No need for your passport because today we are staying within the United States. Hop in the car because it’s time for a road trip to Burlington, Vermont. I traveled to Burlington in 2022 to tour the University of Vermont. The school was beautiful, but the scenery beyond the campus was breathtaking.
Our first stop in Burlington is Church Street. This street is a vibrant marketplace with loads of amazing shopping. Before hitting the stores I would recommend getting a bagel sandwich at the Burlington Bagel Bakery. Once you are fueled up, it is time to let the shopping begin. My favorite stores were Lululemon, Free People, Patagonia, REI, and Urban Outfitters. Church Street was also a fun place to people-watch, because of the proximity to the university and the large number of dogs that accompanied their owners.
I traveled to Burlington in February, so it was blisteringly cold, but this did not stop people from being outside and enjoying the sunshine. Contrary to the weather in State College, the sun was always out in Burlington, despite the freezing temperatures. It was beautiful to see the snow-capped mountains and the sunset over Lake Champlain.
The next must-see in Burlington is the Ben and Jerry’s factory. Ben and Jerry’s ice cream originated in Burlington, Vermont, so they have an interactive factory located just outside of the town. We were able to see the facilities and choose from a long list of classic flavors. The ice cream was served in a freshly made waffle-cone, that was warm to the touch.
Did you know Von Trapp’s family home from The Sound of Music is located in Vermont? They have restored the lodge and it is now open to the public for tours or overnight visits. The lodge is located in Stowe, Vermont, which is about a 45-minute drive from Burlington. If you are a fan of The Sound of Music, I highly recommend this historical site.
Lastly, to appeal to adventurous travelers, Vermont has a plethora of amazing ski resorts. Stowe Resort is located about 45 minutes outside of Burlington and offers 116 trails, ranging from beginner to expert. If you are not a skier or snowboarder, Stowe Mountain is still a fun place to visit. There is ice skating, gondola rides, and delicious restaurants.
I have only visited Vermont in the winter, but I think it would be an amazing summer vacation for anyone interested in the outdoors. I can imagine it being an explosion of greenery and color, with amazing hiking trails. While we were visiting Stowe Mountain, we discovered a hiking trail that is only open in the summer months. The hike is a steep climb, but it takes you to the top of one of the peaks and provides an amazing lookout of the valley below.
Burlington, Vermont looks so beautiful, and that bagel… yum, I need it right now. But also, I didn’t know the house from the Sound of Music was located there! That’s actually so cool, that movie is a classic, I know that was definitely amazing to experience. Vermont’s about a 12 hour drive from my hometown in Virginia, but I will definitely have to make the trip! Again, a great blog post, I love reading about the cool places you’ve been to!
I have actually never been to Vermont before, but I love a good road trip! Burlington seems like such a majestic place, and I will definitely have to travel there soon. When I go, the Ben and Jerry’s factory will be the first place I visit. I am a huge ice cream fan, and Ben and Jerry’s is my favorite brand of all time. Having the option to choose from so many flavors seems like a dream! I didn’t know Von Trapp’s family home from The Sound of Music is located in Vermont. That’s so interesting and is another place I will definitely have to go see as well. I also love skiing, so when I go, I’ll have to go during the winter months. Skiing in Vermont seems absolutely amazing and is something that I really hope to experience some day.