Vermont bike trip

[wawa]

It's happening! I'm actually going on this trip. We finally nailed down dates with the grandparents to mind the children so we can run away and ride our bikes around lake Champlain.

It'll be the first week of September.

shauni27 give me your recs for places to eat and drink! Or where to stay in Burlington.

[wawa]

Also accepting suggestions for things to eat anywhere around lake Champlain or in Montreal.

[wawa]

Now that I've read your recap...mrshandy suggestions in Burlington and Montreal? Lol

[shauni27]

ooooh goody! Ok, first, remind me of the trip details. What is your route? and how many days in Burlington, etc?

[mrshandy]

We just came back from there.

Burlington - I don't have too many since we were only there for a day and we were cheap and dealing with the kids in tow
August First is a great little bakery for breakfast. The maple biscuit was to die for.
Skinny Pancake is great for a quick yummy and cheapish meal.

Montreal-
La Banquise is the best place to go for Poutine. A billion varieties. It gets busy so go early! We got there at 1115 or so and it was just filling up.
Stash Cafe was the best meal we had I think when we were there. It's Polish food but oh so good! Another place you might want reservations for if you're going on a weekend.
We also went to Cirque du Soleil which was amazing! Highly recommend if you're interested. It's going on all summer.
We had lunch at Creperie Chez Suzette and that was yummy as well.

Not too much bar hopping since we had the kids in tow so I can't help you there. Where are you staying? We stayed near Old Town at an Embassy Suites. It was fine enough, but I think there are better places to stay that would be closer to more variety of bars and restaurants. Our area was kind of downtown and shut down at night.

The Archaeology Museum was really, really cool and my favorite thing we saw.

[wawa]

Apr 30, 2019 13:50:10 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

ooooh goody! Ok, first, remind me of the trip details. What is your route? and how many days in Burlington, etc?

Arrive in Burlington mid day sat the 1st by car. Head out Sunday am by Bike to the south, cut over on a ferry then bike north through ny to Canada, mess about a bit in Canada, then back south through the islandy bit to arrive back on Burlington on Saturday the 7th and leave early the next morning to drive home.

Exact details between there tbd but that works out to two Saturday evenings in Burlington and two super early breakfasts.

[wawa]

Apr 30, 2019 14:05:16 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

We just came back from there.

Burlington - I don't have too many since we were only there for a day and we were cheap and dealing with the kids in tow
August First is a great little bakery for breakfast. The maple biscuit was to die for.
Skinny Pancake is great for a quick yummy and cheapish meal.

Montreal-
La Banquise is the best place to go for Poutine. A billion varieties. It gets busy so go early! We got there at 1115 or so and it was just filling up.
Stash Cafe was the best meal we had I think when we were there. It's Polish food but oh so good! Another place you might want reservations for if you're going on a weekend.
We also went to Cirque du Soleil which was amazing! Highly recommend if you're interested. It's going on all summer.
We had lunch at Creperie Chez Suzette and that was yummy as well.

Not too much bar hopping since we had the kids in tow so I can't help you there. Where are you staying? We stayed near Old Town at an Embassy Suites. It was fine enough, but I think there are better places to stay that would be closer to more variety of bars and restaurants. Our area was kind of downtown and shut down at night.

The Archaeology Museum was really, really cool and my favorite thing we saw.

Not a clue yet where we're staying. I'm not even sure if it'll be one night or two.

Has to be somewhere that doesn't mind our bikes in our room, so can't be too fancy.

[mrshandy]

Apr 30, 2019 14:22:43 GMT -5 wawa said:

Apr 30, 2019 14:05:16 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

We just came back from there.

Burlington - I don't have too many since we were only there for a day and we were cheap and dealing with the kids in tow
August First is a great little bakery for breakfast. The maple biscuit was to die for.
Skinny Pancake is great for a quick yummy and cheapish meal.

Montreal-
La Banquise is the best place to go for Poutine. A billion varieties. It gets busy so go early! We got there at 1115 or so and it was just filling up.
Stash Cafe was the best meal we had I think when we were there. It's Polish food but oh so good! Another place you might want reservations for if you're going on a weekend.
We also went to Cirque du Soleil which was amazing! Highly recommend if you're interested. It's going on all summer.
We had lunch at Creperie Chez Suzette and that was yummy as well.

Not too much bar hopping since we had the kids in tow so I can't help you there. Where are you staying? We stayed near Old Town at an Embassy Suites. It was fine enough, but I think there are better places to stay that would be closer to more variety of bars and restaurants. Our area was kind of downtown and shut down at night.

The Archaeology Museum was really, really cool and my favorite thing we saw.

Not a clue yet where we're staying. I'm not even sure if it'll be one night or two.

Has to be somewhere that doesn't mind our bikes in our room, so can't be too fancy.

There were some nice airBnBs that I was eyeing that would probably work well for you. They were more reasonable than most hotels. 

[shauni27]

I think Airbnb would be your best bet for most places, honestly. I hate having to deal with small hotel rooms and not having full privacy with equipment, etc. There are no bad neighborhoods, but if you want recs for nice places to stay, let me know. The island (South and North Hero) will be significantly cheaper than in Burlington and the "mainland."

The only other suggested place is the Basin Harbor club down in Vergennes which is right on your route. Think of the resort in Dirty Dancing and that is Basin Harbor. It is cute and fun and casual and lovely. You rent little cabins (or big cabins!) and it is great.

For food, Burlington is great, but Winooski is more where the locals go. On that note, you may look at staying in Winooski instead of downtown Burlington for a slightly cheaper Airbnb/hotel. Top restaurants in Winooski are Hen of the Wood ($$$), Waterworks and Tiny Thai. Misery Loves Company is fun for a happy hour type thing.

In Burlington, just make sure you go to Church Street and walk around. It is so cute and fun. More touristy for sure, but for a reason American Flatbread is quintessential and casual and delicious. Leunigs is good, but I prefer Hen of the Woods or Waterworks. Grab the signature "red onion" sandwich at Red Onion for the road and enjoy it later in the day. SO good, even if no longer warm. Red Onion is also great for breakfast, but if you want hearty and fatty breakfast sammies, the Kountry Kart Deli is the BEST. You can also get an ice cream cone at Ben and Jerry's on Church Street. For a good beer you can go to the VT Pub and BRewery (food is "meh" or The Farmhouse Tap and Grille." Nectars is famous for Phish fans. Three Needs is a younger (think 20 year olds) bar but is really good, cheap, no frills.

I think you will have a great time--perfect weather! My favorite towns in Vermont are Charlotte (pronounced Shar-LOT) and Shelburne. They are so, so beautiful. Gorgeous farmland.

Attachments:

[shauni27]

ok, I am done. These are from the last time we were up there just driving around the lake.

Attachments:

[al320]

Hen of the wood!

Also, unrelated to what you asked - i was there a few years ago in august and the ragweed was nothing like anything ive ever experienced. Bring allergy meds if you think you might have a problem (ragweed has never specifically bothered me before).

[shauni27]

May 2, 2019 2:50:17 GMT -5 al320 said:

Hen of the wood!

Also, unrelated to what you asked - i was there a few years ago in august and the ragweed was nothing like anything ive ever experienced. Bring allergy meds if you think you might have a problem (ragweed has never specifically bothered me before).

also! yellow flowers along the road are poison parsnip. Do not go near! They look pretty (like yellow Queen Ann's Lace) but they are awful and taking over the state. Hundreds if not thousands of people end up in the ER annually due to poison parsnip. It makes poison ivy feel like a cake walk.

[wawa]

May 2, 2019 7:15:49 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

May 2, 2019 2:50:17 GMT -5 al320 said:

Hen of the wood!

Also, unrelated to what you asked - i was there a few years ago in august and the ragweed was nothing like anything ive ever experienced. Bring allergy meds if you think you might have a problem (ragweed has never specifically bothered me before).

also! yellow flowers along the road are poison parsnip. Do not go near! They look pretty (like yellow Queen Ann's Lace) but they are awful and taking over the state. Hundreds if not thousands of people end up in the ER annually due to poison parsnip. It makes poison ivy feel like a cake walk.

THIS IS EXCELLENT ADVICE AND i THANK YOU!!  that's not the kind of thing I'd have any idea about.  

[shauni27]

May 2, 2019 12:10:21 GMT -5 wawa said:

May 2, 2019 7:15:49 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

also! yellow flowers along the road are poison parsnip. Do not go near! They look pretty (like yellow Queen Ann's Lace) but they are awful and taking over the state. Hundreds if not thousands of people end up in the ER annually due to poison parsnip. It makes poison ivy feel like a cake walk.

THIS IS EXCELLENT ADVICE AND i THANK YOU!!  that's not the kind of thing I'd have any idea about.  

even though we know not to touch the stuff, and I go out of my way to avoid it, we all always end up with at least a small patch of it every year. I honestly do not know how I get it, but I do.

My H, since he works outside all year, including haying the ski area he runs, gets it terribly. And if he gets it, it spreads all over his body very easily.

It is terribly invasive stuff. Even 5 years ago we hardly saw it and now it is taking over. They cannot burn it because it gets in the air and smoke and causes breathing problems. And when they cut it, it spreads even more.


www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/what-to-do-about-vermonts-poison-parsnip-problem/Content?oid=18654563


graphic:

www.foxnews.com/health/vermont-woman-reveals-horrific-wild-parsnip-burns-in-warning-about-dangerous-plant

[wawa]

May 2, 2019 12:48:06 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

May 2, 2019 12:10:21 GMT -5 wawa said:

THIS IS EXCELLENT ADVICE AND i THANK YOU!!  that's not the kind of thing I'd have any idea about.  

even though we know not to touch the stuff, and I go out of my way to avoid it, we all always end up with at least a small patch of it every year. I honestly do not know how I get it, but I do.

My H, since he works outside all year, including haying the ski area he runs, gets it terribly. And if he gets it, it spreads all over his body very easily.

It is terribly invasive stuff. Even 5 years ago we hardly saw it and now it is taking over. They cannot burn it because it gets in the air and smoke and causes breathing problems. And when they cut it, it spreads even more.


www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/what-to-do-about-vermonts-poison-parsnip-problem/Content?oid=18654563


graphic:

www.foxnews.com/health/vermont-woman-reveals-horrific-wild-parsnip-burns-in-warning-about-dangerous-plant

Holy shit.

[shauni27]

wawa,just be aware of it, don't tramp through it to go to the bathroom on the side of the road, etc.

[wawa]

May 2, 2019 13:35:19 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

wawa,just be aware of it, don't tramp through it to go to the bathroom on the side of the road, etc.

Yeah, I just sent a picture of it to H and told him "don't walk into this to pee"

[shauni27]

May 2, 2019 14:09:46 GMT -5 wawa said:

May 2, 2019 13:35:19 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

wawa ,just be aware of it, don't tramp through it to go to the bathroom on the side of the road, etc.

Yeah, I just sent a picture of it to H and told him "don't walk into this to pee"

G has dealt with it...down there...before. Can you imagine??

[wawa]

Input wanted- right now we have three options. I mean really we have endless options, but we have these three mapped out.

All three start and finish in Burlington and circle the lake clockwise.

1. Cross the lake at the larabee-ticonderoga ferry. One night in Montreal, with a short ride the next day (only 20 mi) so we can spend most of the day touristing around the city.

2. Cross the lake at the essex-charlotte ferry, spend two nights in Montreal.

3. Cross to Essex, then side trip to ride up Whiteface. One night in Montreal.

Thoughts on 1 - see more of the lake. Stay in more places (this version doesn't repeat any overnights. The others both do). Least time in Montreal.

Thoughts on 2- more Montreal! That's a lot of not biking for a bike trip though. And we only stay in 5 places vs. 7 with 1. And it's a lot less of the lake.

Thoughts on 3. Same thing with less lake. And also only 5 locations. Also the mountain sounds terrifying (but also awesome). Has the option for slightly more Montreal time than #2 since the days on either side are both low mileage.

Unspoken #4 is skipping Montreal in favor of going further south but I think that's off the table because i like food and Montreal has lots. Could also replace the mountain side trip with something else if there's something else worth spending a day riding to.

[al320]

May 2, 2019 14:47:52 GMT -5 wawa said:

Input wanted- right now we have three options. I mean really we have endless options, but we have these three mapped out.

All three start and finish in Burlington and circle the lake clockwise.

1. Cross the lake at the larabee-ticonderoga ferry. One night in Montreal, with a short ride the next day (only 20 mi) so we can spend most of the day touristing around the city.

2. Cross the lake at the essex-charlotte ferry, spend two nights in Montreal.

3. Cross to Essex, then side trip to ride up Whiteface. One night in Montreal.

Thoughts on 1 - see more of the lake. Stay in more places (this version doesn't repeat any overnights. The others both do). Least time in Montreal.

Thoughts on 2- more Montreal! That's a lot of not biking for a bike trip though. And we only stay in 5 places vs. 7 with 1. And it's a lot less of the lake.

Thoughts on 3. Same thing with less lake. And also only 5 locations. Also the mountain sounds terrifying (but also awesome). Has the option for slightly more Montreal time than #2 since the days on either side are both low mileage.

Unspoken #4 is skipping Montreal in favor of going further south but I think that's off the table because i like food and Montreal has lots. Could also replace the mountain side trip with something else if there's something else worth spending a day riding to.

I love montreal, so my vote is for whatever gives you the most time there

[mrshandy]

ditto al320,

You would probably want more than one night there.

[shauni27]

wawa now that this is just about a week away, update me on your schedule! I can try to help pinpoint more once I know where exactly you will be for each night

[wawa]

Aug 22, 2019 11:20:41 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

wawa now that this is just about a week away, update me on your schedule! I can try to help pinpoint more once I know where exactly you will be for each night

Omg it's so close! Lemme send you a pm. Fb ok?

[shauni27]

Aug 22, 2019 12:46:02 GMT -5 wawa said:

Aug 22, 2019 11:20:41 GMT -5 shauni27 said:

wawa now that this is just about a week away, update me on your schedule! I can try to help pinpoint more once I know where exactly you will be for each night

Omg it's so close! Lemme send you a pm. Fb ok?

10-4!