48 Hours in Addison County for Outdoor Enthusiasts

While it’s hard to pick which Vermont season is our favorite, our beautiful state is well-known for its sparkling winters full of countless snow sports opportunities. From novice to expert, Addison County has outdoor activities (and delicious eats along the way) to offer every visitor during our stunning colder months – so read along for our 48-hour guide to doing winter right in Addison County, Vermont.

Stay at the: Waybury Inn

Founded in 1810, Middlebury’s lovely Waybury Inn is a great spot to settle in for a weekend spent enjoying Vermont’s beautiful outdoors. Sitting at the Green Mountain National Forest’s base, this gem is near the Robert Frost Interpretive trail and the Rikert Nordic Center for easy access to Vermont’s beautiful outdoors. Just a few miles further down the road sits the Middlebury Snow Bowl, ready for you to ski to your hearts’ content. Staying at the Waybury Inn grants you countless opportunities for winter fun right outside your front door.

Friday

5pm: Bundle up for the weekend at Vermont Flannel Company

What better way to kick off your stay in Addison County than by stocking up on high-quality Vermont Flannel™ to keep you warm all weekend? Hand-cutting and sewing their double-brushed, 100% cotton flannel in the USA for over 25 years, family-owned Vermont Flannel Company is locally beloved for the durability and comfort of their goods. Layer up with shirts, hoodies, and jackets for the chilly weekend ahead – and grab some blankets, scarves, and more for friends and family while you’re at it.

6:30 pm: Dinner at Bar Antidote | Hired Hand Brewing Co. 

Embrace Vermont’s famous farm-to-table philosophy with a delicious dinner at Vergennes’ Bar Antidote. Inspired by his upbringing on his family’s farm, owner Ian Huizenga is passionate about fresh, local ingredients. From meats and cheeses to veggies and mushrooms, this special spot serves up the best of VT, whether sourced from local distributors or foraged from our forests. Even the ingredients used in the beers at Hired Hand Brewing Co. (Huizenga’s own brewery, with Eliza Benton) are hyperlocal, many of which are directly sourced in Addison County. We highly recommend the KimCheese Fries, Tuna Tacos, and, for the vegetarians, the Tree Huggin’ Dirt Worshipper (AKA a wild rice, native carrot, pumpkin seed, and risotto veggie burger). And don’t forget about dessert: the Maple Bread Pudding will make sure you know you’re in Vermont.

Saturday

8 am: Breakfast at 7 South Sandwich Company

Start your morning off on the right foot with a good old-fashioned breakfast sammy at one of Middlebury’s favorite sandwich shops. The breakfast sandwiches are a classic choice, but there’s also no wrong time for a classic BLT, 7 South’s signature Salty Bird, or their indulgent buffalo chicken tender wrap. And if you’re not craving a sandwich at 8 am, we also highly recommend the parfait with homemade granola and fresh fruit. Want to express your creativity? Try out a custom creation with your pick of bread (gluten-free options abound!), meat, cheese, toppings, and more. You’ll be busy this afternoon, so double up your order and grab an extra sandwich for later.

10 am: Pick your half-day adventure! Choose one or many of these activities:

Go ice fishing with 3rd Alarm Charters 

3rd Alarm Charters’ ice fishing trips are perfect for any age or skill level and are a great way to get outside and enjoy some of Vermont’s beautiful scenery. With over thirty years of experience out on the “Hardwater,” as they say, 3rd Alarm Charters have built up a wealth of knowledge about VT’s bodies of water and what it takes to snag a fish in one of them. As far as preparations go, the only necessity is a Vermont Fishing License for anyone over the age of 15, purchased online at Vermont Fish and Wildlife. 3rd Alarm Charters will provide all bait and tackle and an ice shelter to keep you out of the wind – all you need to do is bundle up and show up. And if you want to take photos of your catches, don’t forget a smartphone or camera!

Try your hand at downhill skiing at the Middlebury Snowbowl

For any outdoor lover, the Middlebury Snowbowl is a Vermont winter staple. With its varied terrain, snowboard and ski rentals, and Snow School classes, this beautiful ski area is well-suited for every experience level. The Snowbowl’s short lift lines help make the most of your time on the slopes, and its gorgeous views are a wonderful way to remember your weekend in Addison County.

Stop by Rack’ N Reel Sporting Goods for shopping and indoor archery

Make a stop at Rack’ N Reel for all your outdoor gear and sporting goods needs, plus polish up your archery skills at their indoor archery range. Interested in starting a new hobby? They have bows and arrows to purchase if you want to practice your aim outside their range. Rack N Reel also has great options to keep you warm and dry if you’re looking to slip in a quick hike during your visit. If you’re curious about ice fishing, they can outfit you to have a great day on the Hardwater. They even carry smokers if you want to step up your meat-cooking game back home.

Bring your snowmobile and hit the trails

If you’ve got a snowmobile at home, it’s definitely worth packing up and hauling with you to explore Vermont’s winter terrain. So grab a Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) trail pass and enjoy everything VT’s gorgeous trails have to offer. Just make sure your snowmobile is registered and insured, and you’ve taken a quick online safety course. For the past 50 years, VAST has been responsible for the grooming and maintenance of over 4,700 miles of Vermont trails and is one of the oldest snowmobiling organizations in the country. With over 24,000 members and 127 clubs nationwide, VAST offers countless resources for snowmobilers in Addison County and beyond.

7 pm: Grab a slice at Nino’s Sicilian Pizza

Nino’s is the ideal Saturday night spot to unwind and enjoy a couple (or more) slices of some of Middlebury’s best’ za. With the tagline “Real Simple…Real Good,” it’s easy to see the local charm Nino’s offers to the neighborhood, and their incredible pies back up their claims. To start off your meal, take your pick from eight different salads – order half as an appetizer or full as an entree – and if you’re into wings, it might be hard to pick from their twelve different flavor options. Their extensive list of specialty pies has something for everyone: twelve veggie options, nine roasted chicken varieties, and ten “classics with meat.” We highly recommend the Garlic Knot Pie (which is exactly what it sounds like – and as good as it sounds, too) or the Godfather, but there’s no wrong answer at Nino’s.

Sunday

8am: Start the day at Waybury Inn

Make breakfast easy – and, of course, delicious – with your complimentary breakfast at Waybury Inn. Hop right out of bed and into their cozy dining room to enjoy their seasonal offerings and breakfast staples. Grab something light for your busy day with their fruit parfait or old-fashioned oatmeal – and don’t forget to snag a pastry or two for the road.

9 am: Go for a cross-country ski, bike, or snowshoe at the Rikert Nordic Center

Rikert Nordic Center’s 55+ kilometers of snowy, well-groomed terrain are an incredible resource for anyone looking to get outside and get active in Addison County’s beautiful winter. Sitting in the heart of the Green Mountains, this stunning spot is equipped with state-of-the-art snowmakers and features unreal views: stone walls, fields and forests, babbling brooks, and Robert Frost’s summer cabin. Enjoy a relaxing snowshoe, an energizing cross-country ski, or even a ride on your fat-tire bike across this incredible terrain. 

12 pm: Lunch at Grapevine Grille 

With its quaint interior and playful menu, Grapevine Grille makes for a great pit stop to refuel. If you’re craving something fresh, they’ve got several great salad options: if you’re into Greek salads, try their How Greek It Is To Be Olived By You. If you’re more into Cobb, try Me and Cobby McGee. If you’re looking for more carbs and protein, choose from their generous selection of cheesesteaks (eight, to be specific) – and those who don’t eat red meat can substitute chicken. 

2 pm: Relax and explore Middlebury with a self-guided walking tour 

Learn more about Vermont’s history and get your steps in with a self-guided tour of scenic Middlebury. Follow along with Glenn M. Andres’ extensive history lesson and keep warm with a coffee from little seed COFFEE ROASTERS as you admire the stunning 18th and 19th-century architecture and rich history sprinkled throughout this picturesque village.

4 pm: Do some shopping in Middlebury

While you’re in the neighborhood, you might as well take advantage of the diverse range of local shops Middlebury has to offer. If you’re visiting in December, this is the perfect opportunity to support local businesses and get in some last-minute holiday shopping. Shopping for Mom? Stop by Autumn Gold for beautiful, high-quality jewelry – new and vintage – that she’ll love. If Dad loves a good necktie, make sure to visit Beau Ties Ltd. Trying to find a gift for the person who has everything? A pair of custom-made shoes (dress, sneakers, boat shoes, hiking boots, equestrian boots – you name it) from Dan Freeman of Dan Freeman’s Leatherworks is truly a one-of-a-kind gift suited for any recipient. And you deserve a treat, too: Flora Cannabis has a high-quality menu of Vermont-grown and -manufactured goodies to help ease any lingering aches and pains during your active weekend.

6 pm: Farewell dinner at Sabai Sabai

The highly reviewed Sabai Sabai is the perfect way to round out your Sunday in Addison County. Its authentic Thai cuisine offers something for every appetite and every palate. The Sabai Sabai Wings served with sweet and sour sauce are a must-try for wing lovers. Their Papaya Salad combines all the best flavors – sweet, savory, spicy, and fresh – and their wide selection of curries and noodle dishes is ready to keep you going between vigorous outdoor activities.

Incredible Addison County is bursting with things to do this winter season, so pack your scarf and snow boots and book your trip today!

 

This campaign is a product of the Addison County Marketing Partnership, including the Addison County Chamber of Commerce, Addison County Economic Development Corporation, Better Middlebury Partnership, Vergennes Partnership, and Bristol CORE, with support from a Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing, Tourism & Recovery Grant.