Things to do in Vermont



Eat!There is no shortage of restaurants, farmstands, and (of course) fabulous cheese. Here is a shortlist of our favorite spots: 
August First (breakfast and lunch- no reservations. Great baked goods, bread, and sandwiches. ‘Eat the East’ breakfast sandwich is delectable)

The Grey Jay (brunch- no reservations. Do yourself a favorite and don’t forget the donut) Link

Misery Loves Co (lunch or snack- no reservations. Takeout and specialty foods. Great for grabbing a pre-hike sandwich. In Winooski) Link

Taco Gordo (dinner- no reservations. Classic neighborhood taco joint. You can’t go wrong but...try the Al Pastor taco. It sells out nightly for a reason) Link

May Day (dinner- reservations on Resy. Go with a group and share a bunch of dishes. Or don’t and get your own thing! Both are great) Link

Onion City Chicken & Oyster (brunch, lunch, dinner- reservations on Resy Fried chicken! Oysters! Need we say more? In Winooski) Link

Frankie’s (dinner- reservations on Resy. One of Eater’s best new restaurants 2024, and it still delivers) Link
Drink! (but also still eat...)Vermont is the land of craft beer. And what goes better with a tasty, cold, craft beer? Delicious food. Zero Gravity (Logan’s favorite is the Green State Lager. We all know how Sarah feels about beer so her favorite is the GSL Beer Cheese AND the kale salad with tofu) Location Link

Burlington Beer Co (AKA BBCO. Logan says get a flight, there are too many tasty options. And actually, Sarah loves the Neon Nightlights sour) Location Link

Foam Brewers (Logan’s favorite is The Minus Times. Sarah’s favorite is the Large Combo Slate charcuterie board) Location Link

Hill Farmstead Brewery (1.5-hour drive from Burlington)
If you’re up for a bit of extra travel. Frequently ranked among the best breweries in the world, Hill Farmstead is true destination for craft beer enthusiasts. Located in the Northeast Kingdom, the brewery offers an unforgettable tasting experience in a beautiful rural setting. Plan on about a 90-minute drive each way. 
Location Link

Get Outside! Summers in Vermont are gorgeous so getting outside and exploring some of the natural scenery is a must- here are the hits:Hiking:
Mt. Philo – The perfect "classic Vermont" hike. About 2 miles round trip, easy/moderate difficulty. Views of Lake Champlain.

Sunset Ridge (Mt. Mansfield) – Vermont’s tallest mountain! 45 minutes from Burlington, 5.8-6.5 miles round trip, moderate/hard difficulty, 360 views at the top.

Camel's Hump – Vermont's most iconic summit. 50 minute drive from Burlington, 6-7 miles round trip, difficult. Sarah’s favorite hike.

  • Biking:
    Burlington Greenway
    The Burlington Greenway is a bike path that follows the shores of Lake Champlain for nearly eight miles, connecting downtown Burlington with beaches, parks, scenic overlooks, and waterfront neighborhoods.

    The easiest place to start is at Waterfront Park, where you'll find several bike rental shops nearby. From there, you can ride north toward North Beach and the scenic Island Line Trail, or head south for a quieter ride along the waterfront. 

    At the end of the trail you’ll hit Colchester Causeway, which is the long, narrow stone jetty stretching out into Lake Champlain. Can’t stress enough how special this part is. 

    Other Attractions:
    Shelburne Farms     – Beautiful, relaxing, and perfect for a slower afternoon. 20 minute drive from Burlington, several options for walks. The property also has farm animals, cheese tours, and gardens. 

    Stowe – Just under an hour from Burlington, Stowe is one of Vermont's most iconic mountain towns and makes for a perfect day trip. In the summer, you can ride the gondola at Stowe Mountain Resort and hike scenic trails.