Best Places to Visit on a Trip Between Buffalo, NY and Barre City, VT

If you're looking for a road trip full of natural beauty, quaint towns and amazing food, then a journey between Buffalo and Barre City should be high on your list. This trip offers stunning views, hidden gems and some of the finest cuisine in America.

Route and Halfway Point

This winding drive takes you through picturesque countryside, the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains. The halfway point is Herkimer, NY, which is located just off I-90. Here, you can take a break from driving and explore a charming town filled with antique shops and great restaurants.

Top Five Places to Visit

1. Watkins Glen State Park
   • Discover the natural beauty of this stunning park filled with waterfalls and gorges.
2. Letchworth State Park
   • Known as the "Grand Canyon of the East," this park offers incredible vistas, hiking trails and whitewater rafting.
3. Saranac Lake
   • Take a break from the car and explore this charming town surrounded by lakes and mountains.
4. Burlington, VT
   • This lakeside city offers a vibrant arts scene, great restaurants and unique shops.
5. Barre City
   • Known as the "Granite Center of the World," this town boasts beautiful granite sculptures and quarries.

Watkins Glen State Park

Watkins Glen State Park offers a natural oasis in a state park filled with magnificent rock formations, cascading waterfalls, and lush forest. The park’s most popular attraction is the Gorge Trail, which takes visitors on an up-close journey through 19 waterfalls and over 800 stone steps. This sight is a must-see during any visit to the area.

Letchworth State Park

Located about an hour and a half from Buffalo, the Letchworth State Park offers breathtaking views of the Genesee River Gorge. The scene includes stunning waterfalls, as well as a look into the region's history with structures like the Glen Iris Inn, William Pryor Letchworth Museum and the Seneca Council House. The park also offers plenty of other activities to keep all ages entertained, from hiking and fishing to a hot air balloon ride.

Saranac Lake

Take a break by Saranac Lake, a village located near all three of the Adirondacks' major parks. With plenty of cafés, bars and shops just steps away from the lake shore, there’s no shortage of things to do. Spend an afternoon kayaking and taking in the views, or hit the town for live music and local cuisine. If you're looking for something more physically challenging, spend a day on the High Peaks hiking trail.

Burlington, VT

After you cross the border into Vermont, head to Burlington to sample some of the state's best craft breweries. While you're there, you can explore the city's lively arts scene, shop on Church Street and eat at one of its many excellent restaurants. Be sure to check out the nearby Shelburne Museum, which houses some of the nation's best collections of folk and decorative art.

Barre City

The final destination is Barre City, which features some of the world's most beautiful granite sculptures. Take a stroll through the historic downtown area to see works by famous sculptors who once made Barre their home, as well as living artists working in their workshops. You can also visit Hope Cemetery to check out the graveyard art, which features elaborate sculptures that many consider to be examples of beautiful and daring folk art.

Conclusion

A road trip from Buffalo to Barre City offers a journey through history, nature and culture. From hiking trails through waterfalls to quaint towns filled with shops and restaurants, it's the perfect getaway for anyone looking to relax and explore.