Over the past couple of years, I have been lucky to be able to go on a few road trips to Vermont (traveling through NY). Each trip was a mixture of much-needed (yet busy) family time and working throughout the nights at the hotels.
I thought it would be a good opportunity to talk about where I stayed and the meals that were enjoyed along the way. (There were some beautiful views, too!) You can always follow me on Yelp for other food and business reviews. I also post more day-to-day content on Instagram and Facebook. Let’s jump right in by discussing where we stayed throughout the one or two nights we traveled…
Country Inn & Suites By Radisson
1130 Rt 9 Queensbury, NY 12804
Visit #1
While we only stayed here overnight, I really liked this inn. It is spacious, the beds are VERY comfortable and their amenities are amazing. If I ever come back, I will definitely take advantage of their exercise room and pool.
Their washrooms are spacious and you could probably fit about 10 other people in the shower. (Great water pressure, too)! Everything was nice, clean, and comfortable; I have zero complaints! I think I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow which is saying a lot!
It is right next to the rollercoaster from The Great Escape and is close to outlet shopping options so it’s convenient for both food and shopping.
Visit #2
Another visit made super comfortable thanks to Country Inn and Suites! The staff is always so nice here and they have some of the most accommodating and comfortable rooms.
It’s easy to change the heating/air conditioning/fan, the pool felt amazing this time (I finally used it!) and I love their breakfast and beverage setups. I truly have no complaints.
There was a bit of wear and tear on one of the walls but it appears to be quite new so I barely noticed it and don’t fault them for not having it fixed. I had to work a lot this trip and their internet was easy to use without any interruptions.
Overall, it was great and there’s a reason we always come back here!
Visit #3
Another great visit! This time I ate more of the breakfast and the eggs were great. We were likely going out to eat so I just had a small taste but they were still yummy. The OJ is always good (I love it but a fellow traveler thought it was too watery). I tried the apple juice as we checked out and it tasted amazing!
The rooms were comfortable, heating/cooling was great. There is a bit of wear and tear in a couple of places but it really wasn’t that bad. The outdoor pool area looks nice and will be great for Summer travelers. Even though I worked until the next morning, it was another great stay!
Texas Roadhouse
- 356 Cornelia St Plattsburgh, NY 12901 and
- 820 State Route 9, Queensbury, NY 12804
(Both locations are great)
Visit #1
This meal was delicious and the portions were big. For the last restaurant of our trip, we once again left with a ton of leftovers.
We started with the blooming onion and holy moly- it’s so, so good. The seasoning is amazing and it was perfectly crisp. I think we could’ve been satiated just from finishing that alone (we took a lot of it home so we would have room for the main dish).
I had the chicken salad and it was very tasty. The chicken was tender but incredibly flavourful and well-seasoned, the lettuce was crisp and the dressing was AMAZING.
While we were eating, a song came on and the staff stopped what they were doing to do a little dance for us. You can tell that they love doing it and it helps boost their morale (not speaking for everyone, but if they were faking it, they did a good job).
It was a great experience and I wish we had one in Montreal. It reminded me of Outback Steakhouse and I’m so glad we concluded our trip by stopping here. Highly recommend!
Visit #2
Yet another delicious Texas roadhouse experience! This time, I had the filet mignon and it is SO good. Incredibly juicy and they cooked it just right for my preferences.
Their salads are always fresh and their honey mustard dressing is delicious. Of course, the maple cinnamon butter they have is always a fan favorite too. Amazingly understanding service again today and more leftovers to enjoy later. We even order extra servings to put in containers we bring with us so that we can bring the extra food back home for later– it’s that good.
Visit #3
I once again left Texas Roadhouse wishing we had a similar restaurant close to where I live. We had Eric as our waiter this time and he was so polite and kind. You consistently get the same vibe here- happy eaters, great staff, delicious food. We bring our own containers for leftovers because we always know we will be leaving with some.
This time, I had the steak filet salad and I don’t think I’ll ever get anything different now. It’s so good and gives you the balance of meat and leafy greens and tomatoes. It was the first time I had a blue cheese dressing in who knows how long (if ever). I think the name of it always made me avoid it. I’m glad I wanted to try something new because I LOVE it.
Olive Garden
756 A Glen St Queensbury, NY 12804
Visit #1
My photo of the food does not do this restaurant justice. The pasta with meat sauce is delicious and I am a huge fan of spaghetti so I have quite “high standards” for it to get a good review. The portions leave you with a doggy bag depending on how hungry you are and yet you leave wishing you could make more space in your stomach for more instantly.
Spoiler alert- we came here twice in one visit- and I would definitely go back on another trip. (And, we DO go back!) I really love the chicken and shrimp dish. I feel like this dish and other ones that are similar with more “substance” to them is a better bet than just the plain pasta bolognese. You can tell in the photos how the pasta with meat sauce resembles more of a meal you can make yourself at home. However, it still TASTES amazing and that’s what matters. I just think you would get more “bang for your buck” by ordering dishes that are harder to replicate.
The service was amazing, and they’re very accommodating of your seating preferences even without a reservation. It’s a family-friendly atmosphere but it would be a great place for a
romantic date as well. The art and the brick walls in some places also add to the ambiance.
Visit #2
Another delicious meal at this Olive Garden! The food is consistently good here and it always has the same vibe- relaxed, family-friendly, and cozy.
The service was fast and our waiter was so, so nice. The staff is always so charming here. Even if they were having the worst day, they always seem to put a smile on their face and get the job done without being “overly” friendly. They do a great job of making you feel like you’re actually appreciated.
The food here is never disappointing. Huge portions and the quality is always amazing. My favorite meal is becoming the shrimp and chicken spaghetti- it’s hard to say no to a combo like that.
Visit #3
Yet another delicious Olive Garden experience! We were seated in the booths across from the bar (we weren’t drinking, of course) and it was still a quiet enough spot. (Although we were only one of two other filled tables in this section).
Jeopardy was playing on the TV which made me happy- even though it was on low- they had subtitles. I couldn’t read them from my seat, but it’s the thought that counts, right? I was there for the food, not the TV.
The food itself was delicious as always- you can never go wrong with the chicken and shrimp pasta dish- it’s so good. Oh and don’t miss out on the soup! I often passed on it because I know the meal is large enough but the soups are DELICIOUS. Especially the cream soup!
The service was welcoming and kind throughout the meal. It’s always nice to have a bite to eat here and you’re always leaving with a lot of food leftover.
They also offer food options to add to your bill that will be wrapped and ready to go for extra meals afterward. Simply let them know preferably at the beginning of the meal and it will be ready for you as you leave.
I truly love coming here.
Ambrosia Diner
518 Aviation Rd Queensbury, NY 12804
Visit #1
We went to Ambrosia diner for a bit of a “late” dinner. I had the Greek wrap which has lettuce, tomato, chicken, and feta cheese. It was delicious! The fries are great, the sauce made me want to try to remake it at home, and the coleslaw was perfect- not too dry and not too creamy. It is quite a large wrap so we had leftovers (just like we did at every other restaurant in the US- portions are massive but I’m not complaining)!
We went back the next morning for breakfast and I had an egg sandwich. I wasn’t too hungry due to still being quite full from the night before, but it was another delicious meal. It was similar to an egg McMuffin but obviously with a much better taste. I ended up taking one sandwich to go which I was very happy to have later on.
The waitress was very kind when we asked for boxes for our leftovers. The staff is extremely pleasant and the decor makes you feel like you’re transported to a different time. Overall, it was an amazing experience.
Visit #2
Another visit to Ambrosia Diner, this time for dinner. The chowder soup was delicious! The atmosphere and service were amazing as always! I can never get over how massive their portions are. The Mac and cheese almost tasted like I was having a huge pot of fondue but with macaroni noodles to dip instead.
I don’t know how I even had room to have a bite of the cake but it made me wish I had a second stomach. It was so good! My fellow diners had large portions too- one plate was basically swimming in gravy. They never skimp out on what they give their patrons, that’s for sure!
Panera Bread
820 Lake George Rd Queensbury, NY 12804
Visit #1
It’s a simple restaurant but the sandwiches are AMAZING. I got the Spicy Fiesta Chicken and it is basically everything I’d want in a sandwich (minus some spinach to add a bit of greens but you could always order a salad on the side). They’re very customizable and there are so many other options, I’m sure there is something for everyone. My fellow patrons also said that their soup (broccoli) was delicious. I almost wanted to get 20 sandwiches just so I would have more once I got back home.
I’m going to have to see if we have locations in Montreal because in the area I live, we have a lot of restaurants but I’m always on the hunt for a good sandwich shop and this would be it for me.
Again, the photos I took may not look like much (it’s difficult to make sandwiches look amazing sometimes) but trust me when I say that the flavor is there. The ambiance of this particular restaurant was very relaxed, almost like a tad fancier Subway (but better).
Visit #2
Another amazing Panera experience. The food is consistently good, especially for the price. I always order the same chicken panini and it is repeatedly delicious. The restaurant itself is always clean and the staff is SO nice. I also noticed this time that they donate any unsold baked goods to local charities each night- how amazing is that? Can more food service providers do this, PLEASE?
Fort Ann Super Stop
11300 NY-149 Fort Ann, NY
We went in just to use the washroom and decided to stay! This is the perfect stop for truckers and any traveler, really. It looks like a little convenience shop next to a gas station (SO many products on sale in the shop!), but then towards the back, there are tables and a spot to enjoy sit-down meals.
Some tables (like ours) are right next to the boxes they get of their deliveries but they don’t get in the way of enjoying the meal. The food is delicious!
The quesadillas I had were amazing. So much gooey cheese and moist chicken! The drinks offered are just what you can grab from around the shop so I just grabbed a water bottle to make it easier. (It was our first time here so I didn’t know how things worked but they were very kind about it).
The woman taking care of us was so sweet and I later saw her handling things at the cash. A gentleman (who I ended up seeing cooking in the back on our way out) came to check on us. I told him it was one of the best quesadillas I’ve ever had and I LOVE quesadillas; he almost looked taken aback in a pleasantly surprised way. He said, “Wow, do I appreciate that!” He was very, very, nice.
I wouldn’t mind stopping in here again and again to try other meals. Everything we ate was really good! They also give you takeaway boxes so I stopped myself from eating everything right away. I was happy to enjoy more quesadillas at home after our trip.
McDonald’s
22 Washington St Ext Fair Haven, VT
Visit #1
I love coming to this location. (This was actually our second visit but I don’t have photos from the first because it was a very quick stop for hot chocolate). We never have such nice vases of flowers on the tables in Montreal! The whole establishment was comfortable and it was very quiet while we were there (Friday mid-morning). Refreshing juice, insanely delicious hash browns, perfect Egg McMuffins… everything was just really good.
Visit #2
I just ran in this time to grab a McMuffin for someone. The cashier seemed a bit frazzled and annoyed due to the system/cash not working well and I felt for her. She was very apologetic and it really didn’t take all that much longer to get the item.
It was basically empty in the restaurant at this time of day. It seemed the drive-thru was more popular. Nothing bad to report here! (The person really enjoyed the food so that’s all that matters).
Rest Stops and Scenery
Of course, it wouldn’t be a road trip without taking some breaks! One of the most sentimental of these stops was in Leicester, Vermont. When I was a kid, driving past this spot was always fun, even though we passed by it in milliseconds. Looking at the photo now, I can’t stop laughing because Google Maps actually pins it as, “Gorilla Holding A VW Beetle”. I suppose they aren’t wrong…
Moving on… one of our often-visited rest stops is the High Peaks South Rest Area, off of 87 in North Hudson, New York. It’s always spacious and clean. We also always stop right before customs at IGL to use the rest area and stretch our legs. It is here that I found several TY Beanie Babies that I know would be popular with a few kids (and adults) I know.
Besides this, I truly appreciate the scenery we get to take in during the drive. Even when the trees are bare, there’s something special about the area. The air is noticeably different throughout these trips and the peace I feel when I get away from “the city” makes me wish that I could move into a log cabin in the middle of the mountains somewhere. For now, I’ll appreciate every second I get to be on these road trips.
Thank you for the memories!
Related:
Blueberry Muffin Restaurant
Yesterdays Restaurant, Jackson, NH
Joseph’s Spaghetti Shed Restaurant
