This byway is one of our choices for Vermont’s Top Scenic Byways, as listed in our Vermont section.
Vermont Route 100 runs through the middle of the state from Massachusetts to Canada. With forests, mountains, ski resorts, hiking trails and classic New England towns, to drive it means to experience the essence of Vermont. Officially, the state breaks VT 100 into three scenic byways. This story covers the route north from Massachusetts to Waterbury and I-89. The next piece, Green Mountain, follows VT 100 from Waterbury to Quebec.
VT 100 starts in southwestern Vermont, about 50 miles east of Albany, New York and 65 miles northwest of Springfield, Massachusetts, the closest big cities. From the state line and Stamford, VT 100 is paired with VT 8 for the first eight miles. VT 100 then splits off, heading south and east through Green Mountain National Forest. It’s 13 miles to Jacksonville where the byway starts the long trek north through the heart of Vermont. About 1.5 miles north of Jacksonville is Sprague & Son Sugarhouse, an appropriate first stop because a visit to Vermont isn’t complete without maple. This traditional sugarhouse boils sap into syrup mid-March through mid- to late April and offers year-round tours and tastings. Maple products for purchase include syrup, candy, nuts, spread and granulated sugar.
Wilmington is another five miles north, offering coffeehouses, camping and groceries. This is also where Scenic Route 100 intersects the east-to-west Molly Stark Byway and our tour of Southern Vermont, see below. From Wilmington, VT 100 moves north into the Green Mountains, a very old chain of peaks that are part of the Appalachians. This is the start of Vermont’s ski country and Mount Snow is the first resort along the route, offering golf, scenic chairlift rides and mountain biking in the summer. An enjoyable aspect of Vermont road trips is that it’s a concentrated experience. Every crook in the road provides a beautiful vista, produce stand, covered bridge, church steeple, craft shop or brewery. You’ll find many of these as you pass through West Dover, the town outside Mount Snow. From this ski area, it’s six miles to the turnoff for Stratton Mountain, another large winter resort with plenty of summertime activities.
Back on VT 100, the byway passes through Wardsboro and then onto Jamaica where Jamaica State Park lies on a bend of the West River. The deep, slow-running water is prime trout territory so the park attracts anglers as well as swimmers, hikers and bikers. A six-mile roundtrip trail leads from the campground to Hamilton Falls, one of Vermont’s largest waterfalls.
From Jamaica, go 10 miles north on VT 100 to Grandma Miller's Pies and Pastries, a gratifying sweet tooth stop. You’re south of Londonderry so continue north of town to another roadside attraction. Inside a restored historic barn Lasser Ceramics creates bowls, plates, pitchers, vases, candlesticks and more that radiate with color.
Weston lies about five miles north and is the epitome of quaintness with a village green, historic buildings and several must-sees. The Old Mill Museum occupies a photogenic spot on the West River. Though the mill retired long ago, it’s still one of the few functioning hydro-powered mills in New England. The museum gives milling demonstrations. Nearby, The Vermont Country Store has been in business since 1946. Family-owned, it’s run by seventh and eighth generation Vermonters who are fourth and fifth generation storekeepers. The company has two locations in Vermont; this is the flagship general store with clothing, bedding, kitchenware, beauty products and candy. The Weston Theater Company has been putting on shows for more than 85 years, attracting top talent from Vermont, Broadway and around the world.
VT 100 then winds for ten miles through hills and valleys to Ludlow, a tourist-friendly town at the base of Okemo, another ski resort where mountain biking and golf are warmer weather activities. There’s also the Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster which operates summer and winter.
VT 100 then follows the shorelines of Lake Rescue, Echo Lake and Amherst Lake where you’ll pass by Green Mountain Sugar House, another stop for maple goods. Camp Plymouth State Park offers group camping, boating, swimming and fishing. It’s also popular for gold panning.
Another beloved state park lies six miles north on VT 100 where a right turn leads to VT 100A. Four miles more and you’re at Coolidge State Park, a rustic setting with mountain views that some campers consider the best in Vermont. Hiking, fishing, birding and wildlife spotting for fox, deer, moose and bear are the main activities. Calvin Coolidge was born and grew up in nearby Plymouth Notch. He’s also buried there. The President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site preserves the homes of the Coolidge family as well as the 1924 Summer White House office, a church, schoolhouse, post office and barns. While visiting family in August 1923, Vice President Coolidge learned that President Warren G. Harding had unexpectedly died. As the Vermont Division for Historic Preservation describes the middle of the night scene, “By the light of a kerosene lamp, his father, who was a notary public, administered the oath of office as Coolidge placed his hand on the family Bible.” You can enjoy another slice of history at Plymouth Artisan Cheese where the factory began making “America's Oldest Cheddar” in 1890. It closed in 1934 and then was revived by President Coolidge’s son, John in 1960. Today, cheesemaker Jesse Werner follows the original 19th century granular curd cheddar recipe.
Back on VT 100, it’s five miles to the intersection of US 4 where the two highways merge as they follow the Ottauquechee River north. Go another five miles to the turnoff for Killington Resort. A once-bustling textile industry has now evolved into a flourishing tourism business and you won’t find a bigger player in Vermont than the “Beast of the East.” Killington is the largest ski resort in the eastern U.S. Summer and fall activities include golf, scenic gondola rides, the Beast Mountain Coaster and Skye Ropes Course. The Killington Bike Park has more than 30 miles of trails accessed by three high-speed lifts. Parking lot camping is free in the summer.
A mile after the Killington Resort turnoff, VT 100 parts ways with US 4 and continues north. Look for Gifford Woods State Park to the left. With one of the few remaining old-growth hardwood tree stands in Vermont, the park is particularly stunning during fall color season. It’s also a major hiking destination as demonstrated by the Appalachian Trail passing through the park on its way from Georgia to Maine.
Following the Green Mountain National Forest boundary and White River, the byway meanders another 18 miles to Rochester. Sugar Mama’s, Pumpkin Patch Bed & Breakfast, Maple Soul farm to table restaurant and BigTown Gallery are local businesses that add plenty of Vermont character to the town.
Farms, eye-catching barns and dense foliage shading the byway define the next several miles. At Hancock, turn left onto VT 125 for a short drive west to Texas Falls. Continuing north from Hancock on VT 100, in seven miles look for Moss Glen Falls to the left with a parking and viewing area. Then, VT 100 reaches the Mad River, following it up the valley past Warren Falls, a popular swimming hole, to the tiny town of Warren and the much-loved Warren Store, where you can pick up clothing, gifts, wine, deli sandwiches and coffee.
The Mad River Valley is also where you’ll find another major ski area, Sugarbush, and its many summer activities similar to the earlier resorts located along the byway. VT 100 is called “Vermont’s Main Street” and this section, also called the Mad River Byway, includes Sugarbush and the town of Waitsfield. It really accentuates the nickname with lush mountain scenery and local shops like Lawson’s Finest Liquids craft brewery, von Trapp Farmstead artisan cheese and Mad River Glass Gallery. Spanning from the early 1900s to present day, the Madsonian Museum of Industrial Design houses more than 2,000 of the “best designed and most artistic manufactured objects.” The collection includes cars, bikes, motorcycles, toys, canoes, radios and typewriters. The town also features Waitsfield Covered Bridge (also known as Great Eddy Bridge) and Pine Brook Covered Bridge, both picture-worthy drive-thrus. Connecting several communities, the Mad River Path is a network of trails and boardwalks built for walking, hiking, running, biking and various winter sports like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
It's another 12 miles through farmland to Waterbury and I-89. The end of Scenic Route 100 is the start of the Green Mountain Byway, as portrayed in our Vermont section.
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