A Peaceful Getaway in South Hero, Vermont

Most of us from the tri-state area have the opportunity to get away when we need to in different areas of New Jersey, New York & Connecticut. You have the Jersey Shore, The Mountains of upstate NY or the history in Connecticut. These destinations are just a car ride away and sometimes don't even require an overnight stay. So if these opportunities are right in our backyard, what is just a little further? Vermont. It is one of the best vacation spots on the east coast as long as you know where to go. The atmosphere is relaxed and if you want something to do or nothing to do this is the place for you.

More specifically, in Northern Vermont there is Lake Champlain. I am sure that if you stay at any lakeside property you will have a great time, but I happen to know you will definitely have a wonderful vacation in South Hero. Approximately 25 minutes outside of Burlington Vermont, it is located on the Grand Isle. This small town offers the look of the country with the feel of vacation. There are many different camp style cottages to rent around the water's edge or even a few bed and breakfast inns. A particular favorite of mine is called Tree Tops. A large area of land right on the banks of Lake Champlain, it has four cabins and a considerable amount of shale beach. It is offset from the road on one of the most private areas in town. The beach offers a view of the Adirondack Mountains in NY and Mt. Mansfield in VT.

To get there from Plattsburgh NY, you take the Grand Isle ferry across the lake. It is about a fifteen minute ride that you can get out of your car and walk around the ferry. The views are beautiful and there are usually many boats and sailboats in the water with friendly passerbies.

You can spend your days swimming, boating, tanning, reading or antiquing and shopping. Whatever your flavor it is there. The island has many various bike paths and even a bike ferry to Burlington on the weekend in the month of August. A favorite local ice cream spot is Seb's. It has food like burgers and fries, but there is usually a line for their ice cream at night. It is right in the middle of town and easy to get to by foot, bike or car.

If shale or a rock beach is not to your liking, the sandbar state park is in South Hero as well. It is exactly what it is named, a sandbar. It has a large sand beach with wading water that stretches out for a couple hundred yards. This atmosphere is nice for families with small children or just for a change of scenery. There is a small fee to enter but well worth the money.

A must see is the Snowfarm winery. It is a vineyard of grapes that produces various kinds of red and white wines. Who knew wine was made in Vermont? Usually in the summer months on Friday nights you can bring a picnic dinner and sit on the lawn enjoying a local musician while eating and sipping on some of their delicious wine. If you happen to stop by during the day you can even do a wine testing after a tour of the vineyard and a brief description of the history. Many leave the island with a case or more of their wine to last through the winter into the next season.

Allenholm Farm has a very nice petting zoo with a roadside store. There are chickens, horses, goats, sheep and other farm animals that you can feed by hand. There are many bunnies in cages and if you are lucky you might see some of their babies. This is a great place to bike to with the family, have a snack and then offer the animals one too.

You cannot leave the island without trying a pie from Hackett's farm. They are homemade from apples from their orchard and made fresh each day. Apple is my personal favorite, but there are many other fruit varieties to choose from. Their roadside farmers market also has Vermont favorites like syrup, cider donuts and fresh items from the farm.

So whether you enjoy exploring or just relaxing be sure to catch a glimpse of the the gorgeous sunset on the lake with the mountains in the background. It will be a perfect end to a wonderful day. If you enjoy a peaceful getaway form the hustle and bustle of the city, South Hero is the place for you.