It’s no wonder that the famous von Trapps chose Vermont to call home in 1942, upon leaving their beloved Austria. The state’s towering peaks and rolling hills surely reminded the fleeing family of the peaceful mountain living they cherished before the world turned dark.
Today, Vermonters and visitors alike still feel the Green Mountain pull. While lots of states claim to be “the prettiest,” add Vermont to the Top 5. Whether you enjoy outdoor adventure, mesmerizing Sunday drives over covered bridges, craft beer, or some of the best farm-to-table fare throughout all Fifty, you’ve got it made in Vermont summer, fall, and winter, the best seasons to visit.
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Vermont borders three states: New York to the west, New Hampshire to the east, and Massachusetts to the south. It also borders the Canadian province of Quebec to the north. As the second-least populous state in the country (only Wyoming is smaller), Vermont’s entire population equals roughly 643,000. (To put it into Georgia speak, Atlanta city proper—just the city limits—has a population of about 534,000.)
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With leaf peeping season around the corner and winter not long on the horizon, now’s the time to book that flight to Burlington (BTV) and touch down in the land of Lake Champlain, with the picturesque towns of Stowe, Waterbury, Waitsfield, and Warren just a short ride away. And for one of the best experiences, drop a pin and head to the Mad River Valley. Pretty soon you’ll start humming tunes from a very popular movie you and your grandmother loved… (hint: released in 1965, and winner of Best Picture.)
GETTING THERE:
Flying from Savannah or Jacksonville: You have options to get to Vermont, but it involves a choice: do you prefer direct (sorry, zero) or are you okay with changing planes? If you’re go-direct or no-go, then fly into Boston Logan, grab a rental and take a leisurely 3.5ish hour drive up I-93 to I-89, crossing the Connecticut River between Lebanon, New Hampshire and Hartford, Vermont. Here’s a beautiful bonus: Vermont does not allow billboards! Imagine a breathtaking drive without lawyer ads… If you prefer to fly into Burlington, you’ll change planes at a major hub: Atlanta, Charlotte, DC, or Philadelphia.
To the Mad River Valley: From Burlington, head south on I-89 and turn off at Exit 10 (Waterbury/Stowe/Route 100). If you love ice cream, and who doesn’t, turn right onto Route 100 North (Waterbury-Stowe Road) for a factory tour and ice cream samples at Ben & Jerry’s. Your family will thank you.
STAY
Fun, casual, and eco, Madbush Falls, an adventure lodge in Waitsfield, bills itself as “Vermont’s Ski & Bike Basecamp” and sits close to Sugarbush and Mad River Glen ski areas. Madbush Falls, 7575 Main Street, Waitsfield, Vermont 05673, 802.496.7575, madbushfalls.com, @madbushfalls. The Pitcher Inn, classically Vermont with a front porch in the quaint village of Warren. A Relais & Châteaux luxury inn, known for individually themed guest rooms and suites with names like the Lodge, Calvin Coolidge, Trout, Mallard, and Mountain. Dine on-site at 275 Main Restaurant (farm-to-table) or the more casual, family-favorite Tracks Tavern. The Pitcher Inn, 275 Main Street, Warren, VT 05674, 802.496.6350, pitcherinn.com, @thepitcherinn.
EAT & DRINK
American Flatbread, the original flagship location of the iconic brand. Set on a historic 25-acre farm property overlooking the Mad River. Known for wood-fired, farm-to-table flatbreads baked in a clay oven—this is a Mad River Valley institution. Lareau Farm is also a bed and breakfast and wedding/event venue with a distinctive agritourism character. American Flatbread, 46 Lareau Road, Waitsfield, VT 05673, 802.496.8856, lareaufarm.com; americanflatbread.com/locations/waitsfield-vt, @americanflatbreadwaitsfield. Casual and lively, The Mad Taco, a beloved, unpretentious taqueria in the heart of the Mad River Valley, known for scratch-made Mexican fare with a Vermont twist — smoked meats (pork shoulder, pork belly, chicken), house-made hot sauces, and dishes built around local produce with an excellent Vermont craft beer selection. It draws a real cross-section of the valley: skiers, hikers, cyclists, and locals alike. The Mad Taco, 5101 Main Street, Waitsfield, VT 05673, 802.496.3832, themadtaco.com, @themadtaco802. Lawson’s Finest Liquids, an acclaimed Vermont craft brewery founded by naturalist and homebrewer Sean Lawson, known for maple-forward beers and hop-intensive IPAs including Sip of Sunshine and Double Sunshine. Lawson’s Finest Liquids, 155 Carroll Road, Waitsfield, VT 05673, 802.496.4677, lawsonsfinest.com, @lawsonsfinest. Three Mountain Cafe, a cozy neighborhood coffee shop where the locals gather to gab. Great for breakfast sandwiches, coffee culture, and community of all ages. Three Mountain Cafe, 107 Mad River Green, Waitsfield, VT 05673, 802.496.5470, joe.coffee, @threemountaincafe. Twisted Halo, a quirky café known for coffee, doughnuts, and baked goods. Twisted Halo, 40 Bridge Street, Waitsfield, VT 05673, 802.234.1142, twistedhalowaitsfield.square.site, @twistedhalowaitsfield.
SHOP
Very Vermonty: Addison West, a home goods retailer and interior design studio in a charming red storefront, known for apothecary finds, furniture, games, puzzles, books, and that perfect gift needed for any occasion. Addison West, 5275 Main Street, Waitsfield, VT 05673, 802.528.7951, theaddisonwest.com, @theaddisonwest. The Warren Store, a classic “Almost World Famous” Vermont country store, known for its grill and bakery, provisions stocked with local beer, cider, and wine, plus a deck overlooking Freeman Brook. Wander upstairs to the boutique. The Warren Store, 284 Main Street, Warren, VT 05674, 802.496.3864, warrenstore.com, @warrenstore.
