer.

Recreation

There is no shortage of recreational activities to partake in along Route 100.

Skiing and golfing are two of the most popular sports to stop and play during a Route 100 road trip, and there are several resorts that cater to these activities.

For example, you could stop at the Magic Mountain Ski Resort or the Carinthia Ski Area for the best slopes in the colder months. Alternatively, for golf, there’s the Tater Hill Golf Club and the Stamford Valley Golf Course. For anyone hoping to combine their love of skiing and golf, the Mount Snow Ski and Golf Resort provides the best of both worlds.

Recreational venues off Route 100 also include the Winhall Brook Recreation Area, the Jamaica Skate Park, Catamount Trail, East Branch Fly Fishing, and the Atherton Meadows Wildlife Management District.

For those who prefer historical and cultural recreation to the great outdoors, there’s the Killington Arts Guild, the Liquid Art Coffee House and Brewery, Weston Playhouse Theater Company, the Wilder Memorial Library, Big Town Gallery, and much more!

Food and Drink

With so many attractions to visit off Route 100, your road trip will probably take you significantly longer than the average time it takes to drive the route. This means you’ll probably need to stop for food at some point.

Luckily, there are plenty of great cafes and restaurants to choose from along Route 100!

One thing you can rely on Route 100 restaurants to provide is fresh, farm-style food. You can find menus that reflect this way of dining at Swiss Farm Inn & Market, and Rochester Cafe and Country Store. Sandy’s Books and Bakery delivers sweet and savory baked goods next door to a bookstore for a unique and quirky experience. Alternatively, for a more relaxed meal on the go, there’s a Subway nearby.

There are no fewer than 97 cafes, restaurants, bakeries, taverns, and inns off Route 100, so there’s something for everyone.

Accommodation

There are approximately 50 lodgings near Route 100 that you can pull into to rest after a long day of driving and activities.

Many of these accommodations, like Swiss Farm Inn, also double as restaurants, which is perfect for recuperating after a tiring day.

Most of the lodgings off Route 100 are comfortable, affordable inns with a cozy, homely feel. You’ll get a great night’s sleep and wake up refreshed and ready to enjoy more of what Route 100 has to offer!

Suggested Reading: Route 108 in Vermont