<p>Any recommendations on where to stay? Any places to avoid? We're looking for something cheap and convenient; otherwise, not too particular.</p>
<p>Also, any "don't miss" activities or excursions while we're in the area?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>The best place to stay in my opinion is the Marriott Courtyard in Middlebury, just make sure you ask for the college discount. It is located on the opposite side of town from the college but it is a quick 5 minute drive and a very nice hotel.</p>
<p>Don’t know if you’ve already been by now, BUT
When I went to Middlebury, I went up to the Breadloaf campus and went to Robert Frost’s cabin. Though I guess it has little to do with the actual college experience, it was really cool. When I went, I was let inside and got to look around. Its not like a stiff museum at all, and it was great to also see the nature that inspired frost. Since its only about 20 minutes away, go if you have the time!</p>
<p>I like the Inn on the Green. It’s a bit pricey but charming.</p>
<p>I actually think they’ve endowed a visiting professor or writer to have Frost’s house due to some vandalism this summer. Anyway… not so say it’s not worth the drive, but… </p>
<p>I would agree that we had a perfectly wonderful room at the courtyard, but had a really lovely time stayng at the Middlebury Inn… yes, a little pricey, but you have to love high tea at 4pm. Plus… our dinner there was fabulous.</p>
<p>+1 for Modadunn. The Middlebury Inn gives you an overall experience of the community that no chain hotel, even one as nice as Middlebury’s Marriott, can give. </p>
<p>Staying at a college town’s signature hotel, or at least a personal B&B or Inn, makes a great impression. Middlebury Inn fits that category. So does the one in Hanover when visiting Dartmouth. One of my all-time favorites was the Carolina Inn at UNC-Chapel Hill. During one of my trips to Duke over the next four years I hope to splurge at least once for the Washington Duke.</p>
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<p>Most of the community can’t afford the Inn. 
But it is a great place to stay, and the chef is excellent.</p>
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<p>If you’re interested in art, the Vt State Craft Center at Frog Hollow is fun; horses, the UVM Morgan Horse Farm.</p>
<p>[Locate</a> : UVM Morgan Horse Farm : University of Vermont](<a href=“http://asci.uvm.edu/morgan/?Page=locate.html]Locate”>http://asci.uvm.edu/morgan/?Page=locate.html)</p>
<p>[frog</a> hollow art middlebury - Google Search](<a href=“frog hollow art middlebury - Google Search”>frog hollow art middlebury - Google Search)</p>
<p>Crewdad’s right, i misspoke. I guess what I meant to say is that staying at the signature inn immerses you in a way that staying in a generic chain hotel just can’t.</p>
<p>Lax,</p>
<p>I have a tendency to be a bit of a smart-ass at times. Some would eliminate the smart before the hyphen.</p>
<p>I’m sure your intended meaning was well understood. Excellent point, as well.</p>
<p>Duke eh? Wife went to grad school there. I’m trying to get dtr #2 to consider the university but as of now it’s a no-go. Too hot. I was under the impression air conditiong was invented to alleviate that problem. Obviously dtr sees things differently.</p>
<p>I know some Duke Alum… my FIL most notably. First person in his family to go outside the Yale bubble back in the day (and yes, he was accepted at Yale as well). But he was the adventurer. Must have run in the family because H didn’t even apply to Yale and went to Tulane… Must be something about the south. Can you believe he’ll see Middlebury for the first time since 1977 when he saw it as a potential student himself when we talk S for orientation!! Due to the huge influx of parents we are actually staying in Brandon after the first night. So, hopefully it’s not TOO Far and hopefully, it’s a quaint little town as well!!</p>
<p>Brandon is very quaint with a band stand. It has an excellent French restaurant whose name escapes me.</p>
<p>My mother was born in Brandon, so it has a special place in my heart. She was born at home in 1924. She grew up in Bennington, so it’s completely fitting that S attends Williams which is in spitting distance of Bennington.</p>
<p>Modadunn: That sounds wonderful. And you’ll have people to party with in Brandon. Enjoy.</p>
<p>CrewDad and others: Frog Hollow State Craft Center closed in Middlebury earlier this year. Sad, but true. Moda: the French Restaurant in Brandon is Cafe Provence — owned and run by Chef Robert, former head chef at the New England Culinary Institute. A great restaurant, though there were rumors that the restaurant might not survive the recession. Let’s hope it does survive.</p>
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<p>The women? :)</p>
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<p>Afer being married at Middlebury and having our reception at the Snow bowl, which the college was kind enough to donate to us, we spend our first night as a married couple at a wonderful Inn in Brandon. Fond memories.</p>
<p>Six degrees of separation?</p>
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<p>Cant speak for FIL, although he did marry a sweet briar girl. I think H however was drawn to the french quarter. :)</p>
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<p>I thought it was seven… ?</p>
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<p>Aren’t the French Quarter and women synonyms?</p>
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<p>My bad… I thought it had something to do with Kevin Bacon. :-)</p>
<p>And I think his experience in the french quarter had more to do with drinking copious amounts of liquor, but if I am to believe him, the southern belle of sophie newcomb was more about yanking your chain than ringing your bell. Of course, maybe he just doesn’t remember. :)</p>
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<p>Selective memory is God’s way of saving men from themselves.</p>