Columbus Day weekend is extremely busy, so book early! I used to run a B&B, and always had 10 couples or more looking for rooms that Sat. night when we were full. We owned Maplecroft B&B (www.maplecroftvermont.com) in Barre and sold it to some very nice people. Give it a try! Millstone Hill is also nice - in the country with nice walking trails. From Barre, you can visit A Quilter's Garden in Montpelier and Mad River Quilts in Waitsfield (open on Sundays which makes it super in my book). You should visit the granite quarries and Hope Cemetery. It's only about 45 min. to Burlington or Stowe and an hour from Woodstock, so all would be nice day trips. Yankee Pride is my favorite shop in the state - it's near Burlington, in Essex Jct. Enjoy!
Marianne in VT