Something For Everyone in Addison County, Vermont

Located in the lower Champlain Valley of Vermont bordered by the Adirondacks to our west and the Green Mountains to our east, Addison County offers something for everyone—every season of the year. Middlebury, Bristol and Vergennes offer thriving downtowns for dining, shopping and theater, while quaint villages such as Lincoln, Shoreham, or Starksboro may remind you of simpler times.

Middlebury is so much more than a classic New England College town! Ideally located midway between Burlington and Rutland, Middlebury makes a great four-season destination for a day trip or a longer stay.

In addition to the wide variety of shopping opportunities, the downtown features more than ten restaurants, many are located along the Otter Creek as it flows and tumbles dramatically over the Otter Creek Falls in the heart of the downtown. Three historic inns, a movie theater, the Town Hall Theater (featuring year-round music, dance, opera and plays), the Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History and the Vermont Folklife Center are all within a ten-minute walk of the Town Green and gazebo. Middlebury College, a fifteen minute walk from the Green, has a full schedule of performing arts events, a gallery, outstanding college athletics and much more.

Lodging options in the Middlebury area also include other historic inns, a hotel, three motels, many bed and breakfasts, private lakeside or mountainside cottages, camping, and recreational vehicle camps - most no more than a ten minute drive from the historic downtown

Nestled at the foot of Green Mountains‚ Bristol is a quaint village of about 3‚800 residents. Main Street is lined with friendly village shops that satisfy every interest: antiques‚ gifts‚ home accessories‚ Vermont-made products‚ handmade beeswax candles‚ clothing and shoes. Dine at restaurants with menu selections offering everything from pizza to champagne. Bristol is surrounded by serene woodlands‚ crystal clear streams and rivers and delightful mountain scenery. Four season natural beauty is within easy reach by car, bike, foot or fishing pole.

Bristol’s town green has been a central part of the village throughout its history. The Bristol Band has presented outdoor summer band concerts in the gazebo on the town green every Wednesday from June through August since shortly after the Civil War. Folks bring their lawn chairs‚ visit with their neighbors and enjoy the music. The green also hosts 4th of July events (such as its infamous Outhouse Races)‚ the Farmers’ Market‚ Movies in the Park‚ BBQs, the Harvest Festival and many other activities.

Vergennes was Vermont's first city 1788 and bills itself as America's smallest city. The city's name was suggested by Ethan Allen to honor the Comte de Vergennes who served as the French Minister of Foreign Affairs and negotiator of the Treaty of Paris.

You'll find the elements of both a vital city and neighborly town here. The City Hall and Vergennes Opera House is still the center of Vergennes' business and cultural life. The beautifully restored‚ acoustically superb Opera House presents a year-round schedule of jazz‚ opera‚ folk‚ classical and theater performances as well as a monthly Friday Night Flicks event. City Park‚ in the center of the downtown‚ hosts Monday evening summer band concerts community festivals such as French Heritage Days in July and Vergennes Day in late August.

Within the three-block downtown area, traditional businesses mix with the new. Revitalization has attracted eclectic, locally-owned shops and restaurants to become neighbors of deep-rooted Vergennes businesses. Main Street's 150-year old commercial blocks built with local stone and eye-catching window displays entice people to stop and explore.

Visit the Addison County Chamber of Commerce’s website (www.addisoncounty.com) for more information on the area, tourism activities, lodging and dining locations. Stop into the Visitor Information Center at 2 Court Street (Route 7) in Middlebury. Or, call us at 1-800-SEE-VERMONT or 802-388-7951.