Welcome to the Heart of Vermont, Middlebury

Nestled in the heart of The Green Mountains

There are few places that compare to Vermont’s diverse opportunity for the explorer that lives within us all. Middlebury is located in the west central portion of the state and is blessed with outrageously beautiful surroundings.

Location

To our east is the Green Mountain National Forest which offers the most extraordinary outdoor venue from hiking, skiing, fishing and picnicking. The shire town of Middlebury offers boutique shopping and great theater.

Experience

We’ve got all kinds of great things to do while you are here in Middlebury. Our friends at the Chamber of Commerce and Seven Days Vermont have put together some great calendars that include all sorts of events, from outdoor concerts and food festivals, to cozy indoor poetry readings and museum openings.

Middlebury Area Attractions

Winter Activities

We can get up to 120 inches of snowfall annually and the average temperature is around 22 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a great place to ski, snowshoe, or snowboard.

Middlebury College Snow Bowl

We are fortunate to have great ski areas for cross-country and downhill skiing within 10 minutes of the Inn.  The Middlebury College Snowbowl is relatively small but incredibly addictive.  It has two chair lifts that provide access to 17 trails that are lengthy and challenging and many more runs that are shorter but packed with good times and gentle terrain.

Rikert Cross Country

The Rickert Nordic Center is four miles up the hill and offers a cozy lodge, rentals and 35 miles of groomed trails.  It is part of Middlebury College and the location for the ski team’s competition.  The picturesque terrain features forests, farm fields, stone walls, babbling brooks, and even Robert Frost’s summer cabin.

This is also a great area for snowshoeing – they have rentals and miles of lovely groomed trails that have stunning views of the mountains that surround the grounds.

Rickert also offers Winter biking or FatBiking as a great alternative. They have a fleet of bikes available for rent. Own your own bike? Great, bring it with you, as long as it has 3.5″ tires.

Snowshoeing

As Middlebury is Located adjacent to the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area and the Green Mountain National Forest, the area offers a range of natural beauty and miles and miles of premier snow shoe trails.  We highly recommend the Robert Frost Trail and Silver Lake trail for a beautiful “walk” around our lovely state.  Both trails are less than than a 10 minute drive from the inn.

Fall & Summer Activities

Hiking in the Green Mountains

  • Robert Frost Interpretive Trail: Located three miles up the mountain and part of the National Forest, the trails are maintained and bridges allow easy passage over the stream that wanders through the field.  Various poems by Frost are written on small kiosks throughout the walk.
  • Spirit in Nature Trails: An extensive trail system takes one through the forest and is well marked so you can confidently hike without the worry of all trees beginning to look alike.
  • The trail to Lana Falls and Silver Lake: The trail head starts at the back side of the lovely Lake Dunmore, about five miles from the Inn.  The scenery is very nice and at the top there is a sweet reward: Silver Lake.  This is a great spot to picnic, read, do a little fishing or just sit and admire the scenery.
  • The Long Trail: The Green Mountain Club founded, built, and to this day maintains Vermont’s Long Trail.  The first long-distance hiking trail in the United States and it spans the peaks from the Massachusetts state line for 270 miles to the Canadian border.  A trailhead is located about 4 miles from the Inn and provides a great day’s hike. Find out more here.

Fly Fishing

Fly Fish in the Middlebury River, which is no more than 100 yards from the Inn’s front door.  The river is stocked each spring with brook and brown trout that are elusive but caught every day.  The area between the gorge and the Lower Plains Bridge is a productive fishing stretch within a short walk from the Inn.  If you want to learn this fascinating sport or obtain local knowledge we team up with a local guide service that can tailor their services with your needs and desires.  The service is Stream and Brook and you can learn more at: www.streamandbrook.com

If you are planning to do some fishing in Vermont (fly-fishing or otherwise), you can purchase your license online by clicking here.

Canoeing and Kayaking

There are two great lakes to canoe or kayak, which are Lake Dunmore and Lake Champlain.  Lake Dunmore is five miles from the Inn and has many points of access, one of which is Branbury State Park, the park offers canoe, kayak and rowboat rentals.

Lake Champlain is a much bigger lake and is approximately twenty five miles from the Inn.  There are many coves that are lovely for small craft and we will be happy to point you toward our favorites.

Biking

Love to bike and explore the picturesque scenic beauty that nature has to offer?  Vermont is just the place, whether you want a flat and short ride or a vigorous trek through the many hills and valleys, this is the spot for you.  Home to the grueling Gran Fondo race to a leisurely ride see some routes here.

We’ve partnered with several bike touring companies in the last years, many of these bike companies provide a full week guided service that gives guests an opportunity to travel from inn to inn on bike or if the weather is bad there is always a van that can take you to your next destination – most bike groups provide private tours or self guided tours for those who choose not to be with a group. Check out http://www.gosojourn.com

Golf Courses

Vermont golf tends to be more relaxing and without the crowds and intimidation of many metropolitan courses.  Couples can generally play as a couple and avoid a pairing with strangers (although some of our nicest golfing experiences have included course pairings) and there is good etiquette displayed with the pace of play.  In general, fancy club houses are not a part of the Vermont golf experience but beautiful and challenging courses are all around us.  Here are the closest and our most favorite.

Ralph Myhre Golf Course

The course is in Middlebury and on the Middlebury College Campus.  It is a good walking course but does have many modest inclines.  It is very well maintained, inexpensive and generally not crowded. It is a challenge to get around in par with lengthy par fours, some narrow fairways, water and sand to keep your attention.  There is a snack bar at the club house (which is hard to get to between front and back nine) for sandwiches and a cold beer. Find out more here.

Neshobe Golf Course

Neshobe is located in Brandon, approximately fifteen miles from the Inn.  Neshobe is a beautiful course but quite hilly and, while it is possible to walk most opt for a cart.  If you are a confirmed walker then take on the front nine and leave the option open to ride the back.  The course is a beautiful lay out (particularly the back nine) with many holes that are big on risk and reward. The club house has a full service dining area and bar with friendly staff.  The pro shop is well equipped and the staff is very helpful. Find out more here.

There are at least five other courses that we play throughout the summer that are within an hour of the Inn.  We would recommend them all and would be happy to offer our thoughts if you are on an extended golf vacation.  These courses and their location are:

  • Kwiniaska Golf Course: Shelburne, Vermont.  A beautiful, long course that can easily be walked and has a very nice club house with full amenities.  Approximately 50 minutes from the Inn.
  • Williston Golf Course:  Williston, Vermont.  Another beauty but a much shorter course.  You will still want to use a driver on some holes but be sure that you have your 3 wood and mid irons.  Great club house with a full range of food and drink.  Approximately 1 hour from the Inn.
  • Sugarbush Golf Club: Sugarbush Resort, Vermont.  Definitely a hill course with many shots both up and down hill.  Many of its holes are a challenge but the scenery is beautiful and is a must play in the fall.  There is a full menu and bar in the club house.  Approximately 1 hour from the Inn.
  • Green Mountain National Golf Course: Mendon, Vermont.  One of the prettiest courses in central Vermont and has more of a private club feel.  The course is a challenge with narrow fairways and a lot of wooded rough.  It too is hilly and would be a challenge to walk.  The club house is full service with a drive up for lunch or snack pick up from the cart.  Approximately 1 hour from the Inn.
  • Killington Golf Course: Killington, Vermont.  A lovely course located near the base of major ski runs at Killington Mountain.  As you might imagine, this is a hilly course and carts are required.  It is a fair challenge with wide fairways and limited water and sand.  The club house is full service and there is a snack stand at the turn for a light snack and beverages.  Approximately 1 hour from the Inn.

Sightseeing and Culture

Middlebury Area Events

We’ve got all kinds of great things to do while you are here in Middlebury. Our friends at the Chamber of Commerce and Seven Days Vermont have put together some great calendars that include all sorts of events, from outdoor concerts and food festivals, to cozy indoor poetry readings and museum openings. See the Chamber of Commerce Calendar here, and the Seven Days calendar here. As always, feel free to give us a call at 802.388.4105 or speak with our host/hostess upon your arrival about other events that may coincide with your stay in the area.

Middlebury College Center for the Arts

The Center offers an exceptional art gallery as well as the performing arts.  It is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 5pm and on the weekend from noon to 5pm.  Admission is free.  802-443-5007. For much more information about Middlebury College, please visit the Middlebury College website.

Henry Sheldon Museum

The Sheldon Museum offers an outstanding local history collection in a marble merchant’s house circa 1829.  Exhibits are changing frequently and a museum shop is available for mementos.  Each summer the Museum hosts an evening of wonderful music on the campus of Middlebury College. Plan your trip in late June to be part of this bit of Americana.  Additional information here.

Vermont Folklife Center

Vermont’s rich traditional folk arts, stories and ways of life are preserved in the Center’s galleries.  Videotapes, workshops, special lectures and sound archives are available at their wonderful downtown location (next door to a favorite bakery).  The Center is open Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm and open Saturdays from June through October noon to 4pm.  802-388-4964. Learn more here.

UVM Morgan Horse Farm

This is a working horse farm which has been in business since the 1870’s and has gained worldwide renown for maintaining the Morgan horse breed.  There is an hourly educational tour which is both informative and entertaining, and their gift shop is a fitting finish to the tour.  The farm is open May through October from 9am to 4pm.  There is a small admission fee.  802-388-2011 More farm facts here.

Town Hall Theater

Middlebury’s beautifully renovated theater offers an incredible variety of performances. The theater is pure pleasure and offers a great insight into our community talent and energy.  Find out more about THT here.