Day Trips to Nearby Towns
A weekend in Burlington can provide plenty of things to do, if you’re staying in the downtown/waterfront area you won’t need a car to stay busy and entertained for days on end. However- a visit to the nearby towns is a fantastic experience that you will not regret. Vermonters have a saying “The coolest part about Burlington is that it’s really close to Vermont!”. After all, Burlington is the biggest and only city in a very rural state. Vermont’s reputation is far from the urban environment and massive lake which you can find in Burlington, which is part of our mini-city’s surprising charm. Vermont’s reputation is trees, hills, farms, cows, rivers, and maple syrup. Well, we have plenty of that! There are four excursions that we recommend embarking on if staying in Burlington- Stowe, the Islands, Montpelier, and the Kingdom. Don’t just punch those destinations into the GPS! Below is a specific itinerary sure to make the most of a day trip to nearby towns around Burlington, Vermont. We recommend taking spontaneous stops along these routes as you are inspired to do so- there are plenty of cool places/businesses which you will drive past.
The Smugglers Notch/Stowe/Waterbury day trip: This loop takes you out of Burlington ‘the back way’, first getting you maple syrup fix, then venturing up and over the Green Mountains on one of the most scenic roads in the state, a quick stop for a plunge beneath a waterfall, followed by cheese, apple cider, and ice cream tasting.
As you drive out of Burlington, the first stop on your itinerary is Palmer Lane Maple for a breakfast creemee. You read that right, embrace Vermont and have a maple creemee at 10:00am! There is much debate over where the best maple creemee in Vermont can be found and Palmer Lane is always in the top 3.
Next, you want to head straight to the top! (of Vermont). There are three options to take you to the highest elevation in our state, all require driving toward the Stowe Resort and ski area. Coming from Palmer Lane, you will drive through the town of Underhill and through the Smugglers Notch Gap to get there. This is one of the most scenic routes in Vermont. What is the Smugglers Notch Gap? It’s a road that take you right up and over Mount Mansfield. There are a few hiking trails- Hell Brook which is short and very steep, and Sterling Pondwhich is longer but more approachable. The other two options to get to the very top of Mount Mansfield are a bit easier on the body- you can take the Gondola from the resort or you can drive up the Toll Road.
Next stop, punch in Bingham Falls. This is swimming hole is a 20 minute walk from the parking area, you’ll arrive to a majestic waterfall. The water is incredibly clean and refreshing- though a bit chilly!
The next stop is in Waterbury. The trifecta of Vermont products- cheese, ice cream, and apple cider can be found at three famous locations all within a few minutes’ drive of each other. First stop on your way from Stowe will be Cabot Cheese, where you can indulge on free samples of some very eccentric flavors. You’ll need some apple cider to wash down all that cheese so next on the itinerary is Cold Hollow Cider Mill. This is an excellent place to purchase gifts for your friends/family from your trip to Vermont. If you venture all the way to the back of their facility, you’ll find a large stainless-steel vat where you can pour your own sample of the worlds freshest apple cider! We highly recommend a cider donut and a cider slushy. Stop number three in Waterbury- the world famous Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Tour. This stop needs no introduction- it was probably already on your itinerary.
‘The Islands’ day trip: The Lake Champlain Islands region separates the Inland Sea from the Broad Lake in the Northern waters. There are bridges and a ferry that connect it to mainland Vermont and New York, but they really are massive islands where thousands of people live and work. There are plenty of places that make exploring the Champlain Islands well worth the drive.
Our recommendation is to drive all the way up to the top of the islands region to Isle la Motte, and then leisurely make your way back down. The first stop is to view the world’s oldest fossils- seriously! Who knew that Lake Champlain has 480-million-year-old fossils lying in its bedrock- but there they are and there are a ton of them! Stop at the visitors center at the Goodsell Ridge Fossil Preserve and learn all about how life on earth began.
Next, stop at the Hero’s Welcome General Store. This eclectic, quirky store is sure to put a smile on your face with their assortment of local goods and historic theme. Pick your favorite Vermont revolutionary and order a sandwich to go enjoy out on their dock. Save at least half for later, that won’t be too hard because these sandwiches are huge!
As you continue your way back down the islands, not far from Hero’s Welcome you will pass by the honor-system pie and bake shop which is SO Vermont and so cute- DonnaSue. The baked goods are even better than the intention behind this fun little store.
The final stop of your day in the islands is at the only place you can rent a boat to yourself in the area. Half day rentals from Apple Island Marina are a great option, just make sure to get your boaters certificate from your home state, usually a quick and easy process that can be done online. Watch the sunset as you putter around the Inland Sea as the Captain of your own pontoon boat.
Montpelier day trip: What would a trip to Vermont be without a visit to the only state capital without a McDonalds? MontPeculiar as it’s known is certainly worth the hour trip South from Burlington.
On your way down stop in Middlesex, where just off the highway you will find the Red Hen Bakery, home of the most delicious coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and maple creemees (you’ll notice a theme of creemees throughout this guide).
Continue your way into Montpelier and park somewhere near the big gold dome-d building. Take some time to walk around the little city, admire the landscaping in front of the capital. There are some great shops like Bear Pond Books and The Quirky Pet that you should pop in to.
Your next stop is the world famous Barr Hill Distillery. Taste spirits distilled entirely from honey, admire their copper still with the option to sign up for a tour, and support this incredible local business. They have some great food options if you’re starting to get hungry!
Continue your way up to Morse Farm Sugarworks. This is a uniquely Vermont, generationally owned sugarhouse. You guessed it! Get yourself a maple creemee and browse their selection of awesome gifts for friends and family.
The final bonus-option is a stop at Charlie-O’s World Famous. This cash-only dive bar hosts all sorts of fun events and is a sight to behold. Take a look at their Instagram and you’ll get the idea. It’s worth the stop.
‘The Kingdom’ day trip: The Northeast Kingdom is a large, sparsely populated region of Vermont. Lovingly referred to simply as ‘The Kingdom’ it is home to some of the most astounding natural beauty in our state as well as some of the coolest, quirkiest people and businesses.
You cannot make your way into the kingdom without stopping at Lake Willoughby. This cold, deep lake is set between two very steep mountains and the view from the public beach is jaw-dropping. The other thing that is dropping at that beach are peoples clothes- welcome to the biggest nude beach in Vermont!
A visit Hill Farmstead, or as the beer lovers refer to it ‘the pilgrimage’, is something people travel across the world for. This brewery has become the epitome of small batch, highly sought after beer. The fame is not unwarranted- this brewery is the most globally decorated brewery in Vermont.
Bread and Puppet is a politically charged puppet theater and sourdough bakery. They fight against evil through the art of performing with homemade, massive paper mâché ‘puppets’. And of course, they serve bread. It’s weird and it’s Vermont.
If you haven’t had a strong enough dose of ‘quirky’ from the Kingdom yet, you should pass by the Museum of Everyday Life. You can find yourself around this museum, a barn filled with everyday items arranged in just such a way, and leave questioning how you put your socks on in the morning.
