72 Hours in Vermont’s Champlain Valley
Reaching from Lake Champlain into the Central Green Mountains, Vermont’s Champlain Valley connects rolling farms with picturesque towns by way of both land and lake. The scenery is poetry incarnate – just ask Robert Frost, who drew inspiration from this very environment.
Whether you’re hiking along the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail or visiting a historic downtown, it’s easy to understand how the Champlain Valley fueled Frost’s creativity. From the Vergennes shoreline to Middlebury’s bustling college campus, the area’s views, destinations, and history come together to create a memorable three-day getaway.
DAY ONE
Middlebury, Salisbury, Weybridge, and Ripton
At the region’s core, Middlebury grounds the Champlain Valley in a youthful, yet historic, energy, not surprising from a college town that dates to the 1800s. Start your morning with breakfast at Haymaker Bun Co. or Rosie’s Restaurant, or pick up a seasonal latte from little seed COFFEE ROASTERS and stroll along the Trail Around Middlebury (TAM), an 18-mile footpath circling the village.
After breakfast, organize your day according to the season. In the fall, go apple picking at Happy Valley Orchard and leaf-peeping across Middlebury’s campus. If you’re visiting during spring or summer, check out the Middlebury Farmers’ Market, and from May to October meet the horses at the UVM Morgan Horse Farm in Weybridge. For a different perspective on the New England landscape, reserve a tee-time at Ralph Myhre Golf Course. Come winter, trade your golf clubs for cross-country ski or snowshoe rentals from Ripton’s Rikert Outdoor Center, or take to the slopes at the Middlebury Snowbowl.
For indoor entertainment, Middlebury’s Henry Sheldon Museum shares stories of Vermont history, showcasing artifacts ranging from 19th-century furniture, ephemera, and curiosities to historical documents, photographs, musical scores, and other archival items. The Middlebury College Museum of Art and Edgewater Gallery provide additional windows into village’s artistic heritage.
While strolling through town, pop into the local shops and The Stone Mill Public Market to browse Vermont-made goods. When hunger strikes, grab a sandwich at Noonie’s Deli. If you’d rather have a sit-down meal, American Flatbread and ShireTown Marketplace serve lunch. After, head to Woodchuck Cider for a self-guided tour and tasting.
In the afternoon, pick up snacks from the Ripton General Store before venturing into the Breadloaf Wilderness. Here, you can embark on a range of hikes, including the all-day trek to Breadloaf Mountain, though aspiring poets shouldn’t miss the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail: a largely accessible mile-long hike with a boardwalk that displays Frost’s poems along the way.
If you enjoy fishing and swimming, try Lake Dunmore, accessible via Salisbury’s Branbury State Park, among other entrances. Near the park, you’ll find the Falls of Lana via the Silver Lake trail hike and a favorite swimming hole among Middlebury College students. When night falls, return to Middlebury for dinner at Jessica’s at Swift House Inn or Fire & Ice Restaurant. Additional dining options include The Taste of India, The Mad Taco, Crooked Ladle, and Sabai Sabai Thai.
DAY TWO
Bristol, New Haven, and Lincoln
On your second day, venture north to Bristol, whose historic downtown sits on the fringes of the Green Mountain National Forest. Savor breakfast at Minifactory before perusing the artisan works at Art on Main, then visit the Vermont Marketplace to shop for Vermont-made products.
For lunch, grab a slice or salad at Cubbers, a longtime local favorite known for its pizza, or choose from other laid-back stops downtown. Before leaving Bristol, stop by Hogback Mountain Brewing for a pour or snag a maple creemee from the Village Creeme Stand like a true Vermonter. Weather permitting, wrap up your time in Bristol with a swim at Bristol Falls, also known as Bartlett Falls.
From Bristol, you have options. You can head toward New Haven, where the Addison County Fair & Field Days serves up family-friendly fun (and funnel cakes!) every August. Nearby, Lincoln Peak Vineyard is a relaxing place to nibble on charcuterie and light snacks while sipping homegrown wines.
Alternatively, you can venture toward Lincoln for a scenic mountain drive. Pick up snacks or lunch from the Lincoln General Store before following the Lincoln Gap toward the Upper Green Mountains. Expect dirt roads on the Lincoln side and paved ones on the Warren side — the latter famously features the steepest paved mile in the U.S. This picturesque route rewards drivers with sweeping mountain views and a true taste of rural Vermont. (Note that the Lincoln Gap is seasonally accessible for cars; in the winter, you can skin or snowshoe up it.)
For dinner, head to Tourterelle in New Haven — which highlights local Vermont ingredients in traditional French delights — or keep it casual back in Bristol with elevated pizza and salads from The Tillerman.
Day 3
The Shore of Lake Champlain
Now that you’ve experienced the region’s inland, it’s time to follow the Lake Champlain shoreline. Ferrisburgh marks the Champlain Valley’s northwest edge while Vergennes , a few minutes south, preserves yet another historically recognized downtown.
Here, enjoy breakfast, brunch, or lunch at 3 Squares Cafe or Vergennes Laundry before walking through Vergennes Falls Park or Button Bay State Park. If you’re craving something sweet, stop into lu•lu Ice Cream for small-batch scoops or Daily Chocolate for artisan truffles and confections. Today’s pace is leisurely, so you’ll also have time to visit Vergennes’ Lake Champlain Maritime Museum and the Underground Railroad exhibitions at Ferrisburgh’s Rokeby Museum. Before leaving Ferrisburgh, check out Vermont Flannel Co. and grab some goodies from Vermont Cookie Love.
From here, you’ll make your way through Panton, Addison, and Shoreham en route to Orwell in the region’s southwest. Only 30 or so minutes separate Vergennes from Orwell, so as you drive through Addison, stop at Kingsland Bay State Park and Chimney Point State Historic Site, a museum that catalogues the overlap between Indigenous, French, and American history. If you’re interested in birdwatching, tack on a visit to Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area, where some 200 species have been spotted.
Continue to Shoreham, where every fall you can pick apples at Champlain Orchards. For an attraction with a longer season, make your way to the Lemon Fair Sculpture Park (open between May and November). Carve out an hour to meander the park’s art-adorned paths before finishing your day at Orwell’s Mount Independence State Historic Site, which commemorates the site of a Revolutionary War fortification.
End your trip by heading back the way you came. Enjoy dinner with a view at Ferrisburgh’s Starry Night Café or bistro fare at Vergennes’ Black Sheep. Then, if you still have energy, check the event calendar of the Vergennes Opera House — an elegant way to conclude both the day and your Champlain Valley getaway.
Where to stay in Champlain Valley
Across the region, you’ll find amenity-packed hotels, cozy lodges, and simple but comfortable accommodations. In Middlebury, try the Swift House Inn or Middlebury Inn – the latter hosts the occasional jazz night. For a full campground experience, stay at Lake Dunmore Campground on Lake Dunmore, or if you’re seeking a more remote location, visit Moosalamoo Campground. A rustic and comfortable stay in the woods is Ripton’s Robert Frost Mountain Cabins.
Don’t overlook the Vermont hotels that double as experiences in themselves. The Tillerman in Bristol, for instance, is a magically rustic inn dating to the 18th century, while The Four Pillars Farmstead in Whiting doubles as an organic flower farm and guesthouse. Meanwhile, in Vergennes, Basin Harbor Resort — operating for more than 140 years — is a seasonal, pet-friendly resort that runs all kinds of activities, from canoeing and tennis to lakeside dining and s’mores roasting. Arrive by car, boat, or even private plane and settle into a guestroom or cottage to appreciate this truly idyllic home base for your time in Champlain Valley.