Champlain Valley in the Summer
Top Picks in the Champlain Valley
Summer is your gateway to the sense of wonder and well-being that comes with slowing down and taking in your surroundings in Vermont. Plunge into a swimming hole, stroll a local festival, or simply find togetherness on the lakeshore or around the campfire. Hand-picked by the editors of Yankee Magazine, these 5 highlights are just some of what the Champlain Valley offers in the summer.
Bristol, Vermont
Bristol (Bartlett) Falls
There’s no shortage of waterfalls in the Green Mountain State. But Bristol Falls, also known as Bartlett Falls, is special, because the main, block-style waterfall feeds a large 40-by-120-foot pool that extends into an alcove behind the fall. The feeling of swimming near a waterfall magical; afterward, you can retreat to the nearby rocks to relax in the sun. Pack a picnic lunch and plan to stop by the nearby Village Creeme Stand afterward to sample the only-in-Vermont soft ice cream. (Flavor choices vary, but the maple is a must-get, flavored with real Vermont maple.)
Weybridge, Vermont
UVM Morgan Horse Farm
Vermont’s state animal has a special home near Middlebury, where the descendants of Justin Morgan’s “rugged little stallion” roam more than 200 of the greenest, prettiest acres around. Here, as the steward of the oldest Morgan horse breeding herd in the world, the University of Vermont works to preserve the unique traits of a horse that changed America through its versatility as a farm horse, coach horse, cavalry mount, and influence on other breeds. Open to the public from May to October, the farm offers tours that tell the story of the Morgan horse as visitors walk through the historic slate-roofed stables. Saturdays in June, aka Foal Days, are all about celebrating the gangly babies you’ll see frolicking in the pasture with their mothers. August brings the annual Vermont Day party and its special demonstrations of the breed’s versatility.
Vergennes, Vermont
Lake Champlain Maritime Museum
This museum’s attractions spill out into the big lake itself, with expeditions to Champlain shipwreck sites for certified divers and small-group rowing tours in hand-built wooden longboats. On land, there are three acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits to explore, including an 18th-century blacksmith forge and a replica of Benedict Arnold’s 1776 gunboat, the Philadelphia II. Summer brings a chance to connect with another part of the lake’s story, as the museum hosts the annual Abenaki Heritage Weekend in June. Presented by the Vermont Abenaki Artists Association and the Abenaki Arts and Education Center, it centers on Indigenous people’s perspective on life in the Champlain Valley. Storytelling, drumming, and singing are part of this vibrant weekend, as is a native arts marketplace where traditional crafts mingle with contemporary creations.
Vergennes, Vermont
Addison County Fair & Field Days
Legend has it, the state’s largest agricultural fair began in 1948 in a borrowed hayfield with a few tractor demonstrations and craft exhibits. And while much has changed over the years (it has a permanent home at the New Haven fairgrounds, for one), the focus on Vermont farmers is as clear as ever. Midway rides and demolition derbies provide thrills, along with livestock shows, ox and tractor pulls, and demonstrations of vintage farm equipment. A sweet spot for many fairgoers is the “sugarhouse” run by the local maple producers association, where maple syrup and cream are on offer…not to mention maple milkshakes, creemees, and cotton candy.
Salisbury/Leicester, Vermont
Branbury State Park
Families can easily while away a summer day at Branbury State Park, whose 69 acres are spread along the eastern shore of Lake Dunmore and up into the cliffs beyond. The park’s wide sand beach invites swimmers to plunge into the crystal-clear waters of a glacial lake. There are watercraft rentals on site, with canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards all on hand. The easy half-mile nature trail is sized right for kids; two cliff trails call for some steep climbing, but lake views make it worth it. And if you start running out of things to do at Branbury, it’s time to meet the next-door neighbors: a lovely 100-foot cascade known as the Falls of Lana, the hidden-gem Silver Lake, and Mount Moosalamoo, the centerpiece of the nearly 16,000-acre Moosalamoo National Recreation Area.
More to See and Do
Places to Visit In summer
Yankee Magazine’s editors hand-picked 5 places to visit in each Vermont region. Explore things to do in summer statewide.
