Activities in and around Vergennes, VT

Amy & DJ can assist you with your vacation plans while staying at the Strong House Inn. We can make your dinner reservations, help you with your daily itinerary, route a great biking path, or just point you in the right direction. Below are a few of our favorite places to visit.

Long wooden bench seating in a restaurant with wooden floors and antique decor.

Vergennes Eats

The food scene in Vergennes is flourishing, and the secret is out of the bag. We enjoy the benefits of having several great restaurants in the area, most of which are within walking distance of each other. Diners in Vergennes enjoy a tantalizing array of farm-fresh, local ingredients prepared daily. Did we mention the beer and hard cider scene is pretty amazing too?

The Black Sheep Bistro is warm, genuine and inviting…relax and enjoy traditional French flavors with a Vermont twist such as the Lobster Ravioli with Tarragon Beurre Blanc as an appetizer and the Pan Seared Salmon Cakes with Caper Remoulade as an entree. During the summer, the Black Sheep offers outdoor seating. (Reservations Required)
The Bar Antidote is an unexpected, welcoming restaurant and cocktail lounge. Live music every Wednesday and Saturday night, so be sure to check their event calendar for details. They offer tempting specials that change nightly, a variety of burgers, fish and chips, great vegetarian options and homemade desserts.
Park Squeeze serves creative, casual fare such as the Lentil Crusted Chicken Strips, Warm Balsamic Green Bean Salad, The Mediterranean Flatbread, Rosemary Lamb Meatloaf, and the Shrimp Lulu. An impressive full bar is located upstairs serving creative cocktails and Vermont beers on tap. Walk-ins welcome… they’ll squeeze you in!
3 Squares Café offers a variety of hearty hot sandwiches such as the House Roast Beef Panino, unique entrees such as the Chipotle BBQ Pulled Pork, and homemade soups and salads. Outdoor seating is available during the warmer months.
Starry Night Cafe (Reservations Required) Specializing in locally-sourced, organic and seasonal Vermont products, the Starry Night Café invites you to experience their creative menu amidst an intimate collection of historic buildings showcasing the works of local artisans. Enjoy the ambiance and innovative cuisine of one of Vermont’s finest restaurants.
Tourterelle (Reservations Required) The fusion of classic French dishes made with local Vermont products delivers distinctive flavors to the Champlain Valley. Their newly renovated property is the perfect setting for celebrations and special occasions, or for a relaxing meal with family and friends. Tourterelle’s focus on simplicity and quality makes their cuisine truly unique, and their warm service will make you feel right at home.

We will be happy to make more dining recommendations and reservations when you book with us. Dinner reservations are highly-recommended during the summer and fall foliage months.

Please note that dinner at the Strong House Inn is only available by pre-arrangement for groups of at least 12 guests.

Three hands toasting with various beers over a table full of pizza.

Foodie Stops, Vineyards & Breweries

Fill up your cooler with the best Vermont has to offer!

The Strong House Inn is centrally located to many breweries, brewpubs, wineries, cideries, and distilleries. How many are near the inn?

16 within a 30-minute drive such as Queen City Brewery, Shelburne Winery, WoodChuck Hard Cider, Lincoln Peak Vineyard, WhistlePig Straight Rye Whiskey, Otter Creek Brewing, and Appalachian Gap Distillery, and SO many more!
21 within an hour drive such as Switchback Brewing, Citizen Cider, Groennfell Meadery, Mad River Distillers, East Shore Vineyard, Zero Gravity Craft Brewery, Citizen Cider, and Burlington Beer Company.
13 within an hour and half drive such as Long Trail Brewing Company, Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits, Grand View Winery, Stowe Cider, Green Mountain Distillers, and Rock Art Brewery.

Once you check-in to the Strong House Inn, we will be happy to provide you with an extensive list of the breweries, brewpubs, wineries, cideries, and distilleries near the inn. Or you can choose the Vineyards and Microbreweries Tour Package. Learn more.

Ben & Jerry’s Factory provides a fun 30-minute guided tour that includes a short movie and ice cream samples. Then visit their full-service scoop shop, gift shop and the Flavor Graveyard to pay your respects to the retired ice cream flavors.
Take a Lake Champlain Chocolates Factory Tour and watch the experts craft truffles, caramels, butter crunch and more. Learn all about how chocolate is made and enjoy free samples.
Daily Chocolate works hard to create delightful chocolates every day. All chocolates are made in small batches, hand cut and dipped. Some of their chocolates include Black Rum Caramel, Cherry Wine Clusters, Classic Almond Bark, English Toffee, Pistachio Green Chili Bark, and Lemon-Lavender White Chocolate with Almonds.
Visit Dakin Farm and sample Vermont maple syrup, summer sausage, smoked pepperoni, smoked meats, a variety of cheeses, homemade fudge and a range of jams, jellies, chutneys, butters and dips! Take home some of Vermont’s greatest taste traditions.
Vermont Cookie Love offers fresh-baked cookies and frozen cookie dough that is all natural, with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. A few of their products include: True Love made with dried cranberries, Puppy Love made with peanut butter and chocolate chips, and Summer Love made with white chocolate, dried blueberries and raspberries.
The Cabot Annex Store offers samples of their entire selection of award-winning cheeses. Then stock up on some of the best specialty food products Vermont has to offer while browsing their selection of fine wines and micro-beers. Then visit Lake Champlain Chocolates and Danforth Pewter located next door.
Cold Hollow Cider offers samples of their fresh-pressed cider and provides an educational video that explains the cider-making Their bakery creates cider donuts, apple pies, pumpkin rolls, granola bars, turnovers, and cookies. The general store is also filled with specialty foods and Vermont-made gifts and crafts.
Laughing Moon Chocolates cooks homemade caramel and truffles in small batches using traditional copper kettles and then hand-dips each homemade center to perfection. They offer FREE chocolate-dipping demonstrations and sampling at 2pm daily, as well as adult and family workshops to create your own chocolates. Schedule your private workshop today!
Champlain Orchards is a family-owned apple orchard and organic farm that overlooks Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. Stop by their Farm Market to pick up fresh apples, homemade cider donuts, apple pies, hard and ice ciders, and all the other great local products they carry.
Woodman Hill Orchard offers a beautiful location to pick apples and is minutes from the Strong House Inn. The orchard has over 250 trees on 2.4 acres to choose from, including several popular varieties – Honeycrisp, Rogers McIntosh, Thome Empire, Red Cortland, Macoun, Liberty, Redfree and Red Rome.

Antique steamboat named Ticonderoga beached on a wide grass lawn, accessible by a bridge.

Museums

The Champlain Valley of Vermont is full of fantastic museums that honor the history and vibrancy of this community. Explore the rich and diverse history that surrounds us here at the Strong House Inn by visiting one of these great museums!

The Shelburne Museum is one of the country’s most diverse museums of New England history containing paintings, folk art, quilts and textiles, carriages, toys, tools, gardens, historic houses, the famous 220-foot restored steamboat Ticonderoga and so much more. Ask the innkeepers for a discounted two-day Shelburne Museum coupon.
The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is an unexpected treat with dozens of priceless antique boats. Learn about the history, ecology, and lore of Lake Champlain. Then enjoy a historic cruise on Lake Champlain by taking a shipwreck tour. Learn more about their workshops here.
Fort Ticonderoga is a popular destination for history lovers since the early 19th century. Fort Ticonderoga is one of America’s earliest historic preservation projects with efforts to preserve the site dating back to 1820.
Chimney Point is one of the earliest, mostly intensely settled, and most strategic sites in the Champlain Valley, with human habitation going back as far as 7,500 years. Chimney Point State Historic Park presents the story of the three early cultures in the Chimney Point area — Native American, French colonial, and early American.
The Birds of Vermont Museum has a 100-acre bird sanctuary/nature preserve, a bird-viewing window, and over 500 carved wooden birds depicting Vermont’s nesting species in their natural habitats as well as North America’s endangered and extinct species. Audubon Vermont is located just down the road from the Museum, convenient for combined visits.

Looking down a brick street at dusk to a clock tower with a high spire, surrounded by a pretty downtown area.

Shopping

Shop the Little City Boutiques for a great day of novelty and quality goods.

VERGENNES, VT (HOME TO THE STRONG HOUSE INN)

The historic downtown Vergennes will tempt you with locally owned shops and friendly service. Our favorite places to shop include Daily Chocolate, Sweet Charity (a unique resale shop), Malabar (gift shop), Blue Lily Clothing, Stone Block Antiques, The Men’s Corner, Linda’s Apparel, and Your Turn Resale.

CHARLOTTE, VT

Explore Horsford Gardens & Nursery and take a self-guided tour of their gardens and growing fields. They have been growing trees and perennials for over a hundred years. Also, in the area, the Vermont Wildflower Farm is one of the largest seed companies in the U.S. and offers 6 acres of fields & woodlands that are open to the public to take a self-guided stroll.

SHELBURNE, VERMONT

Take a tour of the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory and see where Vermont Teddy Bears are born. Visit the Shelburne Country Store, Chef Contos Kitchen & Store (cooking classes available), Arabesque (luxurious gifts, stationery and home décor), Champlain Valley Antique Center, KL Mountain Shop (outdoor gear), Christmas Loft, and Jamie Two-Coats’ Toy Shop (Toys and Treasures from Around the World).

CHURCH STREET MARKET PLACE IN BURLINGTON, VT

Church Market Place is a 4-block pedestrian mall in the heart of downtown Burlington that is lined with unique boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, and street performers. Interesting shops include Frog Hollow (a cooperative art gallery), Danforth Pewter, Vermont Butcher Block, Kiss the Cook (a kitchen and gift shop), Outdoor Gear Exchange, Crow Books, and Apple Mountain Vermont Gifts.

BURLINGTON, VT

Check out Burton Snowboards Flagship Store, Lake Champlain Chocolates Factory Store, the Burlington Farmers Market is year-round, Vermont Art Supply, and Bennington Potters.

WINOOSKI, VT

Vermont Home Brew is your destination to learn more about homebrewed beers, ciders, wines and meads. They have your complete brewing kits and ingredients that you need to get started.

STOWE, VT

Stowe Kitchen Bath & Linens, Darkside Snowboards, The Nordic Barn, The Art Store, Inside Out Gallery, Fine Wine Cellars, Stowe Craft Design Center, Umiak Outfitters, Fly Rod Shop, Stowe Fabric & Yarn, Bear Pond Books & Boutique, Trapp Family Lodge Gift Shop, The Wooden Needle (fine needlework supplies), Green Mountain Fine Art Gallery, Stowe Wine & Cheese and Robert Paul Galleries.

MIDDLEBURY, VT

The village of Middlebury is home to Vermont Soap, Danforth Pewter Workshop & Store, Monroe Street Books (Vermont’s largest used book store), Cacklin’ Hens: A Vermont Yarn, Beads & Gift Emporium, Maple Landmark Woodcrafts (eco-friendly wooden toys), Vermont Field Sports (outdoor clothing and equipment) and so much more.

Man jumping a BMX bike over a hill surrounded by green hills and trees.

Adventure

Whether you are looking to check off a bucket list item like skydiving or a ride over Lake Champlain in a hot air balloon or you’re looking for a more relaxed hike in the Green Mountains, we can guide you to a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

HIKING

Philo is an easy hike that offers rewarding views of the Lake Champlain Valley and the Adirondack Mountains. Choose to hike up the trail (1 mile) or drive/hike up to the summit via the Park Road (1.25 miles). There is a grassy area at the top with a few picnic tables.
Hike to Silver Lake (2 miles) and be rewarded at the top with a beautiful scenic mountain lake, a large swimming beach, picnic tables and grills. Be sure to admire the popular Falls of Lana at the start of the trail. To make your adventure even more memorable, stop at Green Pasture Meats, a fantastic high-quality butcher shop, to pick up something for the grill, wine, cheese, crackers and a variety of other picnic items for your hike.
Snake Mountain offers 180-degree views of the Champlain Valley and Adirondack Mountains (2.2 miles). The mountain was once the site of the Grand View Hotel, built in 1870. The hotel burned down, but its foundations remain. At the trail’s end, you can see a concrete pad that once held up a 74-foot lookout tour.
Camel’s Hump is Vermont’s third-highest mountain and because of its distinctive profile, it is perhaps the state’s most recognized mountain. There are several trails and starting points to choose from so do some research before you set out.
Mount Mansfield is Vermont’s highest mountain with a summit that peaks at 4,393 feet above sea level. The easiest way to the summit is from the Toll Road (1.3 miles) and the most scenic is from the Sunset Ridge Trail (3.3 miles).

BICYCLING AND MOUNTAIN BIKING

Visit the ultimate bike path that takes you along the scenic and beautiful Lake Champlain and best of all, the trail is flat! The Island Line Trail is a stunning 14-mile trail that begins in Burlington and travels along, and over, Lake Champlain. You can rent bikes at Local Motion’s Trailside Center on the Burlington Waterfront.
The best Mountain Biking Trails in the area include Perry Hill in Waterbury, Kimmer’s Trail in Stowe, Yoda & Sleepy Hollow in Hinesburg, Sunny Hollow Loop in Colchester, Cyclone and Clinic in Waitsfield.

BOATING

Bring your boat to explore Lake Champlain! Converse Bay and Point Bay Marina is minutes from the inn and offers free boat launching into Lake Champlain. The Strong House Inn has plenty of room for trailer parking.

KAYAKING & CANOEING

Dead Creek Wildlife Preserve offers 16-miles of waterway to paddle. Paddle among the waterfowl, osprey, great blue herons, muskrats, minks, otters, beavers, and possibly a bald eagle. During fall, huge flocks of snow geese pass through this area. There is a small boat access on Route 17 as it crosses the Creek.

SWIMMING HOLES AND WATERFALL HUNTING

Bristol Falls, Circle Current, Warren Falls, and Bingham Falls are the most popular swimming holes in the area and each offer breathtaking beauty. If you are not interested in getting wet and would rather hunt for the most impressive waterfalls in the area, then explore Moss Glen Falls, Texas Falls, Bailey Falls, Falls of Lana, Belden Falls, and Abbey Pond Cascades

GOLF

We have beautiful golf courses in our area! Check out Basin Harbor Club, Kwiniaska Golf Club, Ralph Myhre Golf Course that is owned and operated by Middlebury College, Rocky Ridge Golf Club and the Ferrisburgh Driving Range.

COVERED BRIDGES

Addison County is home to five of the state’s 100 covered bridges: Cornwall-Salisbury Covered Bridge, Pulp Mill Covered Bridge, Halpin Covered Bridge, Shoreham Covered Railroad Bridge, and The Spade Farm Covered Bridge. For more information about these bridges and their location, click here.

FERRIES

The Lake Champlain Ferry connecting Charlotte, VT to Essex, NY is a 30-minute ferry crossing and provides a new perspective of the Adirondack and Green Mountains.
The Fort Ticonderoga Ferry provides historic, scenic seven-minute crossings on Lake Champlain between Ticonderoga, New York and Shoreham, Vermont. Connecting the Lake George and Adirondack regions of New York, with the central Green Mountains of Vermont, a ferry ride is a fun way to explore the Champlain Valley.

HORSE LOVERS

The UVM Morgan Horse Farm offers tours on the hour. Visiting hours are 9:00-4:00 daily, from May 1-October 31. The farm’s gift shop offers hundreds of horse-related gift items.

DOWNHILL SKIING, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING, AND SNOWSHOEING

Sugarbush is one of the largest ski areas in New England.
Middlebury Snow Bowl offers a family-friendly environment at reasonable prices.
Mad River Glen has challenging terrain on narrow trails with minimal grooming.
Cochran’s Ski Area offers private and group snowboard and ski lessons for adults and children.
Rikert Nordic Center is the best place in Vermont for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Beautiful overhead lit-up at night view of a lovely town including three church spires and antique buildings.

Day Trip Destinations

Nothing is too far away for a day trip! Allow the Strong House Inn to be your own personal home base while you explore the great state of Vermont!

BURLINGTON WATERFRONT AND CHURCH STREET MARKET PLACE IN BURLINGTON, VT

Take in views of Lake Champlain and the beautiful Adirondack Mountains from the Burlington Waterfront. Visit Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center, aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen and discover the region’s rich history from a Lake Champlain cruise, or take the Lake Champlain Ferry to New York. Also, the 14-mile Island Line trail runs along Lake Champlain and is perfect for bicycling, running, walking or inline skating. Then explore the popular Church Street Market Place, an open-air mall in the heart of downtown Burlington. The street is lined with unique boutiques, restaurants, outdoor cafes, coffee shops, and street performers.

FOODIE TOUR TO STOWE, VT

Take the Lincoln or Appalachian Gap over the Green Mountains. Both drives will first take you to the small town of Waitsfield where the famous Waitsfield Farmers’ Markets are held on Saturdays. Be sure to also stop at The Store, a fabulous kitchen and home accessories shop. Take a Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour and discover your favorite ice cream, visit The Cabot Annex Store to sample their entire selection of award-wining cheeses and be sure to visit Lake Champlain Chocolates in the building next door. Cold Hollow Cider offers something for everyone, and be sure to sample their fresh-pressed cider. Finally Laughing Moon Chocolates offers free chocolate-dipping demonstrations and sampling at 2pm daily. Then take the beautiful drive up and over Smugglers Notch and end your day in Burlington.

THE LITTLE VILLAGE OF WOODSTOCK, VT

Highlights include Simon Pearce factory where you can watch glassblowing and their onsite restaurant is truly a treat, Quechee Gorge with walking trails, Quechee Gorge Village offers shopping, and the Billings Farm and Museum has much to explore on this working dairy farm.

MONTREAL: BIODOME, BOTANICAL GARDENS, ART MUSEUMS, SHOPPING OLD MONTREAL.

Bring your passport and visit Montreal for the day. Highlights include the largest natural science museum complex in Canada which includes the Montreal Biodome, Planetarium, Botanical Garden and Insectarium. Explore old Montreal and visit the many fine boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and sidewalk cafes. The Jean-Talon Market is a popular farmers’ market located in the Little Italy district. Be sure eat lunch at one of our favorite places—Schwart’s, for the best smoked meat sandwich on the planet.

PEOPLE WATCH ON LAKE GEORGE, NY

Taking route 9N offers the most scenic ride to Lake George as the road meanders along the lake and passes though charming towns like Hague; this is worth a quick stop. Lake George offers many things to do; however, our number one activity is to people watch on a bench or on the patio of an ice cream shop to take in all the action. The town is motorcycle friendly and you will see lots of bikes cruising slowly down the road. Or hop on board one of the many cruises that are offered on the waterfront. If you are looking for a great lunch spot away from the crowds with excellent value and hearty proportions, check out The Silo Restaurant and Country Store in nearby Queensbury, NY. While in the area, visit Garden Time, a large garden center with plenty of fun outdoor structures to explore.

WILD CENTER IN TUPPER LAKE, NY

Bring out the kid in you and get closer to the natural world. Discover the story of the Adirondacks, meet one of their many animals at an animal encounter, enjoy live exhibits, watch all of their amazing movies in their theater, explore the exhibit halls, enjoy tons of hands-on experiences, guided canoe trips, and take a walk outside on their nature trail with an expert. The Wild Center is science-based, and its experiences, exhibits and programs are designed to open new ways to look into our relationship with nature. They have a simple, yet delicious, café onsite that is very convenient.

ADIRONDACK MUSEUM IN BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE, NY

An open-air museum dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the Adirondacks. The museum has 22 modern exhibition galleries and historic buildings. Some of our favorite exhibits include Logging the Adirondacks, Boats & Boating, Outdoor Recreation, An Adirondack Hunting Camp, Adirondack Rustic Furniture, and Everyday Life in the Age of Horses. Visitors can also enjoy the Lake View Café for lunch or picnic areas are available if you bring your own lunch.

LAKE PLACID, AUSABLE CHASM & WHITEFACE MOUNTAIN, NY

Enjoy shopping in the town’s boutiques such as the Adirondack Decorative Arts & Crafts store. One of our favorite places to have lunch is at the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery. Be sure to try their famous UBU Ale. Then explore the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks. Ausable Chasm offers many waterfalls and unique rock formations that can be explored by nature trails, rafts, lantern tours, or guided hikes. Finally, take a drive up Whiteface Veteran’s Memorial Highway and stand in awe of some impressive views.