Take a long weekend in Burlington, Vermont to just unwind and relax. We recently made the trip. Refreshed, we are sure to do it again before the end of the summer.
Stay at the beautiful
Inn at Shelburne Farms. Room rates start at $155/night, they also have private cottages with kitchenettes on the farm grounds which offer families a little more privacy, which start at $260/night. Clients of the Inn and/or
restaurant supports the farm's sustainable farming, conservation and their educational programs.
On the shores of Lake Champlain, the inn was originally the 19th-century country home of Dr. William Seward and Lila Vanderbilt Webb. Restored in 1987, the inn today retains its historic character and continues the tradition of warmth, informal elegance and hospitality.
While your there, visit the grounds of the beautiful farm with your own
guided tour, or or take a wagon ride (offered every half an hour) form the visitor's centre to the Children's Farmyard where the kids will be able to get close
to Brown Swiss Milk cows, Brown Swiss calves, goats and kids, sheep and lambs, pigs and piglets, several breeds of rabbits, polish Crested hens and bantams, laying hens and roosters, meat birds, turkeys, miniature Sicilian Donkeys and a Belgian draft horse. Kids can also milk a cow, collect eggs, pet and brush a rabbit, brush the horses and the donkey and all kinds of other farm activities. You can also go visit their cheesemaking facilities or if it's a nice day wander around the grounds on their walking trails.
On Saturday, make your way to City Hall Park in downtown Burlington for the weekly
Farmer's market where local farmers sell some of the best local, organic produce and meat. Stock up on delicious food from farms such as the
Boucher Family Farm and
Willow Hill Farm (who also offers blueberry picking if you go visit their farm site) only to name a few of the many, many vendors, and pack your picnic basket before you head down to
North Beach for the rest of the day.
This beautiful clean, family friendly beach has a space for all and is great for little kids as it doesn't get too deep. Older children will still enjoy enough depth to swim and jump around in the water. There is a beautiful park area with lots of shady trees with picnic tables so you can have your family lunch feast and a bbq grill for each picnic table in the park. There is also a large gazebo with long tables for large groups which you can reserve for special events. There's also a great playground where E made lots of new friends. Camping is also possible on the park's grounds. After a full day outside, watch the sunset on the waterfront while having dinner at
Splash, where there is a kids menu and something for the whole family.
On Sunday, head out to Waterbury (about 30 minutes) to go visit the
Ben & Jerry's ice cream factory and take in a tour and some ice cream samples! Throughout the summer they also have a
Free Outdoor Movie Festival where you can take in a flick for the whole family.
Sunday afternoon, head back to
Church Street Market place and stroll around the pedestrian streets and take in some shopping and street performers of all kinds.
Events of all kinds are planned throughout the summer and year-round. End your day by having dinner on one of Church Street's many restaurants, sit outside and enjoy the people watching and the scenery!
