Burlington, VT what's hot in 2022?

Smuggs is literally a half-hour from everywhere (it's a ski resort!) so wangle some real time away and head over the Notch on 108 to Stowe. As long as yet another jackass tractor-trailer driver from FLA (2 so far!) doesn't ignore all of the warning signs and relies solely on his GPS only to get completely stuck in the s-curves banked by huge boulders... it will be open for your exploration! Alchemist, Idletyme, Trapps await!

 

Head through the notch hit the alchemist, Stowe beverage and Trapps

 

I would skip Ten Bends — a boring overpriced IPA-focused brewery available everywhere.

 

Plenty of restaurants/bars in Stowe/Waterbury with great tap lists. Other than Alchemist, I'd probably skip the breweries in the "immediate" area. Super close to Smuggs, Martells will have a decent selection, if you don't want to leave the notch.

 

Depending where you're coming from, grab some cans and bottles along the way. Alchemist is close-ish, Von Trapp isn't too far out of the way (they did a really nice one with Thin Man recently). If you hit Doc Ponds along the way they'll have a few good things on tap.

 

Piggyback on this thread, what places between Burlington VT, and Littleton NH (e.g. Waterbury, Stowe, Hardwick, St Johnsbury) have good vegetarian food? Thanks.

 

Skinny Pancake. Amazing food. One location in Burlington and another in Stowe.

 

Looks like also in Montpelier. What would you recommend to get there?

 

I think the menus are online, but when I was there a couple of weeks ago I had this savory root vegetable crepe that I am still thinking about. They also had this roasted beet patty on the specials menu that was unbelievable. I can’t remember the exact names of the dishes, but it is an awesome place that should fit the bill for your needs. I’m not even vegan and I love the place.

 

Not a ton of vegan food in the waterbury thru Littleton area (my wife is vegan and we struggle to find her stuff when we go out) - maybe some single items on menus, but not really dedicated restaurants. Vegetarian you'll have a lot more options across the board. Some places that come to mind are Mad Taco (they almost always have vegetarian & vegan options) and Hunger Mtn Coop in Montpelier. There's also a Skinny Pancake and the Hippie Chickpea in Montpelier. I saw that Three Ponds in Danville just reopened in their new location and they always have vegetarian and vegan options that are pretty good. Of course there's also pizza if you just need vegetarian (Positive Pie in Hardwick or Parker Pie in Glover). Other places that come to mind: Zenbarn in Waterbury, Green Goddess Cafe and Ranch Camp in Stowe. Some of these places are more breakfast/lunch, so make sure you check hours to ensure they're open for the meal you want. Hope that helps! And please post where you end up eating...I'm local but always lookin for more options like these in the area!

 

Lost nation probably has some vegetarian options

 

Great suggestions, thank you. I'm looking for vegetarian options, so a few more than vegan is good. And lunch is all we need usually. I'll report back.

Yeah, Lost Nations has a few. We weren't back yet since they reopened. I heard the menu is a little different.

 

Did a great Burlington trip last year, coming from the Philly area. Broke up the trip by one night in Hudson NY (which let us hit Hudson and Suarez and Red Clover heading to...), 3 nights in Burlington (all Burlington breweries), then 1 night in Hartford CT coming back (which let us hit Tree House).

Looking to do a new 5 day trip in a few weeks. Thinking maybe Brattleboro 1 night, 3 nights around Stowe, then somewhere closer to Tree House on way back. This lets us hit stuff we missed like Alchemist/HF this time, maybe one day in Burlington area again. Only thing is Red Clover is off this trail, which was a real sleeper hit for us the last time...

Is 3 nights in Stowe the way to go? Maybe Montpelier as a better home base? We don't want to drive far during those 3 days to anything (because beer) and also we like hiking/nature (hence not Burlington again).

 

I would say Stowe if you want outdoor activities. That would be my pick for a 3-day homebase.

 

Three nights in Stowe gets you proximity to many breweries, & recreation, but really pricey. Waterbury is cheaper, and halfway to virtually every beer destination inside a 40-mile radius. Montpelier-Barre has good restos and 3 Penny taproom, but not much else.

 

Good point on Waterbury - I'll look into spots there!

 

Personlly would skip Brattleboro unless it’s a super helpful for your driving timeline, it’s a great area but I think there’s a lot more to do off 89.

As for the other question, I love Montpelier, but Stowe is a better home base. If walkability post drinking is important, I would even suggest Waterbury as the best place to stay as you’re in a much denser area for bars (and Freak Folk!!) while not adding much in terms of driving to good hikes and outdoor space. Waterbury/Stowe also has the most reasonable drive to HF, though outside of Burlington you’re not horrifically far anywhere off 89.

Waitsfield is a good option, too - Lawson’s, Mad Taco, river swimming, Sugarbush….lots to love there if you’re ok with being a little more in the boonies. The nice thing about the Montpelier to Burlington stretch is that you’re pretty close to all these places no matter where you stay, so it’s more a matter of prioritizing what’s important to be walkable.

 

Stowe all the way.

 

Green Empire might be the best IPA's in Vermont now...

 

I may have missed it, but I didn't see Blackback Pub mentioned as a Waterbury stop. This is my favorite bar on the planet earth. Best taplist in Waterbury, great atmosphere and very friendly owner. And their food is fantastic - consider eating there for dinner. Pro Pig has great BBQ food, but they mostly just serve their own mediocre beers on tap now. .... I also second a visit to Friek Folk in Waterbury. Was there a few weeks ago and enjoyed their stuff and talking to the owner. Impressive set up for just starting out.

Other spots in the Burlington area: Mule Bar in Winooski is right up there in the Burlington area's best tap lists; Black Flannel in Essex Junction had some creative offerings as well.

Also, if you are heading to HFS, double check about reservations - i was up there last month and you still had to make them.