Some Cool Things to Do in Vermont on This Week's Fast Five!

 I recently went to Burlington, Vermont for a bit and had a great time.  Here are some of my favorites from that trip!

1.    Visit the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, Shelbourne.  This is just south of Burlington, and may be an actual part of the city.  Not entirely sure.  This is a great place for young and old and everything in between.  You get a tour of the factory (the original one) for only $6.  Who doesn't love teddy bears?

Also, they have the Vermont Flannel Store there with great cozy flannel stuff.  They are the home of Bernie Mittens, if you remember the Bernie Sanders meme.  The mittens are super warm and cozy.  I tried some on.  They also are the regional base for the Make a Wish Foundation.  If you don't know what that is, look in the links below.  It's wonderful work to make seriously ill children feel better and have a wish come true if only for a while.

This is a great spot to visit.  There are photo ops outside, and a terrific gift shop where you can buy a teddy bear.  Who doesn't honestly want a teddy bear?  You also can work with the staff and make your own bear.  One of the best stops in Vermont.

https://vermontteddybear.com/pages/come-visit-us?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21313080232&gbraid=0AAAAAD_v5GtWS9NjucJGRX9FMpkEtWpmK&gclid=CjwKCAjwrP3VBhBbEiwAnaqpQ3Wcz9Iv_c5rW7IwpVMW87ClvfVntigsSv5XMMnOGBTL1UeeLnmrFRoCQd8QAvD_BwE   

https://wish.org/vtny   

https://www.shelburnevt.org/312/Tourist-Attractions  

https://vermontteddybear.com/   

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g57394-d1154369-Reviews-Vermont_Teddy_Bear_Company-Shelburne_Vermont.html   

2.    Take a cruise on the Spirit of Ethan Allen II.  This is a 90 minute trip around the local area of Lake Champlain that takes off right from the waterfront in Burlington.  It runs daily in season (April sometime to about Columbus Day in October).  Check the website before visiting.  The standard price is $36.99 and it's a lot of fun. 

We had a beautiful day for our trip, but it was a little cool, so this boat has the solution to that problem.  They have glass garage doors.  We got to sit inside and still had amazing views.  Genius.  There also was a meal option which we didn't choose.  We ordered snacks and drinks and enjoyed the ride.  They have a full bar as well as snack and meal options.  There was music and the trip was narrated so we knew what we were looking at.

I enjoy day cruises when I travel and this one was a lot of fun.  Great views, great history, great stories, and pretty darn good food.

https://soea.com/   

https://www.helloburlingtonvt.com/event/cruise-aboard-the-spirit-of-ethan-allen-iii/6292/   

https://www.valuevaultmcv.com/deals-detail/28-spirit-of-ethan-allen   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htdbTUUaHog   

https://www.expedia.com/Things-To-Do-In-Burlington.d601763.Travel-Guide-Activities?locale=en_US&siteid=1&semcid=US.UB.GOOGLE.DT-c-EN.PACKAGE&semdtl=a124126400480.b1202878435487.g1aud-2054876055294:kwd-332750878505.e1c.m1CjwKCAjwrP3VBhBbEiwAnaqpQ-P2XzQk11ycAmNHtjmeApP6a8Dl-LphY_lyVvngvFF-cOc5VkQpyRoCo9EQAvD_BwE.r1.c1.j19003419.k1.d1820807844857.h1p.i1.l1.n1.o1.p1.q1.s1.t1.x1.f1.u1.v1.w1&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24126400480&gbraid=0AAAAACTxZ9ZIw38QeP8hrrjrRxsYbRndZ&gclid=CjwKCAjwrP3VBhBbEiwAnaqpQ-P2XzQk11ycAmNHtjmeApP6a8Dl-LphY_lyVvngvFF-cOc5VkQpyRoCo9EQAvD_BwE

3.    The World's Tallest File Cabinet, Burlington.  No, I wasn't bored.  This might seem ridiculous, but I love this stuff.  This was verified by Guinness and is a one of a kind piece.  We looked all over and finally found this while we were visiting.  This wasn't because we ran out of things to do.  I really wanted to find it.

Designed by Bren Alvarez in 2002, this has been a staple of Burlington for a very long time.  It's right next to a complex of industrial buildings at the intersection of the Champlain Parkway and Flynn Avenue.  There are breweries and distilleries in the complex, so it's good for a night out too.  

The thing that impressed me upon arrival was the simple fact that people had left stickers representing where they were from and they come from all over.  Not only all over the country, but the world.  I really wished I'd brought a sticker, so if you visit this one; bring a sticker!

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/world-s-tallest-filing-cabinet   

https://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/8782   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDbw4OGoNgM   

https://schaumann.com.au/2014/02/filing-cabinet/   

https://www.tripadvisor.com/FAQ_Answers-g57201-d5949516-t2683965-How_tall_is_it.html   

4.    The Waterfront and Downtown, Burlington.  Burlington is a tourist attraction.  Most of their regular stores and stuff are in the more residential part of town, leaving the downtown and waterfront mostly for visitors and people going on a night out.  I will put a caution here; they have a slight bit of a homeless problem down there, but it's nothing worse than you'll see in New York.

What they have is a great pedestrian street with stores, sweets, bars, and restaurants all over it.  We ate in a restaurant that used to be a bank and it was fabulous.  You have a park with lighted splash pad and all sorts of scenic amenities just one block over, and the waterfront is only a few blocks away from all that.  The downtown is very walkable and pretty.  The sunsets over the lake are amazing as well.  I really enjoyed the two evenings that we spent hanging around down there.

This downtown gives a very relaxed vibe.  I do have to say that you will have to scan QR codes to park your car.  I don't care where you park it.  The entire downtown is paid parking.  It can run anywhere from $1 to $4 per hour and some parking lots close at night, so be aware.  You also can take a train to Burlington.  Amtrak stops there on their way to Montreal.  However, I didn't see a car rental and there really isn't much public transportation.  That's why I drove on this trip.

https://www.helloburlingtonvt.com/   

https://vermontvacation.com/places-to-visit/downtowns/burlington/   

https://travel.usnews.com/Burlington_VT/   

https://www.visittheusa.com/destinations/vermont/burlington/   

https://www.sweetwatersbtv.com/  

https://www.whizbangscandy.com/   

5.    The Shelbourne Wineries, Shelbourne.  This place is open 11 am to 7 pm in season.  Winter is noon to 6 pm.  This was cute and the wine was good.  The atmosphere was relaxed and the owner was present and taught us a lot about the wine that grows in Vermont.  It was a super pleasant experience.

That being said, I don't want to single them out.  This was where we went and we had a great time.  It's virtually across the street from the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory so it was painfully easy to combine these two activities.  And you have to watch your Google Maps, because it will tell you it's two minutes away on Route 7, but it's like 15 seconds.

Here's the thing about Burlington and wine, beer and spirits.  They have a thriving alcohol culture in the Burlington area.  We also stopped off in the Stowe area at the Von Trapp Brewery.  We had to pick and choose because we were only in the area for a couple of days, and there were way too many distilleries, breweries and wineries for us to visit, especially since we were driving.  They are all over the place and this is just one, so check them all out and visit accordingly.

https://www.shelburnevineyard.com/  

https://www.helloburlingtonvt.com/listing/shelburne-vineyard/68/    

https://www.vermontgrapeandwinecouncil.com/our-members/shelburnevineyard   

https://americanwineryguide.com/wineries/shelburne-vineyard/   

https://www.helloburlingtonvt.com/things-to-do/bars-nightlife/distilleries/   

https://web.vermont.org/brewery-winery-distillery   

There's my short list of things to do in Burlington.  Remember, this is an area as well.  There are other towns like Waterbury with Ben & Jerry's and Stowe Mountain with everything at the resort.  There are a lot of things to do while visiting Burlington, Vermont, and I've only mentioned a few.

If you'd like to see what else we did in Vermont, check out my YouTube Channel, "Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon." That's me!

https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresforanyone2026   

Remember, fall is a great time to visit anywhere in the Northeastern United States, so get out there, do some leaf peeping and enjoy!

Let's Talk Northeast Leaf Peeping on This Week's Fast Five!

 It's that time of year again and I just spent some time looking at the leaves in and around Burlington, VT!  I'll talk more about them later.  For now, I'm gonna share some other favorite spots!

1.    The White Mountains, Northern New Hampshire.  The White Mountains are some of the tallest mountains in the Northeast.  Mount Washington is the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi.  It's also home to the world's worst weather, so consider that.  The Presidential Range in the White Mountains is full of pines, rocky and just plain big.  By late September they're starting to sport some gorgeous colors.  As with most parts of the northeast, follow foliage trackers and maps closely, so you don't miss the show.

The last time I went for foliage season, we were a tad early, but still got to see some great colors.  We went to the top of Mount Washington, which I recommend everyone does in the morning.  The later the hour, the more likely to find yourself in a cloud or a storm with no view.  Taking the route that circles the area through Conway, Lincoln, Franconia, etc. is a great way to get varied foliage scenes.  There are waterfalls all over, lots of beautiful still ponds, and trails galore to walk.  There are a lot of activities in the area like train and gondola rides.  Take advantage of that and a bunch of covered bridges and you have yourself a beautiful getaway!

https://www.visitwhitemountains.com/events/fall-foliage/foliage-tracker/   

https://www.visitnh.gov/plan-your-trip/fall/peak-foliage-map   

https://www.nordicvillage.com/news/experience-fall-foliage-in-the-white-mountains/  

https://www.cannonmt.com/attractions/aerial-tramway   

https://www.nhstateparks.org/find-parks-trails/mt-washington-state-park   

2.    Moosehead Lake and Greenville, Maine.  I love this area.  I've visited at pretty much all times of the year.  I've even seen cars race on the frozen lake.  This massive almost entirely wilderness area is absolutely gorgeous in the fall.  It starts by mid September and continues until it's done.  Unfortunately, there's no real way to predict mother nature.  You can only try to follow along with the trackers online.  

One of the unique things you will encounter around Moosehead Lake are the moose.  Fall is the Rut.  This is mating season.  While that tends to be in October, always watch out for frisky moose in the fall.  They are enormous and you don't want to irritate one.  While the moose are a lot harder to find around Greenville now, due to ridiculous timber companies, they are still in the area and it's great fun to see one.  One of the best ways to enjoy the foliage in the area is to take a flight seeing ride over the lake and just look at the beauty.

https://destinationmooseheadlake.com/seasons/fall/   

https://lodgeatmooseheadlake.com/blog/2023/08/maine-fall-foliage-at-moosehead-lake/   

https://wilsonsonmooseheadlake.com/fall-into-moosehead-lake   

https://themainehighlands.com/places-to-visit/moosehead-lake-region/   

https://jacksairservice.com/    

3.    Hunter Mountain, Hunter, The Catskills, New York State.  There's no place like the Catskills.  Everyone from Washington Irving to the people that brought us "Dirty Dancing" love this area.  Hunter Mountain is obviously a ski resort, but it's pretty busy year round.  There are festivals and hiking and concerts and scenic lift rides.  It's a great place to spend some time.  They have luxury condos and lodge rooms for rent and Hunter; the town, is a great place to hang out and enjoy the view as well as the food and drink.

When fall arrives in this area, it's just plain special.  Foliage season will come when mother nature decides, but that's normally mid September.  The chair lift is open a lot during this season and the views and the foliage light up the world up there.  One of the best things about this location is that they have Oktoberfest for three weekends every fall.  There's Schnitzel and music and of course beer.  I've been there for weddings, concerts, parties, and sometimes just the view.  While in the area you should always visit Kaaterskill Falls.  It's one of the most beautiful falls in the Northeast.

https://www.huntermtn.com/   

https://www.greatnortherncatskills.com/explore/towns/hunter-ny   

https://townofhunterny.gov/community/arts-recreation/   

https://visitcatskills.com/   

https://www.greatnortherncatskills.com/explore/kaaterskill-falls   

4.    Ithaca, Finger Lakes, New York State.  This is a magical place.  In the fall, it explodes with color, only to add more beauty to one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. What's so special?  The Finger Lakes are gorgeous, and Seneca Lake is probably my favorite.  But it doesn't end there.

There are over 200 waterfalls in this area, and some of them top 200 ft. high.  There are more leaf trees than evergreens and that makes the color explosive in fall.  Ithaca is one of those places where you don't even have to leave the center of town to see all of this.  Ithaca Falls and Cascadilla Gorge are basically downtown.  Add in the food scene, the wine and beer scene and the best Wegman's Grocery Store I've ever been to, and there's nothing quite like it or better in the fall.  The season here is a little later, running into the beginning and mid October, but check those foliage trackers!

https://www.visitithaca.com/plan-your-visit/the-ithaca-experience/fall-foliage-report/   

https://www.visitithaca.com/blog/post/ithaca-fall-events-guide/  

https://www.fingerlakes.org/blog/forecasting-fall-foliage-peak-reliable-sources   

https://www.explorefall.com/states/new-york   

https://www.inntfalls.com/go-local/attractions/local-state-parks-attractions   

5.    Niagara Falls, New York or Ontario.  I have yet to find a bad time to visit Niagara Falls.  There, I said it.  I've been there every season of the year and it's all good.  However, I'm a fall baby and that seems to make me a fan of fall.  I don't care which side of the border you're on; this place glows in the fall.  One of my favorite views is actually from Goat Island on the American side. That isn't normally my opinion, but in fall it simply glows all over that gorge.

Another one of my favorite spots in fall is a little down from the falls at the whirlpool area.  That spot is surrounded with trees and is just fire in foliage season.  Other great things about visiting Niagara Falls is the falls and all the activities, especially on the Ontario side.  Whether you're doing activities on Clifton Hill, overlooking the falls gorge from the Skylon Tower or the wheel, or just gazing at the falls; the activities never seem to stop.  There are casinos and all kinds of stuff for kids of all ages 2 to 102.  The American side is a little less busy, but in the fall some of my favorite views are from there.  Make sure you check that foliage tracker, because you'll probably catch this one at the end of September, but not always!

https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit-niagara-parks/attractions/   

https://www.cliftonhill.com/   

https://www.skylon.com/   

https://www.niagarafallsusa.com/   

https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/   

https://www.niagarafallstourism.com/seasons/autumn/   

Fall is a great time to take a trip and the views that are always good are even better.  I love to travel in the fall because the heat of summer is over and the foliage is like frosting on an already beautiful cake.  Lots of foliage areas are truly alive with activities and events just for leaf peeping season.  There are tours for foliage, cruises for foliage, festivals for foliage and so on.  Don't always plan your holiday in the overpriced summer season.  Fall is great and foliage is beautiful!

I just returned from this year's foliage trip to Burlington, Vermont as I was saying.  Check out my YouTube channel in the coming days and weeks to see what that looked like!  It's "Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon." That's me!  https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresforanyone2026  

You can also find out a lot about New York City and some other spots in the world on my channel. 

In the meantime, make sure you don't  overlook foliage season.  It's gorgeous!  Or as they say in Ithaca, "Ithaca is gorges!"  Thanks for joining me!  Enjoy!