Vermont Guide and Deals

Sculpted through scenic mountainside terrain, Green Mountain National Golf Course spans 6,589 yards of arching fairways and multi-tiered greens. Engulfed by dense tree lines and rising mountain faces, the course's narrow fairways call for a cautious approach, and those boldly teeing off with a driver or 17th-century musket may end up hacking their second shot out of the woodsy rough. As golfers traverse the course, elevated tees, greens, and cresting fairways give way to panoramic views, letting golfers glimpse the contoured terrain and drink in ancient rock formations shaped by glaciers and the species of colossal paleontologists that ruled the continent prior to their extinction. A full-length driving range, short game practice area, and putting green fine tune players' club-wielding prowess, and a fully stocked pro shop offers up equipment and gear to help guests loop the links in style.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par 71 course
• Length of 6,589 yards from the farthest tees
• Course rating of 72.1 from the farthest tees
• Slope rating of 138 from the farthest tees
• Five tee options

Built in 1814, The Stowe Inn’s elegant Victorian mansion brims with rare antique furnishings, old-fashioned hospitality, and contemporary amenities. The bed and breakfast nods to its rich history with oriental rugs and a 35-foot mahogany bar from the early 20th century. More wood furnishings accent the 16 guest rooms, where guests can relax upon Edwardian-style beds or use wireless Internet to email their garage door back home.

During the winter, a crackling fireplace warms the inn's library, and an in-ground pool offers a place to cool down during summer. Chefs at the onsite River House Restaurant serve upscale and casual dishes forged from locally sourced ingredients, and inn staffers prep a sumptuous daily breakfast buffet.

The posh inn serves as a convenient outpost near outdoor recreation, artisan shops, and craft breweries throughout the quaint town of Stowe. In nearby Waterbury, Ben & Jerry’s factory tours bestow behind-the-scenes access to the popular ice cream's production. There, visitors find cows grazing onsite, graciously accommodating autograph requests from starstruck fans.

Mendon Mountainview Lodge is nestled amid a cluster of sky-high evergreens just steps from Pico Mountain. In winter, sugary snow blankets the slopes, beckoning skiers and snowshoers to nearby ski resorts. The lodge's location is ideal for more than outdoor adventure. The Norman Rockwell Museum, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Factory, and several artisan villages all lie within driving distance. Within the lobby, a double-sided stone fireplace complements natural-wood décor. Warm tones adorn the spacious guest rooms, many of which offer views of Pico Mountain and the surrounding forest. The lodge's hot tub provides a relaxing rest stop. It's roomy enough to accommodate visiting families and their extensive rubber-ducky collections. Fishing, hiking, and swimming in the outdoor pool are popular pursuits in the warmer months.

Spanning 140 feet and welcoming up to 424 shipmates, the Spirit of Ethan Allen III stages public and private cruises along Lake Champlain's shoreline in prime view of the Adirondack and Green Mountain ranges. Furnished with heating and air conditioning, each of the ship's three decks seat guests for an array of occasions, including luncheon cabaret shows, brunches, dance parties, and murder-mystery dinners all fueled by the ship's executive chef. The captains disclose historical tidbits and folklore during daily narrated scenic cruises and remain quiet during nightly sunset cruises to let guests groove to background music, sip on spirited beverages, and fill out long-overdue tax forms.

Pet Lodges hosts cats and dogs for boarding and daycare across five New York and Vermont locations, including the Albany airport. During dog daycare, pooches frolic in an enclosed pebble-lined yard, where affable staffers referee games of chase and fetch. Kitty camps treat cats to three private levels of cozy climbing and napping furniture, and dog suites include raised, cushioned beds and three to four trips to the exercise yard each day. Daycare, kitty camps, and canine luxury suites' built-in webcams allow families to check in on their pets as they socialize, sleep, and perfect their latest tail-braiding-tutorial videos. Pet Lodges' sister store, Checkerhills Farm, stocks organic and holistic dog and cat foods, as well as dog-wash stations and coffee and treats for humans in Glenville.