4 Best Things to Do in Charlotte, Vermont

April 10, 2020 - Updated

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Charlotte is a charming typical Vermont small town on the Champlain Lake, shadowed by the beautiful Mount Philo and surrounded by magnificent Adirondack and Green Mountains. A drive to Mt. Philo from Charlotte is very scenic and takes only ten minutes. The view of the lake and the surrounding mountains is spectacular. Hiking up the mountain is very popular with locals and folks from Burlington and even New York. There is a ferry across the lake that connects Charlotte with New York. Charlotte is also a popular destination in the summer when the berries are ripe – there are several berry farms that offer ‘pick your own’ as well as many fresh or organic fruits and fruit products.

1.Mount Philo State Park

Mount Philo State Park is the 237-acre state park located in Charlotte, Vermont, established in 1924 to protect the area around the 968-foot high Mount Philo. The park offers fantastic views of Lake Champlain, the lush Adirondack Mountains.to the west and the Green Mountains to the south and east. The park can be accessed by a hiking trail or, when weather permits, steep narrow road. A network of hiking trails leads to the summit of Mount Philo where hikers can enjoy a mountaintop picnic area with breathtaking views of the valley, Lake Champlain, the Adirondack Mountains and Green Mountains. A small camping area offers about 10 sites. Between September and November Mt. Philo is great place to watch migrating raptors, especially falcons, such as kestrel and merlin, but also Cooper’s hawk and red-tailed hawk.

5425 Mt Philo Rd, Charlotte, VT 05445

2.Philo Ridge Farm

Philo Ridge Farm is a 400-acre farm consisting of pasture and woodlands, located in Charlotte, Vermont. The farm was established in 1840 as a dairy farm. Today, the farm diversified its production and integrates livestock, gardens, orchards and popular community events. The Philo Ridge Farm market offers farm produce to the public, but also the produce of neighboring farmers. The farm’s growing practices are influenced by their dedication to the ecological sustainability of the farmland. Philo Ridge Farm produces grass-fed and pasture-raised livestock, as well as the certified organic vegetable, flowers, herb and fruit grown in the Market Garden, such as arugula, zucchini, gooseberries, currents and more. The farm works with Charlotte's elementary school, offering events, classes, and field trips.

2766 Mt Philo Rd, Charlotte, VT 05445, Phone: 802-539-2147

3.Charlotte Berry Farm

Established in 1980, Charlotte Berry Farm continuously operated on about 56 acres of scenic conserved land growing acres of mature blueberries, blackberries and black raspberries. They also grow pumpkins seasonally each year. The farm is also home to Champlain Valley Apiaries. The farm stand sells a range of farm products. During the season, they also offer fruit-flavored soft serve ice cream, you-pick berries and pumpkins and home-made baked goods, jams, syrup, and honey. Conveniently located on Route 7, the farm is popular with locals and visitors, who bring kids to pick their own fruits or pumpkins or enjoy fresh fruit ice cream.

4702 Ethan Allen Hwy, Charlotte, VT 05445, Phone: 802-425-3652

4.Adam's Berry Farm

Adam’s Berry Farm is a certified organic berry farm in Charlotte, Vermont, growing blueberries, strawberries and raspberries, offering pick your own berries in the summer and maple syrup made from the 100-old maples grown on the farm. Berry picking starts in July and it attracts families with kids all the way from Chicago. It is a wonderful way to spend a day outside, pick some fruits to take home, eat some to enjoy the taste, relax in the shade of the old maples and maybe go to the beach - there are several less than ten miles drive from the farm. You can also buy on the farm stand their frozen strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, low-sugar berry jams, vinegar, chutney, quince Membrillo, berry popsicles, farm-made sorbet, homemade ice cream, honey, eggs and pumpkins. Farm’s products are also available every Saturday during the growing season at the Burlington Farmers Market.

985 Bingham Brook Rd, Charlotte, VT 05445, Phone: 802-578-9093