Vermont Route 7 Road Trip: A 5-Day Itinerary with Hikes and Campgrounds

Historic New England towns. Awesome swimming holes. Cute farm stands. And cows – lots and lots of cows.

Vermont’s Route 7 travels 176 miles from Pownal in the south to Highgate on the Canadian border in the north.

This mostly rural stretch of pavement makes for a fabulous and scenic road trip—full of natural beauty, fun towns, and interesting attractions. We’ll start in the historic town of Bennington and take you north to Burlington. 

If you have more than five days, I highly suggest continuing north to the Lake Champlain Islands, which are worth a weekend getaway on their own!

If you’ve got five days, you can take a leisurely journey up Route 7 in Vermont, or do this trip over a long weekend. We’re proponents of slow travel when possible, but three days in Vermont is better than zero! 

Our Vermont Route 7 itinerary covers all of our favorite things: lovely walks and rambles, fun historic sites, local food and drink, and even a few awesome places to take a summer dip. 

So start making your Vermont road trip playlist and packing the car, because you won’t want to miss this road trip.

We will begin our Route 7 road trip in Bennington and head north to Burlington. Feel free to flip this itinerary around if you want to start in Burlington and head south.

Not only is Bennington my hometown, but it’s just an hour from Albany International Airport and within four hours of both Boston and NYC.

That makes this road trip a great getaway for anyone living in the Northeast!

Route 7 Stops at a Glance

Here is every stop in this itinerary in one place, so you can see what to keep and what to skip.

Day	Stop	Why go	Time to spend	Dogs
Day 1, Bennington	Old Bennington and the Battle Monument	Revolutionary-era homes, Old First Church, and Robert Frost’s grave	1.5 to 2 hours	Dogs can wander Old Bennington, but they can’t go up in the Monument.
Day 1	Madison Brewing Company	Old 76 ale and plenty of vegetarian options	Lunch	No
Day 1	Bennington Museum	The largest public collection of Grandma Moses paintings	1.5 to 2 hours	No
Day 1	The Miller’s Toll	The best cocktails around, small plates, flatbreads	Dinner	Yes, on the outdoor patio
Day 2, to Manchester	Blue Benn Diner	A 1948 diner car and blueberry pancakes	Breakfast	No
Day 2	Silk Road, Paper Mill, and Henry covered bridges	Three bridges over the Walloomsac within two miles	Under an hour	Yes
Day 2	Arlington Green Covered Bridge	Norman Rockwell’s view, plus a swim below the bridge	30 to 60 minutes	Yes
Day 2	The Crooked Ram	Wood-fired pizza and vegetarian options	Lunch	Yes, on the patio
Day 2	Northshire Bookstore	My favorite bookstore	1 hour	Yes
Day 2	Mt. Equinox hike or Skyline Drive	Highest summit in the Taconics	Half day to hike, 2 hours to drive	Leashed at the summit
Day 2	Southern Vermont Arts Center	Sculpture park and woodland trails	2 hours	Sculpture park welcomes dog walkers
Day 2	Mystico	Upscale Italian	Dinner	No
Day 3, to Middlebury	Up for Breakfast	French toast and maple lattes (cash only)	Breakfast	No
Day 3	Rutland murals	Larger-than-life murals on downtown buildings	1 hour	Yes, on-leash
Day 3	Roots	A seasonal menu of locally grown food	Lunch	Yes, on the outdoor patio
Day 3	Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park	Views, a Japanese garden, and fun trails	A few hours	Yes, on-leash
Day 3	Fire and Ice	A Middlebury institution and Vermont Mud Pie	Dinner	Yes, at the outdoor tables
Day 4, to Shelburne	Otter Creek Bakery	Croissants and breakfast pizza	Breakfast	Yes, at the outdoor tables
Day 4	UVM Morgan Horse Farm	Vermont’s state animal, tours May to October	1 hour	Yes, on-leash and with caution. This is a working farm.
Day 4	3 Squares Cafe, Vergennes	Hot sandwiches and a great atmosphere	Lunch	Yes, at a small number of outdoor tables
Day 4	Shelburne Farms	Walking trails and Lake Champlain sunsets	The rest of the day	No
Day 4	Folino’s	Wood-fired pizza next door to Fiddlehead Brewing	Dinner	Yes, on the outdoor patio
Day 5, to Burlington	Rustic Roots	Breakfast sandwiches and popovers	Breakfast	No
Day 5	Shelburne Museum	The Ticonderoga steamboat and 39 historic buildings	Half day to full day	NO
Day 5	Bike the Island Line Trail	A lakeside path to the causeway	Afternoon	Yes, on-leash
Day 5	Honey Road	Eastern Mediterranean small plates	Dinner	Yes, on the outdoor patio

Vermont Route 7 Road Trip Map

Route 7 runs along Vermont’s western side, through the valley between the Taconic Mountains and the Green Mountains. As the road heads north toward Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks take over on the left. The map is color-coded by day and includes points of interest and dining options.

Day 1: Explore Bennington, Vermont

Today, you’ll explore the beautiful, historic town of Bennington, Vermont. In Bennington, you can tour Vermont’s tallest building, visit the grave of a famous poet, and enjoy a fabulous meal on Main Street before turning in for the night. Driving time: Depends on where you’re coming from.

Explore the Old Bennington Historic District

Bennington is a small town (population 15,000) with a walkable downtown and historic sites dating back to the Revolution. Start by exploring the village of Old Bennington, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

If you park your car at the Bennington Battle Monument, you can explore the rest of Old Bennington on foot. Not only is the Bennington Battle Monument Vermont’s tallest man-made building, but it is also our most-visited state historic site. 

The Monument was completed in 1889 to commemorate the Battle of Bennington, which took place on August 16, 1777, during the Revolutionary War. 

The monument and gift shop are open daily from late May through October. In most seasons, you can take an elevator to the top for an incredible view, but it was offline in 2026, so check ahead of time.

Next, stroll down Monument Avenue past many Revolutionary War-era homes and on to the Old First Church, the first gathered church in Vermont. Although the lovely church that stands there now isn’t the original, it’s been around since 1805.

Behind the Old First Church, you’ll find one of Vermont’s oldest cemeteries. Many of the gravestones here provide stellar examples of historic death imagery that was popular during the late 1700s. Robert Frost, Vermont’s most famous poet, is buried here, along with his family. Follow the signs to his grave; you can’t miss it.

Read Next: 7 Beautiful Spots to Visit in Bennington, Vermont

Lunch: Madison Brewing Company

428 Main Street, Bennington, Vermont

When we want casual fare and locally crafted beer at reasonable prices, we head to Madison Brewing Company on Main Street in Bennington. The food is reliably good, the atmosphere is friendly, and the service is excellent. They have several vegetarian options, which I appreciate, and good burgers, which Eric loves. 

The beer menu changes with the season, but you can always get our favorite, Old 76, an English Yorkshire-style ale. It’s very malty and strong – perfect for a fall road trip. In the summer, I almost always get the IPA.

Bennington Museum

With a strong focus on Vermont history and art, Bennington Museum includes a huge treasury of cultural artifacts and works of art, including the most extensive public collection of Grandma Moses paintings worldwide.

Grandma Moses lived just over the border in New York and was a self-taught folk artist who began painting when she was 78.

She is a local legend in these parts and experienced critical acclaim across the country during her lifetime and beyond.

Permanent collections include several galleries of fine and modern art, a textile gallery featuring one of the oldest American flags, and an eclectic mix of special exhibitions.

Bennington Museum is closed in the winter, between January and March. In season, it’s open Thursday through Tuesday, 10 am to 4 pm

Dinner: The Miller’s Toll

716 Main Street, Bennington, Vermont

We have never had a bad meal at The Miller’s Toll, although we wish they were open more often! The Miller’s Toll offers the best cocktails around, plus small plates, wood-fired flatbread, and plenty of vegetarian options. It’s small, dark, and bistro-like, with outdoor dining in the summer.

Where to stay in Bennington, Vermont

You’ve got several lodging options in Bennington, depending on what you’re looking for.

Day 2: Bennington to Manchester

This section of Route 7 is only 23 miles, so take your time. Two Route 7s run between Bennington and Manchester. Route 7A was the original Route 7, passing through several small towns on the way to Manchester.

A larger two-lane freeway was eventually built so vehicles could travel at 55 mph, and those small towns were bypassed. We call the two roads Big 7 and Little 7. For this trip, we’re hopping on Little 7 (7A) so you get the full Vermont experience. Driving distance: 23 miles

Breakfast: The Blue Benn

314 North Street, Bennington, Vermont

The Blue Benn Diner is an institution in Vermont and a must-visit when you’re in Bennington. The diner closed for a brief spell in 2020, and for a while, we all worried that it was done for. Fortunately, new owners quickly stepped in to keep it running.

This is a classic diner car, built in 1948, and complete with tabletop jukeboxes and lots of items on the menu. Get there early so you don’t have to wait!

I recommend any of the creative omelets, especially the Mexican, but you also can’t go wrong with blueberry pancakes and real Vermont maple syrup!

Covered Bridge Tour of Bennington County

As you head north on Route 7A through Bennington’s shopping strip, take a detour onto Route 67A to visit three covered bridges in Bennington and North Bennington.

All three covered bridges cross the Walloomsac River, and they are all within a few miles of each other. You can see all three in less than an hour. Here’s a quick overview. 

Silk Road Covered Bridge, Bennington, Vermont

The Silk Road Covered Bridge carries the Silk Road over the Walloomsac River in Bennington. It is the first in a series of Walloomsac River bridges located within two miles of each other in Bennington and North Bennington.

A bridge has spanned the Walloomsac here since 1790, but the current Silk Road covered bridge was built in 1840. It is the oldest covered bridge in Bennington County. Benjamin Sears, a prominent builder at the time, built this single-span Town Lattice Truss.

Small pull-offs on both the north and south sides of the bridge offer short trails down to the river for better views.

Paper Mill Village Bridge, Bennington, Vermont

The current Paper Mill Covered Bridge was built in 2000 and replaced the original, built in 1889. This is a Town lattice truss spanning about 125 feet along Murphy Road. The Paper Mill Covered Bridge is similar in design to the Silk Road Bridge and is Bennington County’s longest covered bridge.

The site once housed one of Vermont’s first paper mills, and the dam below the bridge provided hydroelectric power to fuel the community’s industry.

The area north of the Paper Mill Covered Bridge is private property. On the south end of the bridge, a small parking area is available. A short trail on the west side leads to multiple viewing sites with good views of the dam and the bridge. This is also a great spot to go fishing!

Burt Henry Covered Bridge, North Bennington, Vermont

The Burt Henry Covered Bridge has been an important crossing over the Walloomsac River since early colonial times.

The original covered bridge was a double span, built in 1840, but was entirely replaced with a single span in 1989. This Town lattice truss bridge carries River Road for 121 feet across the Walloomsac.

Park in the small parking area just north of the bridge entrance.

Of the three covered bridges in Bennington, the Burt Henry Covered Bridge provides the best access. It’s a great spot for picnicking, fishing, and cooling off (but it’s still not deep enough for swimming).

Arlington Green Covered Bridge, Arlington, Vermont

Now it’s time to leave Bennington behind and head north.

Continue on Route 67A and then turn left on Route 67 until you reach the junction of 7A. From here, you will drive north through Shaftsbury and into Arlington.

The painter Norman Rockwell, famous for so many scenes of New England life, made a home with his family in Arlington for 14 years.

Take a short detour off 7A and head east on Route 313 when you get to Arlington. In about four miles, you’ll come to the Arlington Green Covered Bridge. 

Drive through the bridge and park your car on the other side. The Arlington Green Covered Bridge is Vermont’s most photographed bridge.

This is also a great spot to take a dip underneath if the weather is cooperating. After taking in the pastoral views, stroll down the road a piece to Rockwell’s Retreat, a historic inn that was built in 1792.

The view of the bridge from in front of the inn is the same Norman Rockwell enjoyed during his years here, from 1938 to 1953.

Read Next: Explore the Covered Bridges of Bennington County, Vermont

Lunch: The Crooked Ram

4026 Main Street, Manchester, Vermont

The Crooked Ram serves upscale casual meals indoors and out. We love the dog-friendly patio, and there are always fabulous vegetarian options and amazing wood-fired pizzas! Their craft beer and wine list is excellent, too.

Northshire Bookstore

4869 Main Street, Manchester, Vermont

You can’t visit Manchester without popping into my favorite bookstore! The Northshire Bookstore on Main Street is an institution with enough books to make your head spin, including a great used-book section, a music section, and a fabulous floor dedicated to children’s books, games, and puzzles.

If you love books, visiting Northshire Bookstore is a must!

And if you love shopping, you’ll probably want to spend the rest of the day meandering around Manchester, known for its outlet stores and boutiques.

Two Options for an Afternoon in Manchester, Vermont

Because there’s a lot to do in this little town, I’m giving you two options for spending your afternoon in Manchester, Vermont. 

Option One: Explore Mt. Equinox

Want to work up a sweat and get outdoors? I recommend hiking to the top of Mt. Equinox in the Equinox Preserve. The Equinox Preserve covers over 914 acres on the slopes of Mt. Equinox, with numerous hikes for all abilities.

For a leisurely stroll in the woods, take the loop around Equinox Pond (0.75 miles). For a serious workout to the summit of Mt. Equinox, hike 6.2 miles (round-trip) up a steep trail with 2,840 feet of elevation change. Mt. Equinox is the tallest mountain in the Taconic Range at 3,848 feet. Find trail descriptions and a trail map at Equinox Preserve Trust. 

If you want the amazing view from the summit of Mt. Equinox but don’t want to put in the work, you can also drive to the top on Mount Equinox Skyline Drive, open Memorial Day weekend to Oct 31, $25 per car and driver ($30 in October), $5 per extra passenger.

So many choices!

Option Two: Southern Vermont Arts Center

93 SVAC Drive, Manchester, Vermont

Located on 120 acres on the side of Mt. Equinox, Southern Vermont Arts Center includes numerous galleries that feature more than 1,000 works from regional artists in their permanent collection, as well as a rotating collection of special exhibitions and the largest outdoor sculpture park in Vermont. 

A tour of the grounds and galleries is an inspiring way to spend the afternoon, and there’s even a cafe if you need some extra nourishment. We especially love the woodland trails and outdoor sculptures!

Dinner: Mystico

4928 Main Street, Manchester, Vermont

Mystico brings handmade Italian food to Manchester’s Main Street, with house-made focaccia, fresh, hand-crafted pasta, and a menu that changes with the seasons. The dining room is rustic and contemporary at the same time, and it is a cozy way to end a day of covered bridges and mountain views.

I almost always get the BUCATINI CACIO E PEPE. It may be simple, but it’s hard to get right, and Mystico delivers this comfort dish perfectly every time! Reservations are a good idea, especially on weekends and during foliage season.

Where to Stay in Manchester

Day 3: Manchester to Middlebury

Continuing north on Route 7, today offers a few outdoor adventures and an exploration of the historic city of Rutland and its fabulous murals. Total driving time: 78 miles

Breakfast: Up for Breakfast

4935 Main Street, Manchester, Vermont

Start the day off right at the bustling Up for Breakfast (cash only) on Main Street in Manchester. Treat yourself to the French toast with real maple syrup and a side of local sausage. Might as well overdose on maple goodness with a maple latte, too!

Check out the Incredible Murals in Rutland, Vermont

For years, Rutland has been known as a no-nonsense, working-class city with a cute historic district and a history as one of the world’s leading marble producers. But, Rutland has an up-and-coming art scene that is worth checking out.

Downtown Rutland is home to five unique art galleries and has also commissioned 15 larger-than-life murals painted on historic buildings and walls throughout the city. Park in downtown Rutland to explore the murals and the area.

Lunch: Roots Rutland

55 Washington Street, Rutland, Vermont

Roots is a gem of a restaurant in Rutland with an eclectic menu from minimally processed, locally grown food. Although the menu changes with the seasons, we’ve always had the good fortune of a stellar dining experience.

There are a lot of excellent vegetarian options, too! Current favorites include fried Brussels sprouts, which I can never turn down, and the pan-seared tofu served over Chermulla beet & potato hash with spinach & roasted garlic aioli. Yum! 

Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park

After lunch, take a quick detour off Vermont Route 7 to one of my all-time favorite Vermont State Parks.

Vermont’s newest state park is aptly named—Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park is a unique collection of hiking trails that meander across 204 acres of fields, forests, gorges, cliffs, and gardens. 

This undeveloped park has no amenities, but it is worth visiting for stellar views, cool Japanese gardens, and fun/challenging trails. Find out why we love Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park, and then put it on your itinerary! Give yourself a few hours to explore here.

Dinner: Fire and Ice

26 Seymour Street, Middlebury, Vermont

From Taconic Mountains Ramble State Park, drive north on Route 30 for about 25 miles until you get to Middlebury, which you’ll explore tomorrow.

Fire and Ice is a uniquely decorated restaurant with delicious food, mostly steak and seafood, but with a few nice vegetarian options as well. They’ve been a Middlebury institution for 50 years! Eat in the cozy dining room or out on the patio, but be sure to reserve ahead of time. Oh, and for dessert, get the Vermont Mud Pie!

For more casual fare, the attached Big Moose Pub has a tavern menu and bar seating.

Where to Stay in Middlebury, Vermont

Need more space? This pet-friendly three-bedroom home is within walking distance of downtown Middlebury and has a fully stocked kitchen.

Day 4: Middlebury to Shelburne

Today, you’ll explore Middlebury and then drive north to Shelburne. As you drive north on Route 7, you’ll finally glimpse our beautiful Lake Champlain, 124 miles long and covering 490 square miles! Lake Champlain is the sixth largest lake in the US, after the five Great Lakes.

Be on the lookout for our lovable lake monster, Champ, who is said to be a cousin of the Loch Ness Monster. Total driving time: 29 miles

Breakfast: Otter Creek Bakery

14 College Street, Middlebury, Vermont

Whether you want to relax with a croissant and a cup of coffee or go all out with a breakfast pizza, you can do it at Otter Creek Bakery. Great outdoor seating and delightful coffee drinks. It’s centrally located on College Street.

After breakfast, take some time to stroll around downtown. Pop into a few shops and check out the view of Middlebury Falls. 

UVM Morgan Horse Farm, Weybridge, Vermont

Did you know the Morgan horse is one of the earliest horse breeds developed in the United States and the state animal of Vermont?

I’ve been visiting the Morgan Horse Farm since I was a kid and read Justin Morgan Had a Horse by Marguerite Henry. This working horse farm was created in 1907 to improve the breed. In 1951, the University of Vermont took it over. 

Take a tour of this beautiful farm and learn about the history of the Morgan horse.

The views alone are worth the trip, but the horses make it even more special! Advanced registration for tours is currently required. 

Read Next: 95+ of the Best Things to Do in Vermont

Lunch: 3 Squares Cafe

141 Main Street, Vergennes, Vermont

3 Squares Cafe is a casual, eclectic cafe in Vergennes, Vermont, which you’ll drive through on your way to Shelburne.

Follow the signs to Vergennes as you drive on Route 7 and turn left into town. You can’t miss it! While you won’t have time to explore Vergennes on this itinerary, I recommend more than a drive-by if you have time.

3 Squares has been around for at least a decade, and it’s one of our favorite stops when we’re road-tripping on Route 7. They’ve got a fun selection of hot sandwiches, burgers, and vegetarian options and a great atmosphere inside and out. 

Relax and Rejuvenate at Shelburne Farms

Shelburne Farms is one of my favorite places in the world.

Not only is it a beautiful working farm, but the views are beyond incredible. There are lots of walking trails, and you can spend the night at the onsite inn.

We have visited Shelburne Farms for kids’ programs and for lots of special events, but it’s such a great destination to just unplug and soak up the Vermont vibes. 

Your next few days will be very busy exploring Shelburne and Burlington, so for this afternoon, I’m advocating that you take it easy and spend the rest of the day, dinner, and night at Shelburne Farms.

Dinner: Folino’s Wood-Fired Pizza

6305 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, Vermont

Folino’s makes the best wood-fired pizza we’ve ever had in Vermont. The slightly charred, crispy crust is so yummy, and you can try fun topping combinations.

Another bonus: Folino’s is BYO Fiddlehead, located right next door to Fiddlehead Brewing Company, making this a great stop for craft beer lovers! 

Where to Stay in Shelburne, Vermont

Day 5: Shelburne to Burlington

Today, you’ll explore the renowned Shelburne Museum, then head north to Vermont’s biggest city. Total driving time: 8 miles

Breakfast: Rustic Roots

195 Falls Road, Shelburne, Vermont

Ready to fill up on some seriously good eats before today’s adventures?

Rustic Roots is a chef-owned restaurant serving delectable breakfast and lunch on the village green in Shelburne. Patio seating is available, and they serve breakfast and lunch all day. The breakfast sandwiches and popovers are my two favorites, but the menu has all kinds of goodies, so bring a big appetite!

Explore the Shelburne Museum

I’ve been visiting Shelburne Museum since I was a kid, so there’s a lot of nostalgia attached to my visits, but I’ve also brought first-time visitors, and everyone agrees that it is one of the best museums in Vermont. 

The collections at Shelburne Museum are an eclectic mix of historical artifacts, folk art, circus pieces, textiles, and other interesting bits of Americana. Galleries are spread across 39 historic buildings on 45 beautifully landscaped acres.

As a kid, I especially loved hopping aboard the Ticonderoga steamboat, which roamed Lake Champlain from 1906 until 1953.

I loved that such a huge boat was parked on the museum lawn and that I could climb on board to see what it would have been like in 1923. 

While the Ticonderoga will surely be a favorite for you, too, you can also visit a covered bridge, a jailhouse, a locomotive, a vast round barn, a blacksmith shop, and a lighthouse. You can spend a full day at the Shelburne Museum, and we wouldn’t blame you a bit if that’s what you decide to do! 

Insider tip: If you decide to spend the day at the museum, you can get window take-out service at Weathervane Cafe. The menu is pretty basic, but they do have soup, sandwiches, and ice cream, which is more than enough. 

Rent Bikes and Explore the Bike Path in Burlington

If you had lunch at the museum, your next stop is Local Motion, where you can rent bikes for the afternoon.

If you haven’t eaten, you will find lots of eateries on Church Street, which is a pedestrian-only shopping area. Public parking is available on the street or at several parking garages around town (just follow the parking signs).

Local Motion is a nonprofit organization that advocates for active transportation and safe streets.

It’s located right on the Burlington bike path along Lake Champlain. At Local Motion, you can rent regular bikes, tandem bikes, child bikes and trailers, and E-bikes. Reserve your bikes ahead of time so you don’t miss out. 

Once you’ve rented a bike, head north on the Burlington Greenway (bike path), which runs 7.6 miles along Lake Champlain. You will see plenty of places to stop and explore, including the Burlington waterfront and a few small beaches.

Here’s a trail map to help with planning.

Anywhere along the bike path makes a perfect sunset spot, so if you rent your bike for more than a single day, definitely take advantage!

Dinner: Honey Road

156 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont 

Burlington has a lot of great restaurants, and it was hard to choose a favorite spot to recommend, but I’m going with Honey Road because I’ve been craving their small plates and cocktails for months.

I’ve been obsessed with Honey Road since they opened a few years ago. With Eastern Mediterranean cuisine in a small but bustling space, Honey Road is one of Burlington’s top-rated restaurants and 100% worth the effort to get a table.

If you’re planning ahead, reserve several days in advance so you don’t miss out. Small plates make it easy to mix and match with your travel companions, so you can try more food!

Enjoy Nightlife in Burlington

Up until now, you’ve been driving through rural Vermont and enjoying small villages and outdoor recreation, but Burlington is our big city, and it has real nightlife!

If you’re craving a night on the town, tonight is your chance!

While I can’t predict what the music scene will look like during your trip, here are some great spots to imbibe. Pick up a copy of Seven Days when you get into town to get a sense of what’s happening. Here are some of the local hot spots.

• The Archives: Beer, cocktails, and vintage arcade games are exactly what you’ve been looking for. 
• Red Square: Known for its robust drink menu, live music, and DJs, Red Square is perfect for late-night adventures!
• Three Needs Taproom: A Burlington staple for decades now, Three Needs is the place to go for craft beer and cocktails, a game of pool, and cozy outdoor seating. This gem is not to be missed!

Where to Stay in Burlington, Vermont

You have plenty of lodging options in Burlington. I recommend staying within walking distance of downtown, but those options are a bit pricey.

Need room to spread out? This historic VRBO home sleeps six, has three bedrooms, a full kitchen, and two parking spots, and is within walking distance of downtown.

Read Next: The Best Things to Do in Burlington, Vermont, in the Summer

Day 6: More of Burlington

Got an extra day? Explore more of Burlington! On your bonus day, you’ll explore more of Lake Champlain and learn more about its ecology and history. You’ll also have time for ice cream, shopping, and great food! Total driving distance: 0 miles

Breakfast: The Grey Jay

135 Pearl Street, Burlington, Vermont

This is not your ordinary breakfast joint! The Grey Jay on Pearl Street makes the most delectable baked goods and fantastic Mediterranean-inspired breakfast and lunch items. The menu is an eclectic mix of breakfast and lunch specialties with many vegetarian options.

Get Out on the Water at the Community Sailing Center

Explore Burlington Bay in a human-powered watercraft. At the Community Sailing Center, you can rent kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards, or book a private lesson if you need it. Want to try sailing? You can book a private lesson for you and your family aboard a boat from their fleet of sailing vessels.

This is a great way to see Burlington from a whole new perspective, and it’s the perfect way to get out on the water, especially in the summer! Learn more about renting a boat at the Community Sailing Center.

Lunch: August First

149 S. Champlain Street, Burlington, Vermont

August First, located on the corner of S. Champlain and Main Street, is known for its crazy-delicious baked goods, especially maple biscuits! I have had many a relaxing cup of coffee at August First, but I’ve only recently discovered their lunch menu.

There are many vegetarian options, including my current favorite, the ramen noodle salad, which consists of chilled noodles, a jammy egg, and veggies with the yummiest sesame tamari dressing. The space is a renovated garage, and the atmosphere is very cozy-industrial. 

Spirit of Ethan Allen

You’ve already done a bit of exploring on Lake Champlain, but hopping aboard a cruise ship for a narrated boat ride is a great way to learn about the history, geology, and ecology of the lake.

The Spirit of Ethan Allen provides fun narrated cruises, and you can buy beer and refreshments for relaxing on the deck. Dinner cruises and sunset cruises are offered, too. 

In my opinion, this is one of the most relaxing ways to spend your last afternoon on Lake Champlain. You’ll be treated to fantastic views of the Burlington waterfront as well as the Adirondack Mountains in New York and the Green Mountains east of Burlington.

Dinner: A Single Pebble

133 Bank Street, Burlington, Vermont

Tonight’s dinner is upscale, authentic Chinese made with the freshest ingredients served family-style. A Single Pebble is a treat; whether you’re in the mood for seafood, beef, or a completely vegetarian meal, A Single Pebble prepares everything from scratch for a delectable meal as you’ve never experienced.

Vermont Route 7 Road Trip FAQs

We get a lot of questions about traveling through Vermont, so we wanted to answer the most common ones. If you have any other questions about road-tripping in Vermont, simply leave a comment, and we’ll answer them ASAP.

Where does Route 7 start and end in Vermont?

US Route 7 enters Vermont from Massachusetts in Pownal and runs 176 miles north to Highgate, where it meets I-89 just south of the Canadian border. This itinerary covers the stretch from Bennington to Burlington.

How long does it take to drive Route 7 through Vermont?

Realistically, you could do the whole drive in five hours, but what’s the fun in that?

Should I take Route 7 or Route 7A?

Take Historic Route 7A between Bennington and Manchester. The speed limit is slower than on US 7, but 7A travels through Arlington and Manchester Village, which the highway skips.

Is Route 7 or Route 100 the better Vermont road trip?

I think Route 7 is just as scenic as Route 100, but it doesn’t go through the Green Mountains. Route 7 travels the valley between the Taconic Mountains and the Green Mountains, and farther north, between the Adirondacks and the Greens. If you want the mountain version, here is my 5-day Route 100 road trip.

Is Route 7 a good road trip with dogs?

Yes. Our dogs, Malinda and Ron, often travel this route with us, especially in the summer when we can take advantage of swimming holes and dog-friendly patios.

Planning a trip to Vermont? Check out our sister site, Vermont Explored, which covers all the best things to do in our home state!

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