Off-Property Trips & Activities
(While there’s more than enough to keep you busy on property, we’ve created this page as our guide for anyone looking to explore the local surroundings).
If you enjoy the outdoors, you’ll feel right at home in the Green Mountain State. There is so much to see and do within an easy (and scenic!) 1 to 1 ½ hour drive from the Tyler Place and below is a list of some of our favorite activities (drives, hikes, state parks, beaches, apple orchards, swimming holes, breweries, etc.) with links provided for more detailed information, directions and photos.
Vermont is known for its beautiful scenery and you’ll be amazed at the stunning views you’ll see right from the driver’s seat.
Lake Champlain Islands: A wonderful drive with expansive views of Lake Champlain. Don’t be afraid to get off the main route and explore the side roads, coves and beaches.
Smuggler’s Notch: This drive meanders through farmland and then narrows and steepens as you approach Mt. Mansfield, the highest mountain in Vermont. A striking drive with lots of twists and turns!
Vermont hiking trails offer something for hikers of all skill levels and our spectacular autumn season is a leaf-peepers dream come true!
Under Hill State Park Trails| Underhill, VT
This is a beautiful state park at the base of Mt. Mansfield (tallest peak in VT at 4393 ft) with forest trails, view trails and challenging hikes to the top of the mountain. You’ll find everything you need to know at the links provided. For intermediate to advanced hikers we highly recommend Sunset Ridge Trail, Laura Cowles Trail and Mt. Mansfield Loop Trail. There are some out and back hikes that are a little easier such as Cantilever Rock Trail and Half Way House Trail. All Trails Link | MAP
Jay Peak Trail|Montgomery, VT
Head towards the charming town of Montgomery and up Route 242 to the trail head of the Jay Peak Trail (a section of the Long Trail). This is a moderate to advanced hike with gorgeous 360 views at the summit.
Hazen’s Notch Trails and Burnt Mountain Hike | Montgomery, VT
These trails are on private property but are open to the public through November. Trails start at a Welcome Center where you’ll discover 1-3 mile loops through meadows, beaver ponds, apple orchards and spruce/fir forest. The Burnt Mountain Hike starts at the same Welcome Center. It’s a moderate hike with some steep sections and gorgeous views at the top looking north towards Jay Peak and Canada. All Trails Link
Sterling Pond Trail | Jeffersonville, VT
A moderate 2.3 mile out and back. It does have a couple of steep sections. It’s a very popular trail that starts at the top of the Smuggler’s Notch Road (Route 108) and features a lovely pond when you get to the top.
Stowe Pinnacle Trail | Stowe, VT
Another popular out and back near Stowe, Vermont, rated as moderate and featuring a forest setting and wonderful views of Mt. Mansfield when you get to the “pinnacle”.
Milton Pond Town Nature Trails | Milton, VT
These are family friendly trails that are rated as moderate and feature a pretty lake and meandering trails.
Knight Point State Park Nature Trail | North Hero, VT
This park is located on North Hero Island and features a Nature Trail with several lookouts to Lake Champlain. There’s also a picnic area and sandy beach.
Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge Trails | West Swanton, VT
The Refuge offers some excellent trails for walking, exploring and birding watching. MAP
Stowe Gondola Sky Ride | Stowe, VT
If you want Vermont’s greatest views the easy way, we recommend the Stowe Gondola Skyride, which takes you (almost) to the top of Mt. Mansfield. You can access hiking trails to the peak once you exit the gondola. Open daily from 10 am. to 4:30 p.m. (last cabin up at 4:15 p.m.).
Island Line Bike Ferry | South Hero, VT
The Bike Ferry welcomes walkers and riders to enjoy the spectacular trail across Lake Champlain connecting the mainland to South Hero Island. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eight passengers per ferry. Call (802)-861-2700 for questions.
Alburgh Dunes State Park | Alburgh, VT
The park lies on the shore of Lake Champlain and features one of the lake’s largest beaches. It is named for the sand dunes near the center and western end of the south-facing natural sand beach.
Knight Point State Park | North Hero, VT
A beautiful drive through the Lake Champlain Islands to get to this park, where there are scenic lake views, a nice sandy swimming beach and a nature trail with opportunity for close-up nature and forest viewing.
Kill Kare State Park | St Albans, VT
Located on the southwestern tip of St. Albans Point, a three-mile peninsula that defines St. Albans Bay, Kill Kare is surrounded on three sides by the sparkling water of Lake Champlain. There’s a picnic area and a very nice beach perfect for skipping stones.
Sandbar State Park | Milton, VT
Sand Bar State Park takes its name from a natural sandbar between South Hero Island in Grand Isle County and the town of Milton on the Vermont mainland. The park is on the mainland, or eastern end, of that sand bar. There are picnic areas, volleyball nets, and a 2000 foot sand beach offering great swimming.
Lake Carmi State Park | Franklin, VT
Carmi is the fourth largest natural lake and third largest peat bog in Vermont. It’s a pretty drive (or bike ride) through the towns of Highgate and Franklin to get there.
Oakledge Park | Burlington, VT
Located in the South End of Burlington and nestled along the shores of Lake Champlain, allowing for beautiful waterfront views. Within the park, there are two public beaches, a playground, a tree house, walking trails, tennis, bocce and volleyball courts, charcoal grills, picnic tables, and lots of open grassy areas for you to enjoy. There is direct access to Burlington’s 9-mile bike path.
Fiske Quarry Preserve | Isle La Mott, VT
Fisk Quarry Preserve is part of the Chazy Fossil Reef, a National Natural Landmark. This area offers visitors a chance to see some of the oldest reefs in the world, and features a short interpretive walking trail. Many visitors to Fisk Quarry also visit our Goodsell Ridge Fossil Preserve, which is located just two miles to the north and features several miles of trails and a visitor center that is open seasonally.
St. Anne’s Shrine | Isle LaMotte, VT
Beautiful shrine situated right by the lake shore of Isle LaMotte.
Hall’s Apple Orchard | Isle La Motte, VT
Pick a bushel of apples at the historic Hall’s Apple Orchard. This orchard has been in the Hall family since the late 1700’s, with each generation continuing the previous one’s work cultivating the orchard’s apples and pears. The owners have been experimenting with their orchard’s fruit to create different varieties of ice cider. Today this cider is available along with apple table wine and hard cider.
Hackett’s Orchard | South Hero, VT
This is a family owned farm and market with 47 varieties of apples, fresh cider doughnuts, apple cider and apple crisp. A beautiful drive through the Lake Champlain Islands to get there!
Adams Apple Orchard and Farm Market | Williston, VT
Explore Vermont agriculture and discover some tasty treats as well. Adam’s has grown from a small family farm into a richly diverse farm offering fresh produce, specialty products, baked goods and more.
West Swanton Apple Orchard and Cider Mill | Swanton, VT
Pick your own apples and enjoy fresh cider and donuts at this family run business.
Lajoie Stables | Jeffersonville, VT
Nestled in the foothills of the Green Mountains, the stables have been owned and operated by the Lajoie family for two generations. Please contact them in advance to book a trail ride at 802 644 5347.
Breakaway Farm | Grand Isle, VT
Family farm with the best trail riding in the area. They also have Friesian horses, Scotch Highland cattle and a mule rescue. Call in advance to book your customized trail ride based on riding level and experience. (802) 372 8491
Westbrook | Montgomery, VT
This swimming hole and waterfall owned by the Tyler family, is very picturesque and a favorite family hang-out. There is a covered bridge that crosses the brook above the falls and a deep pool for swimming and diving. This is a marvelous place and you can spend several hours here sunning and swimming and investigating the upper and lower falls area. A little difficult to find, but worth the trip. Directions can be found at the Sports Shop.
Three Holes | Montgomery Center, VT
Unusual swimming hole in Montgomery Center with several waterfalls and pools for swimming. Although there are sunny spots, overall, it’s forested and shady. The upper pool gets little sun and is surrounded by high cliffs on both sides. The second pool is fed by a smaller 8-foot waterfall and fills a very small pool which is good for a Jacuzzi bath. The lowest pool is fed by a small 6-foot waterfall and is the most popular. The lowest pool contains a large boulder which is perfect for sunbathing and for getting an overall view of the falls.
Bingham Falls | Stowe, VT
A truly beautiful area with several waterfalls and swimming holes. Get there via a scenic drive over Smuggler’s Notch and past Stowe Mountain Ski Resort. There is a short hike to the falls, but it’s a little steep and treacherous in areas so we do not recommend this for young children.
Snow Farm Vineyard | South Hero, VT
Their location, on an island in the middle of Lake Champlain, permits them to grow cooler climate vinifera grapes, Pinot Noir and Riesling, as well as the more cold hardy French Hybrids, Vidal Blanc and Baco Noir. Tasting Room. Open daily 11-5 pm. (On West Shore Rd. guests can also see hundreds of colorful birdhouses and dinosaurs hidden in the woods!)
Hudak Family Farm | Swanton, VT
Only 20 minutes from The Tyler Place, Hudak Farm is a beautiful, very unique farm stand featuring an abundant selection of seasonal vegetables and fruits. In autumn you’ll find a bountiful daily harvest of fresh produce. In addition, grounds are laden with thousands of pumpkins, winter squash, & decorative gourds. You can also pick your own pumpkin from the pumpkin patches and enjoy some fresh pressed apple cider.
Percy Farm Corn Maze | Stowe, VT
A great activity for families and children of all ages. Every year, Paul Percy mows a unique maze in his Bouchard Farm cornfield. Stop by, feed the calves and goats, and see if you can find your way out (usually takes 30 to 40 minutes)!
Choiniere Family Farm | Highgate Center, VT
A 4th generation dairy farm located down the road from the Tyler Place. The Choiniere’s transitioned from conventional to organic farming in 2005. They now milk 80, very happy, grass fed organic dairy cows and also raise pigs and chickens. Please call ahead for visiting hours (802) 868 2131.
Boucher Family Farm | Highgate Center, VT
For 14 generations the Boucher family has passed the farm from father to son. Today, two descendants, Daniel and Denis, perform the daily operations, milking 140 Holstein, French Normandy and Guernsey dairy cows. They make the best blue cheese around (Boucher Blue) and if you get a chance you should stop by and sample some!
Vermont’s craft beer industry is blossoming, leading the nation in breweries and brew pubs per capita and racking up honors and awards for quality and innovation. With brew pubs, microbreweries, craft brewers and larger regional breweries, there is a lot of beer produced and consumed in the Green Mountain State. Below is a list of our favorite breweries in Northern Vermont with links to their websites.
The Vermont Brewers Association is your first stop for updates, information and directions to Vermont’s breweries.
14th Star Brewing | St. Albans, VT
Alchemist | Stowe, VT
Burlington Beer Company | Williston, VT
Fiddlehead | Shelburne, VT
Foam Brewers | Burlington, VT
Frost Beer Works | Hinesburg, VT
Hill Farmstead Brewery | Greensboro Bend, VT
Switchback Brewing Co. | Burlington, VT
Zero Gravity Brewery | Burlington, VT