Middlebury: The Heart of Vermont
Located in the western part of Vermont, Middlebury is much more than the classic New England college town. Serving as the commercial center of Addison County, it is a compelling destination for culture, shopping, outdoor recreation, and authentic Vermont experiences. The downtown area is quite unique among downtowns, with a waterfalls right in the heart of the town. Middlebury can be accessed from the nearest commercial airport, Burlington International Airport, via a 35-mile drive south along VT-116.
Best Time to Visit
With its continental climate, Middlebury has warm summers and cold winters, perfect for skiing. Summer is peak season, while crowds can also linger up to leaf season due to spectacular New England fall colors. The best time to visit would be late spring, where temperatures are milder but Middlebury, VT hotel deals are easier on the pocket.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Start off easy with a stroll downtown, where you can find stately stone buildings alongside the picturesque Otter Creek Falls. Nearby are museums such as Henry Sheldon Museum, as well as the esteemed Vermont Book Shop, rumored to be a favorite of poet Robert Frost. Outdoor recreation is readily available here, as the town is surrounded by destinations as Chipman Hill, Lake Champlain—the unofficial sixth Great Lake—and the vast Green Mountain National Forest to the south. There are also three gold courses and six skiing areas nearby. Not to be missed is the Middlebury Tasting Trail—a five-mile “trail” of vineyards, breweries, and distilleries for wine and cider fans. At the end of the day, settle back to downtown Frog Hollow area for dining and crafts shopping, before heading off to bed in iconic hotels such as the period-style Swift House Inn, or the more budget-friendly Victorian-style Middlebury Inn.