Guest Blog By Brittany Radtke 

If you think you need a week to experience the best of Vermont, think again. We just wrapped up a whirlwind 24-hour trip, and let me tell you... It was an absolute blast! I know how overwhelming planning can be when you’re short on time, so I’ve done the heavy lifting for you.

I left Vermont feeling so inspired (and very satisfied), and I wanted to share exactly how we made the most of every single minute. Whether you’re a local looking for a weekend trip or visiting from out of state (like my husband and I), I’ve got the perfect itinerary ready for you. No stress, no endless Googling—just grab your keys and go!

Stop 1: Exploring Burlington 

We landed in Burlington on a Thursday and went straight to our first restaurant. Our first stop was Guild Tavern, where we had an incredible Surf and Turf with Smoked Cheddar Grits.

For dessert, I insisted on finding Island Homemade Ice Cream. I first discovered them through the weekly Fairmont Market email newsletter, and their selection did not disappoint. It was the perfect "welcome to Vermont" moment.

The Stay: The 1919 Mountain Farmhouse

We spent the night at a stunning Airbnb hosted by my dear friends Ricky and Elizabeth Hall. The 1919 Mountain Farmhouse is truly stunning—cozy, beautifully decorated, and exactly what you imagine a Vermont farmhouse should be. Waking up to the sunrise and the mountains was a highlight of the trip.

Stop 2: Morning in Montpelier

Friday morning was all about the "Smallest State Capital" charm. We grabbed coffee and flaky pastries at Bohemian Bakery before exploring downtown Montpelier, including a fascinating self-led tour at the Vermont Historical Society Museum.

For lunch, we headed to Three Penny Taproom. Since I knew they were one of the local restaurants that serve Fairmont meats, I had to try the burger made with Fairmont Ground Beef. It was fantastic! So juicy and flavorful, easily one of the best burgers we've had.

Stop 3: Sweet Traditions at Morse Farm

You can’t visit Vermont without a maple stop. We popped into Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks for syrup, maple candy, and more. A huge shout-out to them for having "TSA Approved" signage on their syrup sizes—it was so helpful for those of us traveling and made it easy to pick exactly what we could bring home!

Stop 4: Fairmont Farm & Market

Finally, it was time for the main event. We met Bonnie Hall at Fairmont Farm for a quick tour. We saw the dairy calves, the cows, the sheep, and even Violet, the mini Highlander! We also got to see the milking parlor. All the animals seemed so happy, healthy, and clearly well-taken care of.

Our final stop was Fairmont Market at "The Haven." I was so excited to see the market space! It’s amazing how much variety is packed into their space. We saw:

• The fridge where pickup orders are collected for the public.

• The market space with Cabot Dairy products and dry storage items like maple syrup and jam.

• The walk-in freezer, stocked with all the meat products.

Since we still had more traveling to do, we couldn't grab any meat to take back, but we were thrilled that we at least got to have the burger at Three Penny Taproom! I did make sure to grab a Fairmont Market sweatshirt, though.

Final Thoughts

A huge thank you to Bonnie Hall and the team at Fairmont for being so welcoming to us. We can't wait to visit again and see this business continue to grow!

Plan your own visit to the Market at fairmontfarminc.com