Lake Champlain Valley

The Lake Champlain Valley Region borders Lake Champlain's midsection with miles and miles of wonderful beaches and shoreline. All sorts of water sports (sailing, fishing, windsurfing) are available in the summer and ice fishing and ice skating are popular in winter. The waterfront area contains the Burlington Bike Path for biking, hiking, and jogging and features a new Burlington Skate Park for skate boarding, in-line skating, and biking. For the outdoor adventurer, mountain and lake resorts abound with trails, camping facilities and other outdoor activities within 25 miles. Things to See and Do Attractions Church Street Marketplace in Burlington; recipient of the important Great American Main Street Award and recognized as one of the most successful malls in the country. Approximately 100 shops, eateries, vendors. Dakin Farm in South Burlington; sharpen your taste buds and clear your nasal passages to fully appreciate the taste and aroma of Vermont's finest cob-smoked ham, aged cheddar cheese and pure maple syrup. Taste samples and take some home. Gardner's Supply Company in Burlington; America's largest mail order gardening catalog. Tour the display gardens featuring Cook's Garden Seed Co. Store displays assorted innovative garden items, seasonal plants and Vermont foods. Lake Champlain Chocolates in Burlington; quality specialty chocolates using fresh Vermont ingredients. Factory tours to see the chocolatiers make the lusciously flavorful morsels. Samples offered. Magic Hat Brewing Company in South Burlington; free tours (Wed-Fri), free samples of Vermont inspired and Vermont produced beer and ale. The Champlain Mill in Winooski; variety of shops in a smartly restored woolen mill. The Wildflower Farm in Charlotte; the East's premier wildflower center for seeds for all regions. Shop for seeds, books and gifts. Vermont Teddy Bear Company in Shelburne; tour the factory and follow the process of making these cuddly cuties. Order your very own and be part of the process to insure your satisfaction. Shop the Bear Shop for gifts and mementos. Your children will have a lifetime memory. Covered Bridges Holmes Creek (or Lakeshore) covered bridge is located in Charlotte, VT (Chittenden County). Build date is unknown. Located on Lake Road, the bridge crosses Holmes Creek. Lower (or Quinlan) covered bridge is located in Charlotte, VT (Chittenden County). Built in 1849, this bridge spans Lewis Creek and is located on Lewis Creek Road at Spear Street Extension. Upper covered bridge is located in Charlotte, VT (Chittenden County). Built in 1849, this bridge spans Lewis Creek and is located on Roscoe Road. Museum covered bridge is located in Shelburne, VT (Chittenden County). Built in 1845, this bridge spans Burr Pond on the Shelburne Museum grounds (adjacent to Route 7). Brown's River bridge is located in Westford, VT (Chittenden County). Build in 1837-38. Restored in 2001 to its original location on Cambridge Road, spanning Brown's River. Open to pedestrian traffic only. Historic Sites Ethan Allen Homestead in Burlington; visit Ethan Allen's homestead with period artifacts and furnishings. An educational center displays a multimedia show; an archaeology exhibit, and gift shop. Shelburne Farms in Shelburne is a National Historic Site. Founded as a private model agricultural estate in 1886, it was converted into a not-for-profit environmental educational center. On the 1400-acre working farm are walking trails, children's farmyard, cheesemaking, and guided tours. Museums Birds of Vermont Museum in Huntington; Approximately 450 life-size, biologically accurate wood carvings of Vermont birds in natural settings. Fifty-three acres of trails to see birds in the wild. Information provided to identify the birds. Shelburne Museum in Shelburne; a must see for families and all age groups. Folk art, decorative art, paintings by French Impressionists and American Masters, furniture, quilts, period houses, weathervanes, and all sorts of whatnots. About 40 buildings and structures on 45 acres including a covered bridge, a steamboat, and a vintage operational carousel. Spend some time here and you'll be glad you did. Outdoor Activities Spirit of Ethan Allen II in Burlington; a 500 passenger luxury cruise ship providing daily scenic and sunset cruises serving brunch, lunch and dinner. Lobster and Luau dinners and murder mystery and variety shows. Science & Nature Related Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington at the waterfront and currently undergoing renovation to reopen in spring 2003. It will have over 12000 gallons of aquariums and live animal habitats. Over 50 different native fish and animal species. Hands-on programs, interactive exhibits, and lecture/learning sessions.

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