With 56 miles of shoreline on glacially formed Lake Champlain, Addison County brings together lakeside scenery, cultural history and natural areas. Topics range from the history of enslavement and the American Revolution to cycling routes, hiking trails and water activities. Depending on your interests, you can plan to spend more time at historic sites, on cycling and hiking trails, or by the water during your stay.
Museums and History on Lake Champlain
At the Rokeby Museum, the permanent exhibition “Seeking Freedom: The Underground Railroad and the Legacy of an Abolitionist Family” explores the history and enduring legacy of enslavement in the United States. It also traces the transformation of the Robinson family, from slaveholders in earlier generations to abolitionists in the 19th century. Visitors can explore trails and nine historic buildings on the grounds.
The Lake Champlain Maritime Museum presents regional history, archaeology and ecology in its exhibition buildings and through outdoor installations. The grounds also include historic boats, blacksmith shops and an archaeology laboratory. The Henry Sheldon Museum has welcomed visitors and researchers since 1884 and is considered the oldest community-based museum in the United States. At the University of Vermont Morgan Horse Farm, visitors can take tours and participate in educational programs, as well as see demonstrations of riding, driving and horse training.
Chimney Point is on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, at the foot of the Lake Champlain Bridge. Artifacts there tell the story of the region’s three earliest cultures: Indigenous American, French colonial and early American. Explore archaeological fortification remains along six miles of trails at Mount Independence State Historic Site, one of the most significant Revolutionary War sites in the United States.
Four covered bridges are spread across Shoreham, Middlebury and Ferrisburgh. Together, they make for a scenic tour through Addison County and its small towns and villages. The historic sites and museums cover a range of topics, from family history and archaeology to traces of the Revolutionary era.
Lakeshore, Trails and Cycling Routes
The 105-foot-deep Lake Dunmore lies at the southern edge of the county. Activities include swimming, fishing, paddling and boating; camping is also available on the shore at Branbury State Park. On the shore of Lake Champlain in the town of Addison is DAR State Park, which is primarily used for camping.
Moosalamoo National Recreation Area includes cliffs, mountain lakes, streams, and a diverse variety of plant and animal life. A nine-mile mountain biking loop runs through the area: it climbs to a ridgeline and returns through Leicester Hollow to Silver Lake Campground. If you prefer to explore on foot, sections of the Long Trail run through Addison County and can be reached via connecting trails.
For cycling, the county has nine loop routes developed by Lake Champlain Bikeways. The trail known as the TAM is 20 miles long, circles Middlebury and connects several hundred acres of town land and conserved properties with schools and other local attractions. Depending on your preferred activity, choose from the nine cycling loops, the mountain biking route or hiking trails such as the TAM.
Plan Events and Your Journey
The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival takes place every August. It focuses on filmmakers who have made their first or second feature-length or short film in the preceding 24 months. The Middlebury Festival on the Green takes place each year on the weekend after July 4 on the Middlebury Green in the town center. If an event determines your travel dates, check the exact dates for that year.
The Ethan Allen Express serves the Middlebury and Ferrisburgh-Vergennes train stations; check the schedule before traveling. Addison County can be reached via Route 7 and Routes 17, 22A, 30, 116, 73, 74, 100 and 125. Route 7 is a major north-south highway in Vermont. The seasonal Fort Ticonderoga Ferry connects Shoreham, Vermont, with Ticonderoga, New York, with continuous six-minute crossings. Check the ferry’s operating dates before traveling.
Fruit growing and wine are also part of the region: the deep waters of Lake Champlain create a microclimate favorable to grapes, apples and other fruit. The long growing season allows high-quality fruit to ripen and supports the production of wine from Vermont fruit. The annual Champlain Valley Guide to Local Food and Farms provides a directory for finding local food producers in the county; the 2026 edition offers a current starting point.
Discover more destinations: Vergennes, Middlebury, Salisbury, Rutland County, Franklin County, Chittenden, Lamoille, Caledonia
For the main travel overview: Vermont.
