Waterbury, Vermont Offers Something for Everyone

Whether an action-filled weekend getaway or a week-long relaxing vacation, Waterbury, Vermont, is an ideal spot to plan your next trip. Waterbury offers unique, entertaining attractions; cozy accommodations; and restaurants full of tempting treats. Singles, couples, and families alike will all find something just right for them in the Waterbury, Vermont, area.

If you want an active vacation, the Waterbury area is the place to look. In the winter, skiiers and snowboarders will find several ski resorts with hundreds of miles of skiing terrain, both downhill and cross-country - Stowe, Mad River Glen, Bolton Valley, and Sugarbush are all within 15 miles of Waterbury. Other cold-weather activities available are snowshoeing in the back country, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, and ice skating.

Year-round, Vermont's Green Mountains are perfect for hiking. Two of Vermont's highest peaks - Camel's Hump and Mt. Mansfield - are in the Green Mountain Forest, just adjacent to Waterbury. Two miles from Waterbury, a 900-acre lake is open for swimming, boating, or fishing. Fans of stream fishing will want to try their luck in the Winooski River at the edge of town. Those who don't fish can still enjoy the Winooski River as they canoe down beautiful and mildly challenging runs starting in Waterbury.

When you're ready to take a break from all the outdoor activities, Waterbury, Vermont, has many entertaining attractions that you won't find anywhere else. Do you have a sweet tooth? You're in the right place, because Waterbury is home to Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, which is open for factory tours every day of the year (except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day). The tour is both informative and tasty - first, visitors learn about the ice cream production process, and then they get to try the sample of the day waiting at the end of the tour!

Another attraction in Waterbury, Vermont, is the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. Year-round, visitors can watch cider being made from apples that come from local orchards. Afterwards, the store is filled with tasty treasures, many of which are available to be sampled, such as their unique mustards and jams. Attached to the cider mill is the Connection, which is where Cold Hollow Cider Mill's fudge-making operation and toy hub are located. The Grand View Winery is also in the Connection, and offers tastings of Vermont-made wines and hard cider.

Don't fill up on ice cream and cider, though - there's more Vermont specialty foods to be tasted in Waterbury! The Cabot Creamery Annex offers their entire selection of award-winning cheeses. Located in the same building as the Cabot Creamery Annex is Lake Champlain Chocolates, whose mouth-watering confections will tempt even the most dedicated dieter, and Snow Farm Winery's Tasting Corner, as well as the Vermont Teddy Bear Company (which doesn't offer tasty treats, but is still a favorite with kids of all ages).

When it's time for more than samples and nibbles of Vermont's finest fare, Waterbury has a wide variety of restaurants that are sure to please the pickiest of eaters. From American pub fare to international cuisine, Waterbury, Vermont, has it all. The Black Bear Inn offers full-course gourmet meals, accompanied by fine wine and homemade pastries. Arvad's is a grill-style restaurant with a diverse menu with everything from sandwiches to pasta and prime rib. Hen of the Wood restaurant features meals that showcase fresh, seasonal, local Vermont products. Marsala Salsa's menu is a fun fusion of Caribbean and Mexican cuisine. Tanglewoods restaurant, in an eye-catching renovated barn, offers casual American cuisine.

A noteworthy standout among Waterbury's restaurants is the Alchemist Pub and Brewery, a 7-barrel brew pub specializing in hand-crafted beer and casual pub fare. The selection of award-winning, house-made beers changes with the seasons. The menu features Vermont products and seasonal produce in the appetizers, grilled panini sandwiches, flatbread pizzas, and entrees.

Once you're tired, lodging is plentiful in Waterbury, Vermont, with a wide variety of accommodations to suit every taste and budget. Stay in historic country inns, cozy bed and breakfasts, cabins in the woods, or a traditional full-service chain hotel.

No matter what you're looking for in a vacation, Waterbury, Vermont, has it all!