The best hot chocolate we’ve ever had: Sao Thome at Lake Champlain Chocolates
The rolling countryside of rural Vermont is known for producing stunning landscapes, rich fall foliage, and some darn good maple syrup. Recently, however, we found there is much more to enjoy — and consume — in this tiny New England state than we ever thought possible.
Here are our 7 picks for how to enjoy a delicious weekend in Vermont, no matter what time of year!
Learn the story of cheese at Cabot Creamery
Separating curds from whey at the Cabot Cremery
Want to taste the world’s best Cheddar Cheese? Then a visit to Cabot is definitely for you. Cabot Creamery and Visitor’s Center is located in Cabot, VT, and it’s just one of many stops along the famed Vermont Cheese Trail. We recommend a 45 minute stop to tour the factory, watch an introductory film detailing the history of the Cabot Co-op, and sample dozens of savory, aged cheddar cheeses. You’ll see the cheese-making process from start to finish and learn why cheese is not really supposed to be orange! We appreciated the very friendly staff.
Take the Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour
Ben & Jerry’s ice cream is so good, it’s impossible to keep your hands off!
Ben & Jerry’s is one brand that usually needs no explanation. So if ice cream is you’re thing, head to Waterbury, VT to see how the world’s best is made. You will have a chance to tour the factory, learning the story behind Ben & Jerry’s success, and enjoy plenty of samples at the end. Be sure to check out the Hall of Flavors, highlighting the ten best-selling flavors, with Cherry Garcia coming in at #1. Before you leave, take a quick walk to the Graveyard of Flavors to pay your respects to some of the company’s beloved, but retired, flavors. Outdoor activities are available year-round, with snow-shoe tours held in the winter! I guess they want to give visitors a chance to work off the effects of all the ice cream they’ll eat!
Raise your glass at Magic Hat Brewing Company
Load up on your two double-shot samples of featured Magic Hat beers on tap before you take a guided or self-guided tour through the factory to see where one of America’s top-ten craft beers is brewed — at a pace of 400 bottles per minute, we might add! Head to South Burlington, VT for this quirky, but very entertaining tour.
Have a sweet time at Lake Champlain Chocolates
This may be our favorite stop yet. The friendly staff are eager to hook visitors up with some of the best chocolate we’ve tasted in all the world. Visit during the week if you want a tour of the factory, but weekend visitors can still get a peek at the factory and watch an informative film on how the chocolate is made and molded into the adorable patterns you’ll find for sale in the store. The high-quality ingredients and ganache-centered chocolates make Lake Champlain Chocolates well worth a visit to Vermont! And the nearby view of beautiful Lake Champlain in Burlington, VT isn’t too bad, either.
Learn the secrets of baking at King Arthur Flour
Not just your run-of-the-mill establishment, King Arthur Flour is renowned for making only the highest quality flour. Sign up for a baking class and learn how to make delectable desserts from the comfort of your own home at King Arthur’s Baking Education Center! Classes available for all ages and ability levels. Stock up on ingredients and utensils at the Bakery Store before you leave. Located in the quaint town of South Norwich, VT. Please be patient while they undergo renovations.
Taste the best maple syrup at Dakin Farms
Head south on Rt. 7 to the town of Ferrisburgh for a self-guided tour of the farm and sugarhouse where some of Vermont’s finest maple syrup is produced. Then head inside for endless samples of all of Dakin’s delicious products — from maple-cured meats to jams and spreads. You’re sure to come home with a year’s worth of maple syrup!
Top it off with another round at Otter Creek Brewing Co.
Keep heading south along Rt. 7 to the town of Middlebury, where you’ll find Otter Creek Brewery. Although they do not give tours, they have windows surrounding the brewery so guests are able to watch the brewing and bottling process while they enjoy a cold one on tap. We opted to share the sampler to get a taste of all Otter Creek has to offer. If you like hoppy beers, this is the place for you. Our favorites were the Spring Bock and the Wildflower Wheat, while our least favorite was the Coffee Ale. The friendly staff and excellent service made for a very relaxing end to our Tour de Taste in Vermont.
Vermont is one of the tastiest places we’ve visited in our travels so far. We especially appreciate how all of the food is locally produced. The people seemed to have so much pride knowing that their tiny rural community produces a product that is known and revered the world over as the best of the best.
Something tells me we’ll be returning for even more foodie adventures there in the not-so-distant future.
Where in your travels have you found the most delicious, locally-produced food?
Feel free to post your favorite food photos on our Facebook page!
Chris (Aussie on the Road)
Oh man, my stomach is rumbling like you wouldn’t believe! I’m reading this on a single bowl of oatmeal, haha.
Looks like I need to pay a visit to Vermont real soon. Love me some good food almost as much as I love good boutique brewed beer.
Chris (Aussie on the Road)
And in answer to your final question:
Portland, Oregon. So much great beer and food there!
Ellen
AuthorPortland! I have never been there as an adult, and cannot wait to go back — in large part to check out all the craft/micro brews! I went in high school with my teacher. 😉 Loved it.
Ellen
AuthorHaha, sorry mate! It makes me hungry, too. I can’t even look back over the post without the urge to snack!
Jessica
There is absolutely no way to be hungry in Vermont, is there? My kids would love all the factory tours!
Ellen
AuthorHi, Jessica. It does seem to be a great choice to go on vacation with children. Lots of opportunities for free snacks 😉
Andrew
Beer, Ice Cream and Maple Syrup.. What’s not to like. I have never been to Vermont, but it definitely seems like a good place to go. My dad is from upstate New York so maple stuff was a part of my childhood. I quite miss it now living in Germany. We at least get imported small cartons of Ben and Jerrys, but only some flavors.
Ellen
AuthorYeah, Vermont’s pretty much loaded with great sweets and dairy products. But, gosh, Germany is quite the treat for the tastebuds, too, especially when it comes to my weakness — chocolate! Thanks for reading!
Courtney Mroch
Oh man!!!!! Until your post I never realized so many places on my foodie list are up that way, though I should’ve. LOVE King Arthur Flour! And that hot chocolate in your very first pic??? Oh man, now that looks like a cup of cocoa!!!!
Amer
That hot chocolate looks delicious! Great (delicious) guide!
charu
Seriously been always wanting to take a tour of Ben & Jerry’s despite my masquerading as a “vegan”! Great post and delish looking latte
Laura
Mmmm… The hot chocolate looks so delicious!
crazy sexy fun traveler
OMG, I won’t fall asleep after reading this post! Everything looks so yummy!
Cathy Sweeney
Totally delicious! I love Lake Champlain chocolates - would love to get them right at the factory. Honestly, everything in this post looks great.
Christopher
OH LORD. I made the mistake of reading this hungry. Great post!
Laurence
Beer and chocolatey cake muffin things! (I have no idea what those are but I want some!) This post makes me happy and hungry!
Ellen
AuthorI’d say chocolatey cake muffin things is a pretty good description!
Lane
Oh no, I didn’t listen. I read this while I was hungry. I wonder how many of these places deliver?
Ellen
AuthorI know! Big mistake, right? Not sure any of them do
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista
I’ve known I wanted to visit Vermont but until I read this it wasn’t for the amazing treats that can be found! It looks like you could do a beer tour in almost every state! Sign me up.
Kate
I always thought Vermont would be a foodies paradise, now I’m convinced. Anywhere that creates maple syrup has to be a good place!
Abby
YUM! I’ve only been to Vermont once, but we did have excellent food!
Christy @ Technosyncratic
We loved Vermont when we drove through there last year! Ben and Jerry’s gives a large scoop of ice cream as a sample (I heartily approve), and we really liked the Cold Hollow apple cider mill that’s just a few miles from there.
Ellen
AuthorThey really do give quite a generous scoop … they had leftovers of the samples, too. What were we to do, let them melt?
Andrea
Yum! What a great foodie destination - you’ve made me so hungry
Ellen
AuthorSorry about that 😉
Sherry
You already had me at the chocolate milk! Never knew that there are so much food goodness in Vermont; who knew? I guess its another reason to go back. If nothing else, to visit Ben & Jerry’s Ice Creamery. You guys were luck to try all of these.
Ellen
AuthorI know — we didn’t either! We can’t wait to go back for more. We just skimmed the surface of all there is to eat, I mean do.
Kurt
Haha Isn’t the Build-a-Bear company also in Vermont. I think they are a pretty big attraction?
Ellen
AuthorI’m not sure if it’s build-a-bear … I know there’s the Vermont Teddy Bear Company, we passed that on our trip. There’s so much random stuff to do there! We would have never guessed.
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