There are a plethora of activities to do in the Mad River Valley — too many to name here! We listed our favorites, but if you want to peruse even more, check out this incredible guide that lists great hikes, shopping, food & bev spots, and more!
If you’re planning on bopping around Burlington, the recommendations are endless. Basically everything rocks. Check out Hello Burlington for a great guide!
EAT
American Flatbread at Lareau Farm — Waitsfield. Wood-fired pizza in a classic Vermont setting.
Canteen Creemee — Waitsfield. Vermont maple creemees, wild sundaes, and local fried chicken and burgers (and check out the owner’s watch collection while you’re there)!
Mehuron’s Supermarket — Waitsfield. Our go-to spot after a ski day. (And where we stopped to get chocolate and candy right before we got engaged!) Great deli sandwiches. A classic VT supermarket.
The Warren Store — Warren. Gourmet deli, fresh bakery, tables overlooking a waterfall.
The Mad Taco — Waitsfield. Tacos, burritos, and house-smoked meats, paired with craft beer and margaritas.
The Reservoir — Waterbury. One of our faves! Stop by on your way into or out of Waitsfield. Classic low-key dinner with a dive bar in the back. The Nashville Chicken Caesar Wrap or the Smashburgers are our go-tos.
Stone’s Throw Pizza — Waterbury. Creative and fun pizza! We get this a lot for dinner.
DRINK
Lawson’s Finest Liquids — Waitsfield. Award-winning Vermont craft brewery (2023 Brewery of the Year!) with a gorgeous taproom, great views, and delicious food.
The Local: Wine & Beer — Middlesex. Go-to spot for a good bottle of wine or beer. The folks here are genuinely great at helping you find something you'll love!
Black Cap Coffee — Waterbury. A great little spot to grab a coffee and a pastry. Located at a quintessential train station!
Three Mountain Cafe — Waitsfield. Cozy coffee shop serving great coffee, fresh bagels, scones, and breakfast/lunch.
Prohibition Pig — Waterbury. A classic! Whole-hog barbecue, cozy food, and one of the best craft beer selections around, plus great cocktails and wines. There's also a brewery out back on Elm Street!
OUTDOOR
Mount Ellen (4083’) - Waitsfield. Our local ski mountain! 2 to 4 hours hike round trip. Climb up the ski trails from the base area to the top of the Summit Quad for wide open views.
Warren Falls— Warren. Deep emerald pools, boulders, and cliff jumps for every comfort level. It might be chilly for a swim, but it’s definitely worth exploring!
SAVU at Madbush Falls— Waitsfield. Private outdoor sauna rentals right beside the waterfall at Madbush Falls.
Scragg Mountain — 4.2-mile out-and-back hike, moderate-to-challenging, ~2.5-3 hours. Trail markings can be spotty, so worth downloading a map first — parking is at the end of Bowen Road (GPS sometimes gets this wrong).
Mad River Path— easy, scenic walking/biking trails connecting the villages.
Covered Bridge Tour — A scenic ~40-mile driving loop past seven historic bridges (about 1.5 hours, or 3-4 with stops)
Fly Fishing — Try anywhere on the Mad River, Little River, or the Winooski River for some great fly fishing. Ask Brandon for recommendations!
SHOPPING
Shops at the Mad River Green — Waitsfield. A cluster of shops right at the base of the iconic silo, with a little bit of everything: fresh coffee, kids' toys and books, clothing boutiques, art galleries, even a hardware store and a butcher shop. The farmers market will be up and running on Saturday morning!
The Warren Village— Warren. If you’re a fan of “bopping around,” the Warren Village is a great place to meander.
Bridge & Main — Waitsfield. A cute little shop worth ducking into — locally made skincare, loungewear, jewelry, and gifts for your home or yourself.
Burlington South End — A special shout out to the most amazing neighborhood in Burlington. Some of our favorites are Kish for amazing clothes, Barge Street Canal for vintage home goods, Project Object for the best thrift clothing store, and Rack & Ruin for beautiful handmade jewelry.