Vermont as a mini-moon is most definitely a winning choice. And there’s one part Burlington you just can’t miss. After the skiing and Lake Champlain, the main attraction for many visitors is Church Street, a pedestrian mall full of shops and restaurants.

With festivals and events taking place year round, there’s always somehing to do and see. Tim and loved the time we spent here on our long weeeknd.

Obviously named for the big church at the end of the street, this ace always attracts a crowd. We couldn’t believe how many people were braving the cold to wander in and out of the boutiques.

We had to stop into Lake Champlain Chocolates for a jumbo chocolate-covered strawberry each. The staff is always making something delicious in the front window and happy to talk with visitors about their confections. You can also check out their factory tours at the nearby Pine Street facility.

My book-junkie hubby could not pass up a stop into Crow Bookshop, a cozy space full used titles. Somehow we managed to get out the door with just one book purchased.

We’re so glad we decided to explore Burlington, a city that we had somehow never visited in all our years in the Northeast. We loved the city so much that we’re talking about heading back up in warmer weather. Vermont has so much to offer honeymooners who don’t want to stray too far from home – cheese, beer, hiking, skiing and so much more. We’re sold!

On our mini-getaway to Vermont, Tim and I knew we simply could not miss the Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour. It’s one of the highlights of a trip for anyone who loves ice cream. We drove out the Waterbury facility, just 40 minutes from Burlington.

Even though they weren’t producing ice cream that day, we paid our 3 bucks each and got to overlook the production facility, watch a short film about the company’s history and philanthropy and – of course – get a free sample! One tiny cup is never enough though, so we treated ourselves to a great big cone each. Ice cream for lunch is the way to go!

If there’s one thing Tim loves as much as ice cream it’s beer. So naturally we headed on over to the Magic Hat Brewery Tour in Burlington. We were invited to sample all of their beers on tap while we waited 45 minutes for our tour to start. We checked out their merch and chatted with the staff. Our 30 minute long tour took us above the brewing and bottling facilities, which weren’t operating that day. But who cares… there were free samples!

No Vermont mini-moon would be complete without a few stops for liquid refreshment in Burlington. One of our first stops of the weekend was as at the Vermont Pub and Brewery in downtown. Opened in 1988, they bill themselves as “Vermont’s oldest craft brewery.”

Their suds are on tap and there’s a huge menu to go along with it. We hadn’t planned on eating here, but couldn’t resist the cheese plate of local goodness. The beers were great, the cheeses were phenomenal and we got over the disappointment in the saltines. Sitting in the glassed-in front bar was a great choice for watching people wander by.

Vermont definitely loves it’s coffee. We parked ourselves at the Pine Street location of Speeder and Earl’s one afternoon. The space is huge, with lots of natural light, local art on the walls and a biplane hanging from the ceiling. How could you go wrong? The good coffee, the tea and the Sunday NY Times topped off a perfect morning-into-afternoon for us.

Another great spot is Rí Rá right on the main shopping strip of Church Street, inside a big old bank. According to their website, “Rí Rá can be defined as a place or state where exuberance and revelry prevail”

We really liked the warm feel of this Irish Bar when we were there, and were then slightly disappointed to know it’s a chain with locations up and down the East Coast. But we were impressed to learn the whole interior is built and decorated with salvaged artifacts from actual pubs in Ireland. Not matter who owns it or how it was built, we were happy to sit on our stools, watch some Winter Olympics on TV and knock back a few local brews.

Burlington, VT is a great location for anyone seeking an East Coast mini-moon. But especially for couples who love comfort food that won’t empty your wallet.

Tim and I hit up Sadie Katz Deli for breakfast. This tiny spot is an old fashioned diner with booths, lunch counter and vintage formica table tops. Many of the meals are served with delicious and greasy potato latkes instead of home fries. The waitresses were friendly and the food was served up fast. We cleared our plates!

The Burlington Fresh Market and Cheese Outlet is the perfect stop for lunch. Located on Pine Street, this place offers a huge variety of gourmet goodies. Not only do they prepare gift baskets and offer catering services, but you can shop for groceries, order a sandwich or pick up a freshly baked scone. We stopped in for lunchtime bagels and then browsed the shelves for a while.

You absolutely cannot go wrong with American Flatbread for dinner. Be prepared for a wait – we spent ours at the bar trying their beers brewed on site. But there’s a reason everyone in town flocks here for dinner… the artisanal pizzas are handmade with fresh, local, organic ingredients and then baked in a wood burning oven. All the prep and cooking is done in the open-air kitchen just off the dining room. Without exaggeration, it was one of the best pizzas we’ve ever had. Do not miss this place if you visit VT!

Though the trip was an anniversary/Valentine’s celebration with some R&R, our recent trip to Burlington, VT would make the perfect local mini-moon for any couple looking for good food in a gorgeous environment. Vermont, home to just over 600,000 residents, is know for it’s beautiful Green Mountains, legalized gay marriage, dairy cows and crunchy lifestyles.

Its largest city – Burlington – sits on the shores of Lake Champlain, seen in the chilly shot above.

Lake Champlain offers tons of summertime fun, with kayak rentals, dinner cruises, fishing and even scuba. It was a bit too icy when Tim and I visited in February for any of that. But of course winter’s greatest attraction is the nearby slopes at Stowe, Smuggler’s Notch and Jay Peak.

Burlington is an easy drive from NYC in under 6 hours and even closer from Boston in under 4 hours. We packed our rental car full off music, snacks, knitting materials and of course caffeine. Leaving early Saturday morning had us in town and ready for lunch that afternoon.

Planning the trip was super easy… We got a good hotel deal through hotel deal through Hotwire.com. The design*sponge Small City Guide and The New York Times’ 36 Hours in Burlington made great guides to take along on my iPhone. We took a slow pace that weekend, wandering, snacking and wandering some more.

We can’t say enough good about Burlington. It’s an adorable, progressive town, full of friendly locals and lots of laid back vibes. Tag along this week as we hit up great restaurants, tour the Magic Hat Brewery. And eat Ben & Jerry’s, of course.

I’m thrilled to announce a very exciting event for RealHoneymoons.com! We’re going to be a Media Partner at the Romance Travel Expo March 14 in Burlington, MA.

Whether you’re planning a destination wedding, a honeymoon or even just a romantic getaway, you’ll want to check out this event. It’s free to attend and you’ll have the opportunity to meet with professionals from around the world who can help you plan an experience of a lifetime. The incredible list of exhibitors includes the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, the Jamaica Tourist Board, the W Retreat & Spa Vieques Island in Puerto Rico and many more.

Sign up now because the first 1,000 brides who register for the event will receive swag bags full of goodies. More about the contents in future posts!

The show details are:
Romance Travel Expo
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Boston Marriott Burlington
Burlington, MA
10 am to 4 pm
Free admission – register now