{"id":68037,"date":"2019-10-02T14:39:32","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T18:39:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=68037"},"modified":"2025-09-02T00:38:56","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T04:38:56","slug":"why-waterbury-is-the-best-year-round-destination-in-vermont","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/68037\/why-waterbury-is-the-best-year-round-destination-in-vermont\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Waterbury is the Best Year-Round Destination in Vermont"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p>Traveling to Vermont often serves a specific purpose \u2014 skiing some of the deepest powder on the east coast, <a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/68024\/5-vermont-towns-to-visit-by-train-this-fall\/\">taking in fall\u2019s vibrant colors<\/a>, riding mountain bikes on endless single-track trails, or simply sipping tea on the porch of a classic colonial-style New England inn. But those of us who like to do it all know it can be difficult to fit everything in to a few short days. That is, of course, unless you know where to go.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Located less than 30 miles from <a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/33619\/things-to-do-around-burlington-vt\/\">Burlington<\/a>, Waterbury is centrally located between the Mad River Valley and <a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/44837\/things-to-do-in-stowe-vermont\/\">Stowe<\/a>, providing easy, car-free access to some of the state\u2019s best skiing, hiking, and picturesque towns and landscapes.&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Find Hotels near Waterbury:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<ins class=\"bookingaff\" data-aid=\"2185878\" data-target_aid=\"2185878\" data-prod=\"map\" data-width=\"100%\" data-height=\"590\" data-lang=\"ualng\" data-dest_id=\"0\" data-dest_type=\"landmark\" data-latitude=\"44.3378343\" data-longitude=\"-72.756229\" data-landmark_name=\"Waterbury\" data-mwhsb=\"0\" data-address=\"Waterbury, VT, USA\">\r\n    <!-- Anything inside will go away once widget is loaded. -->\r\n        <a href=\"\/\/www.booking.com?aid=2185878\">Booking.com<\/a>\r\n<\/ins>\r\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    (function(d, sc, u) {\r\n      var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0];\r\n      s.type = 'text\/javascript';\r\n      s.async = true;\r\n      s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date());\r\n      p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p);\r\n      })(document, 'script', '\/\/aff.bstatic.com\/static\/affiliate_base\/js\/flexiproduct.js');\r\n<\/script>\r\n<p>In Waterbury and the surrounding area, local chefs push the limits of traditional American classics while maintaining a focus on sustainability through the use of locally sourced ingredients. Local residents and visitors stroll through town, stopping in one of the many bars to enjoy a post-adventure beer \u2014 the best beer in the country, some might say.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Whether you\u2019re looking for an extreme adventure, a relaxing vacation in a cozy inn, or simply to escape the city and hit the countryside, this quintessential Vermont town has it all. And you don\u2019t need a car to experience it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What to do in Waterbury<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Reservoir-Waterbury-VT-e1570041604533.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-68042 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Reservoir-Waterbury-VT-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"The Best Things to Do in Waterbury Vermont\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" class=\"wp-image-68042 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Reservoir-Waterbury-VT-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"The Best Things to Do in Waterbury Vermont\"><\/noscript><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Situated in the heart of the Green Mountains, Waterbury is perfect for trading in the hustle and bustle of the city for fresh air, scenic vistas and solitude.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.axelsgallery.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Axel\u2019s Gallery and Frame Shop<\/a>, located on Stowe Street in downtown Waterbury, offers a taste of the local art scene and instills a sense of creativity and culture into the community. Whitney Aldrich, the current owner of the shop, also hosts a variety of events throughout the year. Her summer series, Music in the Alley, hosts musical performances from artists across the country.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/vtstateparks.com\/waterbury.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Waterbury State Park<\/a> is home to an 850-acre reservoir, making it the perfect place for paddling, fishing and swimming during the summer months. There are also 27 remote paddle-to campsites, a nature trail and picnic sites, making it perfect for enjoying the fall foliage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If cardio and fast-paced adventure is on the agenda, Perry Hill\u2019s 15 miles of single-track mountain biking trails offer a variety of riding for cyclists of all levels. Beginners should stick to the lower elevations, while those who are more advanced may opt for one of the more technical or flow trails. For trail conditions, maps, and additional information on the area\u2019s mountain biking trails, check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.waterburytrails.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Waterbury Area Trail Alliance<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Waterbury\u2019s location is also perfect for skiers and snowboarders.<a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/58713\/a-winter-guide-to-vermonts-mad-river-valley\/\"> Sugarbush, Mad River Glen, <\/a>Bolton Valley, and Stowe are all within a half-hour from town and encompass some of New England\u2019s best ski terrain and deepest snow.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Where to stay<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>While Waterbury is home to a handful of well-known hotels like the Fairfield Inn Marriott and Best Western Plus, it also has a choice of classic inns and bed and breakfasts. The Old Stagecoach Inn is a historic bed and breakfast within walking distance of downtown Waterbury\u2019s main attractions and even features a library bar that helps the inn maintain a historic atmosphere. The Former old stagecoach stop, tavern, and private residence is now on the National Register of Historic Places.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The Grunberg Haus Inn and Cabins has 11 Austrian-themed rooms on 10 acres, close to all of the area\u2019s attractions. Stowe Cabins in the Woods is a great option for a truly relaxing vacation, offering a variety of different cabins nestled amongst hundreds of acres of forest.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What to eat<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Prohibition-PIg-e1570041701999.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-68039 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Prohibition-PIg-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"Prohibition Pig - Waterbury Vermont\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" class=\"wp-image-68039 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Prohibition-PIg-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"Prohibition Pig - Waterbury Vermont\"><\/noscript><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Waterbury and the surrounding area is filled with incredible culinary experiences. With so much farmland throughout the state of Vermont, many restaurants source food locally and have seasonal menus throughout the year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/prohibitionpig.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Prohibition Pig <\/a>feels like a Brooklyn barbecue restaurant placed in the Green Mountains of Vermont. In addition to their choice of traditional barbecue dishes and vegetarian options, they brew their own beer, like the Bantam Double IPA and their Pineapple Swine Cooler, which is a pineapple-infused sour wheat beer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.henofthewood.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hen of the Wood<\/a> is a great option for an experience closer to \u201cfine dining\u201d while maintaining a casual Vermont atmosphere. Options range from plates like their Beef Tartare and Crispy Rabbit Loin to Wood Fired Roasted Broccoli and Braised Lamb (although their menu does change daily). The restaurant can get busy, so making a reservation in advance is recommended.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Beer lovers should be sure to stop by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theblackbackpub.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Blackback Pub<\/a>, which carries some of the best craft breweries from around the state (and, some may argue, the best in the country). Although New England, and Vermont in particular, is famous for its many hazy, fruity IPA\u2019s, you\u2019ll also find plenty of other styles, from wheat beers and sours to milk stouts and pilsners. Blackback\u2019s food menu features a variety of options like the BBQ Pork Sandwich, Curry Shrimp, and New York Strip Steak.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Get to Waterbury on the Amtrak Vermonter<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Waterbury-Train-Station-e1570041686280.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-68040 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Waterbury-Train-Station-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"Waterbury Amtrak Train Station\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" class=\"wp-image-68040 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Waterbury-Train-Station-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"Waterbury Amtrak Train Station\"><\/noscript><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Thanks to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amtrak.com\/vermonter-train\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amtrak\u2019s Vermonter <\/a>and the recently renovated train station in Waterbury, getting into town couldn\u2019t be easier.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>From Penn Station, you can catch a train daily that drops you off directly in Waterbury, within walking distance to many of the inns, restaurants and attractions. Depending on where you decide to stay, many of the inns and hotels are happy to provide a shuttle service to and from the train station.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Once in town, many activities can be reached by foot or bicycle. Snowflake Taxi also offers service around Stowe and Waterbury, which can be a great option for getting to local trailheads or destinations that are just out of reach by bicycle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-68181 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Waterbury-is-a-four-season-destination-683x1024.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"342\" height=\"512\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-68181 lazyload\" src=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Waterbury-is-a-four-season-destination-683x1024.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"342\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Waterbury-is-a-four-season-destination-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Waterbury-is-a-four-season-destination-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Waterbury-is-a-four-season-destination-696x1044.png 696w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Waterbury-is-a-four-season-destination-280x420.png 280w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Waterbury-is-a-four-season-destination-560x840.png 560w, https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Waterbury-is-a-four-season-destination.png 735w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 342px) 100vw, 342px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><em>For more ideas on where to stay and what to do, head to <\/em><a href=\"http:\/\/vermontvacation.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>VermontVacation.com<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Traveling to Vermont often serves a specific purpose \u2014 skiing some of the deepest powder on the east coast, taking in fall\u2019s vibrant colors, riding mountain bikes on endless single-track trails, or simply sipping tea on the porch of a classic colonial-style New England inn. But those of us who like to do it all [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":113,"featured_media":68043,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1868,757,784,1508,783,761,829,314,1869,1870,1954,838,776,770,790,969,842,3973,858,748,1867,333,924,316],"tags":[116,482,108,595,514,200,657,9403,10936,965,10969],"class_list":{"0":"post-68037","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-travel-type","8":"category-activity-2","9":"category-adventure-activity-2","10":"category-amtrak-getaways","11":"category-barbecue-food-drink","12":"category-beer-activity-2","13":"category-culture-2","14":"category-dining-nightlife","15":"category-editors-picks","16":"category-editors-picks-fall","17":"category-editors-picks-year-round","18":"category-fall-foliage-culture-2","19":"category-farms-food-drink","20":"category-food-drink","21":"category-hiking-adventure-activity-2","22":"category-locations","23":"category-music-culture-2","24":"category-public-transit","25":"category-skiing-adventure-activity-2","26":"category-train-2","27":"category-transit-type","28":"category-vermont","29":"category-waterbury","30":"category-weekend-getaways","31":"tag-amtrak","32":"tag-barbecue","33":"tag-beer","34":"tag-beers","35":"tag-fall-travel","36":"tag-fishing","37":"tag-swimming","38":"tag-vermont","39":"tag-vermont-guide","40":"tag-vermont-travel-guide","41":"tag-vermonter"},"acf":[],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":68043,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/The-Barn_DSC_9128-e1570041762882-350x197.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68037","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/113"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68037"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68037\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68043"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68037"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68037"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68037"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}