Travel Tuesday: A Summer Weekend in Burlington, VT

by Gracie Watt on June 13, 2023 in Travels,
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Visit Burlington, Vermont, for a local-centric and unique experience. A great summer destination, we found this city to be similar to Austin in the way that it is art-driven, quirky and green – although BTV has preserved more of their historic aesthetic.

This quaint North Eastern town will kick a drive-everywhere Texan into shape, with its walkability and rolling hills and mountains. When you’re looking for a place to rest your head after a long day of exploring the streets, we have a unique bed and breakfast suggestion for you. 

Made INN Vermont: Historic, Yet Modern

Made Inn Vermont is a historic house, in a great location just minutes away from Church Street and other Burlington attractions. Photo Gracie Watt.

Made INN Vermont is an urban, high-design boutique bed and breakfast. As I mentioned, this town has a lot of pride in maintaining history, and just a lot of local pride in general. This is obvious as you walk through the four distinctive guest rooms and halls of Made INN. Most of the art and decor is literally made in Vermont, and each room is chicly designed with the latest trends. This maximalist-style bed and breakfast is so special because you would never guess that such modern design would be inside by looking at the 1881 Victorian exterior. The two blend together beautifully to give guests a luxurious stay.

With many chic rooms to choose from and tons of games and decoration, Made Inn Vermont is a great place to hang out during your visit in Burlington. Photo Gracie Watt.

There is so much to dive into when it comes to the history of Burlington and of the inn itself, but one of my favorite features of the stay was the belvedere perch on the top floor with views of gorgeous sunsets, Lake Champlain, the Victorian rooftops of Burlington, and the blue Adirondack Mountains in the distance. An interesting point of history is that this is also called a “widow’s watch,” as legend has it that the mariners’ wives would scan Lake Champlain, especially during stormy weather, waiting for ships to come into safe harbor. According to Made INN’s website, they had cause for worry, as there are over 300 historic shipwrecks at the lake’s bottom. Luckily today, you can just sit back with a glass of wine and enjoy the view. 

While that feature offers some great tales of the past, one of my favorite modern elements of the inn is the jet-massaging hot tub under the Vermont stars. The rooms are also equipped with a Roku TV, fully-stocked mini fridges, vinyls and a record player and so much more! We stayed in room 905, also known as the “WOW room.” The name was definitely fitting, and a fun part of this room was the chalkboard wall, where you can make your mark on Made INN forever. The bed and breakfast is LGBTQ+ friendly, and it’s the only pet and kid-friendly historic B&B in town.

When you stay at Made Inn, you have one of the best views in Burlington at the top of the house. You won’t want to miss the sunset over the scenic mountains and water. Photo Gracie Watt.

Even the bathrooms offer luxury, as your private, keyed bath, is specifically designed with a unique European aesthetic. Each bathroom has an individual heating unit that is adjustable so guests can choose their own level of comfort. They also have two baths that feature claw-foot tubs, with modern Victorian style handheld shower sets.

The owner of Made INN, Linda, is quite a character. She is an amazing innkeeper and breakfast cook, and has lots of intel on all of the ins and outs of the town. I definitely recommend striking up a conversation with her as you’re sure to learn something new. And, she is very helpful. If you are planning a romantic getaway or something special, be sure to call ahead and let her know so she can pull out all the stops.

The Most Important Meal Of The Day

Made Inn offers a delicious breakfast with plenty of made-to-order options. Linda is a great host and cook! Photo Gracie Watt.

At Made INN, the breakfasts are homemade and filling. Linda uses locally grown, natural organic produce and baked goods. The menu changes seasonally, but during your stay you can guarantee a hearty Vermont breakfast. It is served from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m., and bellinis or mimosas are available upon request. 

No doubt you’ve heard of Vermont maple syrup – they’ve got you and your french toast covered! Vermont is “foodie paradise,” and Burlington is her crown jewel. We were surprised by the awesome and diverse food scene in town, but for breakfast we recommend just staying “INN.” Linda made us some delicious banana pancakes, avocado toast, home fries and so much more! 

If you want to help yourself, in the downstairs area there is a Keurig Coffee maker, with a variety of organic coffees and teas, and Linda’s famous pot of “kick your butt” coffee. There are also plenty of local granola bars and little snacks to take with you for the day.

What’s Going On In BTV

 

Lake Champlain is Burlington’s water attraction, and spending a day at North Beach is a must when visiting the quaint town. Photo Gracie Watt.

Made INN is also conveniently located near Burlington’s main attractions. You’ll find dining, music, and the lakefront just a stroll from your door. However, Green Cabs and Uber are available in town too. 

Linda will have tons of recommendations when it comes to dining and attractions in Burlington, and their website has helpful tips as well. Our first day of arrival, we stopped by the Burlington Farmers Market, which was perfect for sampling tons of syrup, honey, a variety of local foods and seeing all of the artistry. It was also a wonderful people-watching experience, and really helped introduce us to the vibe of the “Queen City.” As University of Vermont and Champlain College are in town, college students do make up a lot of the population.

While exploring Church Street Marketplace and surrounding streets, you’ll find any type of food that you’re in the mood for. We stopped into The Café HOT on Main Street and we give it five stars. The breakfast sandwich with impossible sausage and hot sauce is one of the best breakfast sandwiches ever. 

Pascolo Ristorante offers an excellent Italian al-fresco dining experience, and just walking around the street afterwards you’ll find shopping, activities, and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream. As the company started in Burlington, this is a must visit. If time allows, you can also take a tour of the nearby factory.

Farmhouse Tap & Grill is a great place for lunch or dinner with fresh and healthy options. The best part is that all of these places are walkable from Made INN. If you want to explore a little further out, we recommend spending a summer day at North Beach on the shores of Lake Champlain. Who knows, maybe you’ll spot local legend, Champ (think Loch Ness monster).

Spend some time walking along the Lake Champlain Waterfront and visit the fun and educational ECHO Aquarium & Science Center. Another great activity just a stroll away is BurlyAxe Throwing, where you can feel like a lumberjack, compete against friends and enjoy some local Vermont brews afterwards. 

No matter what you decide to do or where you decide to stay, Burlington is worth the visit for the culture and the rich history. You will leave having gained so much experience and the trip of a lifetime. 

My Itinerary

Friday

> Arrive, check into Made INN Vermont

> Have lunch at The Café HOT

> Try your hand at axe throwing at BurlyAxe

> Play games like pool and have a beer at local spot, T. Rubbs Irish Pub

> Dinner at Pascolo Ristorante

Saturday

> Enjoy your homemade breakfast at Made INN

> Head to Burlington Farmers Market 

> Spend some time at the waterfront of Lake Champlain and the nearby park

> Visit ECHO Aquarium and Science Center

> Enjoy walking around Church Street Marketplace, exploring shops and more

> Dinner at Farmhouse

> Pick up some Ben & Jerry’s pints

> Enjoy the Made INN hot tub!

Sunday

> Breakfast at inn

> Day at North Beach, paddleboard rentals and more are available 

> Order some delicious pizza from Piesanos and enjoy a night in. 

> Don’t forget to sign the chalkboard wall before you leave!

> Head to the airport the next morning and try out Skinny Pancake, a local chain where they have sweet and savory crepes. 

> Some more great suggestions can be found here: 

Made Inn Vermont: 204 S Willard Street, Burlington, VT 05401

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Cover Photo Gracie Watt

Gracie Watt is a regular contributor to Texas Lifestyle Magazine and a graduate of St. Edward’s University in Austin, with a degree in Journalism. Watt is also a Lifestyle Producer at NBC-affiliate KXAN’s Studio 512. When she’s not writing, Watt enjoys singing, playing the guitar and doing volunteer work.