kjoyce4If you’ve been here for a while, you’ll remember that I spent a year living in Vermont. Since moving to Boston, I’ve been excited to share my favorite spots in New England with my roommates. Here’s how we spent 24 hours in Vermont with Chloe.
Day 1: Stowe and Burlington
1pm: Cold Hollow Cider Mill – This is by no means a hidden gem, but it’s so popular for a reason. We grabbed donuts and tested some cider before heading over to the cafe where we had lunch and I stocked up on my favorite hard ciders. Dogs are allowed on the deck, but it was chilly so we let Chloe rest up in the car before our big adventure for the day.
2:30pm: Stowe Pinnacle – Truly one of the best bang for your buck hikes in Stowe. The trail is 3 or 4 miles roundtrip depending on which parking lot you start from. The summit was windy and I was glad I packed my traction because it was icy, but Chloe loved showing our roommates the way to the summit.
5:00pm: DoubleTree Hotel – We spent the night at the DoubleTree right off the highway in South Burlington. It’s convenient and dog friendly (with a $75/night fee). The beds were some of the most comfortable I’ve slept in, and Chloe happily snuggled up with my roomies for the night, so I got a whole bed to myself for once.
6:00pm: Church Street – We left Chloe to recover from her hike and got our first taste of Church Street. Most shops were closed surprisingly early, so we did a lap up and down the street and headed to dinner with an old friend.
7:00pm: Zero Gravity and Foam – The food at Zero Gravity’s taproom exceeded expectations. I got a chance to try a new flavor from Citizen Cider which is right down the road before we went back downtown for another drink at Foam Brewery near the waterfront.
9:00pm: Back to the hotel for bed.
Day 2: Burlington and Winooski
9:00am: Burlington Bagel Bakery – I am a sucker for a rosemary bagel and chai latte, so we had to make a stop for breakfast on Church Street. The shop allows dogs and even has treats at the counter for your four legged friend.
10:00am: Burlington Waterfront – We met up with my friend and her dog for a walk along the waterfront. While it wasn’t as green and bright as it is in the summertime, it was amazing to see the mountains along the water again. It’s truly one of my favorite views.
12:00pm: Church Street (again) – Chloe was on a mission to find every treat behind the cashier at each shop we stopped on. Ben and Jerry’s was the only shop that didn’t allow dogs (for obvious health and safety reasons), but everyone else seemed happy to have four legged friends stop by. Chloe met so many friends, both humans and dogs, that she had to take a quick nap while I was browsing the (amazingly stocked) dog section at Outdoor Gear Exchange.
2:00pm: Pingala Cafe – Our final stop of the trip was Pingala Cafe along the border of Burlington and Winooski for lunch. All of their food is vegan and they allow dogs too. The food was great, sometimes I find vegan food is too saucy or spicy, but my Ceasar salad wrap was perfect.
It was so nice to return to my former home, and having such a short trip meant I only had time for my absolute favorite spots. I forgot that Burlington is such a dog friendly city whether you’re exploring the outdoors or shopping on Church Street, there’s plenty for you and your pup to do.