Must see opportunities between NYC and Killington, VT?

[briany]

I will be headed up from Manhattan to VT for a few days of skiing,

but I will of course be bringing the camera along and was wondering

if there were any spots that you would highly recommend along the

way. Having a car is not a luxury I'm often afforded so if there's

a must-see out there, this seems like a good time! Right now I'm

planning on taking the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?

q=10021+to+killington,+vt&hl=en">Google Maps recommended route</a>

through central CT, then up 91 through west-central MA and into VT,

but I can venture off a <i>bit</i> (though unfortunately no multi-

hour excursions on this short trip). If there are any spots around

Killington that I can hit early morning, I'd appreciate any

pointers there as well. Thanks!

[ben_kriete]

Right off 91 in South Deerfield, MA (Exit 24) is Mount Sugarloaf. It's not a bad hike up (1/2 hour on a paved but not cleared road, closed to vehicles in winter) and there is a nice view from the top of the Connecticut River, town of Sunderland, and agricultural fields. Poet's Seat Tower in Greenfield, MA also has a decent view, but not as interesting or as easy to get to. Route 2 in Western Massachusetts (the Mohawk Trail) also has some very nice views and interesting geology, especially off the French King Bridge in the Gill/Erving area. If you head through North Adams on your way home, Mass MoCA is worth a visit.

 

In VT you can check out the Quechee Gorge (a ways east from Killington) for a decent view and some interesting shots at the bottom. Make sure to eat at Outback Pizza in Killington, the decor is fun and the food is great.

 

Feel free to drop me a line at brkriete(at)yahoo dot (nospam) com (remove the nospam, duh), as I'm in Western Mass and would be happy to give you directions around the area.

[david_s5]

If the ground in Massachusetts isn't snowcovered, I suggest stopping at the <a href="http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/298_dinosaur_footprints.cfm">dinosaur footprints</a> as you pass by.

[milton arrow]

You could check out some of the covered bridges in that area. Just google for them in NH or Vt.

[charles_stobbs3]

Slower but more scenic would be the Taconic Parkway, cut over to US Route 7 through western Connecticut, the Berkshires of western Mass., Vermont's Green Mountains to Rutland and then over to Killington. Sigh.

[david_duma]

Try Hancock Shaker Village

http://www.hancockshakervillage.org/

 

beloved to Shaker furniture / culture fans, woodworkers, and Norm Abrams viewers.

[briany]

Thanks all for the many great suggestions. To the extent I can't see them all this trip, I'll file this thread away and chip away at the ideas over time... There's too much to see outside Manhattan not to rent a car a bit more often!