Stowe-to-Burlington Driving Tour - The Green Mountain Inn, Stowe, Vermont

The Burlington area is approximately a 45-minute drive from Stowe (of course, you may want to allow time for a stop at the famous Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Factory en route!). A full day of exploration can be enjoyed in and around Vermont’s largest city – though Burlington truly feels more like a big “college town” with a population of roughly 40,000.

We have highlighted just some of the major attractions that draw visitors from near and far…

Breathtaking views of the Adirondack and Green Mountains may be enjoyed aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III from mid-May through mid-October, departs from the Burlington Boat House in the waterfront park area. This all new luxury dining yacht and cruise ship provides daily narrated scenic cruises, Lunch, Brunch and Sunset Cruises. Moonlit cruises include Murder Mystery, Lobster & Luau Cruises. (802) 862-8300.

Not to be missed while on the waterfront is the Burlington’s newest attraction – ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. This lake aquarium and science center offers a great option for all ages! Go nose to nose with 2,200 live fish, amphibians and reptiles. Float boats, build dams, touch sea stars and enjoy multi-media presentations. A gift shop and café are also offered. Open daily year-round and late on Thursday evenings. (802) 864-1848.

The Burlington Bike Path is a great way to enjoy the beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains. Converted from the Central Vermont Railway to a bike path in the 1970s, the path is an easy trail through beaches and parks on the waterfront. (802) 865-7247.

Magic Hat Brewery - Check out how ancient alchemy meets modern-day technology at the Magic Hat Brewery, and sample why their Vermont microbrews are so wildly popular! Free tours are available Wed-Fri 3:30-5:00 & Sat 1:00-2:30 every half-hour. Open Mon-Sat 10-6, Sundays 12-5. Just off Route 7 in So. Burlington.

A visit to Burlington wouldn’t be complete without a stroll down the famous Church Street Marketplace. This four block 19th century and art-deco walkway is full of life with street vendors, live music and children’s activities. Popular chain stores such as Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Old Navy, Borders Books, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Starbucks Coffee and Filenes are intermingled beautifully with unique "one of a kind" boutiques, book sellers, shops and art galleries – including Frog Hollow, the Vermont State Craft Center. Frog Hollow features fine handcrafted contemporary and traditional Vermont crafts from over 200 artisans. Stop in and enjoy the casual atmosphere of the New England Culinary Institute’s "NECI Commons" on Church Street or at any number of Burlington’s famed eateries.

In nearby Shelburne, several very popular attractions draw visitors, including the Shelburne Museum. This "must see" museum hosts a fine collection of folk and decorative arts and Americana. Quilts, weather vanes, furniture, toys, decoys, period houses and painting galleries that include works by French Impressionist and American masters. On the grounds, you may explore 37 historic structures, including a covered bridge, the 220-foot steamboat Ticonderoga and a vintage carousel. Exhibits change annually and the museum opens its doors from mid-April to late October.

Another popular stop (particularly for families) is Shelburne Farms. This 1,400-acre working farm is a National Historic Landmark and non-profit environmental education center. Children will delight in hands-on activities such as milking a cow or goat in the Children’s Farmyard. Scenic trails beckon the casual wanderer, on-going cheesemaking demonstrations and samples are offered, and a guided property tour will provide historical information on this wonderfully protected land. The Welcome Center and Farm Store (open year-round) features a slide presentation and farm products – including their own Shelburne Farms farmhouse cheddar cheese. (802) 985-8686.

Also in Shelburne is The Vermont Teddy Bear Company – a top Vermont attraction. Here you will see teddy bears come to life while enjoying a guided tour of the factory. "Create your own bear" at The Bear Shop, offering unique bear "theme" clothing and accessories – a great souvenir or unique gift. Open daily year-round.

For maritime history buffs, traveling further south is the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum. Located at Basin Harbor in Vergennes, you will discover shipwrecks and their stories. This "kid friendly" campus boats a Revolutionary War gunboat replica, artifact conservation lab and demos. Open early May through mid-October, admission fee.

Bargain hunters will enjoy perusing the Essex Outlet Fair. Located 15 minutes east of downtown Burlington in Essex Junction, this is the largest selection of national manufacturer’s outlets in Northern Vermont. Name brand clothing, accessories, shoes, home goods, eateries and a "stadium seating" movie complex are offered. The stores are open Monday-Saturday from 9:30am-8:00pm and Sunday from 11:00am-5:00pm. (802) 657-2777. At the junction of Route 15 & Route 289.