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?
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