Budding beauty

Quintessential New England town is a sight to see

October 15, 2008|Paul E. Kandarian, Globe Correspondent

WOODSTOCK, VT.
DISTANCE FROM BOSTON: 156 miles
POPULATION: 3,232
WEBSITE: www.woodstockvt.com
ODD FACT: In January 1934 on a hill at Clinton Gilbert's farm, a rope tow, powered by a Ford Model T engine, hauled skiers uphill, becoming one of the nation's first ski tows. The contraption helped mark a new era in winter sports.

Woodstock is a place within a place, one of the few municipalities in Vermont organized as a town and having an incorporated village within it. The Town of Woodstock is governed by a five-member board of selectmen while the Village of Woodstock is governed by a five-member board of trustees. Each entity has its own set of zoning bylaws that regulate land and property use. All of it is known for its Currier & Ives beauty, Victorian architecture, quintessential village green, and downtown shopping area. It is the only town in America with four Paul Revere church bells, and it is where the famous Morgan horse breed was born. Speaking of horses, remember that famous Budweiser commercial from 1986 featuring Clydesdales tromping through deep snow? That was shot in Woodstock.

StayThe Woodstocker Inn (61 River St., 802-457-3896, www.wood stockervt.com, rooms $110-$340 but subject to change) is a wonderfully eclectic inn of nine rooms, all brightly painted (the building's exterior is screaming yellow) and quirky; one room's bathroom has his-and-her claw foot tubs, another a bright red tub and sink. There is a wonderful, large library, and a tasty allegiance to health and the environment with a most expansive and delicious organic breakfast. If funky is not your thing, consider the elegant and classy Ardmore Inn (23 Pleasant St., 802-457-3887, www.ardmoreinn.com, rooms begin at $135), a restored 1867 Victorian Greek Revival home with tastefully appointed rooms. Breakfast is filling; try the Grand Marnier French toast. The iconic hotel in town is the Woodstock Inn (14 The Green, 802-457-1100, www.wood stockinn.com, rooms start at $195 but vary according to season), with 142 beautiful rooms, its own Nordic ski center and golf course, and a gigantic 10-foot fieldstone fireplace in its massive lobby.