Mad River Valley Travel Guide
Planning a trip to the Mad River Valley? We gathered a simple local guide to help you make the most of your stay. From favorite restaurants and coffee shops to outdoor adventures and easy day trips, these are a few of our favorite ways to experience Vermont.
Plan Your Trip
Whether you are visiting for ski season, summer hiking, a family vacation, or a slow weekend in the mountains, the Mad River Valley has something beautiful to offer in every season. Use this guide as a starting point for planning your trip, then download our full guide for more local favorites and seasonal recommendations.
Fried chicken, breakfast sandwiches, and the maple creemee everyone talks about. Grab-and-go or picnic tables outside.
Good espresso and a relaxed corner to sit with the paper. An easy first stop on the way to the mountain.
A tiny bakery with big pastries. Go early for scones, cookies, and something sweet for the road.
A classic, unfussy breakfast counter. Pancakes, eggs any way, and plenty of coffee refills.
Some of the best bread in Vermont, plus soups and sandwiches. Worth the drive for a loaf to bring home.
Saturday mornings from May through October. Coffee, baked goods, maple syrup, and local produce on the village green.
Outdoor Adventure
The valley is known for year-round outdoor adventure. Whether you are here for snow-covered slopes or golden summer trails, there are plenty of ways to get outside and enjoy the mountain air.
Plan by the Season
Every season in the Mad River Valley offers something different. Here are our favorite activities, events, and tips for each time of year.
The valley’s family-owned grocery in Waitsfield. Everything you need to stock the kitchen, plus a good deli and local goods.
Outdoor gear, rentals, and friendly advice for paddling, biking, and snowshoeing. Ask them about river conditions.
A beloved village general store with a deli, bakery, and gift shop upstairs. Eat on the deck above the river in summer.
Just enough of a plan, with room to wander.
Arrive at Maple House, settle in, pick up dinner from The Mad Taco, and unwind by the wood stove after the drive.
Start with coffee at Three Mountain Cafe, spend the day skiing or hiking, then come back for the sauna and dinner at American Flatbread.
Enjoy a slow breakfast, take one last walk on the Mad River Path, and stop at the Warren Store for treats before heading home.
