Woodstock, Vermont is a charming town full of authentic art, beautiful natural scenery, and discreet luxury. By, Margaret Loftus
With a traditional New England village green, white church spires rising above Victorian storefronts, and covered bridges spanning the Quechee River, Woodstock, Vermont looks like it was conjured up by Currier and Ives. But the town has a lot more going for it than its postcard-perfect looks. Arts and crafts thrive here, and the great outdoors beckons with top-notch hiking, biking, skiing, and golf-all less than a three-hour drive from the North Shore.
Stay
At forefront of the village green, the 142-room Woodstock Inn is strategically located for exploring town on foot, but actually leaving its cozy confines is another matter. Guests are greeted by a roaring fire in the lobby’s massive fieldstone fireplace, setting the tone for warm Vermont touches throughout, from paintings depicting rural New England life to Simon Pearce glass lamps on guest room nightstands. The resort has bikes available for rent, a Nordic ski center, and an 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. But the latest draw is the stunning LEED-certified spa that opened last fall, a serene space that incorporates the outdoors through its design and treatments. Try the 100-minute seasonal signature treatment: a vanilla-maple scrub, body wrap, and deep-tissue massage. 14 The Green, 800-448-7900
Eat
The Woodstock Inn’s sophisticated but casual vibe is reflected in The Red Rooster’s menu, with classics like filet mignon in red port wine sauce and oysters Rockefeller. 14 The Green, 800-448-7900. A short walk away, the bistro Prince & the Pauper gets many of its ingredients from local purveyors, including the house-made country pate. 24 Elm Street, 802-457-1818, princeandpauper.com. In nearby Quechee, diners at Simon Pearce can peruse three showroom floors of handcrafted house wares before indulging in dishes like horseradish-crusted blue cod and seared local venison. 1760 Quechee Main Street, 802-295-1470, simonpearce.com.
See
Gallery on the Green specializes in New England artists known for their rural landscapes, including Marieluise Hutchinson and Chip Evans. One The Green, 802-457-4956, galleryonthegreen.com. A few doors down, the rambling Gillingham’s is the quintessential Vermont general store, peddling everything from muck boots to French macaroons. 16 Elm Street, 802-457-2100, gillinghams.com. Kids will love the Billings Farm and Museum, a working dairy farm with exhibits on 19th-century farm life. Route 12 and River Road, 802-457-2355, billingsfarm.org. Shackleton & Thomas, the showroom and studios of renowned furniture craftsman Charles Shackleton and master potter Miranda Thomas, is well worth the 15-minute drive west along the Quechee River. The Mill, Route 4, Bridgewater, 802-672-5175, shackletonthomas.com.