burlington, vt trip report
 

Just got back...thought I'd write a quick report.

We left Nashua on Wednesday morning. Took I89 into Vt. Just over the border, we took a nice walk along Quechee Gorge. Nothing spectacular, but the view is nice if you walk out onto the rocks at the end. We then went across the street to the Cabot store for some samples. The prices here are the same as at the factory. We saw a few things we wanted to pick up and decided we would go back on Friday on our way home. We also went to the tasting room for the North River Winery. I'm not a fan of fruit wines but we did purchase one anyway.

After that we continued north on I89. Went to the Cabot Creamery for a tour. It was interesting, but a bit out of the way. We then went to Cold Hollow Cider Mill...great cider, okay donuts. There is a tasting room next door for Grand View Winery...picked up some cranberry wine. Next was Ben and Jerry's. The tour was fun and our guide was a hoot.

It was getting late so we continued to Burlington to check into our hotel. We stayed at the Anchorage Inn. I would not stay here again. The staff was nice and it was relatively clean, but it's run down. The location is okay. The continental breakfast is sub-par. It was just meh, but we booked at the last minute and there wasn't much available.

For dinner on night one we went to Ri-Ra. The service was horrendous. It took 20 minutes to even place an order. My burger was left under the heat lamp too long and was well-done by the time I got it. My DH's guiness beef stew was pretty good, but the crappy service ruined it for me.

The next day we hiked Camel's Hump. Gorgeous views. Would do it again. It took us about 5 hours round trip but we did stop numerous times, and spent about 1/2 hour on the top eating lunch.

That night we went to the Ice House for dinner. Clam chowder was average. My DH got duck and loved it. I had a spinach salad with smoked trout. It was very good and loaded with pecans and apple slices. I would go there again.

After dinner we walked along Lake Champlain and watched the sun set.

Today we toured Lake Champlain Chocolates....loved the samples!! Then we went to Otter Creek Brewery, Long Trail Brewery, Dakin Farms, and Charlotte Vineyards. Had samples and made some purchases everwhere except for the breweries. The wine at Charlotte was my favorite of the 3 wineries we visited. We bought a bottle of cab.

Stopped back into the Cabot store in Quechee on our way back to NH. Bought some products they don't sell in the stores here in NH.

Overall it was a fun, but short, trip.

sounds like you had a tasty trip. i've been wanting to take the ben & jerry's tour for ages now. did you see anyplace in burlington that did look like a nice place to stay? how long from b&j's to burlington? where is the chocolate place?
thanks for posting the report.

Ben and Jerry's to Burlington was 45 minutes to an hour if I remember correctly. We got to sample half baked...it was great!!

There are lots of nice places to stay in Burlington. The Hilton looks really nice and it's right across from the Lake. The funniest place I saw was a B&B right between two frat houses. Can you imagine?!?! Down closer to where I stayed, there was a Holiday Inn and a Best Western that would be cheaper than the Hilton but better than my hotel. I also think there was a Sheraton right down by the lake.

Lake Champlain Chocolates has a store in downtown Burlington, but the factory is a 5 minute drive south. I don't have the address on me, but it's easy to find. Just south of a Great Harvest Bread Company. Just google their webpage and you can find the address.

I recently stayed overnight at the Sheraton in Burlington for $78.00 including taxes through Hotwire. It was a great price for a clean, well located, typical Sheraton!

Oops, sorry rizzo0904, meant to thank you for your informative trip report! :)

Thanks for the report. My dad is headed there next week for business and I suggested RiRa's but I will warn him about the service.