The State of Vermont is famous for its rural landscapes and farmlands, and the fact it has more cows than people.

At 600,000 people the entire state has the same population as the city of Boston.

As far as I know nobody is keeping records of the number of cows, but it’s a safe bet it’s more than 600,000 – a lot more!

So with all these cows, products such as cheese and ice cream factor large in the states’ food output, which also includes Maple Syrup and nationally famous chocolates. If your travels take you to the central and northern Vermont areas then you’re plump in the center of a thriving food trade region sure to satisfy your palate for dairy and sweet tastes.

Here are five destinations to whet your appetite:

Lake Champlain Chocolate Factory – Burlington:

Lake Champlain chocolates are famous across the nation but made in only one place – on the shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont’s largest city of Burlington. Conceived to create extraordinary truffles with the finest Vermont natural ingredients for wholesale markets, individuals soon discovered the factory and wanted to purchase them directly. Today the factory employs around 100 and has a full compliment of confection. Free tours are offered Monday – Friday on the hour from 9:00am – 2:00pm. For more details visit them online at www.lakechamplianchocolates.com

Ben and Jerry’s Factory Tour – Waterbury:

Mobbed during the summer months this popular destination has a short tour you can take which explains how it all started and how they make the famous ice cream and ship it worldwide… and of course how they come up with all those goofy sounding flavors… and why they retire many to the “ice cream cemetery.” The tour includes ice cream samples. Hours vary through the different seasons so be sure to check out their web site for the latest information and directions at www.benjerry.com or phone 866-258-6877.

Cabot Visitors Center – Cabot:

So Cabot is famous for its Vermont cheddar cheese, but produces a lot more than just cheddar. You’ll find Cabot has a number of shop outlets in Vermont but the visitors center is in Cabot – a small town east of Stowe and right on the edge of the Northeast Kingdom. At the center you can take an informative factory tour and watch the cheddar being made and learn about the art of cheese making and all about Cabot’s history. For hours and directions go to www.cabotcheese.com or phone 888-792-2268.

Vermont Maple Syrup Isn’t Just for Pancakes:

The largest producer of Maple Syrup is Vermont and as many chefs and cooks the world over realize it’s not just for pouring on your breakfast pancakes. Maple syrup is used in creating confectionery and many baking recipes for adding natural sweetness. It takes roughly 40 gallons of maple sap to make just one precious gallon of Maple syrup which is collected in one rushed 6-week stretch in the spring months. For those traveling in Vermont in March/April look for the smoke rising and the sweet smell of sugar in the air to find a Maple Sugar Shack where you can watch the syrup being “cooked” and made. You’ll find a state-wide list of Vermont Maple Sugar Shacks here.

Shelburne Farms – Shelburne:

You’ll want to spend a few hours here touring the farm property and if your budget allows reserving a table for dinner at the Inn. Shelburne Farms is a National Historic Landmark in Shelburne, Vermont, and set on the scenic shores of Lake Champlain. The farm was created in 1886 and has a herd of 125 purebred Brown Swiss cows whose milk is made into cheddar cheese right on the property. Guided tours run from May through October and you can choose from the Property Tour, the Inn and Tea Garden Tour, and the Breeding Barn Tour. For more information call 802-985-8442 or visit their web site at www.shelburnefarms.org

Vacation and excellent food go well together, and if you travels take you to central or northern Vermont then yoo’re well-placed to enjoy both and even take a little bit home with you.

Another post on something very New England in a few days time, so please come back or just subscribe to my RSS feed here by adding it to your favorite RSS Reader.

Cliff Calderwood
Editor
New England Vacations Guide

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