Whether it is cold, crisp, and snowy or sunny and warm - there's lots going on! Here are just a few of the great activities you can enjoy during your stay at the Inn at Essex.
Outdoor Sports
Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Skating, and Sledding at Catamount Family Center
Groomed cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails for all levels, an ice-skating oval, and a sledding hill make this a great place for both serious Nordic skiers and families looking for a fun afternoon in the snow.
OPEN EVERY DAY FROM 9 - 5, PLUS TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, AND THURSDAY EVENINGS FROM 5 - 8:30 PM. ADULT: FULL DAY $15; 4 HOURS $12; NIGHT $7. TEEN (13-17 YEARS): FULL DAY $7; NIGHT $6. CHILDREN 7-12 YEARS: $5; CHILDREN 6 & UNDER: $2. SKI, SNOWSHOE, AND SKATE RENTALS AVAILABLE. CALL (802) 879-6001 OR VISIT WWW.CATAMOUNTOUTDOOR.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Ice Climbing and Other Outdoor Activities
Whether you are a seasoned expert or just want to try something new - come and enjoy some of the best ice climbing in New England with one of our veteran AMGA Certified Guides - and discover some of the best kept secrets in Vermont!
Visit www.vermontadventuretours.com for more great outdoor options.
Click here for our Ice Climbing Adventure Package!
Balloon Rides with Above Reality Tours
Soar in a hot-air balloon far above the earth enjoying snowy mountain vistas and a bird's-eye view of Lake Champlain.
You can customize or personalize any flight - just ask! Also, don't forget to ask about Ladies' Day…
NOTE: Ballooning is a popular activity and space is limited. If you know well in advance the specific date on which you would like to fly it is a good idea to reserve that date now to ensure your place (first come first served). Also, note that since ballooning is a fair weather activity it is best to book your flight for a date during the first part of your visit. This way, in the disappointing event that your flight is weathered out (cancelled due to weather), there are other opportunities to reschedule before your return home.
ADULTS $225 EACH; KIDS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 -17 $199 EACH; KIDS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 -14 $169 EACH; KIDS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 8 -12 $149 EACH. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 1-877-FUN-RISE (386-7473), OR IF YOU'RE IN THE LOCAL AREA, CALL 802-899-4007. ON THE WEB, VISIT www.balloonvermont.com.
Learn to Drive On Any Kind of Terrain in a Land Rover!
The 4 x 4 Driving School is just minutes from The Inn at Essex. It is an exhilarating and challenging experience on 600 acres of driving conditions of all types.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL THE INN AT 1-800-727-4295.
Fly Fishing
Enjoy a full day on the river with an experienced guide. For more information, please visit www.streamandbrook.com
Museums and Factory Tours
Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory
What a tour! You can watch a cool video on how Ben & Jerry got started, tour the facility and even get a free sample of the ice cream of the day.
TOURS RUN DAILY. ADULTS $2.00, SENIORS $1.75, KIDS 12 AND UNDER FREE. LOCATED ON ROUTE 100 WATERBURY, 1 MILE NORTH OFF EXIT 10, I-89. INFO HOTLINE (802) 882-1260. RESERVATIONS (802) 882-1240 EXT. 2285. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.benjerry.com
The Vermont Teddy Bear Company
Delight in the whimsical world of the Vermont Teddy Bear Company. Take the fun-filled tour, browse for unique gifts or create your own teddy in the "Make a Friend For Life" fun shop. A must stop for the whole family.
TOURS $1 FOR ADULTS, CHILDREN UNDER 12 FREE. OPEN DAILY 9-6 (SUN 10-5). ROUTE 7 SHELBURNE. FOR INFORMATION CALL (802) 985-3001. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT www.vermontteddybear.com.
Lake Champlain Basin Science Center
Features exhibits such as "Buzz, Croak & Warbles"; "Song of the Wetlands", "Secrets of the Lake", and "The Sea That Used to Be"; live turtles, snakes, frogs, fish, sea stars & sea urchins; demonstrations; and hands-on interactive exhibits for ages 1-91.
OPEN 11-5 DURING THE SUMMER; CALL (802) 864-1848 FOR INFORMATION DURING THE FALL AND WINTER.
ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
ECHO is Vermont's premier lake aquarium and science center with over 60 species of fish, amphibians, and reptiles, and 100 hands-on interactive exhibits. ECHO is open 362 days a year from 10am-5pm and until 8pm on Thursday nights. Visit http://www.echovermont.org/ and GET YOUR MIND WET!
Boyden Valley Winery
Visit the winery for a tour and tasting…or even better, enjoy a tour of the vineyard and winery, followed by wine tasting accompanied by a selection of Vermont cheeses and fresh breads.
$25 PER PERSON. DATES OF OPERATION: MAY 31 - DECEMBER 31: TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY 10:00 - 5:00; CLOSED MONDAYS. JAN. 1 - MAY 30: FRIDAY - SUNDAY 10:00 - 5:00. LOCATION: CROSSROADS OF ROUTES 15 AND 104. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (802) 644-8151.
Magic Hat Brewing Company
The Magic Hat Brewing Company: where ancient alchemy meets modern day science to produce the best tasting beer on the planet. Come watch our spores dance and play!
MONDAY-THURSDAY 11AM-6PM; FRIDAY 11AM-7PM; SATURDAY 11AM-6PM; AND SUNDAY 12-5 PM. TOURS, SAMPLES, TCHOTCKES. LOCATED ON BARTLETT BAY ROAD, SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT. CALL (802) 658-BREW FOR TOUR SCHEDULE.
Performing Arts
Flynn Theater for the Performing Arts
The historic Flynn theater began as a vaudeville house, was transformed into a movie theater during the Golden Age of Hollywood, and has now come into its own as northern Vermont's foremost performance center. Host to a wide range of nationally and internationally acclaimed performers such as Frederica von Stade, Shawn Colvin, and Mikhail Barishnikov, the Flynn is well worth a visit during your stay at the Inn at Essex.
VISIT www.flynntheater.org FOR MORE INFORMATION.
The Inn at Essex is a proud supporter of Vermont Mozart. These seasonal events are worth planning your entire vacation around! To learn more, go to www.VTMozart.com
Vermont Symphony Orchestra
A centerpiece of the Burlington arts scene for over 60 years, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra performs regularly at the Flynn Theater in Burlington from October to May. FOR A COMPLETE SCHEDULE CALL (800) VSO-9243 EXT. 10.
Shopping and Movies
Essex Shoppes and Cinema
If you like shopping, you'll love the Inn at Essex, which is within easy walking distance to one of Vermont's premier outlet centers. A unique mix of National Outlets and Local Vermont Stores.
VISIT www.essexoutletfair.com FOR MORE INFORMATION AND A LIST OF STORES.
The Essex Shoppes and Cinema is Vermont's stadium-seating cinema, with Vermont's largest screen showing today's best films.
VISIT www.essexoutletscinema.com FOR MORE INFORMATION AND A SCHEDULE OF WHAT'S PLAYING.
There's plenty more to do in the Burlington area! The Inn at Essex is conveniently located between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain -the sixth largest lake in the United States. With its natural beauty and the fact that Vermont is the safest state in the U.S., Essex and Burlington are wonderful places to spend time with your family. Essex alone boasts 15 Tennis Courts, a municipal lake, 27 Parks, three fitness trails, an 18 hole golf course at Essex Country Club, two public libraries, two municipal pools, indoor/outdoor skating, two museums (Discovery Museum, Harriet F. Powell Historical Museum), six shopping centers, private fitness clubs and sports centers, bowling, and its own professional soccer team.
In less than an hour's drive you can get to six alpine ski areas (including world-renowned Stowe and Sugarbush), boating, sailing, fishing (lake and stream), public beaches, four State Parks, 9- and 18-hole golf courses, the Audubon Center, apple-picking (in season), antique shops, and the acclaimed Shelburne Museum.
