Make the most of Summer 2023 by exploring all that the Lake Champlain Islands of Vermont have to offer. We've created a guide for the top must-try activities and events happening in each Champlain Island town to add to your summer bucket list. 

 

1. SUP & Lunch On The Lake | North Hero, VT.

North Hero Marina is offering stand-up paddle board rentals this summer. Enjoy a scenic paddle around Pelots and Carry Bay, and then enjoy lunch or dinner at Drifters, located right at the marina with views of the lake and marina. Learn more here. 

2. Biking & Music In The Park | Isle La Motte, VT.

On July 14th, The Nobby Reed Project will perform at the Isle La Motte Recreational Park. The show is free, and meals are available for purchase. Make a day of this event! Spend the day biking or exploring the scenic town and landmarks like St Anne Shrine, the town beach, The Quarry, Goodsell Ridge, and Isle La Motte Vineyard. Learn more about Music In The Park. 

         

3. Brew Hop & Golf | South Hero & Alburgh, VT.

Visit the Champlain Islands' local breweries, Two Heroes and Kraemer & Kin. Start your day in South Hero at the Two Heroes tasting room at 1 Ferry Road, then take a scenic drive up to the Alburgh Golf Links, where you can play a round of golf and then enjoy a meal and cold beer at Kraemer & Kin. Visit Kraemer & Kin and Two Heroes for more information.

4. MAGIC! With Tom Joyce | South Hero, VT.

Kids Event! On Thursday, July 13th, Tom Joyce will return to perform one of his amazing magic shows! New books and new tricks, all in one exciting event. Ages 4 and up. Learn more here.

5. Staycation at Grand Isle State Park | Grand Isle, VT. 

Grand Isle State Park is Vermont's most visited state park; it has great camping and even nature trails. The extensive shoreline is set up nicely for both fishing and swimming. Make sure to reserve your campsite before you plan your getaway.

6. Beach Day At The Alburgh Dunes | Alburgh, VT.

Soak up summer at one of the longest beaches on Lake Champlain. The Alburgh Dunes is a natural sand beach in south Alburgh that offers day use access to one of the Islands most beautiful beaches. Pack the coolers and sunscreen and enjoy this wonderful Vermont State Park. Visit their website to learn more.

Summer in Vermont is the perfect time to explore the wonders of the Lake Champlain Islands region. Whether attending lively festivals, indulging in local cuisine, or embarking on outdoor adventures, this bucket list will fill your summer with unforgettable experiences. So pack your bags, gather your loved ones, and prepare to create cherished memories by the lake! 

Learn more about Life in the Lake Champlain Islands. 

It's time to celebrate Vermont's sweetest season! The Vermont Maple Sugar Makers' Association is hosting the 2023 Maple Open House across two weekends, March 25 & 26 and April 1 & 2 . During this annual event, local Vermont Maple Sugar Makers invite you into their sugarhouses to celebrate the 2023 crop. The maple experts will teach you about the cherished Vermont tradition. This event includes maple education, guided tours, and delicious sweet maple samples. Keep reading for the inside scoop on the top 10 Vermont sugar houses you simply can't miss.

1. Snow Farm Vineyard

Head to Snow Farm Vineyard in South Hero, Vermont, for their Maple Open House at Fox Hill Maple. They have many activities, such as a guided tour, live music, games, and a pancake dinner! 

Open House Information

2. Palmers Sugar House

Palmer’s Sugar House invites the community to their Maple Open House in Shelburne, Vermont. You can expect to enjoy tours, barnyard animals, and maple breakfast and lunch! Plus, this is only 10 minutes away from Burlington, Vermont. 

Open House Information

3. Shelburne Farms  

Visit Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, Vermont, to see the sugarhouse and take an interactive tour to learn about the sugaring process. Then enjoy activities such as a scavenger hunt and sugar on snow! They will have a variety of samples and guided tours, plus a stroll through the woods full of maple trees. 

Open House Information

4. Gange Maple 

Gange Maple in Swanton, Vermont, has cultivated maple syrup in northern Vermont for five generations! Their open house festivities include delicious maple creemees, educational information, and a walk in the sugaring woods. 

Maple Open House Information

5. SugarTree Maple Farm

In Williston, Vermont, Sugartree Maple Farm will have a tour of their sugarhouse, maple hotdogs, and even maple adult beverages by Bevo Catering company. 

Open House Information

6. Mountainview Mapleworks at the Giroux Family Farm

Visit Mountainview Mapleworks, in Richmond, Vermont, to see their family-run operation that includes a solar-powered sugarhouse! They will have trails to see the running sap, excellent maple samples, and even maple coffee and doughnuts! There is ample parking, and they will also have Vermont maple syrup for sale.

Open House Information

7. Palmer Lane Maple

Palmer Lane Maple in Jericho, Vermont, will have many sweet treats such as maple cream donuts, maple hot dogs, creemees and much more! They are also collecting items for their local food shelf. If you bring two small food items, you get a small bag of maple cotton candy for free!

Open House Information

8. End-O-Road Maple

End-O-Road Maple’s open house in Jericho, Vermont, will have maple goodies, an opportunity to feed their sheep. Voted one of the top sugarhouses in Chittenden county, this is a must-see spot! 

Open House Information

9. Browns River Maple 

This local family-owned and operated sugar house in Essex Junction, Vermont, will have tours, samples, and snacks. Browns River Maple will also have a fundraiser going on for Dragonheart Vermont.

Open House Information

10. Mcbride’s Family Maple

Head to Westford, Vermont, to check out Mcbride’s family maple’s small but highly efficient solar-powered operation!  They will have sugar-making demonstrations, samples, and lots of information for visitors.

Open House information

Read the entire guide of all Vermont sugarhouses participating in the 2023 Maple Open House weekends here.