About the Area

Lake Champlain is the largest mountain lake and the sixth largest fresh water lake in the United States. It is located between upper New York State (The Adirondacks) and Vermont. The 121 mile long lake was first visited by Europeans in 1609 when the French explorer Samuel de Champlain

Bridport

Bridport was chartered in 1761; yet it did not begin to grow and flourish until after the American Revolution. Today Bridport is your quintessential Vermont dairy farming community, bordering Lake Champlain with beautiful rolling meadows and spectacular views of the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. The town is convenient to the college town of Middlebury, the bridge to NY state, and many historical sites, museums, wildlife preserves, hiking trails, and miles of vista filled roads for bicycling and leisurely walks. Also located in Bridport is Pratt’s Store, one of the many wonderful country stores and delis in the area, the Korda Families’ Brookside Antiques on the village green and Broughton’s Farm Supply (an unusual True Value) as well as other small businesses including a creamy stand (soft ice cream) during the summer.

Middlebury

Addison County’s shire town, Middlebury, was chartered in 1761 and settled just after the Revolutionary War. Today, the village is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to many shops, businesses and architecturally distinguished churches and public buildings. Passing through the heart of the historic village is the Otter Creek, the longest river in Vermont. You can see its powerful waterfall from the Battell bridge and through the windows of the Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center located in a building that was once a mill. Along the banks of the creek are several attractive restaurants featuring waterside dining.

Activities

Sailing, water skiing, swimming, tennis, golf, hiking, biking, fishing, skydiving, snow skiing, snow shoeing and ice fishing, shopping, relaxing are just some of the activities available in the area through the seasons.

Local Attractions

  • Addison County Chamber of Commerce Information center, walking tour maps, lodging, dining, shopping information, local and state interest materials. Court Street, Middlebury, VT 802-388-7951.
  • Chimney Point Historical Site Early Native American campsites and French Colonial Settlement. Museum explores this heritage through to present day. Addison, VT. 802-759-2412
  • Danforth Pewterers See the traditional art of pewter spinning Monday - Saturday. Shop open Monday - Saturday 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Sunday 10am - 5pm June-December. Located in the historic Marble Works complex. 802-388-0098
  • Factory Marketplace at Kennedy Bros. Located just north in Vergennes. Antique Center with more than 100 dealers. Manufacturers of fine oak, pine and cherry accessories. Made in Vermont crafts, unique gemstone jewelry. 802-877-2975
  • Fort Ticonderoga Ferry Enjoy a Lake Champlain Boat Ride, short cut between Green Mountains and New York Adirondack’s. Daylight operation. Continuous 6 minute crossings. Since 1787. Larrabee’s Point, Shoreham, VT Route 74. 802-897-7999
  • Frog Hollow Mill Overlooking the falls in downtown Middlebury. An outstanding 18th century landmark, restored under auspices of National Trust for Historic Preservation. Serving both as Grist & Woolen Mill, John Deere worked here before going West. Now housing a consortium of distinctive stores. 802-388-7424
  • Geiger of Austria Fashion Outlet Famous Geiger clothing for less. Located on Pond Lane just off Exchange Street, 1 mile north of town. 802-388-3156
  • Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Historical exhibits, nautical archaeology, maritime collections, working forge, boat building, and a 54 foot Revolutionary War gunboat replica Philadelphia. Open daily 10-5, May thru October. Located in Vergennes, VT 802-475-2022.
  • Middlebury College Center for the Arts Art Center with concert hall, studio theatre, dance performing space, music library, cafe, and art museum. Programming & Exhibition Information 802-443-6433. Museum hours Tuesday - Friday, 10-5, Saturday & Sunday, 12-5. 802-443-5007
  • Mount Independence Revolutionary War fort site named for the Declaration of Independence. Remains of stockade, fort’s foundation, block houses, gun batteries, and hospital. Located in Orwell, VT.
  • Otter Creek Brewing Brewers of fine ales: Copper Ale, Helles Alt Beer and rotating seasonal Ales. Free Guided Tours and samplings all week long. Open 10am-6pm Monday-Saturday and 11am to 4pm Sunday. Located on Exchange Street, 1 mile north of town. 802-388-0727.
  • Prescott Galleries Gallery for the original oil paintings and Fine Art Limited Edition Prints of Lincoln, Vermont landscape painter Reed Prescott. Gallery hours are May 1 - December 31; Tuesday, Friday and Saturday; 10 -5. All other times by appointment by calling, 802-453-4776. North of Middlebury off of 116.
  • Rokeby Museum 18th century writers, artists, and humorists. Intimate glimpses of two centuries of family life, artistic creativity, and political philosophy. Open May - October, Thursday - Sunday. Guided tours at 11:00 A.M., 12:30 P.M. and 2:00 P.M.. Off season tours by appointment. Located just outside of Vergennes in Ferrisburgh. 802-877-3406
  • The Sheldon Museum A 1829 house furnished as a 19th century Vermont home. Museum Shop, Research Center, Gallery and offices open weekdays all year; tours mid-May -October 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., Saturdays 10 am - 4pm. 802-388-2117
  • The Vermont Folklife Center Located on the green in Middlebury. A fascinating place to discover and learn about the folk art and traditions of Vermont. Open Monday - Friday 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. year round. Saturdays Memorial Day - October. Located in the historic Painter House, 2 Court Street. 802-388-4964
  • UVM Morgan Horse Farm World famous home of 60 registered Morgans operated by University of Vermont to perpetuate and improve Vermont’s official state animal. Guided tours, video presentation. May 1 - October 31, daily 9:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.. Admission: Adults’ $3.50, teens’ $2.00, twelve and under free. Located only 2 %BD miles from downtown Middlebury. (RD 1 Middlebury 05753) 802-388-2011
  • Vergennes Opera House A 103-year-old theatre located in City Hall on Main Street in Historic downtown Vergennes. Featuring live entertainment. Call ahead for scheduled events. 802-877-6737
  • Vermont Country Soap Manufacturers of the worlds finest hand-crafted natural bar soaps. Factory seconds/factory tours available. Usually open 8am-5pm Monday-Friday. 76 Exchange Street. 802-388-4302
  • Vermont State Craft Center at Frog Hollow Finest of Vermont crafts in a gallery overlooking Otter Creek Falls. Monday - Saturday, 10:00 A.M. - 5:30 P.M.; Sunday 12:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. 802-388-3177
  • Vermont’s Covered Bridges Virtual Vermont Internet Magazine has what is believed to be the Web’s only complete presentation of photographs and historical information on Vermont’s Covered Bridges. Every one of ’em.
  • Woody Jackson’s Holy Cow Store Cowman Woody Jackson celebrates the Holstein Cow in artwork from unique paintings to tee-shirts. Open 9am - 5 pm Monday - Saturday and Summer Sundays. Main Street. 802-388-6737

Bird Watching

Some of the birds found in the area are Bald Eagles, common Loons, Baird’s Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, Least Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpipers, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Red-necked Phalarope, Short-billed Dowitcher, Long-billed Dowitcher, Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Black-crowned Night-Herons, American Bittern, Peregrine Falcons, Turkey Vultures, Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, Merlin, Canada Geese, Mallards, Green- and Blue-winged Teal, Black Ducks, Wood Ducks, Northern Pintail, Tree, Bank, and Barn Swallows, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Chickadees, Robins, Starlings, Goldfinches, Pewees, Phoebe, Starlings, Kingbirds, Horned Larks, Ovenbird. The dramatic event of the annual migration of snow geese.