4-Nights Vermont: Middlebury Countryside & the Lake Champlain Coast

Lake Champlain Islands

Beginning just 10 mi/16 km north of Burlington, the Lake Champlain Islands area encompasses a long peninsula that juts out into Lake Champlain, as well as the islands themselves. A visit to the Lake Champlain Islands makes for a peaceful and historic journey through some charming towns, including Grand Isle and Alburg, which was named for Revolutionary War hero Ira Allen, one of the founders of Vermont and brother of Ethan Allen.

Several of the islands in the waters just to west of St. Albans Bay are scenic state parks, including Burton Island and Kamp Kill Kare. To the northwest, on Isle La Motte, you'll find St. Anne's Shrine on the site of Fort St. Anne, Vermont's oldest settlement. There's also a chapel, a grotto and statues of Samuel de Champlain and Our Lady of Lourdes.

North Hero is the summer home of the famous Royal Lipizzaner Stallions, who perform several times a week. In early October, AppleFest takes place in South Hero. The celebration includes pie-baking competitions, cider-pressing contests and cricket matches (many of the apple pickers are from Jamaica, where cricket is king).

Middlebury

The lovely town of Middlebury, at the heart of the Champlain Valley 30 mi/50 km south of Burlington, is home to Middlebury College and a number of cultural landmarks. These include the well-stocked Vermont Book Shop, where Robert Frost used to shop, and the Vermont State Craft Center at Frog Hollow, located in a charming gallery overlooking Otter Creek in Weybridge.

East of town is Bread Loaf, the famous writers' center, and the Robert Frost Wayside Area. Just north of town, in Weybridge, is the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm, which offers tours and horse shows featuring the spirited Morgan breed that hails from Vermont. The beautiful horses and restored antique stables are a horse lover's delight.

Northeast of Middlebury is the Mad River Valley, known for its covered bridges, white-steepled churches and two excellent ski areas: Sugarbush Resort and Mad River Glen.

Once regarded as an ultrasophisticated singles' haunt, today Sugarbush caters more to vacationing families. The view from the top of Mount Ellen is a spectacular 360-degree panorama of the Adirondacks, Lake Champlain and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Sugarbush is also home to a number of exceptional restaurants, including Common Man and Chez Henri, two of Vermont's most elegant dining options.

Nearby Mad River Glen has a decidedly Vermont character—the resort prides itself on being independently and cooperatively owned. It is a favorite among adventurous skiers (no snowboarders are allowed) for its challenging expert runs and 800 acres/320 hectares of off-piste terrain.