Food destinations within easy reach of Burlington, worth the early start.
Food destinations within easy reach of Burlington, worth the train, the rental car or the early start.
Famous for Heady Topper at The Alchemist, Austrian-style lagers at von Trapp Bierhall, Stowe Cider
Stowe is the Burlington food day-trip default. Hit The Alchemist Brewery and Visitor Center for Heady Topper four-packs at 100 Cottage Club Road,
Drive on I-89 north to Waterbury then VT-100 north
Famous for Ben and Jerry's Factory Tour, the Flavor Graveyard, Cold Hollow Cider Mill cider donuts
Ben and Jerry's Factory at 1281 Waterbury-Stowe Road runs 30-minute guided tours daily 10:00-18:00; tickets release two weeks ahead and sell out.
Drive I-89 north to Exit 10, then VT-100 north
Famous for Farmstead cheddar at Shelburne Farms, Fiddlehead Brewing, Folino's pizza, Shelburne Vineyard
Shelburne Farms (1611 Harbor Road) is the working farm and 1899 Webb-Vanderbilt estate where you can tour the cheese-making operation and lunch at the Inn.
Drive south on US-7 to Shelburne
Famous for Sip of Sunshine IPA, Mad River Valley taproom, cheese and meat boards
Lawson's Finest Liquids at 155 Carroll Road in Waitsfield is the destination brewery in the Mad River Valley. Timber-frame taproom, deck, beer garden;
Drive I-89 south to Exit 10, then VT-100 south through Waterbury
Famous for Hill Farmstead saisons and double IPAs
Hill Farmstead Brewery at 403 Hill Road in Greensboro Bend (Shaun Hill, 2010) holds top-of-world RateBeer rankings. Remote, little cell service.
Drive I-89 south to US-2 east via Montpelier, then back roads to Greensboro Bend
Make a night of it
Hotels in Greensboro Bend (Hill Farmstead)
Famous for Haymaker Bun, American Flatbread Middlebury, Fire and Ice steaks, Middlebury College
Middlebury is the south-end college-town stop: Haymaker Bun (JBA bakery semifinalist) for the morning bun, American Flatbread for wood-fired pizza,
Drive south on US-7
Famous for Red Hen Baking sourdough, Cornerstone Burger Bar, state-capital walking
Red Hen Baking Co. moved its cafe to 60 Main Street in Montpelier on May 1, 2026 after eighteen years at Camp Meade in Middlesex; the Cyrus Pringle miche.
Drive I-89 south to Exit 8
