New Hampshire/ Vermont

There are a lot of great small towns in Vermont. Burlington and Waterbury were great, so much so we are going back to burlington this summer. We are also hitting Brattleboro which looks like a fantastic small town. I've only driven through the mountains in New Hampshire but it was beautiful.

Just got back from a ski trip to Stowe; just pick a couple of small towns & explore. Stowe is very expensive & touristy; we drove over to St Johnsbury & wished we had spent more time there.

Definitely need more info as to which parts of the states you would be in, but downtown Portsmouth (on the seacoast) has a ton of great bars and restaurants. Conway, NH is another really cool town. If you like hard cider, both states have plenty of local places to try.

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What parts of VT and NH will you be visiting?

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Sorry, should have been specific. Races would be in Killington, VT and Cannon Mountain, NH.

I'm open to staying anywhere within 45 minutes of those areas.

Is 4-5 days enough time there, you think?

I'll speak to the Cannon Mountain area, and others will probably chime in with attention to Killington.

Franconia and Bethlehem are nice, quiet areas. Littleton is the biggest town nearby, which is where you'll find really anything resembling a chain restaurant or hotel. That's where you'll find the Shaw's supermarket, Walmart, Dunkin', Starbucks, Jersey Mike's etc. But check out the Littleton Food Co-Op for better groceries and either Porfido's (Italian) or Gold House (Greek) for a sandwich or pizza. and South of Franconia Notch is Lincoln, which can get busy for a small town due its popularity with Loon Mountain and endpoint on the Kancamangus Highway. It's nice but I prefer the towns north of Franconia Notch. However, if you have the time go ahead and make the drive from Lincoln to North Conway and then loop back on Rt 302 through Crawford Notch and over by the Mt Washington Hotel.

As far as restaurants go, some of the brewpubs serve real good food. Schilling Brewery in Littleton and Rek Lis in Bethlehem are my favorites. If you can fit it in go eat at Polly's Pancake Parlor in Sugar Hill (just outside Franconia). Other restaurants to check out are Chang Thai and Little Brew House. In Bethlehem there's Super Secret Ice Cream Club. I haven't been to Maia Papaya but I hear it's good. There isn't much in Franconia but Iron Furnace Brewing is a good spot. The Dutch Treat is a locals hangout spot.

Lebanon if that works best for you. Manchester NH and Burlington also work as well, though each will put you about 1.5-2 hours from Bethlehem. Burlington will be much closer to Waterbury if that's where you're heading, maybe 35 minutes. Much further if you're going to Killington/Woodstock VT.

I was going to recommend Whetstone in Brattleboro, Vermont. Right on the state line so it allowed me to walk over to New Hampshire after a ski trip in Stratton. But looks like it’s closed for good.

Google maps says there is a Mocha Joe’s in Brattleboro on the river if you’re a Curb fan.