Middlebury, Vermont 05753 Visit This Historic College Town
Middlebury, VT is an historic town that is still full of life. Early in the town's history were a marble quarry and mills. It was the founding of Middlebury College in 1800 that put Middlebury on the map. Middlebury College is now a top-tier liberal arts college. This little town offers an eclectic mix of opportunities for everyone to enjoy.
The rich history of Middlebury is evident throughout the town, with many of the buildings dating from the 1800s. There are marble steps and even a few marble buildings that stand as testaments to the quarry that was once present. Many of the historic buildings are still in use. It is even possible to become part of the history by staying in one of the historic inns such as Middlebury Inn or the Waybury Inn. Both are charming and have a unique past of their own. Other historic buildings include two churches and the marble works.
In Middlebury are several wonderful restaurants. The Fire and Ice offers fine dining in the historic ambience of a museum setting. The Dog Team Tavern provides home-style meals in a warm atmosphere reminiscent of simpler times with artwork and an assortment of other goods.
Middlebury has many unique stores. Frog Hollow Vermont State Craft Center sells goods made by local artists. Vermont Soap Works sells all-natural soap that is made locally. The store also includes a small soap museum. The Vermont Folk Life Center Heritage Shop sells traditional crafts from all over Vermont. Danforth Pewters sells handcrafted Vermont pewter. There is also a wide selection of clothing boutiques. The Alpine Shop is a sporting goods store, just in case you forgot something. Beau Ties, Ltd of Vermont sells silk bow ties and neck ties as well as shirts to go with them. Some other clothing stores include Wild Mountain Thyme, Red Onion Clothiers, and Bristol Cottons.
The outdoors is a big attraction for Middlebury. This is because it is centrally located between Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains, making it ideal for a wide variety of activities. Middlebury Snowbowl is a small ski mountain that is very close and Sugarbush, Mad River Glen, and Killington are all about an hour away. When it is not winter there are many hiking trails nearby to enjoy, such as the Robert Frost Trail. Many people choose Middlebury as the central location for biking in Vermont. Middlebury presents many possibilities for both the beginner and experienced biker to enjoy. There are also some convenient golf courses to try out. Spend a day on Lake Champlain then take in the beautiful Green Mountains the next.
Some other things to do in Middlebury include taking a tour of the Otter Creek Brewery. The University of Vermont has a Morgan Horse Farm in Middlebury that you can visit. The Middlebury College Museum of Art or the Sheldon Museum of Vermont History are other possibilities. Middlebury also has two covered bridges. This includes the Pulp Mill Bridge which is Vermont's oldest covered bridge built between 1808 - 1820 and is still in use. The Halpin Bridge was built in 1824 and completely overhauled in 1994. To find out what else is going on in the area, please visit out events page.
The rich history of Middlebury, combined with the youthful exuberance of being a college town and an ideal location for so many activities provides a mix perfect for the whole family.