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70 Essex Way

Essex, VT 05452

Toll-Free: 800-727-4295

Front Desk: 802-878-1100

Spa: 802-764-1452

Fax: 802-878-0063

Wanderlust

LIKE A LOCAL

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Sailboat on Lake Champlain

Quirky, under-the-radar highlights only a local could recommend.

COMMUNITY SAILING CENTER
This 20-year-old community-based nonprofit sits right on the Lake Champlain waterfront and makes sailing and other watersports accessible to all members of the Burlington community — even visiting ones. Base a vacation around one of their signature programs, like the Lake Adventure, where kids explore Lake Champlain from a variety of watercrafts (canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards), or the all-female learn-to-sail Women in the Wind program.

ARTSRIOT
Found in the heart of the South End Arts District, ArtsRiot is both a restaurant, a performing arts space, and a community gathering place. So while you dine on New American eats (think crispy pork belly ramen or maple-roasted broccoli) in this former warehouse, you’re also privy to poetry and burlesque events, among other performances, on its 120-square-foot stage. 

HONEY ROAD
This simple eatery in Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace offers a mezze-focused, family-style Eastern Mediterranean menu featuring local ingredients. Dishes – created by the likes of chefs and co-owners Cara Chingazola-Tobin (formerly of Boston’s James Beard Award-winning Oleana) Allison Gibson (Hen of the Wood, Doc Ponds) – include fried Vermont quail with dried fruit, lemon honey, and mint as well as familiar favorites like spanakopita.

SIGNAL KITCHEN
Unknown even to most residents of the Queen City, this hip basement-based live-music venue showcases up-and-coming musicians from Burlington and beyond, including those on the fridge of going global (like Glass Animals). Find it in a back alley near the Ski Rack.

THE WEEKENDER

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Clock tower in Burlington, VT

How to spend 36 hours in Burlington, Vermont, with The Essex as your base camp.

FRIDAY 
5 p.m. | Drinks at Foam Brewers
Built by longtime Burlington brewmasters with the help of local artisans, this brewpub – punctuated by a long, winding stone bar flecked with stones collected from Lake Champlain – pours some of the city’s best and most imaginative suds, and slices up fresh charcuterie to kick off the weekend.

7 p.m. | Dinner at Hen of the Wood
This award-winning restaurant is named for the mushroom that tops its signature toast. Make a reservation as soon as you can, and eat whatever Chef Eric Warnstedt might suggest for the day; he’s the local savant of all things savory.

9:30 p.m. | Catch a Show at Vermont Comedy Club
Husband-and-wife team of Nathan Hartswick and Natalie Miller opened this space in 2015 in an old armory building on Main Street, and welcome funny acts from near and far almost nightly.

SATURDAY
8 a.m. | Breakfast at Sneakers
Since 1980, this bistro has been a staple of Winooski, a Brooklyn-esque small city that sits next to Burlington. The all-day breakfast and brunch features signature dishes, like Kahlua-batter-dipped French toast, breakfast sandwiches with homemade turkey sausage, and, of course, bottomless hot coffee.

10 a.m. | Farms and Fine Art in Shelburne
Heading south on Route 7, your first stop is Shelburne Farms, the 1,400-acre working farm built by Dr. William Seward and Lila Vanderbilt Webb in 1886. Next up is Shelburne Museum, which showcases more than 150,000 pieces of American art in 39 buildings, including a lighthouse and the Ticonderoga steamboat. Pick up a picnic lunch at nearby Harrington’s or at Dakin Farm, and hike two miles up Mount Philo for lunch beside lovely views of Lake Champlain and beyond. 

3 p.m. | Stroll Church Street 
Back in Burlington, the pedestrian-only Church Street Marketplace is lined with dozens of boutiques and vintage stores for souvenir shopping. We suggest Barge Canal Market for mid-century modern home goods or Vintage Inspired, a multi-dealer shop that overflows with vintage and curious goods in an old brick warehouse. 

5 p.m. | Drinks at Monarch & Milkweed
It sounds like a children’s bookstore, but this downtown Burlington space is actually one of the top hangouts for grown-up drinks, such as the Milk Punch and the Negroni Popper. Owner Andrew LeSturgeon brings New York City experience here; be sure to try the brown-butter popcorn.

7 p.m. | Dinner at American Flatbread
Next door to Monarch & Milkweed, this pizzeria joint is unlike any other in the US. Organic, Vermont-grown ingredients top thin, crispy crusts with no red sauce in sight. There are also red-checked tablecloths, games, and local microbrews, plus occasional live music.

SUNDAY
9 a.m. | Brunch at Penny Cluse
When Vice President Joe Biden visited Burlington, he tucked into blueberry pancakes at this homey brunch café and is hardly the only celeb to discover the appeal. The Bucket-o-Spuds will satisfy the hungriest of home-fry lovers, while the Zydeco Breakfast brings southern warmth to a northern climate.

11 a.m. | Ride the Burlington Bike Path
Stretching some eight miles along the Lake Champlain waterfront and connecting to additional paved paths in Colchester, the Burlington Bike Path is the heart of the city’s outdoor scene from May through October. Rent bikes from Local Motion, and reward yourself with a creemee (the Vermont term for soft serve ice cream) from Burlington Bay Café before heading out of town.

THE ADVENTURIST

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Lake Champlain

When simply “seeing” a destination just won’t do. 

STAND-UP PADDLEBOARDING ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN | COMMUNITY SAILING CENTER

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Stand-up paddleboarding is the number-one way to see the sights – including spectacular Lake Champlain sunsets, lush and colorful shoreline, and Green Mountain and Adirondack vistas – while getting a workout. 

Person paddle boarding

SKI THE MAD RIVER VALLEY | SUGARBUSH

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Person skiing

Once known as Mascara Mountain for the fancy crowds it drew from Manhattan, Sugarbush, in the Mad River Valley, now has 111 trails that spill down the two mountainsides of Lincoln Peak (known as South) and Mount Ellen (known as North). Splurge on a snowcat ride for first tracks.

HIKING THE SUNSET RIDGE TRAIL | MOUNT MANSFIELD

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At 4,393 feet, Mount Mansfield is the highest mountain in Vermont, the home to Stowe ski resort, a feather in any serious hiker’s cap, and just an hour from Burlington. Take the popular Sunset Ridge trail, a three-mile moderately strenuous hike that climbs out of the trees to a rocky exposed ridge with spectacular views of the Adirondacks. 

Mount Mansfield

FLAVOR OF…

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Fresh bunch of radishes

The best food artisans, farms, and local markets.

BURLINGTON BREW

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Enjoy a good craft brew or a hard cider? Take a trip down to Pine Street in Burlington, and see what all the “buzz” is about.

  • Zero Gravity Beer
  • Queen City Brewery
  • Citizen Cider
  • House of Fermentology

** extra, within just a one mile radius of Pine Street, you can also find Foam Brewers and Switchback Brewing Co.

People toasting with glasses of beer

TOMGIRL JUICE CO. & SHY GUY GELATO

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Fresh juice and fruit

Found next door to each other just south of Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace, Tomgirl Juice draws a devoted following for its organic juices and smoothies, while Shy Guy offers creamy small-batch Sicilian-style gelato.

LAKE CHAMPLAIN CHOCOLATES

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From spicy Aztec hot chocolate and samples of Dominican Republic-sourced cacao to cooking classes and raspberry-filled bars, Lake Champlain Chocolates has been making Burlington even sweeter since 1983, when Jim Lampman began hand-rolling truffles on a dare. 

Assorted gourmet chocolates

BURLINGTON FARMERS’ MARKET

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Produce at a farmers market

What began as a few local farmers in 1980 has now expanded to more than 90 stands that offer everything from freshly grown strawberries to knit hats at the bustling City Hall Park on Saturday mornings. In the winter, find the farmers’ market every other week at UVM’s Davis Center.

The Essex Resort Wanderguide

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Your top-rated places to explore in Essex, VT


The Alchemist IPA beers The Alchemist IPA beers

Alchemist Brewery

Distance: 34 mi

Vermont is big on beer, and no beer is as coveted as The Alchemist's Heady Topper IPA. Come to the Stowe brewery to taste and to experience the libation that sends beer geeks into a frenzy. © No Credit/Shutterstock.com


Ben and Jerry's Factory Ben and Jerry's Factory

Ben and Jerry`s Factory

Distance: 24 mi

In just 30 minutes, the guided Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour shows guests how America’s favorite dessert made from start to end, offers plenty of samples along the way, and pays a visit to the Flavor Graveyard to pay respects to the “dearly de-pinted.” © No Credit/Shutterstock.com


Chapin Apple Orchard Chapin Apple Orchard

Chapin Apple Orchards

Distance: 3.7 mi

Pick your own apples come fall in this Vermont orchard right out of a postcard, and even make your own cider with the antique press on-site! © No Credit/Shutterstock.com


Church Street, Burlington Church Street, Burlington

Church Street Marketplace

Distance: 9.6 mi

Church Street is a pedestrian-only open-air mall in downtown Burlington with dozens of boutiques, restaurants, and both high-end retail and vintage stores for souvenir shopping. © No Credit/Shutterstock.com


Citizen Cider hard cider Citizen Cider hard cider

Citizen Cider

Distance: 9.7 mi

Built in 1742, this marketplace is now home to a mixture of local boutiques, pushcarts, and big-name retailers like Ann Taylor and Coach. No Credit/Shutterstock.com


Cold Hollow Cider Cold Hollow Cider

Cold Hollow Cider

Distance: 23 mi

How many ways are there to enjoy an apple? Find out at Cold Hollow, known for their apple drizzle, apple cider, apple cider vinegar, apple jelly, cider syrup, mulled cider syrup...the list goes on. © No Credit/Shutterstock.com


Essex Experience live music Essex Experience live music

Essex Experience

Distance: 0.8 mi

Less than a mile from the resort, this community gathering spot is part shopping complex, part cinema, and part art and music enclave. © No Credit/Shutterstock.com


Fiddlehead Brewery Fiddlehead Brewery

Fiddlehead Brewery

Distance: 16 mi

These taps are constantly rotating, thanks to Fiddlehead’s dedication to small-batch brewing, but if you really have your heart set on a particular brew, they probably have it in a cold can.© No Credit/Shutterstock.com


Shelburne Farms orchard Shelburne Farms orchard

Shelburne Farms

Distance: 15 mi

Wander the 1,400 acres of working farm and National Historic Landmark with breathtaking views on the shores of Lake Champlain. © No Credit/Shutterstock.com


Shelburne Museum art and design museum Shelburne Museum art and design museum

Shelburne Museum

Distance: 16 mi

There are over 150,000 works of art, design, and Americana spread across 39 different buildings, so expect to spend the day. © No Credit/Shutterstock.com


Smugglers' Notch skiing Smugglers' Notch skiing

Smuggler`s Notch Resort

Distance: 21 mi

This ski resort caters to those who don't mind a longer lift ride for some true powder turns, plus amazing kids programs in all four seasons. © No Credit/Shutterstock.com


Ice wine grapes at Snow Farm Vineyard Ice wine grapes at Snow Farm Vineyard

Snow Farm Vineyard

Distance: 20 mi

Thanks to Vermont’s chilly temps in the winter, Snow Farm is able to make ice wine, a highly flavored wine you’ll never find in California or France. © No Credit/Shutterstock.com


Spirit of Ethan Allen boat cruise Spirit of Ethan Allen boat cruise

Spirit of Ethan Allen

Distance: 9 mi

From daily cruises to the interactive murder mystery dinner cruises, being on the water has never been so easy or so versatile. © No Credit/Shutterstock.com


Stowe Mountain Resort skiing Stowe Mountain Resort skiing

Stowe Mountain Resort

Distance: 40 mi

One of the top ski destinations in the Northeast, Stowe has both expert-level terrain and a "ski-and-be-seen" scene that makes apres just as good as your time on the mountain.© No Credit/Shutterstock.com


Vermont Teddy Bear Factory Vermont Teddy Bear Factory

Vermont Teddy Bear Factory

Distance: 14 mi

These lovable bears are dotted across the world, but you can tour their origins and and learn why they’re so much more than just a stuffed animal with a visit to the factory – where you can even meet Dr. Nancy, who fixes each Vermont Teddy Bear by hand!© No Credit/Shutterstock.com