Complete Vermont Road Trip Itinerary: July 11-18, 2025
Day 1: Friday, July 11 - Arrival in Burlington
Hotel: Anchorage Inn, Burlington
Evening (Arrival)
Since you're arriving late, grab food near your hotel:
Late Night Options:
- Kountry Kart Deli (open until midnight) - Quick sandwiches
- Hotel bar at Anchorage Inn for a nightcap
- Rest up for tomorrow!
Day 2: Saturday, July 12 - Burlington to Mad River Valley
Hotel: Mad River Inn, Waitsfield
Morning (7:30 AM - 12 PM)
Coffee Options:
- ⭐ Onyx Tonics (4.8★) - 312 Pine St - Rotating single-origin menu, UK barista champion owner
- Brio Coffeeworks (4.7★) - 266 Pine St - Woman-owned specialty roaster, excellent maple latte
- Scout & Co. (4.6★) - 237 North Ave - Famous for honey lavender latte
Breakfast:
- 🎯 Penny Cluse Cafe (4.5★) - Opens 8 AM - Gingerbread pancakes are legendary
- August First Bakery (4.6★) - 149 S Champlain St - Incredible pastries, chocolate chip pumpkin bread
Can't Miss Activities:
- 🎯 Burlington Farmers Market (8:30 AM - 2 PM) - City Hall Park
- Must try: Maple creemees, Tibetan momos, Mad River Donuts
- Stock up on road trip snacks
- Lake Champlain Waterfront - Quick stroll before leaving
Shopping (if time allows):
- Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center (4.5★) - 85 Church St - Premium handmade Vermont crafts
- Common Deer (4.7★) - Modern Vermont-made accessories
Afternoon (12 PM - 5 PM)
Drive to Bolton Potholes (30 min)
- 🎯 Arrive by 1 PM for parking (only 5-7 spots!)
- Pack water shoes
- Reddit tip: "Head upstream for fewer crowds"
Late Lunch in Waterbury:
- 🎯 Prohibition Pig (4.4★) - BBQ and craft beer, Reddit favorite
- The Reservoir (4.3★) - Wood-fired pizzas, deck with water views
Must Stop:
- Cold Hollow Cider Mill - Legendary cider donuts
Evening (5 PM - 10 PM)
Check into Mad River Inn
Dinner Options:
- 🎯 The Mad Taco (4.5★) - Waitsfield - "Over-the-top tap list," owner's farm ingredients
- American Flatbread (4.6★) - Waitsfield - 40+ local farm ingredients
- Peasant (4.7★) - Farm-to-table, intimate setting
Day 3: Sunday, July 13 - Mad River Valley Full Day
Hotel: Mad River Inn, Waitsfield
Morning (7 AM - 12 PM)
Early Activity:
- 🎯 Warren Falls (7-9 AM) - Arrive early to beat crowds
- Four-tier waterfall, cliff jumping
- "Turquoise pools when sun hits right"
- Pack water shoes!
Coffee/Breakfast:
- Warren Store (4.5★) - Famous breakfast sandwiches, local crafts
- Sweet Simone's (4.7★) - Waitsfield - Excellent coffee and pastries
Afternoon (12 PM - 5 PM)
Lunch/Brewery:
- 🎯 Lawson's Finest Liquids (4.6★) - Sip of Sunshine IPA, mountain views
- Food trucks usually on site weekends
Afternoon Activities (choose one):
- Sunset Ledge Trail - 2.4 miles RT, moderate, panoramic views
- Sugarbush Resort - Scenic gondola ride
- Mad River Glen - Summer trails
- Mad River Distillers (4.5★) - Rum tasting
Shopping:
- The Warren Store - Vermont products, local crafts
- Tempest Book Shop (4.8★) - Waitsfield - Curated selection
Evening (5 PM - 10 PM)
Dinner:
- 🎯 American Flatbread (4.6★) - Wood-fired pizzas, live music on weekends
- Localfolk Smokehouse (4.4★) - BBQ in Mad River Barn
- Hyde Away Inn (4.3★) - Pub fare if you want casual
Day 4: Monday, July 14 - Mad River Valley to Northeast Kingdom
Hotel: Highland Lodge, Greensboro
Morning (8 AM - 12 PM)
Coffee:
- Quick coffee at Mad River Coffee Roasters before departure
Scenic Drive Stops:
- Cabot Creamery Annex (45 min from Waitsfield) - Cheese samples
- 🎯 Peacham (30 min further) - Most photographed village in Vermont
Afternoon (12 PM - 5 PM)
Lunch Options en route:
- Positive Pie (4.3★) - Hardwick - Wood-fired pizza
- The Village Restaurant (4.2★) - Hardwick - Famous for pie
Must See:
- 🎯 Lake Willoughby (3 PM) - Dramatic glacial lake
- South beach for swimming
- Overlook for photos
If Open (check hours):
- Hill Farmstead Brewery (4.8★) - World's #1 rated brewery
- Try Edward pale ale
- Often closed Mon/Tue
Evening (5 PM - 10 PM)
Check into Highland Lodge - Dinner included!
- Pre-dinner kayak or swim in Caspian Lake
- Farm-to-table dining
Day 5: Tuesday, July 15 - Full Northeast Kingdom Day
Hotel: Highland Lodge, Greensboro
Morning (8 AM - 12 PM)
Leisurely Morning:
- Breakfast included at Highland Lodge
- Caspian Lake activities - kayaking, SUP, swimming
Optional Morning Trip:
- Peacham revisit for photos in different light
- Craftsbury General Store (4.6★) - Classic Vermont store
Afternoon (12 PM - 5 PM)
Lunch Options:
- Craftsbury General Store - Sandwiches
- Pack lunch from Highland Lodge
Afternoon Activities (choose):
- 🎯 Craftsbury Outdoor Center - Bike rentals for rail trail
- Cabot Creamery Tour (30 min) - See cheese-making process
- Burke Mountain (45 min) - Easier summit than Mansfield
- Hardwick exploration - authentic working Vermont town
Shopping in Hardwick:
- Buffalo Mountain Co-op - Local products
- The Miller's Thumb (4.5★) - Crafts and gallery
Evening (5 PM - 9 PM)
If Hill Farmstead is open:
- 🎯 Arrive by 4 PM to avoid lines
Dinner Options:
- Stay at Highland Lodge (included)
- Parker Pie (4.4★) - West Glover - Pizza and live music
- Positive Pie (4.3★) - Hardwick
Day 6: Wednesday, July 16 - Northeast Kingdom to Stowe
Hotel: Field Guide Lodge, Stowe
Morning (9 AM - 12 PM)
Final Highland Lodge breakfast
Drive to Stowe via Route 15:
- Stop at Lost Nation Brewing (4.5★) - Morrisville
- Lunch: European-style beers, Vermont patty melts
Afternoon (12 PM - 5 PM)
Arrive Stowe by 1:30 PM
Afternoon Activities (choose one):
- 🎯 Bingham Falls (0.5 mile hike) - Reddit's #1 swimming hole
- Steep descent to falls
- Turquoise pools, cliff jumping
- Mount Mansfield Auto Toll Road ($35/car) - Drive up, short summit walk
- The Alchemist (4.5★) - Birthplace of Heady Topper
- Stowe Cider (4.4★) - Hard cider tasting
Coffee Break:
- PK Coffee (4.6★) - Third wave coffee
- Black Cap Coffee & Beer (4.5★) - Coffee and craft beer
Evening (5 PM - 9 PM)
Check into Field Guide Lodge - Don't miss their bar!
Dinner Options:
- 🎯 Doc Ponds (4.5★) - Upscale local cuisine
- The Bench (4.4★) - Wood-fired pizzas
- Piecasso (4.5★) - Pizza and live music
Shopping if time:
- Shaw's General Store - Architectural gem, Vermont products
- Stowe Mercantile (4.6★) - Local crafts and goods
Day 7: Thursday, July 17 - Lake Champlain Islands Loop
Hotel: Delta Hotels Burlington
Morning (8 AM - 12 PM)
Early Morning in Stowe:
- Coffee at PK Coffee or Black Cap
- Optional: Early Bingham Falls visit if you missed it
Drive to Lake Champlain Islands:
- Stop at Cold Hollow Cider Mill for road snacks
- Enter islands via Sand Bar State Park causeway
Island Hopping (10 AM - 2 PM)
Must Stops:
- 🎯 Hero's Welcome General Store (4.5★) - North Hero
- "What-they-haven't-got-you-don't-need"
- Rent bikes or kayaks
- Hackett's Orchard - Pick berries, cider
- St. Anne's Shrine - Isle La Motte - Historic site
Lunch:
- Blue Paddle Bistro (4.4★) - South Hero - Lakeside dining
Afternoon (2 PM - 5 PM)
Complete loop via Route 78:
- Optional: 14th Star Brewing (4.5★) - St. Albans
Return to Burlington by 4 PM
- Check into Delta Hotels Burlington
Shopping on Church Street:
- 🎯 Frog Hollow (4.5★) - Vermont State Craft Center
- Phoenix Books (4.6★) - Independent bookstore
- Burlington Records (4.5★) - Vinyl
- Birdfolk Collective (4.8★) - Handmade jewelry, local artisans
- Outdoor Gear Exchange (4.4★) - Vermont's largest outdoor gear shop
Evening (5 PM - 9 PM)
Final Dinner Options:
- 🎯 Hen of the Wood (4.7★) - 55 Cherry St - "Culinary display of highest magnitude"
- Honey Road (4.6★) - Mediterranean mezze
- Foam Brewers (4.5★) - Waterfront, innovative beers, sunset views
- The Farmhouse Tap & Grill (4.4★) - 24 Vermont beers on tap
After Dinner:
- Walk Church Street Marketplace
- Lake Champlain Chocolates (4.6★) - Factory store
Day 8: Friday, July 18 - Departure
Flight: 10:37 AM from BTV
Early Morning (6:30 AM - 8:30 AM)
Quick Coffee (if needed):
- Hotel coffee or grab at airport
Departure:
- Leave hotel by 7:30 AM
- Return rental car by 8:30 AM
- Check in for flight
Essential Shopping List
Burlington/Church Street:
- 🎯 Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center - Premium crafts
- Common Deer - Modern Vermont-made goods
- Birdfolk Collective - Handmade jewelry, artisan goods
- Phoenix Books - Independent bookstore
- Outdoor Gear Exchange - Outdoor gear
Men's Clothing:
- Tailfeather (4.5★) - Boutique menswear
- Patagonia Burlington - Outdoor apparel
- Vermont Flannel Company - Classic Vermont flannel
Food Products to Take Home:
- Lake Champlain Chocolates - Factory store
- Cabot Cheese - At various stores
- Cold Hollow Cider Mill - Cider, jelly, donuts
- Vermont Maple Syrup - At farmers market
Mad River Valley:
- The Warren Store - Local crafts, Vermont products
- Tempest Book Shop - Waitsfield
Stowe:
- Shaw's General Store - Historic, full of Vermont products
- Stowe Mercantile - Local crafts
Pro Tips:
- Reservations Needed: Hen of the Wood, Doc Ponds, Highland Lodge
- Cash: Many small shops, farm stands prefer cash
- Brewery Hours: Most close by 8-9 PM
- Swimming Holes: Arrive before 10 AM for parking
- Coffee: Vermont loves maple lattes - try them everywhere!
- Shopping: Best selection on Church Street Burlington and Warren Store