Vermont's Lakeside Destination Is A Small Town With Idyllic Nature Retreats And Local Shops

About 80 miles south of Montreal, rests a quaint destination on the banks of the vast and scenic Lake Champlain: Milton, Vermont. Nearly 12,000 people call the small town home today, having grown exponentially since its founding in 1763. After the Revolutionary War, the heavily forested Milton became a timber industry hub. It's now a haven for visitors looking to wander through the woods, relax by the water, or picnic in one of its many parks. 

With two bodies of water within minutes of Milton, lake recreation is a favorite pastime here each summer, drawing paddlers, anglers, and boaters to the nearby waters. The Van Everest Fishing Access area offers access to Lake Champlain from Milton, with an ADA accessible boat ramp and even ice fishing during winter. When the sun is shining, beachgoers lay out at Sand Bar State Park, a 2,000-foot sandy stretch along Lake Champlain. This park is perfect for swimmers, less than 10 miles from the center of town. For a quieter escape, Arrowhead Mountain Lake spans 720 acres and beckons paddlers and anglers, directly north of Milton.  

Hundreds of acres of woodland are also strewn throughout town, ready for exploration. Milton is an idyllic place to see why Vermont's nickname is "The Green Mountain State" — which is actually derived from the Green Mountain range that runs through it, but fitting nonetheless, given the myriad green spaces here. Stay in a charming, historic bed and breakfast, then peruse galleries, thrift stores, and gift shops. Flying into Burlington International Airport will get you to Milton in about 25 minutes by car, so you can settle in and get ready to appreciate the many facets of Milton.

Milton has plenty of places to visit indoors as well. Located in Milton Square Plaza, the nonprofit Milton Artists' Guild has been showing off local citizens' creativity since 1988. Within its 6,000-square-foot gallery, you'll find nearly every fathomable artistic endeavor showcased. Many of the member-artists' wares are displayed or sold at the gallery, including jewelry, textile arts, paintings, sculptures, and more. Regular workshops allow families and the less-than-artistically-inclined to get crafty. One Google reviewer says, "Step into another world there's just hundreds of ideas for gift-giving or to spoil yourself."

Shoppers can poke around boutiques and go antiquing or thrifting through the centuries-old town. Hunt around two floors of finds from bygone days at Poor Farm Antiques, which comes highly recommended by one Google reviewer, saying, "Fantastic little spot for antiques! The gentleman working there was so kind and the prices were amazing." Stella Brooke Boutique is a great place for ladies looking to spruce up their wardrobe, as it boasts women's apparel, jewelry, and hats, among other female-focused items. Milton's latest thrift store, The Treasure Chest, is raved about by locals. Explore its curated selection of current and vintage housewares, family apparel, and accessories. If more shopping interest is sparked in Milton, head to the nearby storybook college town of Middlebury in Vermont that boasts cute shops and art galleries. 

While visiting, the Sampler House Bed and Breakfast can house several people or solo travelers in their spacious suites set up for long- or short-term stays. Other rooms have mock-wood stoves and jetted soaking tubs. All come with a hearty, homemade breakfast every morning. For lunch and dinner, try the scratch-made comfort foods made from largely locally sourced ingredients at Adam's Table, or the Vermont-made brews, ciders, and sours alongside pizzas and snacks at the Arrowhead Lodge. 

While visitors can see part of the world's oldest exposed reef on a quiet Vermont island on Lake Champlain just 40 miles away, one of Milton's most enticing features is its abundant, verdant spaces found in and around town. About 4 miles east of town is the Milton Town Forest, with 485 acres of woods surrounding the 33-acre Milton Pond. Park at 599 Westford-Milton Road and set out on one of the trails through the forest's oak, beech, and maple trees — you might even see some sprouting apples that were once part of local farms. Dragonflies and more than 50 species of birds hover around the wetlands and seasonal wildflowers here. Walking trails range from easy to strenuous, with a variety of lengths to cater to anyone's abilities and interests. 

Bombardier Park, just over a mile from central Milton, offers a venue for trekkers on two feet or two wheels. A variety of trails cut through 185 acres of forest, playgrounds, and sports fields, plus tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts. Also in town is the scenic, mile-long Lamoille River Walk, with a whimsical footbridge that crosses over a convergence of streams and into a land carpeted by copious ferns, evergreens, and Hemlock trees. 

At an elevation of nearly 600 feet above the shores of Lake Champlain, the Eagle Mountain Natural Area's 226 acres of wildlife habitat and 2.5 miles of trails provide an all-season destination for outdoor therapy. See wildflowers erupt in the spring, enjoy the summer sun on endless hikes through the wooded area, peep colorful leaves during the fall, and break out the snowshoes or cross-country skis in wintertime. Views of the East Coast's most incredible lake getaway from here are eye-popping.