Boston - October 26, 2009

Ease On down the Road

Road Trip to Burlington, Vermont

If you haven’t been to Burlington since college, start packing. The cool, come-as-you-are town’s got much more than hemp necklaces and Wavy Gravy.

Breakfast of Champions
Start your day with a stop at Penny Cluse Cafe. It’s a classic diner (coffee, home fries, and flapjacks abound) without the greasy-spoon vibe. Load up on Mama Cruz’s huevos rancheros with Jack cheese, salsa, and black beans, or the tofu scram with pesto and corn muffins.

Pick a Winner
Get all New Englandy by spending the morning at Shelburne Orchards. Pick from up to 25 varieties of apples (Gala, McIntosh, Mutzu) across 80 acres and pay by the pound or bushel. Swing by the orchard’s store for pressed cider, freshly baked pies, and a bottle of nonalcoholic Ginger Jack.

Midday Munchies
Walk the main drag, Church Street (a no-cars-allowed thoroughfare), for a tasty lunch on the go. Check out the Cheese ’n Crust Souperstar kiosk (116a Church Street, Burlington; 802-865-7687) and create your own pressed grilled cheese sammie with Great Harvest breads, six cheeses, and a slew of dressings. For a meal you’ll be dreaming about for years to come, go to Red Onion for the namesake sandwich (roasted turkey, sliced apple, bacon, red onion, and sun-dried tomato mayo).

Culture Club
Walk off the calories with a stroll through the lush University of Vermont campus and a look at Robert Hull Fleming Museum’s 20,000 pieces of classic and contemporary art.

Pick-Up Artist
Get your shop on at boutiques scattered around downtown. Whim has a well-edited selection of women’s clothes and accessories from the likes of Tolani, Hudson, and LnA. If vintage is more your thing, pick from Old Gold’s (180 Main Street, Burlington; 802-864-7786) wall of preloved denim and cords.

Snooze Fest
Hunker down for the night at Willard Street Inn. The charming B&B has fourteen quaint guest rooms and serves a serious breakfast of homemade breads, muffins, and eggs.

Aw. Don’t you just lovermont?

Keep on truckin’. For more road trip ideas, go to dailycandy.com/guides.

Photos: Getty Images; Courtesy of Shelburne Orchards; Courtesy of Terri Tu / Flickr; Courtesy of Whim; Courtesy of Willard Street Inn

  Laid Back, Outdoorsy, Road Trip, Super Casual