Looking for a girls weekend in Vermont, or a grownup getaway for you and a significant other? While traipsing around in the White River Junction area with my sons for a certain solar event, … oh, the eclipse. You’ve heard of it? Right. So here’s a pic that barely captured the magic:

Anyway, in making our way north for the eclipse, we stopped a couple places that would make for a great couple’s or girls weekend in Vermont. From Fairfield County, CT the White River Junction area is 3.5 hours by car, straight up Interstate 91. Bostonians have it even easier, at 2 hours. Those coming out of NYC and points beyond can take Amtrak — the ‘Junction’ in the name is due to this forever being one of the northernmost stops on the line!

Not only is the White River Junction area naturally beautiful (see Quechee Gorge), it’s full of all that artisan-fueled authentic goodness you expect in Vermont. The region is comprised of about a dozen small towns and villages, roughly with a half an hour of each other. Sort of like the Provence villages in the Luberon region of France. (Also, nothing like the Provence villages in the Luberon region of France, haha). By no means is what I’ve compiled here a complete itinerary (I had tween and teen boys along for this road trip). Think of it more as a backbone of activities you can fill out with your own adventures. There is a sample itinerary at the end of this post.

Attraction #1: Simon Pearce Factory Outlet, Windsor
OR
Simon Pearce Flagship Store/Factory/Restaurant, Quechee

I’ve always wanted to see glass blowers at work. You’re invited to do that here! My kids were even into it (thank you, … YouTube, apparently…?!)

In addition to deals on ‘Seconds‘ (pieces with minor imperfections) in the Windsor, VT showroom, checking out the artistic process from the catwalk over the factory floor is part of the fun.

There are museum-like information signs to explain what you’re seeing, and how long these Masters have trained to learn the craft. It’s mesmerizing to watch.

If pottery is more your thing, you can view the ceramic workshop at this site, too. You’ll have to take a long weekend for that, though, as it’s only open Mon-Fri 10-3. These pieces were right up my Coastal French alley:

Alternatively, you can skip the outlet and make plans to check out the Simon Pearce Flagship store a little further northwest in Quechee. In addition to shopping (including Seconds), you can also watch glassblowers at work, and then savor an award-winning, farm-to-table meal at their restaurant situated over the waterfalls powering the studio.

Attraction #2: King Arthur Café/Bakery/Store/School, Norwich

This Revolutionary-era company’s state-of-the-art campus is an homage to all things baking. We popped in to grab sweets from the café and bakery … and literally got the last three items, because the eclipse crowds had wiped them out. When you go, I promise it’ll be a smorgasbord of breads, scones, sandwiches and every delectable carb you can imagine.

On our stop, they also had a patio event going on with live music, a wood-fired pizza truck, and bread-inspired beer. Check their social channels when you’re planning a trip!

Even if you’re a boxed mix kind of baker, this place is for you. The King Arthur baking store carries scores of scone, cookie, quick bread, and brownie mixes, along with all the fun stir-ins and sprinkles you can imagine!

As if all that wasn’t enough of a draw, you and your gal pals or a significant other can sign up for a baking class! ‘Afternoon Tea’, Beauty & the Baguette’, ‘Biscuits & Scones’ ‘Empanadas’ and ‘Hasty Pastry’ are just a handful of the dozens they offer in an afternoon format. (There are other courses spanning 3-5 days!) Before you come home, you can load up on specialty flours in the store so you can continue honing your new skills!

Lodging Option: Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee

Many hotels and accommodations in the White River Junction area offer discounts for King Arthur Baking School students! Lake Morey Resort, up the road in Fairlee is one of them. This lakeside resort isn’t a five-star stay, but its year-round amenities are more than adequate, plus it’s right off the highway. We stayed in April (brisk temps, and still snow piled in spots), and took advantage of the community board game table, billiards, indoor pool and workout facilities.

We also enjoyed dining in their restaurant with an idyllic view, while a talented singer/guitarist entertained. (There was a girls weekend group on the dance floor … my kids deemed this ‘cringe’, but of course, they are WRONG).

Our room was tidy, if a little dated, and the bathroom was tight, but spotless. During the warmer months, there is also golf and tennis on site, along with kayaking and other water sports. If your guy is anything like mine, he’d hit the links, water, or nearby slopes while I am in one of those King Arthur baking classes for 3-4 hours! Lake Morey Resort also has a solid line up of FREE summer concerts, so time your visit to catch an artist you’d like (fyi, most are midweek, but there are a couple on weekends)!

The next morning, we went into the little village of Fairlee, VT. On our way to Chapman’s General Store, we stumbled on Sunnyside Coffee Co., where they were brewing Abracadabra Coffee out of Woodstock, VT. They have one drip coffee available (no decision fatigue here), and it was FANTASTIC. They’ve also got lattes, chai, hot cocoa and bagels/cream cheese. The day was off to an excellent start.

Next door, Chapman’s is a classic Vermont general store, complete with hiking socks, syrup, souvenirs and even a little toy shop. They also carry high-quality and fairly-priced groceries, including fresh-baked bread — a great place to stock up on meat, cheese and a baguette before heading out on a hike!

Restaurants

Doubtless there are some great restaurants in this neck of the woods, and boy, did I try! But every one I looked up was closed on Sunday-Monday, some even Tuesday. So be warned! Locals told us about Broken Hearts Burger in Fairlee … if you check it out and like it, please let us know.

Hopefully, this gives you a jumping off point for a couple’s or girls weekend in Vermont! We didn’t GO into White River Junction itself, or hop across the White River from Norwich to Hanover, NH where the Dartmouth campus and college-based community thrives. Surely some fun shops and eateries lurk there! We did cross the White River at sunset, though, and were rewarded with this pretty shot. So much left undone… we’ll definitely be back!

Here is the local ‘Discovery Map’ for ideas of what else to do in the White River Junction area:

Suggested Itinerary for Couple’s or Girls Weekend in Vermont:

Friday:

• Simon Pearce Outlet, Windsor
• Strolling through a small town of your choosing
• Waterfall dinner at Simon Pearce restaurant, Quechee OR Lakeside dinner at Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee OR at your choice of lodging

Saturday:

• Early morning activity in the Great Outdoors
• Late morning Satur-YAY Mimosa flights at Putnam’s vine/yard Pop-up, WRJ (10-2) OR visit Farmhouse Pottery Studio, Woodstock
• Afternoon Baking Class at King Arthur Baking School, Norwich OR Golf/Skiing/Hiking
• Dinner in a small town of your choosing AND/OR Artistree community arts center, Pomfret for a show

Sunday:

• Antiquing/Shopping OR more time in the Great Outdoors
• Brunch at The Nest, Hanover OR in a small town you haven’t tried yet!
• If you missed Putnam’s vine/yard yesterday, hit up this plant shop/wine bar/garden school for sips or a class or both, WRJ
• Briggs Opera House, WRJ OR Enfield Shaker Museum, Enfield OR Billings Farm & Museum

One last tip… Quechee hosts an annual hot air balloon festival. Plan accordingly!

Subcribe here for more couple’s or girls trip ideas when they’re released!