Countless Things To Do Near Our Vermont Luxury Resort

Outdoor Sports - 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. Ice Climbing and Other Outdoor Activities - Whether you are a seasoned expert or just want to try something new, enjoy some of the best ice climbing in New England with one of our veteran AMGA Certified Guides. Click here for our Ice Climbing Adventure Package. Balloon Rides with Above Reality Tours - Soar in a hot-air balloon far above the earth while enjoying snowy mountain vistas and a bird's-eye view of Lake Champlain. You can customize or personalize any flight, and don't forget to ask about Ladies' Day. Land Rover Driving Classes - 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 (800) 727-4295. Fly Fishing - Enjoy a full day on the river with an experienced guide. Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Factory - Watch a cool video on how Ben & Jerry's got started, tour the facility, and even get a free sample of the ice cream of the day. 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. 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." Marvel at live turtles, snakes, frogs, fish, sea stars, and sea urchins. Immerse yourself in demonstrations and hands-on interactive exhibits. Open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the summer. Call (802) 864-1848 for fall and winter hours. ECHO at the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain - ECHO is Vermont's premier lake aquarium and science center, featuring more than 60 species of fish, amphibians, and reptiles, and 100 hands-on interactive exhibits. ECHO is open year-round from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and until 8 p.m. on Thursday nights. Boyden Valley Winery - Visit the winery for a tour and tasting - or even better, a tour of the vineyard and winery, followed by a wine tasting accompanied by Vermont cheeses and fresh breads. Call (802) 644-8151 for dates of operation and information. Magic Hat Brewing Company - The Magic Hat Brewing Company blends ancient alchemy and modern-day science to produce the best tasting beer on the planet. Call (802) 658-BREW for tour schedule. 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. It has hosted a wide range of nationally and internationally acclaimed performers, including Frederica von Stade, Shawn Colvin, and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Vermont Mozart - The Inn at Essex is a proud supporter of Vermont Mozart. These seasonal events are worth planning your entire vacation around. 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. Shelburne Farms - Shelburne Farms is a membership-supported, nonprofit environmental education center and National Historic Landmark on the shores of Lake Champlain in Shelburne, Vermont. Shelburne Museum - Over 150,000 works are exhibited in a remarkable setting of 39 exhibition buildings, 25 of which are historic and were relocated to the Museum grounds. Impressionist paintings, folk art, quilts and textiles, decorative arts, furniture, American paintings, and a dazzling array of 17th-to 20th-century artifacts are on view. Church Street Marketplace - Downtown Burlington and Burlington's Church Street Marketplace offer more than 130 unique shops, stores, and restaurants. Church Street Marketplace is located in beautiful downtown Burlington, affording panoramic lake and mountain views. Burlington has a vibrant and picturesque downtown with a wide variety of retail stores and shops.