Area Attractions, Activities, Events and Links

Learn more about our area:
MadRiverValley.com
Vermont Chamber of Commerce

Ski the resorts:
Sugarbush Ski Resort
Mad River Glen

Consider a Vermont Wedding or other country event.

Come enjoy the Mad River Valley and all it has to offer! Try a canoe trip down the river, a hike on the Long Trail, a round of golf at the Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed course at Sugarbush Golf Club, or just grab a lunch and drive up to the top of the Appalachian Gap and enjoy the views. Whatever the season, the valley has something for everyone.

Activities

Downhill Skiing:

• Mad River Glen (great atmosphere if you are up for the challenge), one mile up Route 17. Ski It If You Can!
• Sugarbush Ski Resort, three miles from The Battleground. A great family mountain for skiers and snowboarders alike.
• Stowe is approximately 45 minutes away on Route 100 North. A perennial favorite just up the road.
• Jay Peak Ski Resort is about 1 hour 30 minutes north. Known for its great tree skiing.

Cross-country Skiing:

• Blueberry Lake Cross Country Center
• Ole's Cross Country Ski Center

Hiking:

• Property borders Catamount Trails for hiking and snowshoeing. Two-mile hike to beaver pond worth the trip. Trails connect to the Long Trail.
• Camels Hump is a full day hike. Camel's Hump, which actually is shaped like a camel's hump ranks among the tallest Vermont mountains at 4,083 feet. You can hike to the top of Camel’s Hump during the summer and fall. The views from the summit are amazing any season. On a clear day you can see the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Adirondacks in New York.
• The valley floor offers a chain of walking trails along the Mad River and through the cornfields. Many of these trails make up the Mad River Path. These trails are both scenic and a great place to walk or have your daily run.

Ice Skating:

• The Skatium located off Route 100 is open for ice skating seven days a week and offers night skating under the lights as well. Skate rentals are available.

Other activities include:

• Bicycle rentals from Stark Mountain Bikeworks
• Paddling and Kayaking in the Mad River and Mill Brook locally or Waterbury Reservoir. Clearwater Sports offers rentals and group tours/adventures. Clearwater also offers snowshoe and ski demos and rentals.
• The town swimming hole is located on Route 100 across from American Flatbread.
• The Big Picture Theater offers movies, lectures and events in a theater setting as well as bands, open mic, wireless internet, full bar and menu in the café.
• Farmers Market on the commons in Waitsfield every Saturday in the spring, summer and fall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Spoil yourself with a visit to Alta Day Spa or stop by Mad River Massage for a day of relaxation and pampering.

Events

• The Skinner Barn is a historic barn that has been lovingly restored to its’ original splendor. Along with weddings and parties The Skinner Barn hosts summer dances as well as Broadway Cabarets and Theater Productions.
• The summer also boasts the Vermont Festival of the Arts in the month of August. This festival celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year with events ranging from the culinary arts, musical arts to pen and ink sketches hosted in a barn gallery.
• The Mad River Valley hosts the Warren 4th of July Parade. A must see for any visitor to the valley.
• Annual bike racing events including the Mad River Valley Century Ride, held in late August, and the Green Mountain Stage Race over Labor Day Weekend. The races travel throughout the Mad River Valley and up and over the Green Mountains. Our valley has become a haven for bike enthusiasts and hopes to host more biking events.

Restaurants:

• American Flatbread Open every Friday and Saturday for dinner. Fun for both adults and kids. No reservations but get there an hour before you actually want to eat so you can enjoy the bonfire as well as art related activities in the adjacent barn. Don't forget to order the salad, it's wonderful.
• Chez Henri Great Sunday brunch. Quaint casual French atmosphere.
• Easy Street Pub & Cafe Offering a great variety of eats for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. Catering available.
• John Egan's Big World Pub and Grill Fabulous dining experience with unique offerings for all tastes.
• The Common Man Restaurant: Eclectic New England Cuisine
• The Den Varied fare.
• The Hyde Away Tavern: Great pub food and fun après/happy hour atmosphere. Reasonably priced. No reservation needed. Home of the Mad River Valley Century Ride every August.
• The Pitcher Inn Elegant dining on the river in the heart Warren Village.
• The Warren House Restaurant, offering new american cuisine.
• 1824 House Wonderful renovated barn with great Barbecue dinners on Mondays during the summer and special events throughout the year.

Shopping:

• Visit Waitsfield Pottery and The Collection for unique gifts and décor items to take home.
• Groceries can be picked up in town at either Shaw’s or Mehuron's grocery stores. Wish to have your condo stocked before you arrive then you can place an order through Ample Pantry. They will pick up what you request and deliver prior to your arrival.
• If an ATM is what you are looking for they are located at Chittenden Bank, Northfield Savings and BankNorth, all located at Mad River Green in the center of Waitsfield.
• Odyssey Stoneware and the Warren Store are worth the trip. The Warren Store boasts groceries, a deli and bakery as well as unusual Vermont goods. A must visit for any traveler.
• Cabot Cheese Outlet and Ben and Jerry's are located in Waterbury to the north.
• Just over the Appalachian Gap you will find the small town of Bristol. Along with the various eateries check out Robert Compton Pottery (Bristol Pottery) and their beautiful works.
• The cities of Shelburne and Burlington are hosts to many restaurants, shops and museums. Enjoy a day at Shelburne Museum or on the Lake at the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center. Stroll on Church Street and enjoy the shops and variety of dining experiences.

Vermont Trivia

• Just 45 minutes to the north you can be on Lake Champlain. Lake Champlain became recognized as the Nation's Sixth Great Lake on March 5th, 1998 with the signing of a Senate Bill. With the addition of a line item entered by Sen. Patrick Leahy, the Bill made Lake Champlain one of The Great Lakes. Following a small uproar the Bill was rescinded on March 24th. So for 19 days Vermont bordered a Great Lake. If you are visiting the lake you will perhaps get a glimpse of "Champ," Lake Champlain’s version of the "Loch Ness Monster."