Northern Vermont

As Vermont’s capitol city, Montpelier is distinguished yet homey all at the same time. You can tour the State House and drop by the Vermont Historical Society afterwards to get your fill of the state’s past.

 

Fans of great dining on the cheap are in luck in Vermont. The New England Culinary Institute operates four (four!) restaurants in the northern part of the state. The Main Street Grill and Bar and Chef’s Table are in the capitol city, while the Inn at Essex is in Essex Junction and the NECI Commons is in Burlington. They are each wonderful. Your selection may be limited based on what happens to be on the syllabus that day, but you can be sure the taste will rate an A+. Ariel's Restaurant & Pond Village Pub serves varied cuisine and fine wines in a handsome setting by a floating bridge in the nearby historic Brookfield.

 

Ten miles west of Montpelier, Waterbury is home to a Vermont legend-in-the-making, the Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory. Tours are fun and include samples. What more could you ask for?

 

Burlington is Vermont’s largest city. It is a thriving college town with plenty of activity and pedestrians to make people-watching a part of your agenda if you so choose. The Church Street Marketplace is full of shops and restaurants. Take a ride on a Lake Champlain Ferry to see the city from the water.

 

The Ethan Allen Homestead is a tribute to one of Vermont’s favored sons and the house is open for tours (by appointment). South of Burlington is Shelburne Museum, a mind-bending collection of artifacts spread out in 37 buildings on 45 acres. There are displays of entire buildings, including a stagecoach inn and railroad station. You could spend hours here, so either allow time or discipline yourself to keep moving.

 

Besides the aforementioned NECI Commons, Burlington offers Bove’s, a classic and inexpensive Italian favorite, and Leunig’s Bistro, with a continental menu offering a little bit of everything.

 

The northern areas of the Champlain Islands and the Northeast Kingdom offer less in terms of organized tourism, but plenty in the way of natural scenery. Consider unfolding a map and just hitting the road for a driving tour.