5 Vermont Road Trips for the Ultimate Country Store Experience
5 Vermont Road Trips to Country Stores
Vermont’s general stores are celebrated not only for the wide range of local products they offer but also for the experience of a friendly visit. Wide wooden floors creak under your step. The intermingling smells of freshly ground coffee, ice cream, and maybe even the warming smell of a woodstove fill the air. You’ll hear the hum of chatter and the ring of the cash register.
Country stores around Vermont make for a great stop along a road trip or a destination in and of themselves, sometimes featuring a sandwich counter, an ice cream window, or even a full diner. These five routes around Vermont are itineraries that put country stores at the forefront. Make a day on the road, whether you visit just one or two stores or stop at every one on the route – plus, you’ll find other landmarks around almost every corner.
1. Southern Vermont Road Trip
Primarily stretching along Vermont’s Route 9 and including sections of the Molly Stark Byway, this 56-mile route leads travelers from Brattleboro to Arlington. Start at the Guilford Country Store, a vibrant community hub offering a diner counter and board game corner in addition to local shopping and a wine selection. From there, take interstate 91 through Exit 2 and hop on Route 9, where you’ll spend the majority of this road trip. Next up is the Hogback Mountain Country Store. There, find a selection of maple syrup, cheese, clothing, local products, and games and toys in a classic store dating to 1936. While there, see the Hundred Mile View extending over the Hogback Mountain Conservation Area, offering sweeping views of three states at once. From there, continue on to the 1836 Country Store, offering homemade candy and fudge along with local cheese and other products. As you drive on Route 9, you’ll find an entry point for Vermont’s Long Trail, the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the U.S., which makes for a great spot to stop and stretch your legs while taking in Green Mountain views. Continue along Route 7 to Arlington, home of the Village Peddler and Chocolatorium, where you can do some sweet sampling and see Cocoa, the world’s largest chocolate teddy bear at 100 pounds.
2. Northeast Kingdom Road Trip
Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom region is the state’s most rural, encompassing some of its most rugged terrain. It’s also home to quirky attractions and some great country stores. This 40-mile road trip packs in a lot of scenic views, starting in West Danville at the Hastings Store, known for its homemade baked goods and the antique post office boxes still in use by residents. From there, follow Route 2 to St. Johnsbury, where you’ll find the St. Johnsbury Country Store, located in a former church built in 1840. While you’re in St. Johnsbury, check out Dog Mountain, where local artist Stephen Huneck’s work is on display and dogs are welcome to explore the trails and dog memorial chapel with their owners. When you’re ready, follow routes 5 and 114 to Burke and stop at the Northeast Kingdom Country Store, located close to the world-famous Kingdom Trails mountain biking network, Burke Mountain Ski Area, and Burke’s small downtown core. From there, take Burke Hollow Road to Route 5A toward Lake Willoughby, Vermont’s deepest lake. Its skyline is scored by the fjordlike mounts Pisgah and Hor, and recreation opportunities abound here, from hiking and swimming to paddling, camping, and biking. The Willoughby Lake Store is a great place to fuel up, with a deli, an ice cream window, and a selection of clothing, beer, and local products.
3. Northwest Vermont and through the Champlain Islands Road Trip
The Champlain Islands region offers a slice of island life in the summer, when itcomes alive with farmers markets, a wealth of state parks, offbeat and historic attractions, and the sparkling of Lake Champlain. A road trip in the Islands offers plenty of chances to stop, explore, and take in the beauty of Vermont’s least populous region, with close proximity to Greater Burlington. In the region, you’ll even find the Goodsell Ridge Fossil Preserve, part of the world’s oldest diverse fossil reef, where you can wander and look for trilobite and nautilus fossils. This road trip starts at the Georgia Market in Northwest Vermont, where you can fuel up with local groceries and snacks. From Georgia, take Route 7 to St. Albans, where you can stop and stretch your legs on the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail or pause for a paddle at Kill Kare State Park to Burton Island. Continuing on Route 7, nearby Swanton brings you within shouting distance of the Canadian border; stop at the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge to see one of the most popular stops for migratory birds as they make a “road trip” of their own. Take the Route 78 bridge over to Alburgh, where you’ll begin your island adventure. In North Hero you’ll find Hero’s Welcome General Store. Beloved by locals and visitors alike, this store seems to go on forever, offering everything from prepared food to local cheese, clothing, and artisan products. On Saturdays and Wednesdays, explore the Champlain Islands Farmers Market to browse artisan goods, sample local foods, and enjoy walking around the open-air market. Along Route 2, find sandy beaches and picnic areas at Knight Point, Knight Island, Grand Isle, Alburgh Dunes, and Sand Bar state parks, as well as marinas with bobbing boats, apple orchards, and more.
4. Central Vermont Road Trip
Vermont’s geographic center is home to the state’s capital, Montpelier, and is packed with culture, history, and beautiful views. At just 27 miles, this road trip is the shortest in this list, but sweet nonetheless. Falls General Store in Northfield goes beyond a general store, housing a bakery and café as well, making it a great start to this itinerary. From there, follow Route 12 past Boyer State Forest and Rogers Farmstead, where you can buy local dairy. Route 12 takes you through the heart of Montpelier. The historic downtown core makes for a great place to stop and explore, from eclectic local shops to the Vermont State House offering self-guided tours. Continue from Main Street to County Road, where you’ll drive past Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks, offering tours, tastings, a country store, and classic Vermont maple creemees (soft ice cream sweetened with real maple.) Keep going and you’ll find Maple Corner Community Store in Calais, a local gathering place featuring the Whammy Bar, a popular live music venue offering a deli, pizza, dinner specials, and a cozy back room pub. Loop back and then turn left onto Templeton Road (the Templeton Road Trailhead is accessible from the road and makes for a great place to stretch your legs). This route wraps up in East Montpelier at the C.P. Dudley store, offering fishing supplies, a deli, and local products.
5. South Central Vermont Road Trip
Mapping a 38-mile line right across Vermont, this route ties together some of Vermont’s most iconic views. Your journey begins at the East Dorset General Store, where you can browse local products and prepared foods. Before you leave Dorset, wander the town’s marble sidewalks and take in the views of the Batten Kill River. From there, take Route 7 south, where you’ll pass Dutton Farmstead (stop and browse local produce and foods.) before arriving in Manchester, and on the way, you’ll pass a natural clearwater spring; stop and refill your water bottles. Continuing on Route 30, find Bromley Market, with baked goods, local foods, and more. Entering Peru brings you to JJ Hapgood General Store & Eatery, serving family meals, selling Vermont gifts, and offering local provisions. Continue on Route 11 to Londonderry, where you’ll turn left onto Route 100, Vermont’s Skier’s Highway. In Weston, stop at the Vermont Country Store, a classic for a reason – dining on-site, homemade candy and fudge, local products, toys, games, and curiosities offer the chance to browse for hours. This route wraps up at Singleton’s General Store on Route 103, with house-smoked meats, sauces, cheese, clothing, and more.
The slower pace of life in Vermont cultivates curiosity. Fortunately, the Green Mountain State also serves up plenty of ways to explore, from wandering a classic general store to road tripping byways and back roads. Request an information packet or a paper map for your journeys.