Middlebury, VT Summary

photo by gusto

Middlebury (population 8,548) is located 30 miles south of Burlington on US-7, in the Champlain Valley. In the 1800s, the town was a center for wool and grain mills, and the marble industry. The town is still the economic and cultural hub of this peaceful farming region. Middlebury College is closely and cooperatively connected to the town. It is situated in a scenic lakeside valley.

Middlebury College has three libraries, each of which has exhibits and activities for both visitors and locals. Many cultural events are held at the university and it is a good idea for visitors to check what is on during their visit.

Downhill skiers can ski at the Middlebury College Snow Bowl. The Rickert Center for bicycle and ski touring is on Middlebury’s Breadloaf campus. In winter, cross-country skiing is very popular nearby.

When the snow is gone and the land turns green again, mountain bikes travel these same trails. In summer you can take a picnic lunch and hike up the trails to enjoy the view. July brings the “Festival on the Green” to Middlebury. There are dance performances, music, and storytellers.

Somerset Reservoir and Lake Dunmore are nearby and are popular for bird-watching, camping, and fishing in summer, and crosscountry skiing in winter. Branbury State Park is also on a lake and has camping facilities.

There are many and varied high-quality restaurants or, for something low-key, visitors can try one of the many inexpensive places catering to students.

Around Middlebury is a rural area of rich farmland with dairy cattle, apple orchards, and hardwood timber forests. The University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm is west of town and offers an interesting tour with information on the history of this durable Vermont breed.

Distinctive red timber-covered bridges dot this area on the east side of the Green Mountains and attract tourists and photographers.

The poet laureate Robert Frost spent 23 summers on a farm here, just east of Ripton. He began a well-respected writer’s conference at Middlebury College’s Breadloaf campus. Visitors can see the landscapes and the kinds of people that inspired his work.

Middlebury has its own airport and Burlington International Airport is not far. Trains and buses also service the area.