Sandra’s guidebook
Sight-seeing, Hiking, Skiing, Hunting, and/or Fishing, etc!
This says "Rutland" but in reality the National Forrest is practically in your backyard when you stay here. Thousands of acres of forest. Excellent for hiking, hunting, fishing, meditation, soul-searching- your choice!
46 locals recommend
Green Mountain National Forest
4387 N Main StThis says "Rutland" but in reality the National Forrest is practically in your backyard when you stay here. Thousands of acres of forest. Excellent for hiking, hunting, fishing, meditation, soul-searching- your choice!
If you are able you should not leave Lake Dunmore area without hiking/walking to Silver Lake. It is a pristine lake in the mountains, accessed by a fairly easy uphill road and takes about a half hour. You can swim at the top, walk the trail around the lake, fish, or mountain bike, or XC ski in the winter. All the while you are in the Green Mountain National Forrest which is absolutely beautiful. I caught over 20 brook trout there this summer but you also may catch nothing but blue gill. I swim every time I go on a warm enough day in the summer. There are also fantastic camping sites with grills and fire pits.
7 locals recommend
Silver Lake
If you are able you should not leave Lake Dunmore area without hiking/walking to Silver Lake. It is a pristine lake in the mountains, accessed by a fairly easy uphill road and takes about a half hour. You can swim at the top, walk the trail around the lake, fish, or mountain bike, or XC ski in the winter. All the while you are in the Green Mountain National Forrest which is absolutely beautiful. I caught over 20 brook trout there this summer but you also may catch nothing but blue gill. I swim every time I go on a warm enough day in the summer. There are also fantastic camping sites with grills and fire pits.
Neshobe Golf Course
224 Town Farm RdMiddlebury College Snow Bowl
6886 Vermont Rte 125Local ski spot- less than half hour away.
This is where I have a ski pass. It is a GREAT family mountain or any mountain. Less expensive than Killington but a little more expansive than Middlebury Snow Bowl. Only 40 minutes away. Worth the drive.
100 locals recommend
Pico Mountain Ski Resort
73 Alpine DrThis is where I have a ski pass. It is a GREAT family mountain or any mountain. Less expensive than Killington but a little more expansive than Middlebury Snow Bowl. Only 40 minutes away. Worth the drive.
Great state park where you can park and go to the beach! They also rent a plethora of water sports equipment and boats beyond what we have.
29 locals recommend
Branbury State Park
3570 Lake Dunmore RdGreat state park where you can park and go to the beach! They also rent a plethora of water sports equipment and boats beyond what we have.
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing and hiking. Love it. Love the owner. Awesome place. Very local and low-key. Trails are not groomed and by donation. They also rent skis. If you want fully groomed, go to Rikert's in Middlebury instead.
7 locals recommend
Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center
1288 Goshen-Ripton RdCross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing and hiking. Love it. Love the owner. Awesome place. Very local and low-key. Trails are not groomed and by donation. They also rent skis. If you want fully groomed, go to Rikert's in Middlebury instead.
Groomed cross country ski trails. Awesome spot to ski. Rentals available as well as fat bike rentals.
25 locals recommend
Rikert Nordic Center
106 College Cross RdGroomed cross country ski trails. Awesome spot to ski. Rentals available as well as fat bike rentals.
Food scene
Restaurant on the Lake. Great place for dinners or drinks. Mid summer go EARLY so you do not have a wait. Open on weekends in the winter and often nightly in the summer. Not amazing food but decent food and a nice atmosphere and you'd go here because it's just close by and a local favorite. They also do take out as do many of the restaurants listed.
15 locals recommend
Paddlers Pub
937 W Shore RdRestaurant on the Lake. Great place for dinners or drinks. Mid summer go EARLY so you do not have a wait. Open on weekends in the winter and often nightly in the summer. Not amazing food but decent food and a nice atmosphere and you'd go here because it's just close by and a local favorite. They also do take out as do many of the restaurants listed.
Kampersville Deli & Snack Bar
1457 Lake Dunmore RdGreat place for ice cream in the summer.
Mister Up's Restaurant & Pub
25 Bakery LnNice Restaurant in Middlebury
My favorite restruant and bar. Go to Mister Up's instead if you have five or more to seat. Two Brothers has a fancy section and a bar section. I prefer the bar where you can also sit and have dinner. It has a local pub feel and I love the quaint feeling. For something closer go to Paddler's Pub, but if you are heading to Middlebury it's my recommendation for smaller groups, couples, or solos.
64 locals recommend
Two Brothers Tavern
86 Main StMy favorite restruant and bar. Go to Mister Up's instead if you have five or more to seat. Two Brothers has a fancy section and a bar section. I prefer the bar where you can also sit and have dinner. It has a local pub feel and I love the quaint feeling. For something closer go to Paddler's Pub, but if you are heading to Middlebury it's my recommendation for smaller groups, couples, or solos.
Cafe Provence
11 Center StAwesome meals
Table 24
24 Wales StGreat Food - great restruant
The Mad Taco
5101 Main StFantastic Tacos and meals - in Middlebury
Taste of India
1 Bakery LnExcellent Indian Food in Middlebury
Another good choice in Middlebury. If you like Thai food this place is for you.
22 locals recommend
Sabai Sabai Thai Cuisine
22 Merchants RowAnother good choice in Middlebury. If you like Thai food this place is for you.
Home-style meals and excellent breakfasts. 15-minute drive towards Middlebury.
18 locals recommend
Rosie's
886 US-7Home-style meals and excellent breakfasts. 15-minute drive towards Middlebury.
Awesome Tacos and beer and not far away. Great to support this local community.
12 locals recommend
Foley Taco and Bean
22 Park StreetAwesome Tacos and beer and not far away. Great to support this local community.
In Brandon. Excellent beer- micro brew. Local. Awesome. What more can I say. I am not sure if they are open during covid times so call ahead. I also am not sure if they have food but you check that as well. They may have expanded to food now that they also have a taco place open. Check out the taco place- it is also listed.
25 locals recommend
Red Clover Ale Co.
43 Center StIn Brandon. Excellent beer- micro brew. Local. Awesome. What more can I say. I am not sure if they are open during covid times so call ahead. I also am not sure if they have food but you check that as well. They may have expanded to food now that they also have a taco place open. Check out the taco place- it is also listed.
In Brandon. Best Pizza in town! AND they have an air hockey table game to boot!
13 locals recommend
Brandon House of Pizza
16 Center StIn Brandon. Best Pizza in town! AND they have an air hockey table game to boot!
A gorgeous local restaurant in Middlebury, VT. Great salad bar and food. Many options- a bit upscale. Awesome restruant. $$
53 locals recommend
Fire & Ice
26 Seymour StA gorgeous local restaurant in Middlebury, VT. Great salad bar and food. Many options- a bit upscale. Awesome restruant. $$
Store
Any country or convenience store type items, camping supplies, souvenirs, pick up some milk, etc. They even have live bait for ice-fishing at Kampersville. You can even arrange guided fly fishing lessons at Middlebury Mountaineer. Forrestdale Deli and Grocery, and the Leicester Store are other great place to pick up staples.
Any country or convenience store type items, camping supplies, souvenirs, pick up some milk, etc.
7 locals recommend
Kampersville Country Store
1457 Lake Dunmore RdAny country or convenience store type items, camping supplies, souvenirs, pick up some milk, etc.
Tons of excellent gear and clothing. A must for fly-fishing and hiking enthusiasts.
7 locals recommend
Middlebury Mountaineer
56 Main StTons of excellent gear and clothing. A must for fly-fishing and hiking enthusiasts.
Pick up you milk, the paper, or other staples. Friendly faces without having to go into town to get groceries. It's a country store though so keep that in mind.
Forest Dale Grocery & Deli
15 Furnace RdPick up you milk, the paper, or other staples. Friendly faces without having to go into town to get groceries. It's a country store though so keep that in mind.
Junction Store & Deli
2265 Forest Dale RdAnother convenience store.
Middlebury Massage
I have not been here but know a couple of guests had an enjoyed it. This is one of several massage therapist places in the area that you can search on google maps. Book before you come to be sure you get a spot.
Vermont Full Body Wellness
145 Middle Rd NI have not been here but know a couple of guests had an enjoyed it. This is one of several massage therapist places in the area that you can search on google maps. Book before you come to be sure you get a spot.
City/town information
Brandon is a small quaint town 5-10 minutes down the road. There are art galleries, small shops, and small restaurants - exactly what you'd expect in a small Vermont town with the local culture and friendly faces. Go for a walk and stop in a Mae's for a great home-style meal, or for a more upscale experience try Cafe Provance- a one of a kind. Head to Center Street bar for a drink- but don't be surprised if it's quiet. Check out my listings for restaurants to see local favorites.
22 locals recommend
Brandon
Brandon is a small quaint town 5-10 minutes down the road. There are art galleries, small shops, and small restaurants - exactly what you'd expect in a small Vermont town with the local culture and friendly faces. Go for a walk and stop in a Mae's for a great home-style meal, or for a more upscale experience try Cafe Provance- a one of a kind. Head to Center Street bar for a drink- but don't be surprised if it's quiet. Check out my listings for restaurants to see local favorites.
A local college town north of here by 15-20 minutes. Great local food and shops. See my recommendations under restaurants.
67 locals recommend
Middlebury
A local college town north of here by 15-20 minutes. Great local food and shops. See my recommendations under restaurants.
Skiing and Downhill Mountain Biking
The best skiing in Vermont is at Killington which is driveable from our place. Pico is a smaller family resort as is the Middlebury Snow Bowl but Killington is the king of them all. Massive mountain with vast terrain, with massive man-made snow. An awesome place. Their downhill mountain biking in the summer is also phenomenal.
386 locals recommend
Killington Ski Area
The best skiing in Vermont is at Killington which is driveable from our place. Pico is a smaller family resort as is the Middlebury Snow Bowl but Killington is the king of them all. Massive mountain with vast terrain, with massive man-made snow. An awesome place. Their downhill mountain biking in the summer is also phenomenal.
City advice
Don't miss
Blueberry Hill Inn Nordic Center
Airbnb would not find it as a place for me to add but in the winter this is an amazing back country destination for nordic skiing. ungroomes trails but marked and the INN had a nordic center that serves soup on the weekends. it is awesome, rustic, and picturesque. it's a great place for walks in the summer and fall as well.