Live What You Love #TravelJaggs: Burlington, VT

Burlington, VT

Visit 1: The only reason I ever thought in my life I wanted to go to Vermont was to eat cheese. I love cheese. But, one of our travel family members spent some time up there during school and thought it would be a great place to visit! And that we did. The lake, farm to table restaurants, the cheeses, the beers... it had everything a little hippy/city girl could want.

Visit 2: Honeymoon Part III

Where we stayed: Hilton on Lake Champlain. The view is what you pay for, it looks out over the lake and is in a perfect location to walk everywhere. The parking is $10 a night so know that ahead of time if you have a rental car. Make sure to take advantage of the balcony overlooking the front of the hotel so you can enjoy some cocktails and the lake around sunset. The rooms, okay, nothing fancy but really you shouldnt be doing much time in them since there is so much to enjoy!

Where we ate:

Ben & Jerrys, make sure to stop in to the factory on the way into Burlington. It just makes you feel like a kid again and the Flavor Grave Yard is just fun times no matter what age. And you can get ice creams!
Vermont Brewing Company, good beers. We got the sampler and tried 9 different locally brewed beers. Very cool.
American Flat Bread, get into it. You will not be sorry and it seems that everyone in Burlington has the same idea. And when you get a pizza ask for a side of the garlic oil and put it on your pizza. Youre welcome.
Nectars, cool hippie bar where Phish got their start.
The Farm House, used to be an old McDonalds and the only trace is the old floors. Total authentic farm to table restaurant with amazing, everything.
Penny clues, do your breakfast mouth a favor and get involved. Everything is good. EVERYTHING. Local, organic, goodness gracious.
Muddy Waters Coffee, gooood coffee
Honky Tonk Bar, that is not the name, but we for the life of us could not remember the name but ask a local. They have Honky Tonk music on Tuesday and the worlds most delicious apple cider!!! VERY VERY VERY cool bar and local dive.
Pizzeria Verita- remember that amazing square pizza you had when you were in elementary school, well this is the queen version and tastier!
Single Pebble- This was featured on "Best Thing I Ever Ate" which I watch religiously, the food is good, but there is lots of it. Like lots. So if you want good food and good prices but LOTS then go here. It is pretty busy place so dont expect relaxation however the food is killer
Shelbourne Farms Brunch- do it. period.

What we did:

Shelbourne Farms, cheese (king of kings) tasting. You get to try fresh off the farm local cheeses that will not disappoint all FOR FREE. Then you get to take your car over to the barn (which look like a medevil castle) and play with the animals FOR FREE. THEN, you keep going on the road and you literally cross over into what seems like the Italian coast line to the bed and breakfast on the property. Literally we just enjoyed the farm for hours and had the best time. Take your camera!
Shelbourne Vineyards, a fun vineyard with some unique wines. Also there is a brewery right across the road where you can sample their beers. The tasting is $5 and totally worth it and you can get a glass and enjoy their porch and the view
Magic Hat Brewery, a must go. Free tasting of 3 beers of your choice and a free self guided tour that is just really, different and mysterious.
Shopping, lots of it on the main street where no cars can come through and you can just stroll and enjoy consignment shops and chain stores
Fiddlehead Brewery- Good local beers and a restaurant attached but I would not eat there, better options (Check out The Bearded Frog Pub)
Saturday Farmers Market- it is in the center of town and will have everything your heart desires, for real

Looking Back:

Wish we would have had time to check out the campus. Very beautiful, green, and students look cool.
Would have waited to go there around May because a lot of the shops/places to eat close for the winter but most of those were down by the water.
Wish I would have written down the name of the Honky Tonk Bar!!!!

Ben & Jerrys Flavor Graveyard