Quechee itinerary scene

Weekend itinerary

Two nights in Quechee: gorge, raptors, and glass

Arrive Friday for the covered bridge and mill village, spend Saturday at Quechee Gorge and VINS, and watch glassblowing before Sunday's drive home.

By Cal Mercer — a Second Star Guide itinerary

Saturday combines Quechee Gorge and VINS; Sunday morning covers the mill and covered bridge.

Best length

2 nights

Two nights provide one full Saturday for Quechee Gorge and VINS, plus shorter Friday and Sunday windows around the mill village.

Stay

The Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm

The Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm is a historic Quechee inn with rooms, tavern and restaurant service, and short drives to VINS, the gorge, and the mill.

Main activity

Quechee Gorge

See the gorge from the bridge first. Add the wooded descent only when footing, daylight, and current park guidance suit the group.

Time split

One full day and two shorter village windows

Schedule the gorge trail, VINS, and Simon Pearce in separate parts of the weekend.

Covered bridge beside the Ottauquechee River in Quechee
Friday evening introduces the mill village and covered bridge beside the river.
Raptor presentation at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science
VINS adds live raptors, forest exhibits, and the canopy walk to Saturday's gorge outing.
Glassblowers working at the Quechee mill
Sunday morning centers on the glassblowing floor, mill falls, and nearby bridge.

Friday

Check in, walk by the covered bridge, and eat nearby

After check-in, see the Ottauquechee River around the mill and covered bridge before dark. Keep dinner in Quechee rather than adding another Upper Valley drive.

4:00 PM

Saturday

See Quechee Gorge, then continue to VINS

Begin at the US-4 bridge overlook while parking is easier. Descend the trail only when current conditions suit the group, then spend the afternoon with the raptors and forest exhibits at VINS.

4:30 PM

Afternoon

Spend Saturday afternoon at VINS

VINS is open daily and combines live raptor programs, forest exhibits, nature trails, and the Forest Canopy Walk. Check the day's program times before leaving the gorge.

Sunday

Watch glassblowing before the drive home

Have breakfast, watch glassblowers at Simon Pearce, and step outside for the mill falls and covered bridge. Woodstock is an optional westbound extension, not a required stop.