Discover Middlebury, Vermont

Explore the area

Nestled in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains, Waybury Inn offers the ideal home base for exploring outdoor activities, historic attractions, local culture, and seasonal events in Middlebury and surrounding areas.

Explore all winter has to offer

  • Two hikers cross-country skiing through a snow-covered forest, wearing winter jackets, hats, and gloves.

    Cross-Country Skiing at Rikert Outdoor Center

    Just four miles from the Inn, Rikert Outdoor Center is one of Vermont’s premier cross-country skiing destinations. Operated by Middlebury College, the center offers a cozy lodge, rentals, and more than 35 miles of groomed trails. Skiers enjoy varied terrain that passes through forests, open fields, stone walls, and mountain views, with options for snowshoeing and winter fat biking also available.

  • Snow-covered mountain with ski slopes and chairlifts in a winter landscape.

    Downhill Skiing at Middlebury College Snow Bowl

    Located less than 10 minutes from the Inn, Middlebury College Snow Bowl offers a classic Vermont downhill skiing experience. While smaller in size, the Snow Bowl is known for its challenging terrain and loyal following. Two chairlifts provide access to 17 trails, featuring a mix of long, technical runs and shorter, gentler slopes—making it a fun and approachable mountain for skiers of all levels.

  • Pair of red snowshoes with metal binding on snow in a winter landscape.

    Snowshoeing Adventures Near Middlebury

    Middlebury’s location beside the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area and the Green Mountain National Forest makes it an ideal base for snowshoeing in Vermont. Miles of scenic trails wind through forests and open landscapes, offering peaceful winter exploration. Nearby favorites include the Robert Frost Interpretive Trail and the Silver Lake Trail, both less than 10 minutes from the Inn.

A scenic view of a large lake surrounded by green trees and rolling hills in the distance, with a partly cloudy sky overhead.

All Trails: Bryan O'Neill

Hiking in the Green Mountains

Robert Frost Interpretive Trail: Located three miles up the mountain within the Green Mountain National Forest, this gentle walking trail features well-maintained paths, footbridges, and interpretive kiosks displaying poems by Robert Frost—who once lived nearby.

Spirit in Nature Trails: An extensive, well-marked network of forest trails ideal for hikers of all levels. Clear signage and peaceful surroundings make it easy to explore with confidence while enjoying the natural beauty of the Green Mountains.

Lana Falls and Silver Lake Trail: Starting near Lake Dunmore, this scenic hike leads past waterfalls to the quiet beauty of Silver Lake. The destination offers a perfect spot for picnicking, fishing, or relaxing beside the water.

The Long Trail: America’s oldest long-distance hiking trail runs 270 miles along Vermont’s Green Mountains. A nearby trailhead provides access to a memorable day hike with classic Vermont views and varied terrain. Find out more about the Long Trail.

Just steps from the Inn, the Middlebury River offers excellent fly fishing in a classic Vermont setting. Stocked each spring with brook and brown trout, the river provides a productive stretch between the gorge and the Lower Plains Bridge—an easy walk from our front door and a favorite spot for anglers of all levels.

For those new to fly fishing or looking for local expertise, we partner with Stream and Brook Fly Fishing, a local guide service offering personalized instruction and guided trips tailored to your experience and interests.

Planning to fish in Vermont? A valid Vermont fishing license is required and can be purchased online in advance.

Person holding a colorful fish near a body of water with a wooden log in the background.

Fly Fishing on the Middlebury River

View from the front of a wooden canoe on a calm lake, surrounded by green forested hills under a partly cloudy sky.

Canoeing & Kayaking Near Middlebury

Middlebury is ideally located for canoeing and kayaking on Lake Dunmore and Lake Champlain, two of Vermont’s most popular paddling destinations.

Lake Dunmore, just five miles from the Inn, offers calm waters and scenic mountain views, making it perfect for casual paddling. Multiple access points are available, including Branbury State Park, where visitors can rent canoes, kayaks, and rowboats.

For a larger adventure, Lake Champlain is approximately 25 miles away and provides expansive waters, sheltered coves, and beautiful shoreline scenery ideal for small craft. We’re happy to share recommendations on our favorite launch spots and paddling areas.

Middlebury is a prime destination for road biking and scenic cycling in Vermont, offering routes for every experience level. Riders can choose from flat, leisurely paths through farmland and village scenery or tackle more challenging climbs through the region’s rolling hills and mountain valleys. The area is also home to well-known cycling events and long-distance routes that showcase Vermont’s natural beauty.

We’ve partnered with experienced bike touring companies that offer guided and self-guided cycling tours throughout Vermont. These multi-day trips allow guests to travel from inn to inn by bike, with support vehicles available if weather conditions change. Tours are available as private or small-group experiences, making it easy to tailor the ride to your pace and preferences.

Two people mountain biking on a snowy trail through a forest with tall pine trees and snow-covered ground.

Biking

Culture, History & Local Attractions

  • An orchestra performing on stage in a concert hall, led by a conductor, with a harp to the right.

    Middlebury College Center for the Arts

    A vibrant cultural hub offering theater, music, dance, and visual arts performances year-round in a beautifully designed campus setting.

    Find out more
  • A brick building with multiple windows and a front door with a small awning, surrounded by white hydrangea flowers and some greenery, with a flagpole and a flag in front.

    Vermont Folklife Center

    Dedicated to preserving and sharing everyday Vermont traditions through exhibits, storytelling, and community-driven cultural programs.

    Find out more
  • A round red barn with a dark roof and a small tower on top, surrounded by green grass and trees, under a partly cloudy sky.

    Shelburne Museum

    Celebrating American art, design, and folk traditions through an expansive collection of historic buildings, exhibitions, and immersive cultural experiences.

    Find out more

Sights to see around Middlebury

  • White historic building with a steeple and a horse statue on a pedestal, surrounded by a grassy area under a partly cloudy sky.

    UVM Morgan Horse Farm

    A historic working farm just outside Middlebury dedicated to Vermont’s state horse. Visitors can explore the grounds and learn about Morgan horses.

  • Covered wooden bridge over a river, labeled 'Pulp Mill Bridge', built in 1853, rebuilt in 2012, under a blue sky with trees on the sides.

    Pulp Mill Covered Bridge

    A classic Vermont covered bridge spanning Otter Creek, known for its historic charm and picturesque setting near downtown.

  • A small waterfall flowing under a stone bridge with multi-story buildings and trees in the background.

    Middlebury Falls

    An iconic waterfall in the center of town where Otter Creek rushes through a dramatic gorge, offering easy views and photo spots.

Landscape with colorful autumn trees in the foreground, mountain range in the background, clear sky with some clouds, and a faint moon visible.

We look forward to making your experience special.

Come stay with us