72 Hours in Northwest Vermont
Bordered by the broad waters of Lake Champlain to the west and the rolling ridges near Jay Peak to the east, Northwest Vermont unfolds in quiet, wide-open beauty. The landscape is dotted with dairy farms, dirt roads, and river bends, with unexpected gems scattered in between.
In St. Albans, a walkable downtown surrounds the stately Taylor Park, with old rail-town charm sharing space with new cafes, taprooms, and an impressive culinary scene. From here, the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail winds northeast through pastureland and villages. In Montgomery, you’ll find covered bridges and country roads leading to art galleries that draw creatives and quiet-seekers alike.
Along the way, you might spend a morning birdwatching in the wild wetlands of the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge or paddling the calm bay at Kill Kare State Park before hopping a ferry to Burton Island for lunch. Take a dip in a local swimming hole or hike to a panoramic overlook, wander through galleries, or sip cold brew in a village café. When the day winds down, take in mountain views from a classic New England inn.
This 72-hour guide presents a taste of Northwest Vermont’s inns, trails, galleries, farm stands, and small-town flavor.
DAY ONE and two
Fairfax, St. Albans, Swanton, Highgate, Fairfield
Settle in for two days of small-town charm and countryside discovery with Fairfax as your home base. Check into Back Inn Time, a lovingly restored inn that mixes vintage charm with Vermont hospitality. At the Inn at Buck Hollow Farm, discover a 400-acre country retreat offering four-poster beds, a fireplaced sunroom, cross-country ski and hiking trails, and a maple-drenched breakfast featuring syrup made on-site. For families, the Tyler Place Family Resort in Highgate Springs delivers a timeless all-inclusive getaway, complete with lakeside cottages, farm-to-table dining, and kid camps that let parents sneak away for a little peace by the water.
Spend your mornings exploring the rolling farmland around Fairfield, where the President Chester A. Arthur State Historic Site commemorates the 21st president’s birthplace. Then wander into St. Albans and its revitalized downtown. Browse the shelves at The Eloquent Page, discover handmade art at the Artist in Residence Gallery, and linger over a latte at Catalyst Coffee Bar. Grab lunch and then stroll through Taylor Park to see how this Main Street revival, with its wide sidewalks and tree-lined walkways, has turned St. Albans into a welcoming and bustling small city. In April, you’ll see Taylor Park transform into a maple syrup wonderland filled with maple frosted donuts, maple cotton candy, old-fashioned sugar on snow, and more at the Vermont Maple Festival.
For a taste of the region’s outdoor spirit, head to the Hard’ack Recreation Area for night skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and fat biking. There’s even gear to borrow, some of it free, if you left yours at home. In summer, start at Kill Kare State Park, then hop the ferry to Burton Island State Park, a 253-acre island escape where you can swim, hike, or simply unwind with a meal at Burton Island Bistro before catching the return boat.
Further north, Hudak Farm in Swanton is a feast for the senses with its fresh produce, cider donuts, and barn stand bursting with fall color. Or stop by Knobby Hill Farm in Fairfax for a bucket of blueberries, picked on the honor system and best enjoyed by the handful. Green Mountain Blue Cheese in Highgate offers tours and tastings of its award-winning blue cheeses, a fourth-generation legacy in every bite.
Come evening, take your pick of local dining. Stone’s Throw Pizza & Cafe in Fairfax crafts pizzas from three-day-proofed dough and local toppings like pork belly and broccolini. In downtown St. Albans, The Drake Bar and Kitchen brings creative, farm-driven fare and standout cocktails to a cozy corner of Main Street, while Twiggs American Gastropub keeps things lively with local brews and seasonally inspired comfort food. Head to Green Mountain Bistro in Swanton’s historic Champlain Theater building to enjoy locally sourced, seasonal dishes like turkey pot pie with heirloom carrots. Then, for a classic Vermont treat, follow your nose to Smitty’s or Devyn’s Creemee Stand for the perfect swirl to end the day.
Day 3
Montgomery, Richford, Enosburgh, Franklin
Tucked into Vermont’s northernmost hills, Montgomery makes an inviting base for exploring this part of the state. Covered bridges (Montgomery has more than any other Vermont town) crisscross the Trout River, the Missisquoi winds toward the Canada border, and the Green Mountains brush up against Québec. Settle in at one of the town’s charming stays: the Phineas Swan Inn & Spa, a dog-friendly haven of four-poster beds, fireplaces, and endless homemade treats; The INN, a lovingly restored 1890s lumber baron’s home turned boutique hotel and restaurant along the Trout River; or The Black Lantern Inn, a community-revived landmark known for its farm-driven menu and mountain views. Wherever you unpack, you’ll be close to both Jay Peak’s alpine scenery and the region’s small-town heart.
Start the day with a driving or cycling tour of Montgomery’s covered bridges, five historic spans crafted by the Jewett brothers in the 1800s, and a neighboring bridge in Enosburgh. The Comstock, Longley, Hopkins, and Hutchins bridges span the Trout River, while the Creamery Bridge rewards a short walk with the view of a waterfall tumbling beneath its wooden frame. The Fuller Covered Bridge crosses the Black Falls Brook and is located in the village of Montgomery. Next, if your visit overlaps with one of their events, pop into the Montgomery Center for the Arts to view an exhibit, or attend an author talk.
For a deeper immersion into the landscape, lace up your boots for Burnt Mountain’s forested switchbacks, which open to sweeping views of Hazen’s Notch and the pristine ridgelines beyond. Then trade hiking boots for pedals along the Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail, a 26-mile stretch following the old New England Central Rail Line from Richford to St. Albans. Once a freight route, it now carries cyclists and walkers past dairy farms, forests, and the namesake river that threads through the valley. With gentle grades and a crushed-stone surface, it’s a mellow, scenic ride showcasing views of Jay Peak and the northern Green Mountains. In Enosburg Falls, roughly the halfway point, you’ll find spots to rest, refuel, or linger over a local lunch at Kathy’s Tavern before continuing.
From there, wind deeper into Enosburg Falls, a pocket-sized town rich in creative spirit. The Cold Hollow Sculpture Park turns rolling farmland into an open-air gallery of monumental steel and stone forms. A few miles away, The Opera House at Enosburg Falls, a lovingly restored 1892 gem, still hosts plays, concerts, and community gatherings beneath its pressed-tin ceiling. Time your visit for early June to experience the Vermont Dairy Festival, a homegrown celebration of farmers, cheesemakers, and old-fashioned fun.
Between stops, stock up for a farmstead picnic at Boston Post Dairy, where the Gervais family transforms milk from their herd into award-winning goat and cow cheeses, maple treats, and other locavore provisions. Back in Montgomery, settle in by the fire at Bernie’s Restaurant or Snow Shoe Lodge & Pub, a locals’ favorite for après-ski pints, hearty steaks, and homemade bread.
End your trip with a deep exhale at the Vermont Salt Cave Spa & Halotherapy Center, a 19th-century barn reborn as a glowing retreat lined with 20,000 pounds of Himalayan salt, where you can enjoy a hand and foot detox or a 45-minute session in the salt cave. Then, make the short drive to Lake Carmi State Park in Franklin to watch the sun dip under the horizon, so close to Canada you can spot Québec’s Mount Pinnacle rising on the horizon.
From country roads to lakefront trails, mountain views to artisan traditions, Northwest Vermont sets the stage for exploration in every season.