Addison County: Shorelines, Trails, and History

Fifty-six miles of shoreline along glacially formed Lake Champlain, historic museums, and trails through diverse landscapes give Addison County its distinctive character. Water, nature, and cultural history offer different focal points for planning a trip. If you’re traveling with children, you can alternate between these interests as you plan, without making every outing the same kind of experience.

Lake Champlain, Lake Dunmore, and Landscapes

On the shore of Lake Champlain, DAR State Park is in the Town of Addison; camping is its primary use. At the southern edge of the county, 105-foot-deep Lake Dunmore offers opportunities for swimming, fishing, paddling, and boating. Camping is also available on its shores at Branbury State Park. The two lakes therefore represent different ways to enjoy the water in the region.

The Moosalamoo National Recreation Area encompasses cliffs, mountain lakes, and streams, as well as a diverse range of plant and animal life. If you prefer to explore the landscape on footpaths, Vermont’s Long Trail offers another option: sections of the long-distance trail run through Addison County and can be reached via side trails. The varied landscapes and trails offer plenty of ideas for diverse days out, without every outing having to be the same kind of experience.

Biking and Hiking Trails of Varying Lengths

Lake Champlain Bikeways developed nine bike loops in Addison County. A nine-mile mountain biking loop also runs through the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area: it climbs to a ridgeline and returns through Leicester Hollow to Silver Lake Campground. Its length and described route make it a clearly defined option when planning a ride.

At 20 miles, the TAM is longer and loops around Middlebury. Along the way, it connects several hundred acres of town land, protected properties, schools, and other local attractions. Comparing trail lengths can help you estimate how much time to set aside for a route; the information describes different trails and activities. If you’re looking for a vacation rental or vacation home, it’s worth choosing your planned routes and destinations early and comparing the accommodation’s location with your itinerary.

Museums, Bridges, and History

The Rokeby Museum’s permanent exhibition, “Seeking Freedom: The Underground Railroad and the Legacy of an Abolitionist Family,” explores the history and continuing legacy of enslavement in the United States. It also tells the story of the Robinson family’s transformation: earlier generations were slaveholders, while family members became abolitionists in the 19th century. Visitors can explore trails and nine historic buildings on the grounds.

The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum presents regional history, archaeology, and ecology through exhibition buildings, outdoor installations, historic boats, blacksmith shops, and an archaeology lab. The Henry Sheldon Museum has welcomed visitors and researchers since 1884 and is considered the nation’s oldest community-based museum. At the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm, visitor offerings include tours, educational programs, and demonstrations of riding, driving, and training horses.

Chimney Point is on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, at the foot of the Lake Champlain Bridge. Artifacts there tell the story of the region’s three earliest cultures: Indigenous American, French colonial, and early American. Mount Independence State Historic Site is one of the most significant Revolutionary War sites in the United States; six miles of trails follow the remains of archaeological fortifications.

Covered bridges also shape the area’s historic character: four are located in Shoreham, Middlebury, and Ferrisburgh. They make for a scenic tour through the county and its small towns and villages. Culture lovers can combine a museum visit with an exploration of the region’s architectural history.

Events and Local Products

The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival takes place every August. It showcases filmmakers who have made their first or second feature-length or short film within the past 24 months. The Middlebury Festival on the Green takes place annually on the weekend after July 4 on Middlebury Green in the town center. If either event fits your travel plans, check the current dates in advance.

The annual Champlain Valley Guide to Local Food and Farms includes a directory of local food producers in the county. The deep waters of Lake Champlain create a microclimate favorable to grapes, apples, and other fruit. The long growing season allows high-quality fruit to ripen and supports the production of wine from Vermont fruit.

Getting Here and Choosing Where to Stay

The Ethan Allen Express serves the Middlebury and Ferrisburgh-Vergennes stations; check the schedule before traveling. The seasonal Fort Ticonderoga Ferry makes continuous six-minute crossings between Shoreham, Vermont, and Ticonderoga, New York. Check its operating dates. Addison County is also accessible via Route 7 and Routes 17, 22A, 30, 116, 73, 74, 100, and 125. Route 7 is Vermont’s primary north-south highway.

When looking for a vacation rental or vacation home, you can first decide whether lake activities, biking and hiking trails, or cultural sites will be your main focus. Then match your planned outings to their locations and compare the accommodation’s location with those destinations. This way, you can choose a base that suits the itinerary you actually want to experience.

Explore Profiles of Local Towns

Vergennes, Middlebury, and Salisbury

Explore more destinations: Windham County, Orleans County, Lamoille, Caledonia, Essex County

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