Vermont is always a good idea! While most folks choose to visit during the peak seasons of summer, fall leaf peeping, or winter skiing, I found the “stick season” between fall and winter to be perfectly charming. I saw some beautiful fall foliage and some early season snow flakes without any crowds.
This long weekend itinerary could be used any time of year, but in the winter you could encounter some road closures so just be sure to check things ahead of time. Additionally, check out my full Vermont Beer and Travel Guide here with even more suggestions, and check out this website to plan your trip today!
Day 1: Travel & Settle In
Welcome to Vermont! From the Burlington airport head to Stone Corral Brewing in the cute little town of Richmond, 20 minutes from the airport. They have a delicious food menu if you’re feeling hungry after your flight.
Continue your journey and check in at the Old Stagecoach Inn, located in the heart of Waterbury. The Inn is historic and charming, with apartment-style rooms and a nice large deck to relax on. Don’t forget to snag a homemade cookie at the front desk!
After you’ve settled in to your room, it’s time to hit the town! For your first night you’ve got to kick things off with a bang, so you absolutely need to walk over to Freak Folk Bier. This is easily one of my top breweries ever (out of 1,500 and counting!). They make absurdly good beer, no matter the style. On top of the great beer, their tap room is cozy and inviting, and the staff is incredibly kind.
After you’ve sampled through the menu at Freak Folk, walk over to Blackback Pub to end your night with a huge selection of amazing beers and some delicious eats. You really can’t go wrong with anything at Blackback!
Day 2: Brewery Hopping
Start your morning with an incredible breakfast at the Old Stagecoach Inn. From here, head north towards Morrisville. Along the way I would highly recommend a coffee stop at Movement Coffee in Stowe!
If you are a hiker, Elmore State Park is a great spot to kick off your day. If you are not, the beach at Lake Elmore is a great alternative spot to sit and enjoy your coffee with a view.
Today we’re bopping around Morrisville which has 4 breweries. You can do this via e-bike with Lamoille Valley Bike Tours as well!
Rock Art Brewery: A cool spot with 8 taps and a full blown art gallery!
Ten Bends Beer: Tasty beers, chill vibes, and arcade games
Lost Nation Brewing: A great patio, tasty eats, and solid beer list of their own brews + guest taps
Soulmate Brewing Company: Their hours are a little wonky so I did not make it here but they are right in town with the other 3 as well!
From Morrisville head back to Waterbury to explore for the evening, or if you are feeling ambitious head to the famed Hill Farmstead Brewery in Greensboro Bend. It’s about 35 minutes northwest of Morrisville, and absolutely worth a detour. Enjoy their relaxing space and incredible beers—particularly the bottle pours of Farmhouse Ales.
Bop around Waterbury for the evening! Check out Salt & Rind for tasty cocktails and oysters, The Tropic Brewing next door, and/or Prohibition Pig for meats and drinks. ProPig has two sides: restaurant and brewery, so choose your vibe.
Day 3: Nature & Nurture
Start your day with one last delicious breakfast at the Old Stagecoach Inn and sadly say goodbye to your cozy room. From here head up VT 108 to Smugglers Notch State Park. Here the Bingham Falls Trail is a great choice to quickly get in some movement and nature. It takes just about 20 minutes to go down and back to the pretty waterfall.
From the park head to Sterling Mountain Farm. Here they offer winter sleigh rides and summer/fall carriage rides, but the “unleashed tour” is what I would most recommend. Owner Deb and her 3 golden retrievers, Sasha, Kelly, and Addy, will take you around their maple syrup farm to learn about their property and process. Deb is incredibly sweet and passionate about her work, and the pups are truly magical. End your time with a maple syrup tasting!
From the farm head into Jeffersonville for a tasty diner lunch at 158 Main. Just up the block is Red Leaf Gluten-Free Brewing set in a historic house with a nice outdoor space as well. They’ve also got an Airbnb upstairs so if you fall in love with Jeffersonville you can take a snooze here.
Also in the area are:
Lot Six Brewing Co: with a full food menu, their beers on tap, cocktails, and wine
Smugglers' Notch Distillery: which offers cocktails and spirit tastings
Lucy and Howe Brewing Company: located inside the former Jericho General Store with coffee, beers, and a small food menu with eclectic vibes.
Spend your evening exploring The Essex Experience. This is a giant shopping center full of local Vermont businesses. Do some shopping and then check out:
Black Flannel Brewing and Distillery: A great brewery, distillery, and restaurant with lots of patio seating and plenty of room inside as well. Their beers are top notch, the food is all delicious, and their team is super friendly.
Bramble: A farm to table restaurant with a great food menu, creative cocktails, wine and beer
Vermont Cider Lab: A cute little spot with cider, cider cocktails, and small food menu
Spend your night at the Essex Resort and Spa just up the road. The property is massive and beautiful! Inside they also have two onsite restaurants, The Junction and Lazy Goat Tavern.
Day 4: Island Hopping and/or uRBAN RAMBLING
Start your day with breakfast at the Lazy Goat Tavern inside the hotel. Then go get some goat food from the front desk and feed the property goats! So fun.
From the hotel grab a morning beverage at Uncommon Coffee in the Essex Experience. Highly recommend the maple latte! Once you are properly caffeinated head up the road to Indian Brook Park. This reservoir has a two mile loop trail around it and is the perfect way to get in some fresh air.
From the park head to 14th Star Brewing Company in St. Albans. This veteran-owned brewery has a massive tap list of delicious beers for you to fill your Vermont-shaped flight board with. Inside the brewery is Black Radish, serving up delicious eats. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu but in particular Duck Duck Potatoes, Biergarten Pretzel Sticks, North Country Brussels were all just superbly good. The team at both 14th Star and Black Radish are also super kind which makes your experience even better!
Post-beer and food sampling if you are feeling ambitious it is time to explore the The Champlain Islands!
On North Hero stop at Kraemer & Kin. This brewery is in a super cute converted house with nice lake views. They also have a pizza food truck onsite that has rave reviews if you are hungry!
Knight Point State Park is just down the road with a nice 1 mile loop trail to stretch your legs
On South Hero Two Heroes Brewery & Public House has a couple of beers, wine, canned cocktails, and a small food menu
Sand Bar State Park is on the bridge right after the brewery with nice views
Post-islands or in place of the islands, spend some time exploring Burlington! In the Winooski neighborhood don’t miss:
Howl Bier: This new beer bar is such a vibe. They are Lager-focused and have a robust tap list of New England area beers and European gems. The decor is beautiful and they also have a small food menu.
Mule Bar is across the circle with 17 taps that tend to be Hill Farmstead heavy (score!). They have a “neighborhood bar” vibe with a full food menu as well.
Four Quarters Brewing is also in this neighborhood with solid beers!
In downtown Burlington:
Foam Brewers: An IPA-heavy brewery off the lake with a great patio space
Farmhouse Tap & Grill: A farm-to-table restaurant with a solid beer list
Vermont Pub & Brewery: This historic brewery is in the heart of downtown with a full food menu
That is a wrap! From here head back to The Essex Resort and Spa for the night, to the airport, or if you need a hotel right by the airport in Burlington the Best Western Plus Windjammer Inn & Conference Center is sufficient. Happy Vermont-ing!
