Where to stop between Boston and Montreal?

August 7, 2005 6:35 PM

We're going to be driving from Boston to Montreal. We'll want to stop half-way there and half-way back (likely on a Sunday in both cases). Where might be a good place to stop, stretch our legs, get a bite to eat that's not kid-unfriendly. Sites, bites, etc. all welcome, especially interesting ones. I'm guessing that Montpelier is about half-way, but we're generally open.
posted by Raspberry to Travel & Transportation (6 answers total)

If you're looking for super-kid-friendly, you might want to try Ben and Jerry's and the factory tour at exit 10 off of Route 89. You won't die if you miss it, but it is sort of fun, for kids moreso than adults but there is something for everyone and there's a big walk-around place outside. There is not, unless I remember incorrectly, food there that isn't ice cream, so.... other options for food in the area

Barre [exit 6] The Wayside or Farmer's Diner. Both are kid friendly. Farmer's Diner is right in a downtown area so you can walk around town some and is a nice little place to eat with good fresh local food. The Wayside is more of an institution with some local favorites, kids meals and crayons for anyone who wants them. Both are very moderately priced and easy to park near.

If you're travelling between 7 am and 3 pm, Eaton's Sugarhouse has casual family dining and really tasty food [and a maple pecan pie that can't be beat]. They serve breakfast all day as well as good lunches. It's off exit 3, turn left off the exit and you'll see it in about a quarter mile. They can be busy around brunch time, so you might want to plan accordingly.

Montpelier is great for walking around [exit 8] and has a lot of restaurants you can't go wrong with. The lawn out in front of the State House is worth walking around on, tossing a frisbee or just enjoying some ice cream. Another neat place to stop which is almost out of Vermont is the King Arthur Flour Baker's store. It's a high end baking store but they also have an amazing bakery and great coffee. Last time I was there they had color-it-yourself cookies for kids to design and then eat. It's a little bit north on I-91, but not far at all off of your route.
posted by jessamyn at 7:13 PM on August 7, 2005

I drive that route once or twice a year. Montpelier is exactly halfway, and you've asked the magic question: Vermont's capital has a first-rate culinary school. You wouldn't think you could get great Italian food in Vermont; but there it is in the town center, staffed by culinary students: Sarducci's. Be careful on weekends -- it's the local hangout, and you'll wait for a table. The food is spectacular -- and that's coming from someone who spends a lot of time in the North End.

If you like Italian food, don't leave Montreal without visiting Da Emma, an Italian restaurant in the basement of an old women's prison in Old Montreal. It's one of my favorite restaurants in any country.

If you're curious, the drive from Boston to Montreal should take about five hours.
posted by cribcage at 7:54 PM on August 7, 2005

And if you continue up route 100, after the Ben & Jerry's tour, as jessamyn so wisely recommends, Stowe is really, really sweet. Not a whole lot there, but you could take the pretty roads up around and then west over back to 89, bypassing the "big city" route.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 10:06 PM on August 7, 2005

We visited Montpellier just a couple of weeks ago on a two-week fly-drive holiday. What was originally going to be a quick stopover ended up being a two day stay - it's a lovely town (sorry, city).

First evening we ate at the NECI Bar & Grill on Main Street. Unfortunately they were having a bit of an off night and I got food poisoning. Was told by locals that I was very unlucky. Nonetheless, be warned that the food could be 'variable'.

Ben & Jerry's was fun - free ice-cream samples! - there was a consession selling (basic) sandwiches, soda, coffee, etc. A better bet for food might be Stowe (a little further north on route 100): a bit touristy, but plenty of cafes/restaurants [on preview - what RJ said!].
posted by dogsbody at 5:41 AM on August 8, 2005

If you take the South Hero ferry over Lake Champlain it gives you a chance to stretch your legs while you're still moving. You can pick up food in South Hero to eat on the boat. It's a 20 minute ride and boats leave every few minutes.

We do this every summer on the way up to Canada. We've timed it via the ferry and without the ferry and it doesn't take any longer. If you want more time you can always stop and check out the lake.
posted by bondcliff at 5:46 AM on August 8, 2005

Hanover NH is a bit closer to Boston than to Montreal, but can be a great place to stop. (2 hrs 15 mins from Boston, about 3 hours from Montreal).

It is a college town (Dartmouth) that has good restaurants, a pretty campus to see, and good sights. You could hit the excellent childrens science museum called the Montshire Museum, go to the Hood Museum of Art, or see the very large orchid collection.
posted by gregchttm at 10:46 AM on August 8, 2005