Driving in to Burlington is fairly simple, if time consuming. If you choose to fly in, you will arrive at Burlington International Airport, although it is not served by any commercial international passenger flights. Interestingly, this teeny little airport has been ranked the third busiest in new england, just behind the airports in Boston, MA and Hartford, CT. But only in the winter. The airport on Nantucket takes that honor in the summer. There's the power of a tourism based economy for you. The Burlington airport is entirely surrounded by the City of South Burlington, but the City of Burlington owns all the land on which the airport stands. I'm sure that's a source of annoyance for someone.
The Inn at Shelburne Farms (Shelburne) This is my absolute best choice. The house was built in 1899 by William Seward and Lila Vanderbilt Webb with gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, and is preserved and restored with many of the original furnishings. It sits right on the shore of Lake Champlain, and has beautiful views, which was not an accident. The impressive farm barn on the property was once the largest barn in the US. Contemporary cuisine.802-985-8498
288 Maple Street (Burlington) is a victorian mansion in the historic Hill Section of Burlington. Lake and mountain views. 802-863-2033
Black Bear Inn (Bolton) is about twenty minutes by car from almost anything except the Bolton Valley Ski Resort, which is right on top of it. Restaurant on premises.802-434-2126
Burlington Redstone B&B (Burlington) is on the National Historic Register. Near downtown, lake and mountain views. Country breakfast.
Homeplace Bed & Breakfast (Jericho) 4 guest rooms in a wooded setting. "friendly house and barn animals". 802-899-4694
Howden Cottage Bed & Breakfast (Burlington) 3 guest rooms, near downtown in an artist's home built in the 1820's. Breakfast served in solarium. 802-864-7198
Mama Bower's B&B (Richmond) Homestyle Vermont village life. Right on Main Street USA (actually Main Street Richmond). Within walking distance of the Round Church. Hearty breakfast. 802-434-2632
Willard Street Inn (Burlington) Near downtown. 15 rooms. No smoking. 800-577-8712
Maple Corner Farm (Jericho) Restored 1829 farmhouse on a working horse farm. Beautiful sunsets, nice people. Separate wing for guests. 802-899-2026
Brass Lantern Inn (Stowe) Award winning B&B in a restored farmhouse. 800-729-2980
Foxfire Inn & Italian Restaurant (Stowe) They're not kidding about the restaurant part. It's good. Restored farmhouse, pretty grounds. 802-253-4887
The Inn at the Round Barn Farm (Waitsfield) is simply gorgeous. It is host to art shows and concerts. 802-496-2276
Lareau Farm Contry Inn (Waitsfield) sits in a long, low meadow in the shadow of the mountains. It's the very image of a vermont farmhouse, and it's beautiful inside and out. 800-833-0766
Millbrook Inn & Restaurant (Waitsfield) 7 guest rooms, 1850's inn. 800-477-2809
The Waitsfield Inn (Waitsfield) is an 1825 parsonage on Waitsfield's main road. Full country breakfast. 800-758-3801
The Inn at Essex (Essex) Gracious lodging and excellent dining brought to you by the New England Culinary Institute.
Grünberg Haus Bed & Breakfast & Cabins (Duxbury) hand built austrian style inn. all the amenities, including live piano music and chickens. 800-800-7760
Thatcher Brook Inn (Waterbury) Laura Ashley style decor, two restaurants. There is some debate in my circle of friends as to whether the decor is tacky or not, but there is no dispute that the food is good. 800-292-5911
Firefly Ranch Bed & Breakfast (Bristol) Trail rides, pretty scenery, and what else do you need? 802-453-2223
North Hero House Inn & Restaurant (North Hero) In the Champlain Islands. A taste of colonial Vermont. 888-525-3644
Smuggler's Notch Inn (Jeffersonville) The notch is a famous scenic stop in this state. It's beautiful up there. 800-845-3101
The Trapp Family Lodge (Stowe) Yes, it's THOSE Trapps. If you don't stay here, I recommend that you at the very least go for afternoon tea. 800-826-7000/802-853-8511
For more listings in Stowe, please check Stowe Lodging.
For shopping with a local flavor, drive up and down route 7, or visit the Church Street Marketplace, vermont's largest pedestrian mall. Stowe is just teeming with quaint little shops, as is the Mad River Valley.