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Route 100 stretches 216 scenic miles along the spine of the Green Mountains through 33 classic villages and towns, from Stamford to Pittsfield to Westfield. Some of Vermont’s most notable ski areas and attractions can be found along the route, including Mount Snow, Okemo, Sugarbush, the Vermont Country Store, and Ben & Jerry’s.

Starting at the Massachusetts border, Route 100 travels north-south and ends just below Newport. Route 100, which earliest origins date back to the 1700s, follows rivers and the contours of the Vermont landscape, making it one of the most beautiful and popular roads in the Green Mountain State.

Cask and Kiln Kitchen in Wilmington

Located in the heart of downtown Wilmington at the junction of Routes 100 and 9, the Cask and Kiln Kitchen offers a delicious seasonal menu, creative cocktails, and a sophisticated yet cozy vibe. The restaurant, located in a building that dates back to the 1930s, includes finer dining on the first floor with a casual lounge upstairs. (4 North Main Street/Route 100, Wilmington; 802-464-CASK (2275); caskandkiln.com)

Sticky Fingers Bakery in West Dover

Since first opening in May 2010, Sticky Fingers Bakery has made a name for itself as a local bakery. Serving homemade pastries, ice cream, desserts, cookies, breads, and celebration cakes, Sticky Fingers is worth the trip.  (210 VT-100, West Dover; 802-464-9463; stickyfingersvermontbakery.com)

Mount Snow in West Dover

As one of the very first ski areas on the East Coast, Mount Snow offers skiing, mountain biking, golf, hiking trails, and children’s summer camps.  With a summit elevation of 3,600 feet, Mount Snow offers 87 trails and a variety of terrain for beginner, intermediate and expert skiers and snowboarders. In the summer and fall, it’s an incredible place to explore the outdoors with scenic views and a dynamic mountain biking trail system. (West Dover; 800-245-SNOW; mountsnow.com)

Honeypie in Rawsonville

The couple behind the James-Beard nominated SoLo Farm and Table opened Honeypie in an old gas station in Rawsonville, just across the street from Meulemans’ Craft Drafts. Owned by Wesley and Chloe Genovart, Honeypie offers a tasty selection of burgers, lobster rolls, chicken sandwiches, house-made sausage sandwiches, fries, beer, wine, soft drinks, and milkshakes. (8811 Route 30, Rawsonville; 802-548-4999; eatathoneypie.com)

Vermont Country Store

Owned and operated by the Orton family since 1946, the Vermont Country Store started as a small mail-order business before becoming one of Vermont’s top visitor destinations.  The store is known for selling practical, offbeat, and hard-to-find items, such as Dr. Scholl’s sandals and children’s Fisher-Price record players. The Vermont Country Store also carries jewelry, classic kitchenware, soap, cheese, candy and much more. (657 Main Street/Route 100, Weston; 802-824-3184; vermontcountrystore.com)

Okemo Mountain Resort

Okemo is a family-owned ski area that is home to 121 trails and five mountain areas that include Jackson Gore Peak, Solitude Peak, South Face, Glades Peak and South Ride. The year-round Adventure Zone is sure to please all ages, and mountain biking and golf make this southern Vermont resort the perfect outdoor playground.  (77 Okemo Ridge Road, Ludlow; 800-78-OKEMO; okemo.com)

Green Mountain Sugar House in Ludlow

This family-owned maple sugaring business got its start more than 50 years ago, when David and Marjorie Harlow opened a sugarhouse near the shore of Lake Pauline. In 1985, the couple sold the business to their daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Doug Rose. They continue the tradition of tapping trees, boiling sap, and packing syrup into jugs and glass bottles. They also make their own maple candy, maple cream, and maple nut brittle. Don’t forget to order a maple creemee while you’re there. (820 Route 100, Ludlow; 800-643-9338; gmsh.com)

Original Country Store in Pittsfield

The Original General Store is one of the best country stores in Vermont. The store sells wine, coffee, smoothies, snacks, beer, as well as burgers, BLTs, and pancakes.  In the back of the store is The Backroom, a tiny restaurant that seats 20 people in a communal dining setting from November to June. (3963 Route 100, Pittsfield, VT; www.vermontsoriginalstore.com)

Moss Glen Falls in Granville

A tour of Route 100 must include Moss Glen Falls, a magnificent 30-foot waterfall. The falls are located on the western edge of Route 100 in the Granville Gulf Reservation, a six-mile, winding stretch of untouched wilderness between Rochester and Warren. (Route 100, Granville)

Sugarbush Resort

With 111 trails spread across two mountains—Lincoln Peak and Mount Ellen—Sugarbush has something for skiers and riders of all ages and levels. Trails on Castle Rock are known for being among the most natural and challenging expert terrain around. In the summer and fall, enjoy hiking, a zipline, downhill biking, scenic lift rides, and more. (102 Forrest Drive, Warren; 800-537-8427; sugarbush.com)

Ben & Jerry’s in Waterbury

Vermont’s most popular tourist attraction is also one of the tastiest places to visit. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, who started scooping their famous Vermont ice cream 40 years ago, are the guys behind Cherry Garcia, Heath Bar Crunch, and Chunky Monkey.  Every year, thousands of visitors flock to the Route 100 factory for 30-minute tours, free samples, and a gift shop. (1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road/Route 100, Waterbury; 866-258-6877; benandjerrys.com)

Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury Center  

Cold Hollow Cider Mill is one of New England’s largest producers of fresh apple cider—last year they used 7.5 million pounds of apples. Cold Hollow draws busloads of visitors who watch cider being made on a vintage 1920 press, then sample the goods. While Cold Hollow has always been a place to pick up a variety of specialty foods like apple jelly, butters, and sauces, you can now add hard cider to the mix. Their relatively new hard cider, Barn Dance, is sold exclusively at Cold Hollow in the Apple Core Luncheonette & Brew. (3600 Waterbury-Stowe Road/Route 100, Waterbury Center; 800-3-APPLES; coldhollow.com)

Although New England is better known for its charming small towns and scenic vistas (famously one of the best places to see fall’s foliage), it’s also home to some of the best beaches. Here, our favorite sandy swaths along New England’s coastline and its surrounding islands.

Coast Guard Beach, Massachusetts
Cape Cod has some of the most postcard-perfect beaches in the region, but we love this one because it’s ideal for families. The sand is super soft (great for little feet), the waves are shallow enough for young swimmers and boogie-board enthusiasts, and the local seals are always a highlight.

Mohegan Bluffs Beach, Rhode Island
Little Block Island, off the southern coast of Rhode Island, offers an impressive 17 miles of beaches, none more spectacular than this quiet spot on the island’s southwest reaches. Situated 150 feet below its namesake bluffs (and accessible by a 140-step staircase), the beach has spectacular views—on a clear day, you can see all the way to Montauk on neighboring Long Island.

East Beach, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
On those summer days when Martha’s Vineyard gets a bit too crowded, hop on The Chappy Ferry for a two-minute ride from Edgartown to Chappaquiddick island. Head east to the end of Dike Bridge Road, and plant yourself on secluded East Beach (also known as Leland Beach), where locals fishing from the shore and seabirds far outnumber tourists.

Goose Rocks Beach, Maine
Located in tony Kennebunkport (where the Bush family summers), this quiet beach spans three miles so you won’t need to compete for space when throwing down your beach blanket. At low tide, keep an eye out for the barrier reef that protects the beach surfaces, also known as Goose Rocks.

Siasconset Beach, Nantucket, Massachusetts
If you’re looking for a respite from the clambakes and crowds on Nantucket’s main beaches, bike over to this secluded spot. Located on the island’s more eastern tip, Siasconset Beach is a little more untrammeled and a lot less congested.

Mansion Beach, Rhode Island
Another Block Island favorite is this small northern beach, famous among body surfers and their admirers. Expect some pretty intense waves when storms are brewing in the Atlantic. On calmer days, it’s idyllic for ambles and sunbathing.

Mario Nardelli
Shuttle Driver

Mario has worked at Handy Chevrolet since September 4th, 2002. He worked on the sales floor for 11 years at Chevy. He has lived in Vermont for 32 years and loves all the different seasons we have up in the north. If Mario could have any car his choice would be a Tahoe LTZ. He spends his weekends playing music, fishing in Vermont’s peaceful rivers, and golfing out on the greens. His favorite movie is a classic The Godfather. A few of his hobbies include playing guitar and writing songs. He plans to travel the USA once he has retired.

A Few Reasons Why Vermont Is Hands-Down The Best State In The Northeast

If you live here, you already know that VT is the best state in the Northeast. From charming towns to extraordinary people, this little state sure has it all. Check out some of the reasons why we love it and be sure to add your own in the comments.

Low crime rates

Safety first! When you look at reports like this one in the Burlington Free Press about safety, Vermont usually tops the list among all other states.

Wide open spaces

If you’re not one for crowds, then Vermont is the place for you. We have the second lowest population in the country, and even the state capital of Montpelier has less than 8,000 residents!

Location, location, location!

If you’re looking for a city fix, New York, Boston and Montreal are all within driving distance.

Year-round outdoor activities

If you love to embrace the outdoors, skiing, hiking, biking, swimming and more await! Not to mention stunning scenery while you do it!

Community matters

From helping neighbors to our annual Green Up Day, Vermont communities are always ready to lend a helping hand.

Fresh Foods

Vermont has always been a leader in the farm to table movement, and fresh foods are available to everyone at the local shops and farmers markets.

Naturally fun

Vermont is full of great swimming holes which are a natural – and free – way to cool down on a hot day.

Endless hiking

You can always find a hiking trail nearby, no matter where you are in the Green Mountain State. Fresh air? No problem!

World famous foliage

Hands down, Vermont has the best foliage not in just the Northeast, but in the world. Yes, the world!

Museums

You’ll find museums that embrace the outdoors and some of the most remarkable and unique exhibits here.

Vermont Maple Syrup

Vermont Maple Syrup is incredible and we use it on just about anything. After all, life is sweeter here!

Meet the modern legend of hybrid efficiency!

The Prius name has become something of a legend in the automotive community, as it was one of the first vehicles to make hybrid vehicle technology mainstream. Since then, it has become the most popular and famous of all the hybrids on the road.

Hybrid power

The Toyota Prius is synonymous with fuel efficiency thanks to its hybrid powertrain system. Each 2018 Prius, regardless of trim level, comes with the same engine under the hood.

The powerplant for the Prius starts with a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder aluminum double-overhead-cam engine, which produces 95 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque. This gas engine is combined with a sealed nickel-metal hydride battery and an electric drive motor, which puts out 71 horsepower and 120 lb-ft of torque. This system creates a net 121 horsepower, all of it transferred to the front wheels through an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission.

That powertrain delivers fuel efficiency numbers of 54 mpg in the city, 50 mpg on the highway and 52 mpg combined.*

Many Prius models

Since the Prius is so popular, Toyota has generated many different trim levels to appeal to different drivers’ desires. The base-level Prius One offers the impressive efficiency of the Prius at a price available to most drivers. From there, features are added across the remaining trim levels:  Two, Three and Four.

Special trims

For 2018, Prius also comes in special versions for the Two, Three and Four models.

For the Prius Two, the special trim is called the Two Eco. This iteration replaces the standard nickel-metal hydride battery with a lithium-ion version to offer even better gas mileage of up to 58 mpg in the city, 53 mpg on the highway and 56 mpg combined.**

For both the Prius Three and Four, the upgraded trim levels are called the Three Touring and Four Touring, respectively. Each takes its mainstream trim and adds several features, including unique suspension tuning, integrated fog lights, LED accent lights, 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and a distinctive rear bumper treatment.

No matter what the trim level or battery type, the 2018 Toyota Prius continues the nameplate’s legacy as the absolute ideal example of hybrid efficiency.

*2018 EPA-estimated 54 city/50 highway/52 combined mpg for Prius. Actual mileage will vary.

**2018 EPA-estimated 58 city/53 highway/56 combined mpg for Prius Two Eco. Actual mileage will vary.