History, hikes, and horses in a college town

May 12, 2010|Frances J. Folsom, Globe Correspondent

This small town, home to Middlebury College, was chartered in 1761 and has more than 300 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. Besides history, Middlebury is loaded with museums, charming accommodations, culture, a world-renowned horse farm, hiking trails, and great shopping. The best way to explore this quintessential New England town is on foot.

Stay

For fans of quaint inns, options abound in this town of about 8,000 population. The Middlebury Inn (14 Court Square, 800-842-4666, www.middleburyinn.com, $139-$239) is located in the center of town and has been welcoming guests for almost 200 years. Swift House Inn (25 Stewart Lane, 866-388-9925, www.swifthouseinn.com, $110-$245, breakfast included) consists of three 18th-century houses whose rooms are filled with antiques. Innonthe Green (71 South Pleasant St., 888-244-7512, www.innonthegreen.com, $110-$245, breakfast included) is housed in an 1803 Federal-style house and carriage house. Many of the 11 rooms offer views of the town green. Blueberry Hill Inn (1307 Goshen Ripton Road, Goshen, Vt., 802-247-6735, www.blueberryhillinn.com, doubles $189, breakfast included; $289 dinner and breakfast included) is tucked into the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area and has a freshwater pond for swimming. The Courtyard by Marriott (309 Court St., 802-388-7600, $135-$189, www.middleburycourtyard.com) has king suites, cable TV, free high-speed Internet, indoor heated pool.

Dine

One great thing about college towns is that the quality and variety of restaurants is dependably impressive. At Morgan’s Tavern in the Middlebury Inn (pictured, 14 Court Square, 802-388-4961, www.middleburyinn.com, $10-$25) choose from small plates of baked macaroni with Vermont cheddar cheese, fish and chips, or chicken piccata with lemon caper beurre blanc. For fine cuisine with a view, head to the Storm Café (3 Mill St., 802-388-1063, www.thestormcafe.com, dinner entrees $15-$24) and snag a table by a window overlooking Otter Creek or dine al fresco on the deck. American Flatbread (137 Maple St., 802-388-3300, www.americanflatbread.com, $7-$20) serves up creative pizzas and salads in a family-style setting. At Fire & Ice (23 Seymour St., 802-388-7166, www.fireandicerestaurant.com, dinners $10-$31) the specialties are prime rib and Maine lobster. Don’t miss the Salad Ballroom with its array of seafood salads. Tully & Marie’s (7 Bakery Lane, 802-388-4182, www.tullyandmaries.com, $6-$20) is known for its multicultural comfort food, including pad thai, chicken fajitas, and seafood risotto.

During the day

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