Part of the New England Hub
This 12-stop loop goes north along New York's shoreline, crosses into Vermont's Champlain Islands on Route 2, and loops south through Burlington and Middlebury. Park once, walk, and see forts, chasms, beaches, and villages.
New York Coastline & Historic Forts
Six stops driving north from the official birthplace of the U.S. Navy to the sandy cedar groves above Plattsburgh.
Stop 1: Skenesborough Museum (Whitehall, NY)
- Address: 37 Skenesborough Drive, Whitehall, NY 12887
- Phone: (518) 499-1155
- Website: Skenesborough Museum
- Why stop: The official "birthplace of the U.S. Navy". Small harbor museum tracking maritime and Revolutionary War history at the extreme southern tip of Lake Champlain.
- What to do: View ship artifacts, War of Independence exhibits, and waterfront walk in Whitehall.
- Tips: Start early at 8:30 AM opening window; 60-90 minutes is enough. Street parking on Skenesborough Drive.
Stop 2: Fort Ticonderoga
- Address: 102 Fort Ti Road, Ticonderoga, NY 12883
- Phone: (518) 585-2821
- Website: Fort Ticonderoga
- Why stop: A massive, beautifully preserved 18th-century star fort with strategic clifftop views overlooking the southern tip of the lake.
- What to do: Tour the active garrison grounds, watch live musket demonstrations, visit the museum collections and King's Garden.
- Tips: Allow 2.5 hours. Buy tickets online in summer; wear good shoes for ramparts and earthworks.
Stop 3: Crown Point State Historic Site
- Address: 21 Grandview Drive, Crown Point, NY 12928
- Phone: (518) 597-4666
- Website: Crown Point State Historic Site
- Why stop: Home to the preserved stone ruins of French and British colonial fortifications with open parade grounds.
- What to do: Walk the ruins, visit the Lake Champlain Visitors Center, and step out onto the Lake Champlain Bridge overlook structure.
- Tips: Great picnic spot; exposed to wind on the bridge walkway — bring a layer.
Stop 4: Historic Essex Village & The Essex Inn
- Address: 2297 Main Street, Essex, NY 12936
- Phone: (518) 963-4400
- Website: Historic Essex Village & The Essex Inn
- Why stop: A remarkably preserved lakeside hamlet boasting one of the most intact collections of pre-Civil War architecture in America.
- What to do: Stroll down Main Street, shop local boutiques, and grab casual waterfront dining. Catch the Essex–Charlotte ferry views.
- Tip: Note: The historically popular Westport Hotel and Tavern nearby is permanently closed. Stay and dine at The Essex Inn instead for boutique historic lodging and farm-to-table tavern.
Stop 5: Ausable Chasm
- Address: 2144 State Route 9, Ausable Chasm, NY 12911
- Phone: (518) 834-7454
- Website: Ausable Chasm
- Why stop: Famously dubbed the "Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks" — a deep sandstone gorge carved by the Ausable River.
- What to do: Pay entry to explore cliffside hiking trails, rim walks, and book a guided river raft tour down the rushing river.
- Tips: Morning light is best for photos. Reserve raft tours on weekends; bring water shoes with closed toe.
Stop 6: Point Au Roche State Park (Plattsburgh)
- Address: 19 Camp Red Cloud Road, Plattsburgh, NY 12901
- Phone: (518) 563-0369
- Website: Point Au Roche State Park (Plattsburgh)
- Why stop: Urban anchor for the New York shore with sandy swimming beaches just north of downtown Plattsburgh.
- What to do: Walk deep cedar groves, swim at sandy beaches, use boat and kayak launch points, birdwatch on Deep Bay trails.
- Tips: $6-10 vehicle entry. Best sunset side of lake. Good transition stop before crossing to Vermont.
The Champlain Islands (Vermont Route 2)
Quiet island county on Route 2 — shrines, general stores, vineyards, and a gravel rail-trail cutting across open water.
Stop 7: Saint Anne's Shrine (Isle La Motte, VT)
- Address: 92 St. Anne's Road, Isle La Motte, VT 05463
- Phone: (802) 928-3362
- Website: Saint Anne's Shrine
- Why stop: Marks the location of Vermont's first French settlement built in 1666 at the northern tip of the lake.
- What to do: Walk the peaceful shrine grounds, historic chapel, Stations of the Cross along the lakeshore.
- Tips: Quiet, contemplative stop — 45-60 minutes. Check mass schedule if visiting summer weekends.
Stop 8: Hero's Welcome General Store (North Hero, VT)
- Address: 3537 US Route 2, North Hero, VT 05474
- Phone: (802) 372-4161
- Website: Hero's Welcome General Store
- Why stop: Classic two-block lakeside village cluster — mandatory pit stop at a legendary local general store and bakery.
- What to do: Browse sandwiches, gifts, lake gear, fresh bakery treats, and custom deli sandwiches for the road.
- Tips: Morning baked goods sell out fast. Great place to stock up for Causeway walk.
Stop 9: Snow Farm Vineyard & Distillery (South Hero, VT)
- Address: 190 West Shore Road, South Hero, VT 05486
- Phone: (802) 372-9463
- Website: Snow Farm Vineyard & Distillery
- Why stop: Stunning lakeside acres and one of Vermont's oldest vineyards with craft distillery tasting.
- What to do: Enjoy a local wine flight, then rent an e-bike or walk the iconic Lake Champlain Causeway — a narrow gravel rail-trail cutting directly across miles of open lake water.
- Tips: Causeway is exposed — no shade. Bring hat, water, and bug spray in June. Bike rentals at Causeway trailhead in summer.
Vermont's Cities & Scenic Valleys
From Burlington's brick-paved Church Street to Vermont's oldest state park and the Middlebury waterfall district.
Stop 10: ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain (Burlington, VT)
- Address: 1 College Street, Burlington, VT 05401
- Phone: (802) 864-1848
- Website: ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
- Why stop: Vermont's largest and most vibrant city — brick-paved, pedestrian-only Church Street Marketplace for elite boutique shopping, breweries, and outdoor dining.
- What to do: Walk Church Street Marketplace, visit waterfront ECHO Center for interactive lake ecology exhibits, check Lake Champlain ferries.
- Tips: Parking garages fill on weekends — use College St or waterfront lots early. ECHO is great for kids and lake science.
Stop 11: Mt. Philo State Park (Charlotte, VT)
- Address: 5425 Mt. Philo Road, Charlotte, VT 05445
- Phone: (802) 425-2390
- Website: Mt. Philo State Park
- Why stop: Vermont's very oldest state park — 968-foot panoramic summit with farm landscape and Adirondack High Peaks views.
- What to do: Drive or take a short accessible hike up the paved summit road for 360-degree views of Champlain Valley.
- Tips: Summit road is narrow and steep — drive slowly. Sunset is spectacular but gate closes at posted time.
Stop 12: The Middlebury Inn (Middlebury, VT)
- Address: 14 Court Square, Middlebury, VT 05753
- Phone: (802) 388-4961
- Website: The Middlebury Inn
- Why stop: Finish the loop in Vermont's classic college town — waterfalls, operational stone mills, and diverse farm-to-table dining.
- What to do: Tour downtown historic districts packed with waterfalls on Otter Creek, visit Middlebury College campus, shop downtown.
- Tips: From here take Route 113 or southern bridges / local ferries back across into New York. Great base for southern exit.
4-Day, 3-Night Travel Schedule
This 4-day, 3-night travel schedule maps out an efficient loop around Lake Champlain. It balances historical tours, scenic hikes, and local craft food options while staying at comfortable hotels directly along the path.
Day 1: New York Shoreline & Colonial Forts
Morning- 08:30 AM – 10:00 AM | Stop 1: Skenesborough Museum (Whitehall, NY): Explore the historic birthplace of the U.S. Navy.
- 10:30 AM – 01:00 PM | Stop 2: Fort Ticonderoga: Tour the massive 18th-century star fort garrison grounds and watch live musket demonstrations.
- 01:00 PM – 02:00 PM | Food Stop: Lunch at Hot Biscuit Diner (Ticonderoga, NY): Grab a quick, classic diner lunch featuring fresh home-baked biscuits and local comfort food just outside the fort grounds.
- 02:30 PM – 04:30 PM | Stop 3: Crown Point State Historic Site: Walk through the historic French and British stone ruins and step out onto the monumental Lake Champlain Bridge.
- 05:00 PM – 06:30 PM | Stop 4: Historic Essex Village: Stroll down Main Street to see highly intact pre-Civil War architecture.
- 07:00 PM | Food Stop & Overnight: The Essex Inn (Essex, NY): Dining: Enjoy a farm-to-table dinner at the inn's tavern. Motel/Inn Stop: Spend the night at The Essex Inn on the Adirondack Coast, which offers highly rated boutique lodging in a historic building.
Day 2: Chasm Adventures to the Champlain Islands
Morning- 09:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Stop 5: Ausable Chasm: Hike the spectacular cliffside trails of the "Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks" or book a guided river raft tour.
- 12:15 PM – 01:15 PM | Food Stop: Lunch at Ausable Brewing Company (Keeseville, NY): Relax at this nearby farm brewery featuring visiting food trucks and excellent hyper-local craft beers.
- 01:45 PM – 03:45 PM | Stop 6: Point Au Roche State Park (Plattsburgh, NY): Relax by the sandy swimming beaches and walk the deep cedar groves.
- 04:15 PM – 05:45 PM | Stop 7: Saint Anne's Shrine (Isle La Motte, VT): Cross into the Vermont Islands via Route 2 to visit the peaceful 1666 French settlement site.
- 06:15 PM | Food Stop: Dinner at Shore Acres Lakeside Restaurant (North Hero, VT): Enjoy upscale dining with expansive lakeside views of the water.
- 08:00 PM | Motel/Inn Stop: North Hero House Inn & Restaurant (North Hero, VT): Check in for the night at a classic, historic lakeside inn situated directly in the heart of the Champlain Islands.
Day 3: Island Ciders, Vineyards & City Vibe
Morning- 09:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Stop 8: Hero's Welcome General Store (North Hero, VT): Browse this iconic country store and pick up fresh bakery treats or custom deli sandwiches for the road.
- 11:00 AM – 01:00 PM | Stop 9: Snow Farm Vineyard & The Lake Champlain Causeway: Enjoy a local wine flight at Snow Farm Vineyard, then take a scenic walk out onto the gravel rail-trail cutting right across open water.
- 01:30 PM – 02:30 PM | Food Stop: Lunch at Wally's Place (South Hero, VT): Stop for elite, scratch-made local bagels and sandwiches before crossing to the mainland.
- 03:00 PM – 06:00 PM | Stop 10: Downtown Burlington & ECHO Center: Explore the lively, pedestrian-only Church Street Marketplace and check out interactive lake ecology exhibits at the waterfront ECHO Center.
- 06:30 PM | Food Stop: Dinner at Hen of the Wood or Juniper (Burlington, VT): Indulge in a premium, polished farm-to-table dinner featuring freshly sourced Vermont ingredients.
- 08:30 PM | Hotel Stop: Hotel Vermont (Burlington, VT): Rates & Vibe: Unwind at downtown Burlington's premier independent, eco-friendly luxury boutique hotel. Expect seasonal boutique room rates ranging roughly from $290 to $355 per night depending on the specific room tier.
Day 4: Mountain Peaks & Historic Valleys
Morning- 09:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Food Stop: Breakfast at The Skinny Pancake (Burlington Waterfront): Fuel up with delicious sweet or savory crepes made from locally sourced Vermont grains and dairy.
- 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Stop 11: Mt. Philo State Park (Charlotte, VT): Drive or hike up the paved summit road for a stunning 360-degree look at the Champlain Valley farm plains and the Adirondacks.
- 01:00 PM – 02:30 PM | Food Stop: Lunch at Black Sheep Bistro (Vergennes, VT): Dine at a cozy, French-style country bistro in Vermont's smallest city.
- 03:00 PM – 05:00 PM | Stop 12: Historic Middlebury, VT: Conclude your loop by touring the classic New England college town district, taking in its local downtown waterfalls and stone mills. From here, take Route 113 or the southern bridges to cross back into New York.